Reserves Bow Out of Cup

15 July 2013 Written by HRSC

Joondalup United Reserves 3:0 Hamersley Rovers Reserves

The earlier game saw the Reserves have their cup run ended through a dominant first half performance by Joondalup at Curtin University, though Rovers worked hard to make a game of it and had chances that could have seen a different result.

The first 20 minutes was a scrappy affair with Rovers struggling to maintain possession and therefore being forced to sit deep in their own half.

After a let off on 21 minutes, when a ‘Ronnie Rosenthalesque’ chance went begging for Joondalup, Rovers found themselves a goal down on 26 minutes after a wide ball was intercepted by a Joondalup header, the resulting action seeing a pass slipped through the defence and the striker sliding the ball past the outrushing keeper Alec Glass.

Hamersley created on 35 minutes after a Stuart Simmons cross to the far post was met by Jackson Richardson, though the wide man struggled to get enough purchase on his header.

The second Joondalup goal came from nothing just before half time, after several simple passes broke the Hamersley ranks and, though Glass managed to get a hand to the shot from inside the box, Rovers’ chances of getting something from the tie were diminishing.

Hamersley came out with energy and a greater determination to win after the break, and found themselves with a stranglehold on the game as a number of chances pegged Joondalup back, the first coming from Dan Willis just one minute into the half, a fine strike bound for the top corner being kept out with an equally fine save from United’s keeper.

Another effort fell to Simmons after great play from Tel Stupple’s men, a build up of numerous passes finding Willis down the right and cutting back to the striker, who struck fiercely on his right foot but over.

From the resulting goal kick Simmons was nearly in again as the keeper made a howler with his kick, which Simmons intercepted but put just wide under pressure from a defender.

The sucker punch came on 74 minutes as a Joondalup strike, completely against the run of play, nestled in the bottom corner and effectively ended Rover’s chances of progression to the next round.

Hamersley continued to work hard and did create further chances, though the damage was done in the first half and Stupple and his men will now aim to ensure that they eliminate this recent characteristic of a slow start.