On a weekend where the playing and spectator conditions were less than pleasant, Dapto Dandaloo moved ominously to the top of the table and sent a clear message to the other clubs in the IPL, that they mean business in 2014.

After a disappointing campaign by their own standards last season, the Fury have started this season well and remain undefeated even though they have only played four games thus far.

In the ‘match of the round’ on Sunday, Dapto Dandaloo picked up a ‘big’ three points in a five goal thriller against Bulli with a three goals to two victory at Dandaloo Sportsground.

The Fury’s start to the game was very strong and deservedly took the lead on 19 minutes when veteran Alvin Ceccoli scored from the penalty spot after Matthew Naylor was adjudged to have brought down Fabian Iacovelli.

After being behind the eight ball for the first 25 minutes, Bulli slowly got back into the game and equalised on 34 minutes when Naylor made a surging 50metre run through the middle of the field before passing to the unmarked Hayden Mowbray who finished clinically from 16 metres.

Bulli were enjoying their best spell of the game and their dominance at the end of the half was rewarded when Brendan Fordham finished off a sweeping passing movement, with a sweet strike from just inside the penalty area to leave the visitors with a one gaol advantage as the teams went to the dressing rooms.

The early part of the second period was a mirror image of the first with the Fury taking the game to Bulli and once again it was no surprise when they got back on level terms in the 68^th minute. Ceccoli, with that magical left foot of his, swung in a corner to the far post where Noel Spencer was lurking and he picked his mark with a rare header from close range.

Four minutes later came probably, the pivotal moment in the contest, when Mowbray made another probing run into the Fury Penalty are where he appeared to be bundled over from behind by the chasing Shane Lyons. It appeared an ‘open & shut case’ for the Referee to point to the penalty spot but instead he awarded a goal kick much to the surprise of those close to the incident.

The game was now a very open affair with playing swinging from end to end and it was the Fury who was able to capitalise once more from another set piece. From a free kick wide on the left, it was a case of role reversal as Spencer knocked in a cross to the far stick where Ceccoli was positioned and he rose to head home into an empty net as the Keeper, Ben McGinnis had left his line and failed to claim the ball.

With only ten minutes left, Bulli threw everything at DDF in a vain attempt to get something from the game but came up short in the end.

This was a terrific game of football and Dapto Dandaloo just about deserved to win based on their strong starts to both halves of the game.

On Friday night, Albion Park WE travelled to Ray Robinson Field and came away with their second win of the season in defeating their hosts by two goals to one.

Chris Smith scored the only goal of the first half which was dominated by the visitors, in the 31^st minute with a close range shot after the Fernhill had a number of opportunities to clear the danger but failed to do so.

When Andre Gacesa scored on the hour mark, the White Eagles looked to have the points in the bag but the door was left ajar when Andy Keep scored from the penalty spot with six minutes left which led to a few anxious moments before APWE could celebrate.

At Elizabeth Park, newly promoted Bellambi welcomed Tarrawanna Blueys to their first IPL Home game and took the lead after 18minutes when Jacob Fryday was Johnny on the spot.

The lead only lasted 60 seconds when Samet  Kaynak equalised before the Blueys scored three goals in four minutes (Ilija Prenzoski 28’ Blaise Gassin 30’ Vaughan Paterson 32’) which threatened to blow the Rosellas off the park with the score remaining 4-1 in favour of the visitors at the break.

To their credit, Bellambi didn’t throw in the towel and in fact kept the Blueys scoreless in the last hour of the game before pulling a goal back themselves with five minutes left on the clock through Michael Baveas to make the final score more respectable at four goals to two in favour of Tarrawanna.

The PCYC was another scene for a rapid fire goal blitz which settled the match as contest between Wollongong Olympic and Cringila Lions.
Three goals in four minutes ( Kyle Hazebroek 26’ 31’, Sam Gordon 27’) was enough for Olympic to collect three points which takes them to second spot on the table, behind the Fury on goal difference, with the three goals to nil victory over a Lions side ravaged with injuries.

South Coast United grabbed their first win of the season with a strong win, two goals to nil over Wollongong United at Macedonia Park.

The win would come as no surprise to the South Coast faithful who have witnessed their side play some good football so far this season without converting their goal scoring opportunities.

On this day they got off to a great start when Mate Nimac scored after just six minutes and were able to go on with the job with the spoils being confirmed twelve minutes from time when Dinko Terzic scored.

At a cold, wind-swept Ocean Park, Woonona and Port Kembla worked tirelessly throughout the ninety minutes but had to settle for a share of the points in a one-one draw.

Port opened the scoring mid-way through the first half with Matt Werakso scoring with a header from a Daniel Aliffi corner.

Ten minutes into the second stanza, Woonona deservedly drew level albeit from a slice of luck. Trent Worthington had made a reasonable pass forward for Adam Di Pietro which appeared to have too much on it.

Port Keeper, David Poeira cam racing off his goal line to clear the danger but only managed to slice his clearance to the Sharkies’ Luke Mitwollen who was 22 metres from the Port Goal. Mitwollen controlled his shot well and found the back of the unguarded net with aplomb.