Match of the Round- University of Wollongong FC -1, Shellharbour City FC -3 @Kooloobong Oval
Shellharbour made a statement result against second-place, University, with three second-half goals to turn the game around.
In the first 11 minutes, Jessica Llewellin was the difference maker for University as she knocked in a low cross by Jasmine Trajceski. The shot was out of reach of the keeper as it went into the side netting from close range.
In the 30th minute, City were on the offensive as they had a corner taken by Sofia Mieli, who struck her cross to the front post, which forced a save out of Emma Carstens.
Kristy Rohrer had an ambitious strike from 30 yards in the top right bin in the 36th minute; however, Carsten again made the save to keep Shellharbour out.
Shellharbour were dominant throughout the first half, but University stayed strong for the rest of it.
Seven minutes into the second half, Shellharbour showed its wrath as Samara Wehmeyer went on a solo run from halfway.
She exploited the defence with her pace and was able to steer a low cross at the back post, but was cleared into the net by Sophie Boyd for an own goal.
City’s barrage on Wollongong’s goal eventually led to their second in the 63rd minute.
The keeper parried away a shot from midfield, but not far enough from Dajana Popovic, who poached in the rebound at the far post to make it 2-1 for the visitors.
In the 66th minute, University tried to level the game as on the counter, Amy Morrell hit a lethal effort from outside the box and rattled the crossbar.
Trajceski attempted to convert the rebound off the bar but was unable to keep her half-volley down.
The away side’s fortune continued as substitute, Madelaine Costanzo anticipated the rebounded save by the keeper and on the second time of asking, smashed her effort into the roof from the six-yard box.
3-1 with ten minutes left in the game, University didn’t have an answer back.
Shellharbour’s victory achieved in the second half put them further clear in points at the top of the table.
University’s broken win record comes right before the bye in the next round.
As for Shellharbour, they take on Kiama Quarriers in the Julie Porter Cup Final next week.
Photos: Richie Wagner
Coniston FC -4, Bulli FC -1 @JJ Kelly Park
After 21 minutes, Bulli caught out Coniston with a goal by Camille Augustyn to put the visitors on the front foot.
The away side kept Coniston out for the remainder of the half with the score still at 1-0.
The lead was then short-lived in the second half as Tara Cannon replied by putting the ball in the back of the net in the first minute of the half.
Cannon with no mercy came out and fired again in the 52nd minute to make it 2-1 in favour of Coniston.
Coniston’s pressure was too much for Bulli to handle, and their attack led to an own goal by Kitty Dubourdieu to make it 3-1 for the home end in the 68th minute.
In the 75th minute, Cannon put the last nail in the coffin as she converted her third of the game to make it a hat-trick.
Coniston have an uneasy test against Shoalhaven, who sit one spot above them in third.
A statement win could put them in a tied position on the ladder.
Bulli have the odds against them with a still-invincible Shellharbour side waiting for them in the next round.
Photo: Kylie Patterson
Shoalhaven FC -1, Woonona Sharks -0 @Ison Park
Woonona are held out for the entire game by Shoalhaven after they take an early lead.
Before the Sharks could settle into the game, Shae Paananen took the game by storm and scored a goal in the first sixty seconds of the game.
The miraculous early goal has shifted the tone of the game unexpectedly.
The resilience of Shoalhaven squandered Woonona’s attempts to get their chances in the net.
For the whole 90 minutes, Shoalhaven’s clean sheet remained intact as the Sharks’ chances to bite back into the game proved futile in the end.
The early lead was enough to keep the Sharks at bay and give Shoalhaven the three points.
Shoalhaven face another challenge in their next fixture in the form of Coniston, three points below them in the ladder.
Both will attempt to fight for a win to keep them in contention for top spot.
As for Woonona, they have an encounter with Thirroul at home, the Sharks will be desperate to put themselves back on winning ways after a misery of prior results against them.
File Photo
Thomas Panayiotou
