Match of the Round
Figtree FC defeated Corrimal Rangers 4-1 @ Memorial Park
Figtree FC registered their first win in the Premier League Three competition with a strong performance at Corrimal Rangers on Friday night.
It was a promising start for Figtree as they dominated chances early with Jack Gwynne, Jem Benten and Javier Reyes seeing their opportunities spurned.
Against the run of play, and after ten minutes, a mix-up in the Figtree defence saw Gary Cheng presented with a golden opportunity to put the home side in front as he missed an open goal from just outside the box.
Figtree’s Elijah Reyes was played through on goal midway through the half however Corrimal shot stopper Dimitry Stepanov produced a strong one handed save to his right to deny him.
Moments later, Stepanov was called into action again with Elijah’s shot destined for the bottom right corner.
Just a few minutes later, Sharadkumar Chhatri fired from 25 yards. It caught Stepanov off his line as he was unable to recover in time to see the ball go over his head and in goal.
Just before half time, Elijah Reyes created a yard of space on the edge of the box before burying his effort into the corner.
Just six minutes after the break, Elija Reyes volleyed first time a cross from the left that beat Stepanov all ends up. It was a good a strike as you’ll see that put Figtree up 3-0.
Midway through the second half, Gwynne missed a guilt-edged opportunity from ten yards.
Elijah Reyes notched up his hat trick after he combined with Jithu Krishnadasan before firing a shot into the bottom corner.
Corrimal managed a consolation goal just before full time after a headed back pass went astray. Noah Barrett latched on to it as he rounded the keeper before tucking it away.
The loss leaves the Rangers winless. They have the bye this week as they will look to regroup before their next game.
Figtree, on the other hand, faces Bellambi at home in the next fixture. A win there could see them jump a couple more places.
Shellharbour City defeated Woonona 6-1 @ Myimbar Park
Cassander Grujevski and James Sekulovski starred as Shellharbour City hit the Sharks for six on Friday night.
It was the Sharks, though, that stung the home side inside the opening 90 seconds. Ian Hollis pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box before burying it into the bottom corner.
It was Sekuloski who restored parity inside ten minutes. He used his pace to beat a defender before firing onto the crossbar. The ball was played back to him as he calmly slotted home from close range.
Shellharbour were in front midway through the half as Sekuloski slid it past the goalkeeper after being played through.
Grujevski finished a swift counterattack on the half hour as Shellharbour City took firm control of the match.
Just ten minutes after the break, Shellharbour won a penalty, which was dispatched by Grujevski, giving City a further buffer.
Rhys Da Costa got on the scoresheet after some patient build-up play saw the ball squared across the goal. Da Costa smashing home from close range.
Sekuloski got himself a hat trick on 75 minutes after he was left unmarked in the box. He calmly picked his spot to make it five.
After a shaky start, Shellharbour City found their groove, and they notched up their third win on the trot after an opening round draw. They face Coledale next week. Woonona will host Highlands.
Bellambi Rosellas defeated Albion Park FC 3-1 @ Terry Reserve
The Rosellas moved up to within two points of top spot after a solid win over Albion Park.
They didn’t have it all their own way though as Albion Park’s Matthew Cignarella kicked off the scoring inside three minutes with a well taken goal.
It proved short-lived as 90 seconds later, Bellambi was all square. Shuhei Nagasawa restored parity in the fifth minute.
Nicholas Newell put the Rosellas ahead midway through the first half.
Nagasawa grabbed his second and Bellambi’s third just ten minutes after the break to effectively cap the game.
Bellambi has been unbeaten in their last four matches as they climb the ladder. They have a chance to make it three wins on the trot if they can beat Figtree this coming week.
Albion Park will be disappointed with the result. They have their work cut out this weekend as they face Warilla Wanderers.
Warilla Wanderers drew with Coledale Waves 2-2 @ King Mickey Park
Both teams had to settle for a draw in an end-to-end battle, which saw Warilla’s perfect start to the season dented.
Jack Murray put Warilla ahead on 11 minutes; however, Eduardo Bateman converted a spot kick to draw Coledale Waves level.
Just minutes after the break, an unfortunate deflection from Tim Rupprecht saw Warilla take back the lead.
It only lasted 11 minutes before Joel Mucci took his opportunity to bury it, levelling the scores.
Neither side could find a winner despite a few close calls.
The draw keeps the ladder tight. It’s all to play for again next week with Warilla visiting Albion Park as Coledale hosts Shellharbour City.
Highlands – Bye
