Young up and comer Robert Keegan was the star as Curtin University Football Club defeated Kelmscott Roos 2-1 on Saturday at Frye Park. The visiting side dominated the chances and possession but were made to do it tough by a stubborn Kelmscott side who were kept in the game on many occasions by goalkeeper Sam Cogle.

Dilip Thapa and Nathan Smith both got on the score sheet as Curtin saw the return of last year’s player of the season Carlo Chiellini and full back Mark Matkovic.

In a frenetic opening ten minutes both Smith and Thapa both had chances but were well shut down by Cogle. The game started to settle and 17 minutes in Curtin’s Rory Binnie had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside.

It only took 5 more minutes for Curtin to take the lead as the magical Keegan slotted in Thapa who made no mistake from 20 yards. It was one way traffic as three fine saves in quick succession from Cogle kept the score to 1-0 at the break.

The second half started much like the first finished with Curtin peppering the Kelmscott goal but the Roos still had some hop in them as Jon Ingram scored on the counter attack for the home club to bring the sides level.

With 20 minutes left to play Keegan was scythed down as he was about to finish from 8 yards, Chiellini struck the woodwork with the resultant penalty and it seemed that a gallant Roos side may find a way to gain a point. It wasn’t to be however for the home side as Smith pounce on a mix up at the back to slot into the empty net.

Team: Reynoldson (Ferguson), Middleton, Chiellini, Tikoft, Bucchino, Matkovic, Krawec, Keegan, Thapa (Bevan), Smith, Binnie (Harvey).
Written by: David Cantoni