In the final qualifying round of the Belgiorno Cup, the Gambier City Sharks travelled to Portland to take on the Panthers.

Missing from the starting line up this week, Ryan Tobin, Damian Stemberger, John Stemberger, Norton Fuller. Making his debut in A Grade is younger brother of Tobbei Kennett, Jesse Kennett (16) who replaces Norton Fuller in the Keeper position.

In honor of Richard Marlow who passed away during the week, a minutes silence was conducted before kick off.

The conditions were very poor, as the pitch was almost unplayable. It was very difficult for players to control and run with the ball, as the whole playing surface had become a ‘mud pit'.

The summary of the game as follows:

• (20 min) Noel Wood who had the first chance of the match when he scored from a cross by Kennett, but the referee ruled offside.
• (27 min) Okezie Nzeakor makes a dashing run through the mud, taking on defenders and once in the box shoots, but misses to the right.
• (30 min) Another cross by Kennett finds Noel Wood, who rockets a header, but only straight to the keeper.
• (32 min) A loose ball gets stuck in the mud, and Portland's Razvan Atodiresei manages to get his foot to the ball, and over the line for the first goal of the game. Panthers lead 1-0.
• (36 min) Tobbei Kennett receives the ball from Gordon, who makes his way towards goal dribbling past defenders, finds room and shoots, the goalie stops the shot, the ball bounces back towards the running Kennett who blasts it past the keeper. 1-1.
• (46 min) Portland have a chance to take the lead, but a diving Kennett saves the shot from close range when the ball deflects of his leg.
• (55 min) Next goal was result of some good passing starting from Widdison to Gordon, Gordon to Kennett, Kennett finds Weistra on top of the box, who calmly slots the ball into bottom left giving the keeper no chance. 2-1.
• (78 min) Kennett finds some room down the right, crosses the ball again finds Weistra who finishes off for his second goal. 3-1
• (85 min) Weistra scores his hatrick, calmly dribbles past the defenders, displaying some fancy footwork, shoots into bottom left of goal. 4-1
• (88 min) Panthers' Razvan Atodiresei get a loose ball in the mud, finds room and shoots, rebounds of Kennett who could not hold onto the slippery ball and Zeke Hatten taps the ball in. 4-2.

It was a very difficult game considering the condition of the pitch. Neither team could get any momentum, however it was the Sharks who dominated the possession during the game. Coach Bruttomesso said after the game that he was happy with the result.

Gambier City Sharks finished on top of Group B, and will be playing in the Belgiorno Cup semi finals against Apollo, who finished runner up in Group A. The winner of Group A, International, play Blue Lake in the other semi final.

Premiership games recommence this coming weekend, with the Sharks again taking on the Panthers, this time at home at Shark Park.