Western Suburbs 5 – Stop Out 1
Elijah Just 36, 66, 70
Xavier Green 45+2
Matt Garbett 85
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Wests Formation (4-3-3) Stop Out Formation (4-3-2-1)
Andrew Withers
Liam Garethy, Michael Faber, Kyle Adams, Dalton Wilkins
Dominic Wooldridge, Harry Edge, Owen Parker-Price
Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just, Xavier Green
Wests Subs:
Noah Billingsley for Liam Garethy (54 mins) – Straight swap
Nando Pijnaker for Michael Faber (72 mins) – Kyle moved to “4”
Matt Garbett for Elijah Just (79 mins) – Straight swap
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After almost 48 hours of incessant heavy rain prior to this Chatham Cup last-16 tie, it was pleasing to see Hutt Park in a playable condition. Nevertheless, the ground was extremely sodden, and had the potential to be a great leveller if this nullified Wests usual sharp passing and movement.
Wests had about 250 supporters, bolstering the crowd to over 300, as they sought to continue their long winning streak.
There was one enforced change for Wests with Alex Clayton unavailable, and Liam Gerathy getting a start at right back. Stop Out adopted a 4-3-2-1 formation, sitting reasonably deep, but looking to spring forward in support of Micky Malivuk, their lone striker, whenever opportunities presented themselves.
In the early stages, the state of pitch looked like it may have an impact, as Wests struggled to get their normal fluency going. Defences were definitely on top with the giant Kade Schrijvers marshalling the Stop Out defence, and Mikey Faber & Kyle Adams as solid as ever containing the dangerous Micky Malivuk.
Stop Out were forced into a re-shuffle by a couple of early injuries, but it is unlikely that this had a material effect on the result, as Wests’ superior skill and fitness started to tell from about the half-hour mark.
After a few half-chances to Callum McCowatt, Owen Parker-Price and Elijah Just had gone begging, Wests’ pressing game created the first goal on 36 minutes. Owen Parker-Price nipped in for the crucial interception and his neat drag-back pass to Elijah Just was complimented by a firm drilled finish.
Stop Out looked for an immediate response, and Wests were indebted to Liam Gerathy for a fine block, and then to Andrew Withers’ alertness when there were a couple of under-hit back-passes.
Wests crafted a second goal in first half stoppage time – Callum McCowatt was the instigator with a fine run and pull-back to Elijah Just, and when his shot was palmed away, Xavier Green was on-hand to slide-in a decisive goal.
The second half was dominated by Wests, and Dalton Wilkins came close to extending the lead with a firm right-footed shot that cannoned back off the bar. With Harry Edge, Dominic Wooldridge and Owen Parker-Price all excelling, Stop Out struggled to play any attractive football, relying on longer-ball tactics and high crosses into the area. Inevitably, this resulted in the occasional chance, particularly from corners, but Andrew Withers was always well-positioned to make smothering saves.
On 65 minutes, Dominic Wooldridge drew a reckless challenge from Kade Schrijvers and earned Wests a penalty. Stop Out keeper, James McPeake, guessed correctly and managed to block Owen Parker-Price’s spot-kick, but while Stop Out celebrated, Dalton Wilkins was first to the rebound, and the ball eventually fell to Elijah Just who curled a beauty into the top corner from the edge of the box.
This was effectively game-over, but Wests did not take their foot off the pedal. Instead, almost immediately, a defensive mix-up let in Callum McCowatt, and he unselfishly set up Elijah Just to easily bag his hat-trick goal.
A couple of substitutions followed, with Nando Pijnaker being welcomed back to the fray, and Elijah Just being applauded off to be replaced by Matt Garbett. And it was Matt Garbett who claimed goal number 5, and his first for the senior team, scoring at the second attempt after being set up by Xavier Green.
A consolation for Stop Out arrived within a minute, as Nando Pijnaker was harshly adjudged to have handled, and the resultant penalty was slotted home. Wests comfortably played out the remaining minutes however, including one passage of about 30 passes which ended with a shot just wide from Callum McCowatt.
So, in difficult conditions, the young Wests side again displayed first-rate teamwork, provided excellent entertainment and ran out deserving 5-1 winners.
Players of the Day
3 points – Elijah Just – Great teamwork, and well-taken hat-trick.
2 points – Owen Parker-Price – Bossed the midfield with astute, sharp passing.
1 point – Andrew Withers – Several excellent saves, and only denied a clean sheet by a penalty kick.
