Williamstown CYMS crush Oakleigh to take a step toward VAFA Premier C survival

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS is one step closer to survival in VAFA Premier C after a clinical victory over Oakleigh at Fearon Reserve on Saturday.

VAFA footy: Therry Penola V Williamstown CYMS

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS moved one step closer to survival in Victorian Amateur Football Association Premier C after a clinical victory over Oakleigh at Fearon Reserve on Saturday.

The competition’s two leading goalkickers went head to head, but with both Nick Ebinger and Aaron Cloke all but certain to continue their sharpshooting, the difference came from those around the full-forwards.

Last year’s L.S Pepper medallist Jack Gray provided that added dimension for the home side, nailing five goals to compliment Ebinger’s six majors.

Ashley Heaver and Zachary Read also contributed three and two goals respectively for the CYs, while Cloke’s seven goals were only assisted by multiples from Trevor Bromley (three) and Liam Hard (two).

The CYs led at every change, and were headed in the second half.

But eight goals to five in the final half-hour secured the CYs their third win of the campaign, 21.12 (138) to 17.15 (117)

“Our goal was to win the first three games of the second half of the season,” CYs coach Mathew Montebello said.

“Obviously the first one is out of the way now. I talked with the leadership group. We knew Old Camberwell were playing Therry and they’re struggling a bit. We could have dropped into relegation zone. But we responded.

“The fact we’ve beaten a solid Premier C side will go a long way.”

The Krushers were a little vulnerable, having beaten second-last Old Camberwell by just five points the week prior.

The win lifted CYs to seventh, jumping Therry Penola on percentage.

Ninth-placed Old Camberwell is just a game behind.

Montebello heaped praise on his side’s young stars.

“Obviously Nick, an 18-year-old kid kicking goals the way he did,” Montebello said.

“Jack Gray was the exclamation mark. He kicked five, making a bit of a statement. In the middle Thomas Johnstone and Russell Acklery, they were the main blokes in there most of the day.”

The CYs face a tougher challenge against Peninsula this weekend, but only six points separated the sides in Round 3.

Following two weeks of byes, Therry Penola awaits.

“A two-week bye, how do you manage it?” Montebello said.

“You look at the AFL. We’ll have a solid week off then flow pretty heavily into it.”