Match of the Week

Wollongong Olympic 0-4 Woonona Sharks

What a difference a week can make. Just seven days removed from their 5-0 trouncing of defending champs Port Kembla, Wollongong Olympic found themselves on the end of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of 5^th placed Woonona.

After a disappointing 0-0 draw with South Coast United last weekend, the Sharks were looking to make a statement and push into the top four. It took time to settle but in the 21^st minute Woonona attacker Joel Mucci struck his first of the game and put the Sharks a goal to the good. 15 minutes later Woonona were in again through midfielder Trent Worthington, giving the northern suburbs club a two goal cushion heading into half time.

Olympic were unable to respond to Woonona’s efficient first half showing and with 25 minutes remaining the game was put officially out of reach when Mucci nabbed his second, and the Sharks’ third of the game. The victory was sealed in the 90^th minute when substitute striker Jordan Cox nipped in to score the team’s fourth and cap a fine all-around display for Woonona.

The result pushed Woonona into a promising 3^rd place on the ladder while Olympic slipped back to 4^th as they continue to search for an identity this season.

Rest of the Round

Bellambi 0 – 4 Albion Park White Eagles

Albion Park bounced back in fine fashion from a tough 3-2 loss against league leaders Dapto Dandaloo in Round 7. The White Eagles thrashed Bellambi 4-0 at Elizabeth Park on Saturday to leave themselves poised just outside the top four with two games in hand.

Attacker Chris Smith gave Albion Park the perfect start to the match when just seven minutes in he put the southern suburbs side 1-0 up. Despite both teams best efforts just one goal separated them as they entered the half time break. It wasn’t until 20 minutes after the restart that the White Eagles edged further ahead when Smith grabbed his second of the game. A flurry of goals in the final ten minutes of the game saw Albion Park seal an emphatic victory. Midfielder Andrew Gacesa put the game out of reach for Bellambi in the 85^th minute and just two minutes later substitute striker Adrian Karakolevski sealed the win.

The loss moved Bellambi into last place on the ladder as they still look for their first win of the season.

Fernhill 0 – 2 Port Kembla

Port Kembla have defeated Fernhill in a fiery encounter at Ray Robinson Field on Saturday. Defending champions Port Kembla were looking to bounce back after a disappointing 5-0 loss to Wollongong Olympic in round 8. Meanwhile Fernhill were chasing an elusive first victory of the season.

Referee Mick Agim was forced to hand out six yellow cards in a tempered occasion that saw both teams head into the sheds at half time locked at 0-0.

It wasn’t until the 81^st minute that Daniel Alifi lashed a tremendous free kick past Fernhill keeper Josh Timpano and broke the deadlock; edging Port in front. Nuno Pires sealed the win for Port Kembla in the 89^th minute.

Tarrawanna Blueys 0 – 1 South Coast United

South Coast United got the better of fellow mid-table occupants Tarrawanna at Tarrawanna Field on Saturday. A low-scoring affair left United tied for 5^th with a game in hand that could see them jump as high as third as things stand.

The 1-0 win was afforded through an unlikely source; defender Andrew Paine gave United the breakthrough they were looking for and contributed to some stout defence that ended in a clean sheet for goalkeeper Jason Bleakley.

Dapto Dandaloo Fury 3 – 0 Cringila Lions

Dapto Dandaloo climbed back atop the Illawarra Mercury Premier League on Sunday as they defeated the Cringila Lions in convincing fashion. The Fury were the only home side to grab a win in round 8; giving the crowd at Dandaloo Sports plenty to cheer about.

The 10^th placed Lions were only able to hold out for 20 minutes against an emphatic Fury attack. Attacker Shaun McRae opened the scoring in the 23^rd minute as he pushed the ball past Lions’ keeper Gordon Despotovski. Dapto doubled their lead just seven minutes later when early substitute Joseph Crowley found the back of the net.

The teams entered half-time with Dapto cruising at 2-0. A stale second half was played out until in the 88^th minute Lions’ defender James Townson unfortunately guided the ball into his own net and confirmed the win for the Fury.

Wollongong United 1 – 3 Bulli FC

Bulli have moved to the top of the Illawarra Mercury Premier League for at least 24 hoursafter defeating a resilient Wollongong United at Macedonia Park on Saturday.

The Northern side will await the result of Dapto Dandaloo’s clash with the Cringila Lions on Sunday to see if they hold top spot heading into round 9 of the season.

An 85^th minute wonder goal from midfielder Jared Fish capped the 3-1 win in an end to end game that saw both teams create a wealth of chances on goal.

Bulli opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when a fast break down the left wing saw Jared Fish deliver a pinpoint cross to an unmarked Ben McDonald, who headed home from 6 yards out.

The visitors were on the offensive early on and had the chance to go two up just a minute later when Corey Horner found himself unmarked at the near post on a corner but the defender couldn’t direct his header on goal.

Possession was dominated by Bulli for much of the first half but Wollongong were able to stretch their defence on the counter through striker Robbie Shields.

And it was Shields who found an equaliser for United in the 22^nd minute.

The diminutive striker caught the Bulli defence napping with a darting run in behind the backline and flicked a lofted ball past goalkeeper Bryce Daenell to bring the sides level.

The score remained at 1-1 as the two teams entered the sheds for half time with both sides looking dangerous.

A slow start to the second half saw both teams trying to maintain possession and work a go-ahead goal from the back.

The breakthrough finally came for Bulli in the 72^nd minute when a Guy Knight corner dropped into the Wollongong 6 yard box and was scrambled over the line by midfielder Scott Curran.

Wollongong pushed hard for an equaliser but succeeded only in forcing several saves from Bulli keeper Bryce Daenell.

The game was finally put to bed in the 85^th minute by Jared Fish who scored an excellent strike to cap off an excellent game for the winger.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box Fish, who had hit the post five minutes prior, struck the ball on the half-volley and watched as it dipped perfectly over goalkeeper Sam Nastic and into the net.

Bulli have now made it two wins in a row and will look to continue the streak when they face the Tarrawanna Blueys at home next weekend.

Wollongong now find themselves in 9^th place on the table but can take heart from a solid performance against one of the league’s top teams.