Shoalhaven FC-0, Woonona Sharks FC-0 @Ison Park
A duel between third and fourth place ends in a draw; neither team could find an opening.
Woonona were invited to an away game against Shoalhaven.
A win for the Sharks would be their only win, by a whisker, over Shoalhaven on the ladder, off by one point.
The cagey affair led to both teams not leaving a hint of vulnerability in their defences, which resulted in a goalless first-half display.
Even though Woonona were below Shoalhaven in the table, they did want to travel a far distance to their opposition’s turf just for a point.
The Sharks went all out for the crucial points, but their hosts just wouldn’t budge or be shaken by their attacks.
The tense stalemate between both teams put even the coaches at an awkward standstill.
Both made barely any substitutions in the match as they could not bear to risk taking out a player from their strongest eleven on the pitch.
In the end, both defences could congratulate themselves on their strong defensive performance throughout the match as the game finished all square at 0-0.
Shoalhaven versus Bulli away from home, Woonona will hope that Shoalhaven throw away the game and give the Sharks a chance to get close to them on the ladder.
Another away fixture for Woonona, and this away game has an even tougher opponent in the form of Shellharbour hosting them.
University of Wollongong FC-0, Shellharbour City FC-1 @Kooloobong Oval
Epic clash between the podium-placed sides finishes with one goal to separate both of them, Shellharbour continue their invincible season.
University hosted against Shellharbour who have been their biggest threat to them all season.
They wanted to do everything to turn around their previous result against them which was a 1-0 defeat away from home.
Samara Wehmeyer was the catalyst against their plans as she bagged a pivotal goal in the 34th minute to quickly breakdown the tension for City.
All eyes on Wollongong to respond back.
First half concluded as a 1-0 to the visitors.
University had to put the first half behind them as they had the last 45 minutes to change things in their favourability.
Barely any goal action was seen in the before the hour mark and both sides threw on their super subsititons to impact the game.
The home side tried everything to make their opponents leave disappointed and empty handed but luck just wouldn’t go their way that day.
Shellharbour leave the game with what they wanted and that was the three points and unfortunately Wollongong were just out of reach in taking those points away from them.
With only a few games left in the regular season, Shellharbour have an the achievement of an invincible season on their horizons.
University’s next opponent is Coniston at home.
Wollongong have the power to potentially keep Coniston out of top four before the regular season finishes up making it a detriment to their season.
A big game that decides the seasons verdict.
For the fixture that is lined up for Shellharbour, they host against fourth placed, Woonona.
Bulli FC-1, Coniston FC-0 @Balls Paddock
Bulli got the first win of the season and created a massive plot twist for the top four fight in the ladder.
Coniston knew everything was on the line for every game.
Any result against them would mean dropping down the ladder with immediate effect especially with the close margins between every team on the ladder.
Bulli had not much to play for but hosted against Coniston hoping to ruin the season for their arriving opponents.
In the first half an hour, a surprise shock came from the down Coniston’s goal mouth, Bulli struck a nerve with a finish by Nikki Taylor.
With the pressure mounting on Coniston, getting out of their hole would be much tougher then they realise.
Coniston were still left stunned and threatless against Bulli as they went the whole first half with nothing to show off as it ended at 1-0 to the home side.
Coniston looked at their eleven and made changes to get back a hold in the game and needed to fast as Bulli would dig deep to not them in at all.
Bulli had a performance to remember especially their defensive display as they kept a top side out for the whole of the second half as well.
Committed performances all around for Bulli as their hardwork in their defensive structure and dedication as finally paid off for them.
An epic conclusion as a first ever win in the season for Bulli which would be much celebrated while Coniston will leave the match wounded and disappointed.
Bulli will be happy to know that their result has possibility of putting Coniston off track and out of the top four temporarily.
By Thomas Panayiotou
