Cringila Lions dented Shellharbour’s playoff hopes after winning 2-1 at Barrack Heights Oval in front of a healthy crowd as part of a mental health awareness campaign.
It was a fast and furious start from both sides, with Marko Filipovic nipping in to steal the ball following a cheap Cringila turnover on eight minutes. The forward drove towards the goal, forcing Kenji Sawada into a sprawling save.
Just seconds later, Andre Dias created a yard of space for himself on the left before putting in a teasing ball that saw Danil Romanov latch onto it, squeezing the ball between Nikodin Matic and the near post.
Dias was involved again just two minutes later as he whipped in another delightful ball, this time finding the head of Anthony Krsteski, who headed straight at Matic from six yards.
It was end-to-end action early with Valentino Merxhushi doing ever so well to beat a defender, stay on his feet before delivering a pinpoint cross that saw Filipovic hit the post with the goal at his mercy on 12 minutes.
Filipovic made amends just three minutes later as he buried a loose ball in the box, restoring parity to the game.
Midway through the first half, Merxhushi again did well to beat his defender. As he did earlier, his cross found Jacob Debien, who looked like he was slightly off balance as he was unable to turn the ball in at the far post.
On the half-hour mark and down the other end, Joshua Correia made a darting run on the right. He put in a dangerous cross and with players lurking Daniel Mihajlovic got a timely touch to the ball denying those lining up to finish the chance.
Both sides were attacking the flanks, and on 33 minutes, a weaving run from Aleksandar Duckinoski saw him cross to Sandy Lowcock, who blasted into the crossbar from just a few yards out. It was a huge let-off for Cringila.
It was incredibly 1-1 at the break as both sides could easily have had a couple more each.
Shellharbour FC were nearly exposed just seconds after the resumption, with Krsteski dancing through several players before his final effort was smothered by Matic.
Cringila were turning up the heat and on 56 minutes, a failed clearance saw the ball fall nicely to Dias who volleyed just over from ten yards.
Midway through the second half, Merxhushi made multiple efforts during a goalmouth scramble, with Cringila defenders throwing themselves at the ball in last-ditch efforts to protect their goal.
The deadlock was broken through substitute Jacob Krkovski who was on the field for just three minutes. With the ball bouncing around in the Shellharbour penalty area, Krkovski volleyed a rasping shot that rippled the net giving the Lions a late lead.
Shellharbour were left frustrated as Cringila’s defensive line held their nerve, kept their discipline and repelled everything the hosts threw at them.
In fact, it was Cringila who had the best chance late on with Dean Dimoski ghosting in at the far post with Matic again smothering his effort.
With the final whistle blown, the Lions recorded their first win in their last seven games propelling them up one position into ninth. They take on Albion Park White Eagles next week looking to finish the season strong.
Shellharbour on the other hand will be ruing some of their early missed opportunities as they blew an opportunity to consolidate a playoff position. Now, they find themselves in a battle for fourth or fifth position with four other clubs. They face a tricky opponent next week in Bulli
Report by Bobby Mazevski
Photos courtesy of Richie Wagner
Congratulations to Shellharbour FC who put on a great day helping support and raise funds to go towards Men’s mental health.
