MATCH OF THE ROUND
Wollongong Olympic defeated Wollongong United 2-1 @ Elizabeth Park
Olympic breathed life back into their league campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the league leaders.
The healthy crowd were treated to an entertaining start to the match. Inside three minutes, a cross from the right from Kyle Jackson was spilled by Tom Alston. It fell to Rick Goodchild, who made no mistake from close range.
Just five minutes later, Kyah Jovanovski levelled it up after he latched onto a loose ball on the right edge of the box, blasting a low driving shot that beat Hayden Durose inside the near post.
On the quarter hour, Aaron Baker perhaps should have done better as he fired over from ten yards out.
The game was settling into a tense midfield battle, with chances suddenly drying up.
Just minutes before half-time, a cross from the right was met with a thumping header from Daniel Geroski. Durose showed incredible reflexes as he palmed the ball over the bar from just seven yards out.
Not long after the restart, Guy Knight saw his far post header collected by Alston.
Midway through the second half, Sam Matthews was left open on the far post, but an awkward bounce forced an ineffective shot that lacked enough power to beat Durose.
With just 15 minutes left and with light rain falling, an Olympic long ball was mishandled by Alston. Goodchild regathered on the right before swinging in a pinpoint cross that found Jason Madonis, who headed into an unguarded net from a couple of yards out.
Just minutes later, Madonis, who now has nine goals from ten matches, cut back in from the left on the edge of the box and looked destined to score again before some desperate defending denied him.
United pushed hard in the final minutes, Olympic held on for a memorable win that brings United back to the field in the race for the title.
Wollongong United have arguably their biggest game of the season on the line on Tuesday night as they face SD Raiders (away) in the final round of the local preliminary Australia Cup competition, with the winner to progress to the national draw (final 32). Following that, they host Cringila in the local Maso derby.
Olympic bounced back from their last start surprise loss and have closed the gap at the top to just three points. They will be looking to keep the pressure on as they face third-placed Albion Park White Eagles next week.
Albion Park White Eagles defeated Cringila Lions 2-0 @ Crehan Park
The White Eagles won their fourth straight match after a relatively straightforward 2-0 win over the Lions on Friday night.
The game did not reach any great heights as the bulk of play was confined to a battle of the midfield.
Despite dominating large parts of the game, Albion Park did not get the break through till 74 minutes. Nathan Milgate peeled out to the far post off a corner kick before firmly heading in from close range.
Shannon Fielding’s send off just five minutes later perhaps gave Cringila some hope; however, the Eagles iced the game just seconds later when a quick clearance found Damon Gray. He used his pace to get inside his opponent before calmly slotting it away.
The Eagles now face Wollongong Olympic to close out the first half of the season. Meanwhile, Cringila face another tough ask as they tackle the league leaders, Wollongong United.
Bulli FC defeated Tarrawanna Blueys 4-1 @ Tarrawanna Oval
Despite early injury setbacks to Brendan Griffin and Zack Douglas, Tarrawanna hit the lead on 19 minutes through a well taken Zac Mazevski goal. He found a yard of space on the edge of the box before firing a low drive into the bottom corner.
Bulli responded just seven minutes later when Rui Ishizuka pounced on a loose ball that was not cleared from a corner kick. He buried the opportunity from just 10 yards out.
Seconds later, Bulli were back in front after Lewis Grimshaw was left wide open heading in from another corner kick.
Just six minutes after the break, Mason Elphick extended Bulli’s lead after a quick break saw him played through on goal where he finished well.
The visitors iced the game on 84 minutes after yet another goal off a corner with Samuel Sisounon left unmarked on the near post slotting home from close range.
It was a spirited local derby that saw Bulli bounce back to winning ways as they sit in sixth spot. They go on to face Port Kembla next week. Tarrawanna, on the other hand, remains rooted to the bottom of the table as they host Helensburgh next week.
Helensburgh Thistle drew with Shellharbour FC 3-3 @ Rex Jackson Oval
Shellharbour FC rescued a point after coming from behind at Helensburgh in a thrilling match.
Nathan Cario put Shellharbour FC ahead on 20 minutes; however, Helensburgh responded with a devastating last ten minutes to finish the half, scoring three times to turn the game on its head.
Ben Flanagan equalising on 34 minutes before Michael Mcstay put the home side in front just five minutes later. Into the first half added time, Helensburgh were awarded a penalty which was well dispatched by Jonty Busch. Half-time couldn’t come quickly enough for Shellharbour.
Credit to visitors, who seemed to regroup at the break. They came out in the second half with a greater purpose.
When William Slater pulled a goal back midway through the second half, it was game on.
William Miranda secured a memorable fightback to level things up late in the game.
Despite both sides having to settle for a draw, they would each feel they dropped points.
The draw snaps a two-game losing streak for Helensburgh; however, they now find themselves in fourth spot and seven points behind the lead. They will be looking for maximum points as they face a struggling Tarrawanna next week.
Shellharbour will be buoyed by their stirring comeback; however, they have not won since round one. Their next challenge is Berkeley Sports away.
Berkeley Sports defeated Coniston FC 2-0 @ JJ Kelly Park
Two early strikes was all it took to sink Coniston on Saturday.
William Provino scored his fourth goal of the league season on seven minutes to put the visitors in front. He found some space on the edge of the box before rifling a low shot that found the bottom corner.
Luke Boersma spectacularly added a second just six minutes later to stun the hosts. His free kick from distance finding the top corner.
Preston Ridley had a chance to extend the lead, but Kaydin Harrison did well to thwart him.
Coniston had a more productive second half, with one notable save from Horton denying the hosts.
Neither side added any further score, with Berkeley Sports securing their fourth win of the season as they are knocking on the door of the top five.
They will host Shellharbour FC next week in what could be a pivotal game for both sides.
Coniston, on the other hand, has had a torrid run of results despite their win over Olympic last week. They face a resurgent South Coast United next week in what could be an equally pivotal game.
South Coast United drew with Port Kembla 2-2 @ Ian McLennan Park
South Coast United and Port Kembla played out an entertaining 2-2 draw to round off round 10 on Sunday.
In an end-to-end battle, Sandy Lowcock got Port off to a promising start with a goal on 17 minutes.
Anthony Vrlic turned the game on its head immediately after the break, scoring twice inside four minutes to give the home side the lead.
It was a fiery game with both sides having plenty to play for.
Just seven minutes from full time, Joey Lavalle popped up to equalise for Port Kembla. The goal was enough to secure a point.
The result keeps South Coast in fifth place, whilst for Port, the draw edges them away from the bottom two.
South Coast take on Coniston next week, with Port Kembla set to battle Bulli.
