Balgownie Rangers youth side has come fifth to secure the finals as they win 3-1 against University of Wollongong FC in the celebration of the clubs 140th year.
The Rangers have ended the season on a high as they make finals with the result between Berkeley and Warilla going their way.
Goalscorer Xavier Fiumara was delighted with the team’s result as they were able to perform in the closing weeks of the season and with pressure on them, persisted through.
“We’ve really got to give full credit to the boys,” he said.
“I don’t think we’d be here if Julian had not scored a few crackers at the end of that game, and at the end of the other one we played against Gerringong.
“It’s just a good feeling, we worked hard and we earned it.”
Goalkeeper Christian Carlotto stepped up with the injury in the absence of goalkeeper Joel Monteleone.
Carlotto performed well conceding only one but making crucial saves to keep his side in the game.
Fiumara said that the side had slight doubts on Carlotto’s ability but were impressed and had faith in their backup with a solid performance.
“We were a bit worried, he hasn’t played goalkeeper for a while, Fiumara said.
“He came on and could not have played any better, he made a brilliant save in the first half and if we went 1-1 who knows what could have happened.”
Midfielder Thomas Cusack has been awarded with man of the match on Old Boys Day with a great performance in the Rangers midfield.
Old Boys Day is a club’s last home game of the season and for Balgownie is extra special, as it is the oldest club in Australia now in its 140th year.
“It feels good to be man of the match. It’s Old Boys Day, a special day, I’m pretty happy,” Cusack said.
The Balgownie Rangers youth side will play the first game of their finals campaign in a rematch against UOW on Saturday 26 at King Mickey Park.
Over the weekend the Balgownie Rangers youth side faced off against University of Wollongong FC in a crucial match that decided the fate of their finals spot. They needed a win while Berkeley FC had to drop points. Balgownie took an early lead through a Riley Jarret stunner until Julian Hall would later seal the game for the Rangers with a screamer from the corner flag. Berkeley lost 3-1 to Warilla, giving the last finals spot to the Rangers on their very own Old Boys Day as the club celebrated 140 years, being the oldest football club in Australia.
