Premier League 2 – Round 16
Match of the Round
Fernhill 3-3 Picton @ Ray Robinson Oval
Fernhill hosted Picton on the back of a five match undefeated streak, but were frustrated by giving up a strong lead with 20 minutes remaining the week before. Heading into the clash they sat fourth on the ladder with the chance to move into third place.
Picton hadn’t tasted victory in their last three matches, with tight losses or draws being the order of the day.
In a highly entertaining match of the round both teams shared the points in a match with significant shifts in momentum.
Picton started quickly and were looking at every opportunity to utilise width and speed, particularly through wideman Liam Gregory. Fernhill were looking to play through the press and also move the ball well through their midfield triangle passing.
A defensive error from Fernhill led to a Picton counter-attack, which resulted in Fernhill giving away a free-kick in a dangerous area. From the resulting free kick the initial shot hit the wall, then deflected into another Picton player Brendan Pattman to open the scoring on 10 minutes.
Picton continued to put Fernhill under pressure, with only scrambling defence preventing a quick-fire second goal with the Fernhill keeper frustrated with the defensive start from his team. Picton had a further opportunity that rattled the bar, as Fernhill tried desperately to get themselves into the game.
Picton doubled their advantage from a corner from Jayden Russell, whose delivery troubled Fernhill all afternoon. The corner was turned in by Jarred Morley on 28 minutes.
Picton continued to dominate and their passing between midfield and their wide players caused Fernhill all kinds of problems and created further opportunities. A header from Jayden Russell at the back post went just wide of the mark as Picton looked to heap further misery on Fernhill.
Picton were on top after the first 45 minutes and could have been further ahead.
Picton continued where they left off in the first half, maintaining their intensity and pressure on Fernhill both offensively and defensively. Just as Fernhill began to look more threatening, creating some chances of their own, wide man Liam Gregory scored Picton’s third.
What followed was a wild swing in momentum that saw Fernhill mount a comeback. One minute after Picton’s third goal, Jackson Dent struck for Fernhill. An excellent finish from close to the edge of the box, nestling in the bottom corner of the goal.
For the next 20 minutes both teams spurned good opportunities to either kill off the game or continue the comeback.
On 73 minutes second half substitute Hikaru Kawasakiya converted a half volley that he was able to manufacture a chip to leave Picton keeper Hayden Armstrong stranded.
The comeback was complete on 81 minutes when Daniel Swinton converted following a number of deflections from a well directed cross.
Fernhill are back at home next Sunday when they host Shoalhaven, while Picton travel to Dandaloo frustrated not to have put the game away and taken all three points
Gerringong 1-1 University @ Gerry Emery Reserve
One point separated both teams at the bottom of the ladder going into this clash. Both teams have four wins to their name and were determined to put some distance between one another.
After a run of three matches undefeated Gerringing came back to earth last week against the league leaders Oak Flats. Uni kept a clean sheet in a strong win against Shoalhaven and were undefeated in their last three.
Gerringong tore out of the blocks taking the lead through Jacob Jeffrey after five minutes.
Gerringong continued to assert themselves knowing that taking their chances and extending their lead would go a long way to taking all three valuable points.
Man of the match Harrison Burton was a stand out for the home side, with his creativity and quality on the ball a point of difference between the two sides.
Uni shot stopper Liam Stevenson kept Gerringong in the game making sure there was no further scoring in the first half.
One nil was never a safe lead and Uni began to push for an equaliser in the second half. For Uni the fast break or set piece looked like the most likely outlet to goal and the composure and quality of Kentaro Arai began to increase as the second half unfolded.
Christian Presslaber scored a late equaliser for Uni, with the points shared at Gerry Emery. This maintains the positioning of both clubs for now, but at the end of the ladder neither will be content with.
Uni host Unanderra next week at Kooloobong Oval, while Gerringong travel to Judy Masters to take on Balgownie.
Shoalhaven 1-1 Balgownie @ Ison Park
Shoalhaven’s season has stuttered over the last five weeks, with two draws their only points during this period. They host Balgownie still in touch with the bottom of the top four, but desperate for a home ground advantage to translate to all three points.
Balgownie remained third going into the clash, showing great fight to take a point against Fernhill last week, but haven’t tasted victory in their last five matches.
Shoalhaven and Balgownie played out a stalemate at Ison Park, in a match that left the scoring for both sides very late.
A goal a piece in the dying minutes of the game kept Balgownie in third place and Shoalhaven in a log jam mid-table.
The first half was a tight and physical affair with both sides unable to convert opportunities they created.
The usual suspects for both sides were in the thick of things, with Brodie O’Neill turning out another stellar performance for Balgownie, starring as man of the match.
Striker Hayden Manevski scored on 90 minutes to give Balgownie the lead and what looked like the game winner, only to see his strike cancelled out a minute later when Shoalhaven’s main man Rocky Lavalle rescued a point for his team.
Looking toward next week Balgownie are back at Judy Masters, hosting a Gerringong team who have previously troubled them this season. For Shoalhaven they play on Sunday away to Fernhill.
Thirroul 1-1 Dandaloo @ Thomas Gibson Park
Thirroul hosted Dandaloo on the back of two tight wins and the bottom of the top four in striking distance.
Dandaloo were back to their best last week, after a run of three matches without a win, but cognisant of the danger that this match presented.
All the scoring happened early in this one, with both sides converting in the first 15 minutes.
Captain and midfield hardman Jamie Holland opened Dandaloo’s account in the 3rd minute, demonstrating not only his value in the centre of the park but also in providing valuable goals.
His strike was cancelled out by Thirroul wide man Jack Cotterill on 15 minutes. But that is where the scoring finished for the afternoon.
Both keepers played a role in ensuring no further goals were conceded, with tidy performances between the sticks for both sides.
Daniel Bond was a standout for Thirroul, earning man of the match honours on the day.
Both teams ran the changes late in the match in an effort to see if fresh legs could earn all three points for their teams, instead both had to settle for a point.
Thirroul travel to league leaders Oak Flats in the ultimate test in this league, but with an upset win and results going in their favour, are in striking distance of the top four. Dandaloo return home to face a Picton team, looking to bounce back from relenting a three goal lead at Fernhill.
Unanderra 2-2 Oak Flats @ Unanderra Oval
Unanderra returned home after back to back losses and dropping out of the top four.
Their task didn’t get any easier as they played their second top two opponents in back to back weeks, with Oak Flats the competition benchmark visiting Unanderra Oval.
Unanderra were a different side at home to the one that went down 5-0 at Dandaloo and surprised the league leaders when they took the lead on 17 minutes. Prolific striker Mark Picciolini again on the scoresheet when the talisman struck early for Unanderra.
Oak Flats rallied and were level on 30 minutes when midfielder Luke Day levelled things up.
On the stroke of half-time Oak Flats took to the lead when midfield maestro Dane Matthews drove his opportunity home. Oak Flats going to the break up 2-1
Unanderra continued to threaten in the second half and began to create some chances. Man of the match Mark Picciolini keeping Oak Flats keeper Claude D’Alessio busy. Picciolini’s hold up play and ability to bring others into the game was a feature of the afternoon.
On 77 minutes David Chicharo drew Unanderra level and earned them a point. His willing running in the second half caused Oak Flats some headaches and getting on the scoresheet was well deserved.
Unanderra showed that at their best, they present a challenge for the top teams and will be keen to try and put some distance between themselves and the bottom of the top four when they face Uni next week.
Oak Flats return to Keith Bond to host Thirroul in a tricky match, with Thirroul keen to build on a strong performance against Dandaloo and again test themselves against a league heavy weight.
By Wyatt Toland
