1:0 John Monterosso (47); 2:0 Craig Tooley (66); 3:0 OG (84); 3:1 Brian Cariney (86 pen).

SWANS FLY HOME WITH NIGHT SERIES CROWN

Swan United has claimed the 2011 State League Division One Night Series after a deserved 3-1 win over Wanneroo City at Wotton Reserve last night.

John Monterosso and Craig Tooley put John O’Reilly’s team in a dominant position, before an own goal in the final seven minutes of play made the score line 3-0. A consolation goal from the penalty spot to Roos captain Brian Cairney wasn’t enough to mount a late challenge.

Wanneroo started the match the better of the two sides, with Sahar Konomanyi looking lively in the final third. At the other end of the field, a dangerous John Monterosso cross into the penalty area nearly brought upon the opener, but his teammate’s looping header was acrobatically kept out by Michael Carroll, before another ball into the box from the rebound was somehow blasted over from point blank range.

With Roos coach Gerry McEwan barking instructions out to his troops to lift their game, Brad McDonald became Wanneroo’s saviour when he saved a certain opener with a clearance on the goal line.

The second half of the match started with a bang after John Monterosso took matters into his own hands and blasted home the first goal. The Swan United striker pounced on the loose ball inside the penalty area and punished the lacklustre Wanneroo defence with a thunderous shot which cannoned into the back of the net.

This seemed to inspire his teammates to press for another, and Rory Hollingum decided to go on a blistering run through midfield, before unleashing an effort which was just over the upright. Wanneroo had a golden chance to equalise minutes later after Aron Colli slipped at the crucial moment and gave up possession as Swan were in attack mode.

This allowed the Roos midfield to pounce with numbers on the counter and only a fantastic double-save by Swan goalkeeper Daniel Aggudello denied Wanneroo their first. Swan needed a clincher as the final 20 minutes approached and they found their answer from the substitute’s bench.

O’Reilly opted to bring off Thomas Shepherd for fan favourite Craig Tooley, and the latter did not disappoint after he scored within three minutes of being on the field. Tooley made an immediate impact as he went on a fantastic run and blasted a shot past Carroll despite having John Monterosso as a great passing option.

An own goal in the final minutes rubbed salt into Wanneroo’s wounds and despite a Cairney consolation goal from the spot after substitute Jay McDonald was fouled in the box, it wasn’t enough.

Swan United: GK Daniel Aggudello, 12 Michael Tronchin, 15 Rory Mouttet, 4 Rob Monterosso (c), 7 Rory Hollingum, 5 Aron Colli, 8 Adam Pygrum, 10 John Monterosso, 19 Thomas Shepherd (11 Craig Tooley 64’), 16 John Mansaray (17 Scott Campbell 90+3’), 3 Trent Wood

Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan Howell, 13 Matt Debarro, 2 Nyll Murphy

Yellow cards: Nil Redd cards: Nil

Wanneroo City: GK Michael Carroll, 2 Joe Stocker, 3 Chris Pugh (12 Nicholas Timmings 60’), 4 Dave Ashworth (15 Jay McDonald 72’), 15 Craig Bowman, 6 Brad McDonald, 7 Joshua Booysen, 8 Sahar Konomanyi (14 Dave Herety 54’), 9 Brian Cairney (c), 10 Guy McDonald, 11 Dean Timmings

Substitutes not used: 13 Glen Moore, 20 Daniel Holgate

Yellow cards: Dave Ashworth 52’ Red cards: Nil