Bellambi Rosellas FC-1, Warilla Wanderers FC-0 @Elizabeth Park
A tough showdown as Bellambi consolidated their win with an early goal, knocking Warilla off second place.
Bellambi had nothing to play for heading into the match, as Highlands secured crucial points to keep them level in the top-four battle.
The Rosellas, however, saw an opportunity to make matters harder for their opposition.
Warilla could not kill the game early as the first forty minutes had nothing to show with an empty scoreline.
Two minutes later, Shuhei Nagasawa rocked the pitch with his solo run down the line.
He had a tight angle with the defenders closing in on him in the box, but the lethal winger unloaded a missile of a shot past the keeper’s head, off the bottom of the crossbar and into the side net.
An inspiring goal that put Bellambi above Warilla.
The Wanderers spent the second half chasing the home side with their one-goal lead.
They could not find an equaliser in time as the final whistle signalled the end of another upsetting defeat for Warilla.
Bellambi now have a bye in the upcoming round, with a behemoth of a match in the round after with Shellharbour.
Warilla will face off against Shellharbour, and a point out of this game will be needed not just for the ladder but also for morale, especially with the business end of the season.
Woonona Sharks FC-1, Corrimal Rangers FC-0 @Ocean Park
Corrimal gave another resilient display against their opponents as they only lost out to a late-minute winner scored by Woonona.
The Rangers are making a habit of giving headaches and close calls to their latest rivals, with their first win in their previous match as well as only losing out by two goals in their prior fixtures.
This game was no different as the away side held out the hosts for all of the first half and even the majority of the second half.
It took until the 85th minute for relief to come the Sharks’ way.
Riley Adams-Bruckner took the helm of the game in his favour as he found the spot to get it past the keeper and into the net.
A winner in the dying minutes of the game was what was needed to open a part of the rebellious Corrimal.
Woonona got their three points but had to go through thick and thin to obtain them in the end.
Corrimal can be pleased with their performance both in this game and the closing stages of the season.
Woonona can catch out Bellambi if they win their next match away from home against Figtree.
Corrimal will contest against Coledale, with the home advantage on the Rangers side.
Albion Park FC-1, Shellharbour City FC-2 @Terry Reserve
Albion Park made a strong statement late in the season as they almost defied the league leaders, Shellharbour.
City had already heard the news that Albion Park had slain Warilla in the prior round.
This game wasn’t going to be easy, especially as they were the visitors in this game.
Shellharbour’s worries were amplified when Albion Park proved that their last match wasn’t luck and they were a side not to be taken lightly.
In the 13th minute, Boden Allport was clinical in front of goal as he made it 1-0 to the hosts.
James Sekuloski couldn’t bear to see his side down for too long as he fired Shellharbour at level pegging with Albion Park.
The ruthless forward bagged his goal in the 28th minute; both teams were now all square.
The second half came, and it was anyone’s game as Albion Park made it clear that they weren’t out of the game just yet.
The hosts stood up to the league giants up until the last minutes of the game.
A finish from either end would be enough to seal it for whoever dared to be the hero for their side.
Sekuloski wanted to be that hero, and the striker got his wish as he broke the hearts of Albion Park with the winning strike in the final minute of the game.
A heroic double by the centre-forward to clutch up the game for Shellharbour.
Victory for visitors, as the scoreline finished at 2-1.
Albion Park will now challenge fourth place, Highlands, away from home; any game can turn out as a win for Albion Park with the performance they currently have.
In the next round for Shellharbour, it will be a home game with Warilla as their next challenger.
Coledale Waves JFC-1, Highlands FC-1 @Tarrawanna Oval
Too evenly matched, as Coledale and Highlands as the stalemate could not be broken between the two top four teams.
Keegan Rea’s consistency breaks through again as he netted in the 44th minute before the half closed out.
That is now three games in a row where he has found the back of the net.
In the second half, Coledale proved defiant against their visitors as Tim Rupprecht levelled the scoring.
Goal scored just on the hour mark.
Score at 1-1.
Late substitutions from both teams occurred, but neither side could find the right play to break the tie.
Full time hit and both sides had to leave with one point.
With finals approaching, there could be a chance that they could meet again and settle the stalemate, but that would have to wait.
Coledale travel away to face Corrimal in the next game.
Highlands have a nerve-racking home game with Albion Park, who are in good form in their most recent matches.
By Thomas Panayiotou
