Shell Cove earned a comprehensive 5-0 win over Warilla Wanderers at Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
Despite a valiant start from the Wanderers, two goals late in the first half sent the side into the break behind before a second-half hat-trick from Michael Trajkoski sealed Shell Cove’s victory.
Warilla held out Shell Cove for the first 20 minutes of the match, however, Shell Cove slowly worked their way into the game.
Midway through the half, Daniel Krkovski came close with a couple of chances but could not find the target with either.
As the half progressed, Daniel Krkovski continued to threaten and in the 32nd minute drew an impressive save from Presilski.
The pressure finally told for the Wanderers in the 40th minute with Elvir Catovic sending a sharp shot from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner to give Shell Cove the lead.
A minute before the break, Shell Cove doubled the advantage courtesy of a spectacular long-range free kick from Shayne Ardle bending a right-footed shot into the top right corner.
Two quickfire goals from Shell Cove had put the side in the driving seat heading into the second half.
It didn’t take long for Shell Cove to add a third as five minutes into the second half, Trajkoski brought the ball down in the box and finished well past Presilski.
Nine minutes later, Daniel Krkovski set off on a lung-bursting run down the left-hand side before cutting the back to Trajkoski who took his time before powering the ball home.
Shell Cove began to consistently find space in behind the Warilla defence.
In the 70th minute, Trajkoski was played clean through face-to-face with Presilski before rounding the keeper and sliding the ball home.
With a minute to play in the second half, Shell Cove could have had a sixth goal as Dean Krkovski fired his effort off the post.
It was a comprehensive victory in the end for Shell Cove with five goals the way they would have wanted to start the season.
The side are scheduled to travel to Kiama next Saturday (weather permitting). The Quarriers went down 6-0 to Oak Flats in the Super Saturday fixtures so Shell Cove will be confident of another three points. As for Warilla, they are scheduled to take on the inform University FC next Friday at Kooloobong Oval.
Warilla Wanderers 0
Shell Cove 5 (Elvir Catovic 40’, Shayne Ardle 44’, Michael Trajkoski 50’ 60’ 72’)
Warilla Wanderers: 1. PRESILSKI Mitchell, 2. MARENTIS George, 4. TZANEROS Kori, 5. GERIBO Brenton, 6. SHAW Drew, 7. MASON Jay, 8. CASTELLI Martin, 9. MURRAY Jack, 10. LEBRANTE Robert, 11. PRESILSKI Andrew
Substitutes: 12. PAIVA Marco (SHAW), 13. SMITH Elliot, 14. MONTALBANO Adrian (MURRAY), 15. ROBERTSON Stewart (LEBRANTE)
Shell Cove: 1. PETKUCAUSKI Vasko, 4. TRAJKOVSKI David, 16. PERLOWSKI Dylan, 3. JOSEVSKI Martin, 5. ANGELESKI Filip, 14. ARDLE Shayne, 8. TRAJKOSKI Hristijan, 10. KRKOVSKI Dean, 11. TRAJKOVSKI Michael, 12. CATOVIC Elvir, 7. KRKOVSKI Daniel
Substitutes: 6. BROWN Robert (ANGELESKI), 2. TRAJKOSKI Dimitar (H. TRAJKOSKI), 13. Ali EL MOUBAYED, 9. JOSIFOVSKI Alexander (CATOVIC), 15. SIMSEK Bugrahan
Date: Saturday 9 April 2022
Venue: Ian McLennan Park
Referee: Brendon Fotheringham
Assistant Referees: Casey Flemming and Demi Goddard
Report by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_
Photo courtesy of Richie Wagner
