In a fitting finish to the under-12s Champion of Champions competition, Hanwood FC have claimed victory with a thrilling golden goal victory over Hornsby RSL.
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Antonio DeMarco scored the match-winner in the dying stages to send the travelling supporters into a frenzy.
‘Everyone was ecstatic,” Hanwood FC coach David Bastianon said.
“The supporters, the parents, the kids, myself, my manager, we were all just thrilled.”
Things didn't start well for Hanwood FC as Hornsby RSL’s Geren Ligon opened the scoring in the fifth minute with an expertly taken drive from a corner.
Hanwood FC ramped up their defensive efforts – in particular goalkeeper Sebastian Piccinin who made some big saves – to keep Hornsby at bay.
The breeze had been a hindrance to Hanwood during the first half but was an advantage on the restart. The side capitalised on the breeze when Ryan Zanatta put on some fancy footwork to score. Ligon continued to wreak havoc but Hanwood FC held Hornsby out before securing the golden goal win.
Bastianon paid tribute to both sides.
“Every game got harder and harder and the final against Hornsby was no exception,” he said.
“They’re an extremely talented side all over the park. Their striker [Geren Ligon] was one of the best I’ve seen but we knuckled down, came out in the second half and played as a team – that’s what got us the win.”
This was the second time Bastianon has coached a side to Champion of Champions glory after he steered the Hanwood under 17s, alongside Anthony Marcanio, to victory in 1998.
“Not many teams have opportunities to win these tournaments and for myself to coach two sides is special but it’s all about the kids,” Bastianon said.
“The kids will soak this up, enjoy it and hopefully we can come back and have another crack at it next year.”
Bastianon thanked the parents, the Hanwood FC junior and senior clubs, Steggles and Calabria Family Wines for their support.
RESULT: Hanwood FC 2 (Zanatta 29’, DeMarco 64’) d Hornsby RSL 1 (Ligon 5’)
HANWOOD FC SQUAD: Patrick DiFiore, Jordan DeMarco, Sebatian Piccinin, David Bastianon, James Cheers, Anthony Catanzariti, Ethan Donetto, Christopher Zappala, Dean Poloni, Chaise Donetto, Ryan Zanatta, Damon Reginato, Aiden Serafin, Patrick Agresta, Antonio DeMarco, Jordan Bastianon, Troy Landini.
