Match of the Round
Thirroul vs Shoalhaven @ Thomas Gibson Park
Thirroul came into this match on the back of another draw but were rueing giving up a two goal lead to Balgownie. Likewise, Shoalhaven allowed Unanderra to take a late point, after being in control and up 3-1 with 20 minutes to play. Shoalhaven looked to stretch the game from the opening whistle, utilising the width of the pitch through overlapping fullbacks and the long passing range of Rocky Lavalle. An early overlap from the left-back produced a dangerous cross before an ambitious outside-of-the-boot effort drifted wide.
Thirroul responded well by using a triangular passing structure to create overloads in wide areas. While they struggled to maintain sustained possession against Shoalhaven’s physical approach, they remained dangerous on the counter. One of their best first-half opportunities came after a long ball released a winger down the flank, whose cutback almost resulted in the opening goal.
Shoalhaven looked threatening in transition but was occasionally guilty of surrendering possession in dangerous areas. Lavalle continued to influence proceedings, earning a free kick in a dangerous position and appearing to curl a superb effort into the bottom corner via the post, only for the goal not to be awarded in a controversial moment.
The breakthrough eventually arrived when Seamus Macken-Walsh delivered a dangerous cross that the goalkeeper could only punch away. The loose ball fell kindly inside the six-yard box, where an acrobatic bicycle kick by Corey Haines-Grose looped into the back of the net to give Thirroul the lead.
Neither side was able to establish control after the opener. Thirroul threatened again from a whipped cross that was blocked by the Shoalhaven defence before another delivery into the back post was chested home by Noah Biddulph in another contentious moment, with appeals for obstruction on the goalkeeper ultimately waved away.
Shoalhaven continued to create chances before the interval. The Thirroul goalkeeper produced an excellent save from a dangerous free kick before denying Lavalle again with a strong stop after the midfielder found space inside the penalty area.
Shoalhaven made the perfect start to the second half, equalising shortly after the restart with a well-worked goal from a cross into the area scored by Evan Leedham. The momentum was firmly with the visitors as they repeatedly tested the Thirroul defence. A brilliant strike from Shoalhaven’s Bredan Kellett was matched by an outstanding save, while Thirroul’s marking appeared less organised than it had been in the opening half, allowing Sholl greater control in midfield.
The game continued at a frantic pace. Thirroul had a dangerous cutback brilliantly denied by the goalkeeper, while Marcus Rusbourne consistently looked dangerous driving forward from the wing. At the other end, Shoalhaven continued to threaten through intricate passing combinations and dangerous deliveries into the box.
Their pressure paid off when a cross dragged both the left-back and central defender out of position. The loose ball was recycled to a Shoalhaven player, who delivered a second cross that was powerfully headed into the net Bredan Kellett to put them in front.
Ultimately a game of two halves that saw both teams unlock well-earned chances with a draw being a fair result.
Oak Flats vs Fernhill @ Keith Bond Oval
Oak Flats came into this game as outright competition leaders after downing Dandaloo in a top of the table clash. Fernhill were fresh after a wash out, trying to find a consistent run of results.
Fernhill produced one of their grittiest performances of the season, battling to a hard-earned 1-1 draw against league leaders Oat Flats in a contest defined by resilience, discipline and determination.
Facing one of the competition’s strongest sides, Fernhill were forced to spend long periods without the ball as Oat Flats looked to impose themselves through controlled possession and sustained attacking pressure. Despite the territorial disadvantage, Fernhill remained compact and organised, frustrating their opponents with disciplined defending and a relentless work rate.
Oat Flats eventually found the breakthrough with Sami Benten after applying consistent pressure, but Fernhill refused to be overawed. Rather than retreating, they responded with renewed belief, competing fiercely in every challenge and making life increasingly difficult for the visitors.
Their perseverance was rewarded when they found an equaliser through a well-worked attacking move, which saw Fernhill’s prolific goal scorer Daniel Djukic sparking belief that they could take something from the contest. The goal shifted the momentum, with Fernhill growing into the game and matching Oat Flats’ physicality and intensity.
The closing stages became a true test of character. Oat Flats threw numbers forward in search of a late winner, but Fernhill stood firm. The back line produced a series of crucial blocks, interceptions and clearances, while the goalkeeper made several important saves to preserve parity.
When the final whistle sounded, the result felt like a victory for Fernhill. Against a heavily favoured Oat Flats side, they showcased tremendous heart, defensive resolve and team spirit to earn a deserved point in a fiercely contested 1-1 draw.
Picton vs Balgownie @ Hume Oval
Picton returned to Hume Oval, where they are notoriously difficult to beat, looking to break a three-match losing streak. Balgownie were on a three-match unbeaten streak, but would be wary of a Picton team that are a different prospect at home.
Picton once again proved why they are one of the toughest teams to beat on home soil, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Balgownie in a fiercely contested encounter.
From the opening whistle, the home side matched Balgownie’s intensity, making every challenge count and refusing to allow the visitors any rhythm in possession. While Balgownie enjoyed spells on the ball, Picton’s disciplined defensive shape forced them into difficult areas and limited clear-cut scoring opportunities.
The game was an even affair throughout the first half, with both sides battling for control in midfield. Picton looked dangerous whenever they broke forward, using direct attacking play and quick transitions to test the Balgownie defence, while the visitors searched for openings through patient build-up.
The decisive moment came after the interval when Picton capitalised on one of their attacking opportunities to break the deadlock through Joshua Mazurkiewicz. The goal lifted the home side, who defended their advantage with tremendous determination for the remainder of the contest.
Balgownie responded by pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser and enjoyed sustained periods of pressure during the closing stages. However, Picton remained resolute, producing a series of crucial tackles, interceptions and clearances to preserve their slender lead.
Despite Balgownie’s late attacking intent, the home side never lost their composure. Their organisation, work rate and commitment in defence ensured they saw out the contest to secure another impressive result at home.
The final whistle confirmed a valuable 1-0 victory for Picton, a result that once again demonstrated just how difficult they are to overcome on their own ground. Against quality opposition, they combined defensive resilience with clinical finishing to claim all three points.
Gerringong vs Unanderra @ Gerry Emery Reserve
Gerringong hosted Unanderra coming off the back to two tight losses, which have seen them drop to the bottom of the ladder, albeit with a game in hand. Unanderra salvaged a late point at Shoalhaven but will be keen for maximum points to stay in touch with the league leaders.
Unanderra pulled away late to claim an entertaining 4-2 victory over Gerringong in a match that remained finely balanced until the closing stages.
The visitors made a bright start, moving the ball with confidence and creating early opportunities through quick combinations in the final third ultimately leading to Dinko Terzic slotting his chance into the back of the net. Gerringong, however, refused to be overrun and responded within minutes through plenty of attacking intent of their own, enabling Jason Baxter to tie up the game.
Both sides found the back of the net in an action-packed affair with momentum swinging from one team to the other. Every time one side looked to gain control, the other responded, and the game eventually reached 2-2 at the 55th minute mark after a brace from Dinko Terzic and a well worked goal from Gerringong’s Toby House in a thrilling contest that could have gone either way.
With the match evenly poised entering the final stages, Unanderra found another gear helped by a second yellow for Gerringong’s Keegan Kulscar. Their composure in possession and clinical finishing began to tell as they capitalised on tiring legs in the Gerringong defence. The Hearts high profile player Mark Picciolini provided a brace in the final 20 minutes extending the lead and cementing their dominance in a well fought win.
The 4-2 victory was another impressive result for Unanderra, whose ability to remain composed in a tightly contested match before producing a clinical late surge highlighted why they continue to be one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking sides.
University vs Dandaloo @ Kooloobong Oval
University came into this match on a three-match undefeated run, moving up to seventh on the ladder and with an opportunity against a competition heavy weight to further test themselves. Dandaloo went down in a tight top of the table clash with Oak Flats and with Balgownie leapfrogging them, were keen to take all three points to try and move back to the competition summit.
Dandaloo returned to the winner’s circle in emphatic fashion, producing a dominant display to dismantle University 5-1 and halt the visitors’ two-match winning streak.
After suffering defeat the previous weekend, Dandaloo responded exactly as they would have hoped, setting the tone from the opening whistle with an aggressive press, sharp ball movement and relentless attacking intent. University arrived full of confidence after consecutive victories but found themselves under pressure for much of the afternoon.
The home side-controlled possession early, dictating the tempo through midfield while creating dangerous opportunities from wide areas. Their intensity was rewarded with the opening goal through Man of the Match Jeremy Flanagan. University however, responded quickly through Oscar Knight boosting their confidence early in the piece. This surge was ultimately shattered as University struggled to cope with Dandaloo’s movement in the final third, with the hosts consistently finding space between the lines and stretching the defence. Their attacking quality was on full display as Daniel Chapman scored late in the first half leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.
Any hopes of a University comeback were quickly extinguished after halftime as Dandaloo maintained complete control of the contest. Although the scores remained close for a long period of the game Dandaloo stayed composed, unleashing an onslaught of goals in the last 10 minutes through Bradley Acev, Trent Thompson and Nick High.
The 5-1 victory was a statement performance from Dandaloo, who showed an outstanding response to last week’s disappointment. Their energy, attacking cohesion and defensive discipline ensured they bounced back in the best possible fashion while bringing an end to University’s promising 3 match undefeated run.
Report by Wyatt Toland
