MATCH OF THE ROUND
Unanderra Hearts v Dandaloo FC @ Unanderra Oval
We saw a cracking game of football between two of the leading contenders in front of a healthy Sunday afternoon crowd.
Dandaloo started the game on top, and inside the opening six minutes, Nick High flicked one over the bar from close range before Aaron Hales saw his effort cleared off the line.
Not long after, a cross from Bradley Acev was volleyed over by Jeremy Flanagan from ten yards as the Lions continued to threaten.
Unanderra started to claw back some of that momentum on 15 minutes. A Luke Picciolini free kick from 25 yards saw Kyle Booth make a fabulous save to deny him.
Midway through the half, a teasing long ball found Nick High in full flight, and he edged past the defender before calmly tucking past Kenji Sawada to put the visitors in front.
At half hour, a Jacob Martin shot took a wicked deflection off William Mobbs before crashing against the cross bar.
On 36 minutes, Unanderra launched a swift break that saw Daniel Carella pierce the midfield before unleashing a curling effort from well outside the box that found the inside of the top corner for the equaliser.
It was all to play for in the second half.
Midway through the second half and with Unanderra stretched, substitute Byron Chaplain was left wide open at the top of the box. He blasted over when perhaps he should have done better.
As the game ticked on, there were a few tired legs with the heavy pitch and the game started to open up late on.
Chaplain had another chance right on 90 minutes to win it when he was sent through one on one however Sawada denied him with a flying save.
Seconds later, Martin was presented with a golden opportunity as he was left unmarked on the edge of the box however, he sprayed it wide.
Just as it looked like Dandaloo had wasted their opportunities, a long ball into the box deep into stoppage time, saw Unanderra fail to clear their lines. Kyle Senior managed to gain possession before turning and firing into the bottom corner to sink Unanderra Hearts.
It was all she wrote as Dandaloo recorded their fifth straight win as they moved to the top of the ladder. They will be looking to make it six on the trot when they host Thirroul next week.
Unanderra battled hard and can perhaps consider themselves unlucky. They will now prepare for a clash with another contender, Oak Flats Falcons, next week.
Balgownie Rangers defeated Fernhill FC 3-2 @ Ray Robinson Park
We saw a see-sawing battle at Fernhill on Saturday with Balgownie edging out the Foxes in a thrilling and highly entertaining game.
The Rangers couldn’t have asked for a better start when, inside the first minute, Jayden Salucci put them ahead.
Brendan Pattman squeezed in an equaliser on 15 minutes adding another just seven minutes later as the Foxes hit the front.
With the game firmly in the balance, Brodie O’Neill finished well on the hour to restore parity for the Rangers.
It was the momentum the Rangers needed as Nicola Mattiuzzo scored what turned out to be the winner on 75 minutes.
The Rangers securing their third win in succession as they moved into outright second. After a bright start to the season, the Foxes have now find themselves winless from their last four starts.
Looking ahead, the Foxes travel to Picton whilst the Balgownie host Shoalhaven.
Oak Flats Falcons defeated Gerringong Breakers 3-1 @ Gerry Emery Reserve
The Falcons did all the damage early as they cruised to a 3-1 win at Gerringong.
Julian Minutillo opening the scoring inside the first minute setting the tone for what was about to come.
When Noah Vidler took his opportunity on 13 minutes, the Falcons were two up in quick succession.
Just two minutes later, Dane Matthews added further misery to Gerringong’s start as the Falcons made it three inside 15 minutes.
Gerringong did stop the bleeding as they looked to arrest some of the momentum. They gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Darcy Barnes converted a spot kick just before the break.
It wasn’t to be as Oak Flats comfortably saw out the match. The win moving the club just three points from the top.
They will hope to make it three in a row when they play Unanderra this coming week. Gerringong on the other hand will be looking to steer away from the bottom of the table as they face UOW.
Thirroul FC defeated Picton Rangers 3-1 @ Thomas Gibson Park
Thunder picked up their first win of the season and in the process lifted themselves off bottom place.
Ryan Sutcliffe did well to put away his opportunity on 34 minutes to give Thirroul the lead.
With the game evenly balanced and chances at both ends, Seamus Macken-Walsh buried his effort just after the hour, doubling Thirroul’s lead.
Shortly after, Macken-Walsh finished a nice move to grab his brace and Thirroul’s third as the home side took firm control of the match.
Spencer Barnes pulled a goal back on 80 minutes however, it was too little, too late with Thirroul seeing out the rest of the match.
After a bright start to the season, Picton have only picked up two points from their last five matches, which sees them drop into the bottom half of the table. They will be looking to turn it around when they host Fernhill next week.
After starting the season with four straight losses, Thirroul, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the fact that they have picked up four points from their last two matches. They will have their work cut out if they are to continue this streak when they face Dandaloo.
Shoalhaven FC defeated University FC 3-2 @ Ison Park
Shoalhaven broke their two-game slide with a come-from-behind win over a plucky University side.
William Goode shocked the home side after he pounced to make it 1-0 to the students after just 14 minutes.
The lead didn’t last long, with Joshua Hawker levelling it up just ten minutes later with a neat finish.
University were awarded a penalty just minutes after the break. Hasan Ayoub neatly dispatched the effort to give the visitors back the lead.
With Shoalhaven staring at their third defeat on the trot, they pushed players forward and picked up their intensity.
It paid dividends with 15 minutes to go when Logan Connell levelled things up.
The pressure told on University as Harry Connell popped up to score just seven minutes from the end to turn the game around.
It was a much-needed win from Shoalhaven as they look to keep pace with the leading pack. They now face another title contender and one of the form teams Balgownie next week.
Meanwhile, the students will be disappointed not to have got anything from the game. They will need to pick themselves up and dust themselves off as they have an appointment with Gerringong this week.
