Cringila Lions secured their first win of the season, grinding out a 2-1 victory over league leaders Coniston FC in front of a healthy crowd at Crehan Park on a wet Friday night.
It was a cagey start to the game with both sides trying to adjust to the conditions following a heavy rainstorm just before kick-off.
The first bit of action saw Cringila win possession in midfield on ten minutes through Samuel Gulisano. He combined with Ben Zucco with a neat one-two before firing a shot on goal that was well handled by Jair Fernandez.
The game started opening up, and just two minutes later, Johnny Martinoski knocked in a delightful cross that found Josh O’Hanlon lurking in the box however, the Irishman headed it straight at Sawada.
On 17 minutes, Cringila Lions’ Jason Pappas cleared off the line following a scramble. The ball went only as far as James Coombes, who took a touch and saw his curling effort brush the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Midway through the first half, a swift Coniston break nearly saw them capitalize. O’Hanlon combined with Tyler Fuller, who brought Martinoski into frame. He cut back inside, firing a shot that went inches wide.
Just before the break, a free kick near the halfway line was hoisted into the box by Elijah Howe. Sawada launched himself, punching the ball straight to Martinoski on the edge of the box. He fired over the bar in yet another missed opportunity for Coniston.
Scoreless at the break but it was Coniston who perhaps shaded it with possession and chances.
Inside ten minutes post-restart, Coniston’s forward pressure was rewarded. Martinoski got on the end of a flick on by O’Hanlon as he pushed it neatly past Sawada to give the visitors the lead.
The lead lasted just 15 minutes. Josh Correia won the ball back on the right-hand side before whipping in a cross to the far post. He found Peter Simonoski wide open. Simonoski volleyed the ball back across the goal and in off the far post to level the scores.
The game was heating up with both sides pushing for a winner.
On 77 minutes, O’Hanlon slid in substitute Harrison Anagnostopoulos who saw his shot well smothered by Sawada on the near post.
The big crowd sensed a goal was coming and it fell the way of the home side on 85 minutes. A cross into the box was not dealt with by Coniston. The ball fell to Harrison Taranto on the edge of the box. His curling effort saw the ball sneak in under the crossbar, beating Fernandez all ends up for what was worthy of a game-winning goal.
Coniston nearly fired back just minutes later as Anagnostopoulos returned the favour to O’Hanlon, playing in a teasing cross that saw the forward inches from getting a foot to the ball with the goal beckoning.
Cringila hanging on for what was, even at this stage of the season, a crucial win.
Report by Bobby Mazevski
File Photo
