Coach Jim Tatsis said more than 300 teams participated in this year’s Football NSW prestigious knockout tournament, with over five thousand players vying for a spot in the coveted grand final.
“Our aim has been to play to ‘create memories’, and this win, the goals, the performance, have definitely done that,” the excited coach said.
Earlwood absorbed a strong University of Wollongong spell for the first 15 minutes, as both teams sought to find their rhythm, but it was Connor Stock who beat an outstretched keeper to find the back of the net to put Earlwood in the lead.
Both sides created a number of chances and were it not for goal line saves and defensive plays from Jono Tapia, Toby Robertson, Aidan Passell, Carlos Tobiano and Stef Ottavio, the end result could have been quite different.
In the 42nd minute, following a patient build up from Earlwood’s own third, Stock again found himself in the penalty box with the ball at his feet, and Juan Arango metres away and unmarked. A pass to Juan was finished nicely with a well-placed ball into the bottom corner to make the score 2-0.
The Wanderers sealed the victory with a third and final goal in the 51st minute again from Connor Stock following a great team effort.
Oscar Swan, James Melki, Adrian Cambria, Chris Theodorou Louis Williamson, Daniel Odria and Leo Burkitt-Doyle all worked hard in the middle until the final whistle to ensure the Wollongong attack did not get close enough to take any shots on goal.
Champions crown great end to season
THE Earlwood Wanderers U16 boys have been crowned the 2019 Football NSW Champion of Champions following a thrilling final against University of Wollongong, winning 3-0 and bringing a great season to an end.
