The 3-0 win in first grade earnt Wallis Lake second place and a home major semi final against the Port Saints this week. 

On another hard and unpredictable bouncy pitch extra concentration was required to achieve the attractive football Wallis Lake has made a name for. Wallis Lake started stronger of the two and spent majority of the early stages on the attack. 

The left hand side of Sam Roche and Reyne Black were a constant threat to Wildcats defence and Black was rewarded for his pressing attack with a goal in the early stages. 

A ball cut across goal met Black’s foot and into the net, adding to his large goal tally for the year. Wallis Lake continued to pressure Wildcats goal but could not extend their lead before the half. Tom Richardson found acres of space on the right-hand side and his speed and hunger were a handful for Wildcat defenders. 

Taree struggled to hold onto the ball and resorted to the long ball.

Most balls on the hard and fast pitch skipped away to Wallis keeper Tynan Leahy. 

Wallis Lake kept up pressure in the second half. 

Peter Master-Antonio scored the next goal. 

Midfielder Matt Dowie was given too much space in his attacking third.

An intelligent run from striker Master-Antonio allowed Dowie to chip a ball into his path and finish with a header.

As the game wore on a tired Taree became sloppy in their challenges and Master-Antonio and Dowie were ejected from the game to prevent a suspension risk. 

Dan Mansaur and Brendan Bond were subbed on and were both strong in attack. 

Wallis Lake’s third goal came through striker Roan Whiteman. 

A clever ball and run from central midfielder Griffen Prestwidge slipped the midfielder behind Taree’s defence and a good ball cut between goalkeeper and defender found Whitman who thumped the ball home from a tight angle. 

At 3-0 the game lost its intensity as Taree seemed to give up on their long season. 

The game turned into more sledging and sloppy tackles in the final minutesl.

Wallis Lake continued to control the ball, but was unable to find another goal. 

Tom Richardson was named Players’ Player because if his non-stop work in midfield. 

“We’ve worked hard for each other this year as a club. From supporters to ball boys and girls to players, we have been a tight unit this year and are well deserving of finishing where we did. We are ready for finals football, especially at Boronia Park and I am excited about the next month of football” said Wallis Lake coach Tony Russ. 

Wallis Lake plays at Boronia Park this Saturday at 3pm against Port Saints.