Oakleigh Cannons’ dream run continued as they claimed the NPLM Victoria Championship on Sunday, September 11 with a 5-0 victory over South Melbourne.
After a sunny day at Olympic Village, the clouds started to darken, and the rain began to pour but the crowd continued to file in and create an electric atmosphere pre-game.
With kick-off in sight, the vocal crowd continued to cram under the stands in anticipation of the biggest game of the Victorian football calendar.
Play commenced and the question remained whether Oakleigh would have enough energy in their legs to complete the if-required 120 minutes due to their remarkable run in the Australia Cup.
The Cannons quickly silenced any doubters as defender Aryn Williams scored the opener in the first minute of the match with a blistering header from a corner.
After conceding the early goal, South Melbourne regained their composure and was able to have some decent looks on goal.
In what would normally be a dangerous prospect, Max Mikkola was given the throw-in duties near goal in the 23rd minute, however with the torrential rain, the playmaker was unable to get a firm grip on the ball as Oakleigh was able to quell the forward play.
Three minutes later, now with gloves in hand Mikkola thrusted the ball forward from another throw-in resulting in a deflection to Alun Webb who was able to get a shot away from outside the box, however, it would ultimately go out for a corner.
The momentum was starting to swing South Melbourne’s way when they produced another chance on goal in the 31st minute through Alun Webb at the far post, however, Aryn Williams quelled any chance of the ball landing in the back of the net.
When the two sides returned from the half-time break it was the Oakleigh Cannons who once again were the first team to strike.
It was Aryn Williams once again who stood up from the corner kick, sending the ball into the back of the net from the far post after Daniel Clark earnt his team a corner with a dangerous run-on goal.
Only 60 seconds later South players and supporters thought a goal was imminent when they shouted cries of handball in the box following a corner, however, the referee was not convinced as another chance went begging.
2022 NPLM Gold Medal winner, Joe Knowles forced South goalkeeper Javier Lopez to fist the ball into a dangerous position in the 64th minute which gave Daniel Clark another shot on goal; however, he didn’t have enough power to score.
South Melbourne continued to press on goal as Marcus Schroen saw some space and had a shot from outside the box, but it wasn’t enough to get past Oakleigh goalkeeper Lewis Italiano.
In the 70th minute, Alun Webb delivered a nice cross and Chris Irwin was able to get a decent header on goal but once again could not find the back of the net.
With the game still on the line, Joe Guest picked out Chris Lucas who kicked truly and extended the Cannons' lead to an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Joe Guest finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 85th minute from the penalty spot and then with the last touch of the game, substitute Wade Dekker headed the ball home to put the final nail in South Melbourne’s coffin.
Oakleigh’s Aryn Williams was awarded best on ground honours for his two goals and desperate defending throughout the match.