Shellharbour City FC-1, Warilla Wanderers FC-2 @Myimbarr Park
Shellharbour’s invincible record gets broken by their second-place adversaries, Warilla, who make a comeback with a victory away from home.
Warilla suffered an unexpected turn of events in their prior game against Bellambi, where they lost 1-0 to their hosts.
So the Wanderers didn’t look like heavy favourites, being visitors again this time against league leaders, Shellharbour.
Jeremy Rodriguez ignored the predictions for the game as he hurled in a shot through City’s posts to put Warilla in the lead.
Shellharbour was startled by what just unfolded in front of them in the first twenty minutes.
The hosts hassled for an equaliser that never came as the first half finished 1-0 to the visitors.
The second half approached, and the game became dire for the home side as they risked losing their invincible record that they’ve held for fourteen games.
In the 73rd minute, Rodriguez was a thorn again in Shellharbour’s defence. He finished his chance in front of goal to make it two for him for the day and two for Warilla.
Three minutes later, City weren’t going to be trifled with as Cassander Grujevski fired his goal in to put the score at 2-1.
Less than fifteen minutes of play to turn it around.
Luckily, Warilla put their foot down firmly as they kept the scoreline the same all through to the final whistle.
Warilla have sparked hope in their side.
They’ve shown that they can stand up to the top side of the league, and that will give them confidence heading into the finals week.
Last game for Shellharbour will be a visit to Bellambi.
The Rosellas beat Warilla in their last encounter, something Shellharbour should be aware of going into this match.
Highlands are the last team in the regular season for Warilla; the game will be played at home for the Wanderers.
Corrimal Rangers FC-1, Coledale Waves JFC-5 @Memorial Park
Ryan Empson made no mistake in front of goal early in the game, converting his opportunity in the 16th minute.
First goal for Coledale.
An early lead would’ve led spectators to believe they were in for a haul of goals, but, surprisingly, the first half ended 1-0.
The second half began, and the Waves came out more hungry than their opposition.
Empson was on the end of another play by the Waves, as he finished the play with a goal in the 55th minute.
The tall forward made it a brace, putting his side further away from their opponents.
Empson’s brace quickly turned into a hat-trick five minutes later.
The striker single-handedly influenced the scoreline.
Three goals for Coledale in this match.
The game looked to be over for Empson after completing a hat-trick at the hour mark, but he decided to make it a four-goal haul for himself as he picked his spot in the 64th minute.
A game to remember for the Coledale forward.
In the 81st minute, it was finally a different scorer, and this time it was from the other team, Andrew Wierenga.
He pulled a goal back to make it 4-1.
The visitors scored one last goal in the 90th minute, with Matthew Sadler the player to bag in the fifth for his side to end off the game 5-1.
Corrimal Rangers have one last chance to attempt to avoid ending the season in last place as they visit Albion Park.
Figtree are the last fixture on the regular season calendar for Coledale.
Another win will secure their second-place spot on the ladder.
The game will be played at home for the Waves.
Figtree FC-0, Woonona Sharks FC-4 @Harry Graham Park
Woonona scored late in the first half to ease the pressure on them as Figtree fortified their defence heavily at home.
Riley Adams-Bruckner to be thanked for breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute.
Figtree made it difficult again for their visiting side as the Sharks couldn’t find an opening to exploit early in the second half.
Eventually the away side found a way to break through again through Figtree’s well-organised defence.
Woonona managed to score three in the span of ten minutes, an incredible feat achieved in this match.
The goals came from Evan Thomas in the 65th minute to double the advantage.
Samuel Burgess bagged in the third for the Sharks in the 70th minute.
Lastly, a goal by Joshua Bishop five minutes later.
Woonona’s patience proved rewarding as they swiftly eased past Figtree late in the match.
Figtree can be commended for their efforts in defence but unfortunately couldn’t finish down the other end to break the Sharks’ clean sheet.
The next and final game will be played against Coledale away from home for Figtree.
For Woonona, their regular season has come to an end as they have a bye in the next round.
A top-six finish to be recognised for.
Highlands FC-1, Albion Park FC-2 @David Wood Oval
A massive late twist in the season as Albion Park usurped Highlands ‘ top-four spot with their late comeback triumph.
Everything was on the line for both sides as they entered the match to battle for the top four, with only one round left afterwards.
This game can decide who goes into the finals.
The tension was almost palpable as both teams couldn’t find a foothold in this match.
Highlands and Albion Park walked into the break with no goal to separate them.
Twenty minutes into the second half, and still no sight of a possible goal.
Relief for Highlands as a draw will sustain their top-four perch.
Bigger relief came when they finally found the breakthrough they were looking for as Braden Egan netted the first of the game in the 76th minute.
A goal was what Highlands needed to ease the tension off their shoulders, especially in the business end of the season.
The celebration and satisfaction were cut abruptly less than ten minutes later as Albion Park struck a nerve in their opponents with a goal by Conor Edenden.
A finish in the 85th minute put Highlands in panic at their home ground.
Before Highlands could process their goal against them, four minutes after Albion Park’s first, they got another with Jesse Ryman at the end of the move.
Within the space of four minutes, Highlands’ finals dreams have been put on hold by two very late goals by their visitors, who have made a last-minute entrance into the top four.
Albion Park are only in front of Highlands on goal difference in the ladder, so everything to play for in the last round of the season.
Highlands versus Warilla at their ground, the Wanderers don’t have much to play for as they’ve already secured a finals spot.
As for Highlands, they will need all the luck to go their way if they hope to rummage a victory in this thrilling final match.
Albion Park have only themselves to blame if they don’t capitalise on their lucky draw against Corrimal.
Lots of drama to look forward to in the final round of the regular season.
By Thomas Panayiotou
Feature Photo: Richie Wagner
