Premier League 3 – Round 6 Review
Coledale Waves drew with Shellharbour FC 0-0 @ St James Park
In a tense and physical affair played under overcast skies and heavy rain, the result of 0-0 reflected both team’s form and defensive resilience underlying why they will be a threat later in the season. A match that was defined by an intense midfield battle, but both teams will reflect on opportunities missed to take maximum points.
Shellharbour started brightly and enjoyed sustained periods of possession for much of the opening half, consistently looking to exploit space for their wingers with clever switch passes. Shellharbour’s right winger Beau Randle was lively early, creating half chances when given time on the ball utilising his quick feet and pace. This early pressure compounded into a decent chance down the left hand side through James Sekuloski, Shellharbour’s leading goal scorer, almost breaking the deadlock, blasting his shot against the post.
Despite Shellharbour continuing to dominate possession, Coledale remained disciplined defensively with their backline remaining compact and marking tightly, refusing to allow space in behind. Shellharbour adjusted tactically and began to get more balls into the box, via their wide men. Coledale continued to defend impressively, with Vaughan Lickley a rock at the back. A dangerous free kick from Coledale’s Matthew Sadler just prior to the break resulted in a scramble in the box prior to half-time, but the deadlock remained, both teams scoreless at the break.
The second half was played at a frantic pace, with both teams trading blows. An early save from Coledale keeper George Mihail proved paramount for Coledale denying Shellharbour. Following this a swift counter attack saw Coledale’s Ryan Empson’s left foot shot miss the mark.
George Mihail again came to Coledale’s rescue with a sharp save near the byline, as Shellharbour pushed for a winner. A well worked free kick routine brought out the best in George Mihail as the Coledale shot stopper again denied Shellharbour. With 10 minutes remaining Coledale were awarded a penalty, with Eduardo Bateman stepping up amid the rising tension. The deadlock remained with Goalkeeper Volkan Guden holding his position down the middle and saving the penalty. Coledale’s substitute Archie Tobin-Coldwell made a surging run late in the piece, again thwarted by Guden, with another critical save.
As Shellharbour launched one final attack, James Bishop produced what could only be described as the tackle of the match, throwing himself in front of Shellharbour’s substitute Kaiden Deller, inside the box to maintain a clean sheet.
Looking to next week, Shellharbour will host Albion Park, while Coledale travel to East Bowral in a possible match of the round against Highlands with both teams still undefeated.
Warilla Wanderers defeated Albion Park FC 3-0 @Terry Reserve
Warilla continued their undefeated start to the season with a 3-0 win against Albion Park FC on Saturday afternoon. In the initial exchanges Albion Park settled quicker and fashioned an early chance through a swift exchange of passes that released Dylan Ahearn, who shot just wide after 3 minutes.
Following this Warilla’s passing game kicked into gear and on the back of strong hold up play by target man Jack Murray, Jordan Buchanan was denied by Albion Park keeper Richard Bull with a strong reaction save. The resulting corner was partially cleared, but fell to Buchanan, who picked out Murray with a pin point cross. Murray clinically dispatched the header to open the scoring on 12 minutes.
Warilla’s engine room of Jeremy Rodriguez and Joel Perry took control during the next period of the game, with sharp ball movement both on and off the ball a feature. In wide areas Farshad Valadkhani, Jack Fowler and Stewart Robertson all started to assert some quality in attacking zones, culminating in an overlapping run by Fowler, who saw his cross headed just wide by Murray.
On the stroke of half-time Jack Murray was again on the score sheet finishing off a fluent movement that started from Warilla’s defence, firing a low left footed shot past Albion Park’s keeper. Albion Park countered immediately when Daniel Murilla made a penetrating run in behind Warilla’s defence cutting the ball back from the by-line only to see Mitchell Dowzard blaze his shot over the bar.
The weather began to deteriorate at the start of the second half, but this didn’t detract from Warilla looking to kill the game off. A through ball found Valadkhani in on goal, but Albion Park Keeper Richard Bull came to the rescue again to keep them in the game. On 55 minutes Murray completed his hat-trick, swooping on a loose ball on the edge of the box, dispatching it into the top corner.
Albion Park continued to press for a goal to try and get back into the game and thought they had one when Toby Learmont, Daniel Murrilla and Matthew Skelly combined. Skelly steered his shot past the keeper, who had come to the edge of the box, with only desperate defending from Warilla preventing the ball crossing the line. Ultimately, the ruthless finishing of man of the match Jack Murray was the difference between the two teams.
Next up for both teams, Warilla host Bellambi at King Mickey Park, whilst Albion Park face another tough opponent in Shellharbour at Myimbarr Park.
Bellambi Rosellas defeated Figtree FC 5-2 @ Harry Graham
Fresh off their first win of the season last week, Figtree flew out of the blocks opening the scoring after 4 minutes through Alexander Perez. The Rosellas responded immediately through Shuhei Nagasawa, with a 1-1 scoreline after just 10 minutes of play.
In challenging conditions both teams traded blows in an open affair. A further touch of quality from Nagasawa was evident when he cut inside from the right, beating multiple players, before striking the post. The rebound was swooped upon by Charlie Yates, tapping home to take Bellambi to the break leading 2-1.
Lachlan Ogorman began the second half for the Rosella’s with some strong runs, creating plenty of work for the Figtree backline. Nagasawa also got in on the action, beating defenders at will, with only a sharp one on one save from Figtree keeper Xavier Di Noro, preventing Bellambi from killing off the game. In the 58th minute, Ogorman put the game out of Figtree’s reach, when he rounded the keeper at the top of the box and calmly converted to put Bellambi up 3-1. Joshua Yeaman slotted a 75th minute consolation goal for Figtree, but this was nullified by a brace from Nicholas Newall on either side of his goal to see Bellambi round out the scoring and take the three points.
Bellambi will take their strong form into an intriguing clash with Warilla next week, while Figtree will need to reset for a clash with Woonona.
Highlands defeated Woonona 2-1 @ Ocean Park
Highlands continued their undefeated streak travelling to Woonona within touching distance of the top two teams. Despite being comprehensively beaten by Shellharbour the week before Woonona were seeking a bounce back victory. Woonona started stronger in a scrappy affair impacted by the windy conditions at Ocean Park.
On 15 minutes Woonona took the lead whipping in a freekick that took a deflection from Highland’s defender Edward Goodall, leaving the keeper helpless. Woonona continued to have the ascendancy and nearly went up 2-0 only to have the goal ruled out for offside. Keegan Rea equalised for Highlands close to half-time with a curling free kick from the edge of the box, locking things up at the break.
In a tightly contested second half a critical moment came with Woonona’s Bede Clarke was given his marching orders in the 78th minute for a second yellow card. Despite this Woonona pushed for a winner, but had their hearts broken late in the game. Highland’s keeper Ben Friedrich utilised the wind to assist the goal that was tucked away by Blake Friedrich, taking his season tally to 5.
A 2-1 victory for Highlands keeps them in third place going into Round 7, hosting a physical Coledale team who are consistently involved in tight games and will draw confidence after taking a point against Shellharbour at home. While Woonona travel to Corrimal who are coming off the bye will be hoping to get off the mark with their first win of the season.
Corrimal Rangers – Bye
By Wyatt Toland
