Helensburgh have made it three wins from three to start the 2022 season, downing Unanderra 2-0 at Unanderra Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides came into the fixture yet to drop a point looking to continue their strong start to the campaign.
The soft and muddy pitch made for some slow football and was evident early on when the ball got caught underneath the feet of Helensburgh’s Liam Unicomb who blasted his shot over the bar from close range.
It was back and forth football heading further into the game and in the 10th minute Christian Plakias tested the Thistle goalkeeper with a shot from distance before a Luke Picciolini free kick flew wide of the post.
Just minutes later, a quick free-kick caught the Hearts defence napping but the low shot from Brad Watts was saved by the foot of Blake Coad in goal.
In the 38th minute, Helensburgh were inches away from taking the lead. It was a superb solo run from midfielder Charlie Jones that saw him beat several players on route to the Hearts goal, but he would only to be denied by the woodwork.
Helensburgh continued their momentum into the second half and were awarded an in-direct free kick after a Unanderra defensive error.
A packed goal-line couldn’t match the Kade Kinsella shot as he blasted the Thistle into the lead on 56 minutes.
Jut 60 seconds later, Valentino Merxhushi opted for the quick reply, but a trailing arm from Burgh shot-stopper Jordan Paull kept it out.
The hosts thought they had nabbed an equaliser after a deep free-kick when Picciolini’s header was cleared off the line by Watts.
It seemed to be a big play by Watts, as fullback Peter Turrall lashed a long ranged effort into the far bottom corner just minutes later to double the Thistle’s advantage.
Unanderra pushed to grab a goal back and substitute Scott Bridge looked the most likely. It was a couple of powerful shots from distance forcing saves out of Paull.
The Burgh held on for a clean sheet and the three points as they remain undefeated for the 2022 District League season.
Next weekend, the Hearts head South to take on Kiama whereas the Thistle host University on Sunday.
Unanderra: 0
Helensburgh: 2 (Kade Kinsella 57’, Peter Turrall 66’)
Unanderra: 20. COAD Blake, 2. KYRAKOUDES Peter, 3. BELSITO Nathan, 4. GOLDSMITH Jason, 5. DEBROT Luke, 6. DELBANCO Robert, 7. PLAKIAS Christian, 10. NAGATSUKI Tatsuki, 11. MERXHUSHI Valentino, 13. PICCIOLINI Luke, 14. MARTIN Lachlan.
Substitutes: 1. SAWADA Kenji, 8. LIDDLE Jonathan (MERXHUSHI), 12. BRIDGE Scott (MARTIN), 17. MAGILL Dominic (PLAKIAS)
Helensburgh: 23. PAULL Jordan, 2. WATSON Robbie, 3. BENHAM Jarrod, 4. HOPE Ryan, 5. TURRALL Peter, 6. HEWSON Blake, 7. UNICOMB Liam, 8. PATTERSON Vaughn, 9. KINSELLA Kade, WATTS Brad, 13. JONES Charlie.
Substitutes: 11. MUCCI Joel, 12. FOX Mitchel, 14. WATTS Ben, 86. BROWN Connor
Date: 8 May 2022
Venue: Unanderra Oval
Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistant Referees: Mick Agim & Hayden Michlmayr
Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_
