Helensburgh Thistle picked up an important set of three points with a 3-1 win over South Coast United on Saturday night at Ian McLennan Park.
Michael McStay gave the side the lead 22 minutes in before Abdul Aljabery equalised soon after.
McStay re-established the Thistle’s lead heading into halftime and Cody Cuthbertson added a third goal early in the second period.
The hosts had a great chance within the first couple of minutes when Aljabery set off on a strong run down the right wing, cutting it back for Advin Trebincevic, who skied his effort.
Helensburgh returned fire in the ninth minute through Hudson Hick who made contact with a volley from a right-sided free-kick, but the ball also went over the bar.
United had another opportunity 15 minutes in when 19 had a close-range shot expertly repelled by Helensburgh goalkeeper Luke Morgan.
Moments later, the side exploited space down the right again, this time fullback Rocky Lavalle blasting the ball narrowly wide of the near post.
In the 21st minute, United continued their assault on the Helensburgh goal. The ball scurried across the face of goal before Marc Moric sent an effort over.
However, the visitors took the lead midway through the half. McStay won his battle for the ball on the right and sprinted into the box before picking out the far side of the goal.
The Thistle could have been two goals up a few minutes later when McStay’s shot caused a scramble in the box, yet the ball eventually rolled away for a corner.
South Coast restored parity just before the half-hour mark with a neatly-worked set piece. The ball was swung towards the back post, where it was headed back across for Aljabery, who provided a simple finish to score from the middle of the box.
Helensburgh retook the lead around five minutes before halftime as the side worked the ball well down the right, seeing it drilled across the box where McStay tapped home.
A thrilling first half concluded with the Thistle holding a one-goal lead over South Coast United.
South Coast should have equalised 30 seconds into the second half when Liam Mavridis found a pocket of space in the left of the box, but he dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Less than two minutes later, Trebincevic reacted fastest to a deflection into box firing from a tight angle, calling… into a sharp stop.
The side were left to rue these missed chances as Helensburgh extended their lead in the 53rd minute. Cuthbertson with a well-placed first-time effort from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner.
Buoyed by their third goal, Helensburgh ramped up the pressure and pursued further goals as the game became more stretched.
Thistle right-back Isaac Rafferty consistently exploited space out wide, getting in several dangerous deliveries as his team continued to probe.
Aljabery – United’s most lively threat – almost pulled his side back into the game with eight minutes to play. The winger latched onto a pass into the right of the area and fired a low strike that went wide of the near post.
Helensburgh saw out the remaining minutes to earn their first win of the 2025 Illawarra Premier League season.
Report by Tim Gibson
