Balgownie Rangers secured a 2-0 win over Bellambi Rosellas on a chilly Thursday night at Judy Masters Oval.
Luke McDonald opened the scoring for the home side late in the first half before Ryan Hunter doubled the advantage in the second period.
The victory was Balgownie’s first of their 2025 Illawarra District League season.
The Rangers had the first shot of the match within a minute. Some persistent pressing saw the ball fall to Trent Worthington, who fired wide from outside the box.
Bellambi returned fire six minutes later courtesy of some good pressing of their own. Ketung Manyiel snatched the ball on the edge of the box and played in Christian Baade-Mortimer to his right, who forced a sharp stop from Milo Gruwez at his near post.
Both sides struggled to control the ball consistently in the first half, yet the energy remained high as they battled for the opening goal.
The Rangers came close again midway through the half when Nicola Mattiuzzo nodded wide from a right-sided cross.
Balgownie started to find some rhythm after this latest chance, holding possession higher up the field more comfortably.
In the 37th minute, the side’s purposeful play paid off as they took the lead. Aiden Nakamura-Bell played a clever ball into the left of the box to Johnathan McCreary, who played it towards the far post for McDonald, sliding in to score.
Bellambi had a big chance to equalise in the 41st minute when Manyiel found space in behind the Rangers’ defence, but Gruwez pulled off a crucial save.
The Rangers went into halftime with their slender lead intact after a competitive first half at Judy Masters Oval.
The second half adopted a similar tone to the first half with plenty of end-to-end football.
The Rosellas threatened in the 66th minute. A neat passing move presented Lucas Bond with a chance from the edge of the area, but Gruwez caught the shot.
However, five minutes later, Balgownie added their second goal. A left-sided free-kick came through to Hunter at the far post, who buried his effort into the roof of the net.
The hosts almost grabbed their third goal moments later as a quick breakaway found Mattiuzzo, but he poked wide from a tight angle.
Bellambi pushed up the field as half wore on, pursuing a route back into the game.
In the end, Balgownie stood firm and picked up a vital three points early in the season.
Balgownie host Fernhill this weekend while Bellambi travel to University.
Report by Tim Gibson
