Tarrawanna Blueys held Albion Park White Eagles to a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon at Tarrawanna Oval in the opening round of the Illawarra Premier League.
The game proved an even affair with chances falling both ways and both goalkeepers excelling.
The Blueys made a good start to the match, winning some early territory within the first two minutes. Matias Toro rolling a shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the left post.
After this, the game slowed down, with both teams having their turns of safe possession in their respective defensive halves.
Albion Park had a chance 15 minutes in when Soshi Kawaguchi forced Tarrawanna goalkeeper Jackson Cracknell into a sharp save to his right.
After Kawaguchi’s shot, the side started to pick up the pace, using the flanks well to create space.
Albion Park thought they had the lead half-an-hour in as Cracknell’s save from a Liam Wille’s shot fell to Kawaguchi, who tapped home, but from an offside position.
The disallowed goal was one of few examples of the White Eagles’ possession proving profitable, with the Bluey’s diligent defending keeping the scores level.
Kawagushi came close again with four first-half minutes to play, stinging Cracknell’s palms from the right of the box.
Tarrawanna returned fire two minutes later. Dylan Nikolovski cleverly clipped the ball into the area for Toro, whose effort was sensationally tipped onto the crossbar by Hayden Durose.
The sides went into the sheds level after a tight first half at Tarrawanna Oval.
Three minutes after the restart, Cameron Morgan had one of the best chances of the game so far for Tarra. The striker latched onto a ball over the top to go through one-on-one with Durose, however, the goalkeeper blocked the shot with his feet.
Albion Park were then denied the opener three minutes later. Kawagushi’s neat flick on the edge of the area slipped Jayden Makowski into a shooting position, where Cracknell did well to block the strike.
The teams continued to trade shots, but the scores were still locked midway through the second half.
As the game dragged on, it looked like one goal would be enough to win the points.
With 11 minutes to go, White Eagles substitute Elvir Catovic lined up a left-footed strike from range that Cracknell needed to bat away.
Durose was then called into action for Albion Park in the 87th minute as Zachary Mazevski drew a strong right-handed save from the goalkeeper.
Mazevski had the ball in the goal moments later following the aftermath of a set piece, but it was ruled offside.
The visitors repelled a barrage of late deliveries into the box from Tarrawanna to hold on for a point.
In Round 2, Tarrawanna host Helensburgh next Saturday while Albion Park face Coniston.
Report by Tim Gibson
Photos courtesy of Graham Brown
