Four goals from forward Romeo helped Gungahlin United ease their way into an Australia Cup Qualifying Semi-Final match-up against O’Connor Knights, as they ousted the final Community League club from the competition with a seven-goal win over Majura FC at Greenway Enclosed.
The National Premier League leaders were never unduly troubled by their plucky opponents, but the underdogs looked organised and disciplined for large parts of the match, before the difference in fitness levels showed in the final quarter as the Gunners powered to victory.
Majura forward Rory Larkin was a nuisance all evening for the Gungahlin defence, going closet with a pair of shots that forced Heath Ilitch into action in the early stages of the second-half, but the underdogs opportunities were few and far between as a polished Gunners professionally did their job.
It was a set-piece that undid Majura in the eleventh minute, Jack Green meeting a pinpoint delivery from an Antoni Timotheou corner to glance a header across Luis Rutzou and into the far corner of the net and, when the ‘keeper spilled a ball midway through the half for Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu to pounce, it was game over.
The Gunners’ hitman was heavily involved in the link-up play throughout, but it was his striking partner Romeo who stole the goalscoring show. He opened his account just past the hour mark, tapping in from close range after Rutzou had palmed a shot into his path, before a two-goal blitz secured his treble.
Romeo’s second was a brilliant first-time hit from a low cross that flew past the stranded Majura defence to crash into the net, and he had a hat-trick when steering the ball home at the far post after substitute Baily Dickinson found him unmarked close to the penalty spot.
Gunners weren’t done yet and added a fifth when Ahmed-Shaibu teed up Antoni Timotheou who was afforded the freedom of Greenway Enclosed to take aim and thrash a low shot into the bottom corner before Romeo had his fourth, Dickinson and Ahmed-Shaibu combining to free Romeo who calmly rolled home into the corner.
STATISTICS
Australia Cup Qualifying Quarter Final
Tuesday 14 May
Majura FC 0 Gungahlin United 7 (Green 11’, Ahmed-Shaibu 26’, Romeo 61’, 69’, 71’, 86’, Timotheou 85’)
