Oakleigh Cannons Finish Season In Style

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

Following their 2-0 win over Moreland City, Oakleigh Cannons returned to Jack Edwards Reserve to play Hume City. Both teams entered the final matchday on fifty points with the same goal difference, Oakleigh narrowly higher with an extra goal scored.

Going into finals, both teams would be looking to take all three points and finish third, or potentially second if Avondale dropped points at Port Melbourne.

It was perfect conditions for the 3PM kickoff and the game saw a great turnout, despite the current renovations happening at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Early on, it was mainly half chances at best as neither team wanted to concede, and any chance by a striker at either end was dealt with by the defense and goalkeepers.

It would eventually be Stefan Valentini who made something happen, as he ran down the flank in the 39th minute and provided a beautiful cross for Joe Guest, who finished from close range and pulled out the griddy with a few of his Oakleigh teammates to celebrate.

Six minutes later, Oakleigh doubled their advantage, as a clever hesitation on a free kick from Emlyn Wellsmore played Jacob Tratt onside. Tratt squared his header to Alex Salmon, who doubled the Cannons advantage. The griddy came out again - and so did the complaints, as Hume were convinced that Tratt was offside.

Despite the passionate cries from the Hume defense, the referee managed to calm everything down and still awarded the goal, as Hume went into the changing rooms down 2-0 at half time.

Above: Oakleigh Cannons celebrate Alex Salmon's goal on the cusp of half time.

The away side needed a huge lift in the second half, but they couldn't find it. Alex Salmon nearly scored a free kick early in the second half, only for it to be tipped over by Michael Weier.

But when Asad Kasumovic, freshly on a substitute, won a penalty after being tripped by Mark Ochieng, Salmon got his revenge by putting the penalty past Weier, making it 3-0.

Hume failed to take their next few chances, but a superb solo run and finish from Lloyd Isgrove saw the former Bolton winger score his fourteenth goal of the season to make it 3-1.

Hume were on top of the game following Isgrove's goal, but once again failed to capitalise. The away side would eventually be forced to rue their missed chances, as Oakleigh confirmed a 3-1 win.

While Avondale won their game against Port Melbourne 4-0 and finished above Oakleigh, the Cannons can still take confidence from this game as they prepare for finals. They'll host Dandenong City in the first round, who lost 3-0 to Heidelberg United in their final match.

But Heidelberg's win will effect Hume City more then it effects Dandenong City. Heidelberg's victory sees them leapfrog Hume to finish fourth, while Hume finish the season in fifth. The two will meet in the first round of the finals, with Heidelberg hosting the match.