Match of the Round-Bellambi Rosellas-1, Figtree FC-0 @Elizabeth Park
Bellambi got through, however not without a fight, as Figtree rose to the occasion and almost caught the Rosellas out on their own turf.
In the 8th minute, Figtree had the ball deep into Bellambi’s half; Ryle Schuchmann had the space to curl the ball into the danger area in the box; however, no one could get their head onto it to direct it in.
Five minutes later, Figtree halted an attack out on the wing; however, Thomas Panayiotou repossessed the ball from the opposition defence.
He gave it to Nicholas Newall in centre, who lined up a through ball to Christian Baade-Mortimer, who overlapped him.
The captain had all the time and space to thump it low and hard as it bulleted into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 for the home side.
With four minutes left on the clock for half-time, Shuhei Nagasawa went on a daring run from halfway.
He reached the Figtree box with his fullback hot on his heels; he then dodged the keeper, who lunged to grab the ball from the quick-footed winger.
The final thing left to do was to send it home at the close post, but William Phin for Figtree headed it clear to give his team a lifeline.
The second half then kicked off, and it was all Bellambi, who could not detest only being one goal up.
Nagasawa kept dribbling past his marker and heading into the box early in the half.
On one occasion in the 50th minute, he cut it back to Charlie Yates, who made a run from midfield but could not put it on target from close range.
Figtree knew that they were only held back by one goal and one lucky opportunity in their favour was all they needed to put the game on its head.
That moment came in the 86th minute when Bellambi were caught out with only a couple of defenders left to defend their goal.
Matthew Olima carried the ball high up the pitch, where he slid Elijah Reys clean through.
One-on-one, one kick to change the game, the midfielder slashed it close to the post, but it was too far out wide, and Figtree remained down by 1-0.
The game finished as a home victory for Bellambi; they now take on Warilla at home.
Figtree should be pleased with their performance as they made Bellambi work for their win at their own ground.
Figtree have a bye coming up for them in the next round.
Highlands FC-1, Woonona Sharks-1 @David Wood Oval
Spoils shared by both teams as Woonona were able to hold a draw against top-four place, Highlands.
Woonona were left to fend for themselves away from home and were almost successful in maintaining the score at 0-0 in the first half.
Keegan Rea was the defining factor in wrecking that plan for the Sharks as he unlocked the opposition defence with his conversion.
1-0 with a minute left of the first half.
The visitors were left in shambles going into the dressing room with a late goal scored against them.
The whistle was then blown for the second half, and the Sharks came out fired up after the goal they conceded prior.
In just four minutes of the second half, the away team obtained the equaliser against Highlands.
The score was put to 1-1 credited to Ian Hollis’ composure in front of goal to put one away for his side.
Both clubs looked to their benches to get a tactical advantage over the other; however, the substitutions were unsuccessful in changing the result.
Woonona got their first point in their last five matches while Highlands hit a roadblock with a draw after three consecutive wins.
Highlands will need to up their game in the next round, which is against Coledale, away, who sit one place above them.
A home match for Woonona as their visiting side will be Corrimal Rangers; a win could put them equal on points with Bellambi, who sit above them in the table.
Warilla Wanderers FC-0, Albion Park FC-1 @King Mickey Park
Warilla have a shock upset at home as Albion Park pull off a miraculous win with a late goal.
Albion Park had a discouraging environment with an away match set up against second place in the table.
Warilla’s eagerness to score had to wait as the first half saw both sides unable to get it past the keepers.
The visitors only needed one goal to threaten Warilla as they were struggling to convert their opportunities.
Silence all until after the hour mark when, in the 68th minute, Conor O’Sullivan decided to go against all the odds and shatter expectations of the match.
He put Albion Park one goal up in front, a goal that revived their contention for the top four.
With the goal in their favour, the away team did not give any signs of showing weakness and endured through the Wanderers’ attacks.
The whistle was then blown, marking the end of a memorable and cornerstone game for Albion Park.
They can brag about their victory as well as be positive in their top four hopes.
Warilla will do everything to be clinical in front of their goal in the next game, which is against Bellambi on their turf.
The triumphant, Albion Park weren’t rewarded too kindly with their next matchup as they now verse first-place, Shellharbour City.
Another potential upset will have to wait for next week.
By Thomas Panayiotou
File Photo: Sportography by Bec
