Top of the table Wollongong United were too strong for Shellharbour in dominant display at Macedonia Park.
The opening 10 minutes of the match saw a barrage of quick attacks from both sides.
United began to pick up momentum but could not create a clear-cut chance until the 29th minute. A cross from the left came over the top clearing the head of Nathan Cario before falling to Kyah Jovanovski. He took a touch and from the edge of the penalty area, and fired the ball towards the goal, but it was an easy stop for Nikodin Matic.
Shellharbour travelled down the pitch after the chance in hopes of a reply. Valentino Merxhushi squared the ball into the United penalty area, but it was handled calmly by Tom Alston.
Shellharbour striker Sandy Lowcock looked to open the scoring for the match after cutting onto his left foot from the right side of the penalty area and striking the ball before it sailed over the top left corner.
Wollongong United’s Samuel Matthews opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a tap in at the back post. Navarone Darjani collected the ball at the right wing before cutting in and travelling across the penalty area to the left. He fired the ball across the face to an unmarked Matthews who took a touch and placed the ball into the back of the net.
Shellharbour looked to have a quick reply after Merxhushi chipped Alston after an over the to through ball. The goal was scrubbed off after the linesman flagged for offside and United held the lead going into half time.
Matthews took advantage of a sleeping Shellharbour squad coming out of the half time break. It seemed the United lead would double within a minute but a crucial leg save from Matic as the ball was certain to hit the back of the net kept the lead at one.
United continued applying pressure, Jordan Nikolovski blasted the ball across the face of the goal aiming for the bottom left corner. Matic produced another save keeping Shellharbour in the match.
In the 60th minute Nikolovski saw his name in lights as he attempted a bicycle kick beforw Matic spoiled the chance.
In the 77th minute Darjani struck the ball powerfully along the floor through the players in the box after a corner as Matic was called upon once more as he kept the ball out, forcing it for another corner.
As the game came to a close Shellharbour threw everything, they had at the league leaders but were unable to produce any solid chances as the game stayed 1-0.
Wollongong United will face Albion Park at 3pm on Sunday the 22nd of June away while Shellharbour are back at home to face South Coast United Saturday the 21st at 3pm.
Report by Jack Naumovski
Photos courtesy of Richie Wagner
