Wollongong United prevailed 4-2 over Cringila Lions in an action-packed encounter on Saturday evening at Crehan Park.
In an exhilarating first half, United opened the scoring through Kyah Jovanovski, but Cringila fought back with goals to Ethan Kambisios and Jacob Krkovski giving the side a halftime lead.
After a false start to the second period, due to a lightning delay, United turned the scoreline around as Sam Matthews and James Stojanovski found the net.
Yosuke Akiyama added further gloss for United in the latter stages with their fourth goal.
The game got off to an action-packed start with challenges flying in the early stages.
In the second minute, Jovanovski had the game’s first shot for United. The attacker picked the ball up in the right of the box before striking wide of the near post.
Cringila made a spirited start to the game after this chance, finding joy down the left.
However, it was the visitors who grabbed an early advantage eight minutes in. Jovanovski rose highest from a left-sided cross, steering a header into the right side of the goal.
United had another opportunity 21 minutes in through James Stojanovski who drove into the box, before being taken out on the edge of the area as his shot spun wide.
From the resulting free-kick, Yosuke Akiyama stepped up, forcing Cringila goalkeeper Kenji Sawada into a low stop.
Cringila restored parity on the half-hour mark. Danil Romanov’s original effort was well-saved by Tom Alston. Alston was called into action again, but the rebound fell to Kambisios, the midfielder making no mistake.
With five regular first-half minutes to play, the hosts threatened once more. Dean Dimoski with a long-range strike that Alston palmed away.
The left-sided continued to prove profitable for Cringila and in the 43rd minute, this provided them with a lead. Andre Dias’ cross found Krkovski at the far post where the winger tapped home.
Cringila held their lead at halftime after a thrilling first period at Crehan Park.
United made a good start to the second half as they kept their opponents pinned back in their own half.
Eight minutes in the second half, the game was halted due to lightning in the area.
Following an extended delay, the player re-emerged to finish off the game.
United carried on their momentum from the start of the second half as Nav Darjani’s effort needed to be blocked behind for a corner.
Just after the hour mark, the visitors positive play was rewarded with a goal. A smooth passage of play found Sam Matthews in the right of the box; the midfielder picking out the left side of the goal to equalise for United.
Two minutes later, the side almost took the lead. Darjani struck the left post with an arrow-accurate strike from the right of the area.
Midway through the second half, the away side found their go-ahead goal. Bailey Barbarovski displayed neat footwork on the left and picked out Stojanovski centrally where he buried the ball into the bottom left corner.
The game’s drama stepped up a notch in the 76th minute as Cringila were reduced to 10 players following Luca Papalia’s red card.
A couple of minutes later, Matthews came close for United, dragging a left-footed shot wide of the right post.
With five minutes to go, Akiyama had a chance for the side, his shot curling just over the bar.
The away side put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute. Darjani’s right-sided delivery came to Akiyama at the back post, who prodded the ball in.
The result keeps United at the top of the competition, and they will take plenty of confidence into the Bampton Cup Final against Wollongong Olympic on Sunday. Cringila, on the other hand, takes on Helensburgh on Friday night.
Report by Tim Gibson
