Premier League 2 Round 17
Match of the Round
Oak Flats 5 Thirroul 0 @ Keith Bond Oval
Oak Flats came into the match eight points clear at the top of the ladder and continue to be the competition benchmark. They remain undefeated in their last five matches, although had to settle for a draw at Unanderra last week.
Thirroul sat in 6th place going into this match, just three points outside the top four. Undefeated in their last three matches, last week earning a point against second placed Dandaloo.
Oak Flats solidified their status as the number one team in Premier League 2 with an emphatic result and performance against Thirroul.
Oak Flats settled quickly into their passing rhythm, with their central midfield options providing great ball movement early in this fixture.
Noah Vidler’s threat on the left was established quickly, with his penetrating runs and quality service into key areas, giving Thirroul all sorts of headaches throughout the afternoon.
Against the run of play Thirroul striker Jake Paine headed over following a volley from Cooper Brindle in their first opportunity in front of goal.
A well worked exchange of passes saw midfield maestro Brodey Jeliffe tee up Julian Minutillo to crash a beautifully placed volley into the top corner to open the scoring on 15 minutes.
Oak Flats overlapping fullbacks provided an attacking outlet and threat with their tireless work up and down the line during this match. Ky Nunn drawing a number of saves out of the Thirroul keeper and Nixon Nourie a constant supply line of quality service into the box.
Oak Flats doubled the lead on 22 minutes when Noah Vidler turned provider for Joel Palermo who smashed the ball home at the back post.
Cooper Brindle again was providing an aerial threat for Thirroul, but could only direct his header from a free-kick over the bar, seeing Oak Flats in control and up 2-0 at the break.
Thirroul started brightly in the second half and had some decent periods of play. Oscar Holden Kim was beginning to assert himself with excellent dribbling and quick ball movement creating opportunities for dangerous wide man Jack Cotterill to get some crosses into the box.
An excellent strike from outside the box from Thirroul’s Todd Davidson took a deflection, leaving Claude D’Alessio stranded, but went wide of the post.
This period was cancelled out when Julian Minutillo scored his second for the afternoon on 70 minutes. This followed great pressure on the keeper from Brodey Jeliffe who set Minutillo up for an easy finish.
Oak Flats didn’t relent and scored two more in the final 10 minutes. Minutillo completed his hat-trick in a man of the match performance, whilst substitute Kohen White was clinical with his opportunity in front of goal.
Oak Flats travel to Hume Oval to face a Picton side buoyed by an upset win at Dandaloo. Thirroul will host Uni at Thomas Gibson, looking to regroup after a tough afternoon at Oak Flats.
Balgownie 1 Gerringong 0 @ Judy Masters
Balgownie remained in third position on the ladder coming into this clash, but without a win in their last five matches. Four draws during that period have enabled the chasing pack to edge closer.
Gerringong had success against Balgownie when they hosted them earlier in the season but came into the clash in last position on the ladder, desperate for an away win to try and leapfrog Uni.
Balgownie secured a valuable three points with a 1-0 win over Gerringong. In a tight match wide man Jayden Salucci’s strike after three minutes was the difference between the two teams.
Despite plenty of scheming and quality service from Glenn Muchena and Jayden Salucci, Balgowine couldn’t find the finishing touches to add to the lead for the remainder of the afternoon.
A strong defensive display from Anthony Oliver and Trent Worthington helped Balgowine keep a clean sheet. This was supported by shot stopper Karl Solberg-Minnerup with a tidy performance between the sticks.
Gerringong battled hard all afternoon but could not cancel out the early goal. Strong performances particularly from Jacob Jeffrey and Jye Citra, not enough to earn Gerringong a share of the points. Front man Toby House, toiled tirelessly all afternoon and provided a few headaches for the Balgownie defence, but without the final finish.
Midfield powerhouse Brodie O’Neill controlled the game for Balgownie through the middle with a combination of power and touch features of another excellent performance.
Gerringong host Shoalhaven next week, but even a win in this one will see them rooted to the bottom of the table.
Balgownie have closed the gap to one point on Dandaloo, with their surprise loss to Picton. Unanderra Oval is the venue for their next match, with the result to have a considerable bearing on the composition of the top four.
Dandaloo 1 Picton 2 @ Dandaloo Sports Ground
Dandaloo hosted Picton in an important encounter, hoping for a slip up from Oak Flats to close the lead at the top of the ladder. After having to settle for a point away to Thirroul, Dandaloo were counting on home ground advantage and their parochial supporters to be the difference against Picton.
Picton travel to Dandaloo, knowing they missed an opportunity last week against Fernhill to take all three points. In 8th position on the ladder, points are a must with Uni and Gerringong within striking distance, all trying to avoid the wooden spoon.
Picton took all three points in this one, to register an excellent win away from home. Dandaloo will reflect on this one as a match that got away from them and tightened the chasing pack behind them in the run to the finals.
Picton struck first on 30 minutes when Jayden Russell took his opportunity and converted for a 1-0 lead.
The response from Dandaloo was emphatic and immediate. Daniel Chapman converted two minutes later to level the match.
Both teams traded blows but ultimately went to the break locked up at 1-1
Picton started the brighter in the second half with midfield workhorse Spencer Barnes in the thick of the action. In combination with danger man Liam Gregory out wide Picton began to create opportunities.
Jayden Russell was again on the scoresheet when he slotted his second on 58 minutes giving Picton the lead.
Dandaloo tried to rescue something from the game but Picton’s defence and shot stopper Haydon Armstrong were resolute and prevented any ideas of a comeback.
Picton sit in sixth position on the ladder and host Oak Flats at home in a further test of how the season will finish for them. Dandaloo travel to Fernhill for a tricky fixture with Balgownie hot on their heels only a point behind.
University 2 Unanderra 1 @ Kooloobong Oval
Uni hosted Unanderra at Kooloobong undefeated in their last four matches. With Gerringong only one point behind at the bottom of the ladder, this loomed as an important fixture to avoid being stuck in last position with a couple of matches to play.
Unanderra took a valuable point from their clash with league leaders Oak Flats. This was important after being hammered by Dandaloo the week before and not tasting a win in their last five matches. With Thirroul only three points behind, a result was important for their top four ambitions.
Uni continued their undefeated run, but this time collected all three points and moved up to 7th place on the ladder.
In an end to end match both sides had to wait a long time before troubling the scoresheet. The first 60 minutes were dominated by strong defensive displays and solid goal-keeping performances.
Unanderra scored first on 63 minutes through Daniel Carella, but Cameron Hanson responded quickly for Uni to level things up with 20 minutes remaining.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the dying stages. Man of the match William Goode’s 80th minute strike proved the difference between the two teams.
Uni travel to Thirroul, looking to continue their most consistent run of form throughout the season. Unanderra sit just outside the top four, but have home ground advantage on their side as they host third placed Balgownie.
Fernhill 3 Shoalhaven 2 @ Ray Robinson Oval
Fernhill hosted Shoalhaven at Ray Robinson buoyed by a great escape against Picton. Three nil down and looking out of the match, Fernhill fashioned a point to ensure they remained fourth on the ladder.
Shoalhaven came into the match three points off the pace for the top four, but without a win in their last five matches. Shoalhaven’s finals aspirations require an away win in this one to keep the dream alive.
Fernhill moved to fourth on the competition ladder securing all three points with a 3-2 victory, with the result closer than perhaps if should have been.
Fernhill started strong and took the lead on 5 minutes when Dylan Hogan converted his opportunity.
Captain and man of the match Jordan Hughes for Fernhill was the standout across both teams throughout the afternoon, putting in a dominant display.
For Shoalhaven it was the usual suspects that looked most likely to get them back into the game, with Rocky Lavalle and Zac Hawker their most creative outlets.
Fernhill doubled their lead on 62 minutes when Jordan Hughes slotted his opportunity, making the task for Shoalhaven even more challenging with 28 minutes remaining,
In the 83rd minute Shoalhaven pulled one back through Logan O’Connell to make for an interesting ending to the match.
Fernhill again rallied with Kyle Del restoring a two goal lead with a couple of minutes to play.
Substitute Harry O’Connell scored in the 92nd minute for Shoalhaven to again provide a few anxious moments for Fernhill.
Fernhill hung on for an important win that has them three points clear of Unanderra in fourth position and hosting Dandaloo in a blockbuster next week.
Shoalhaven have a local derby with Gerringong next week, in a clash that will see the winner take regional bragging rights and for Gerringong have a huge bearing on how the season finishes.
By Wyatt Toland
Feature Photo: Jack Baldassari
