Match of the Week

Shell Cove FC 4 – 2 Kiama Quarriers

League leaders Shell Cove played a six goal thriller against 10^th placed Kiama at Myimbarr Park on Saturday. A superb hattrick from attacker Tom Markovski helped push FC to the top of the competition where they sit with a game in hand over 2^nd placed Corrimal.

It took both teams majority of the first half to settle into the game but once Markovski scored the first of his three in the 39^th minute the game opened up. Kiama answered back just a minute later through midfielder Issac Coonerty to ensure the teams went into half time just as they started; all tied up.

Markovski opened the second half goal scoring flurry 15 minutes after the restart with his second of the match to Shell Cove up 2-1. Just four minutes later FC defender Bob Toskoski made it 3-1 and gave them an all-important two goal cushion. The Quarriers looked to spark a comeback in the 72^nd minute when Chris Christodolou brought them back within a goal but there hopes were dashed three minutes later when Markovski sealed his hattrick and the game for Shell Cove.

Rest of the Round

Wests Illawarra 1 – 4 Kemblawarra FC

Kemblawarra have climbed off the bottom of the District League ladder with an emphatic victory of Wests Illawarra on Saturday at Unanderra Oval. Favourable results saw FC jump four spots up to tenth with their second win of the season.

Kemblawarra opened the scoring through young defender Jack McGaffin in the 22^nd minute and never looked back. Ten minutes later FC doubled the score when midfielder Okan Turman grabbed a goal. Wests Illawarra tried to pull themselves back into the match and gain some momentum when attacker Ben Wright made it 2-1 going into half time.

A slow start to the second half saw both sides trying to find the net to no avail. Kemblawarra substitute Jimmy Suleski finally broke the second half deadlock just 15 minutes from full time and put the game out of reach for Wests. Striker Adem Akkoc put the finishing touches on a much needed win for FC in the 82^nd minute.

Corrimal Rangers FC 2 – 1 Warilla Wanderers

Corrimal Rangers have come away with a vital win in a top of the table clash against Warilla Wanderers at Memorial Park on Saturday. Despite a red card to midfielder Daniel Pisani, Rangers were able to hold on for a 2-1 win that pushed them up to second place.

A slow start to the game was broken on 38 minutes when Corrimal striker Nick Tortorella found the back of the net to edge the Rangers in front. Warilla answered immediately when defender Luke Greathead was able to direct the ball past Corrimal keeper Jacob Madden two minutes later. The score remained at 1-1 at half time with both sides searching to go ahead.

Just five minutes into the second half David Bescos found the net in what would end up being the winning goal for Rangers. Despite their best efforts, Warilla were unable to grab an equaliser.

Balgownie Rangers 2 – 2 Berkeley Sports FC

Balgownie Rangers have snatched a draw at the death against Berkeley Sports at Balgownie Oval on Saturday. Berkeley thought they had sealed an important win just three minutes from full time but Rangers were able to find an equaliser in the 90^th minute to earn a draw.

Berkeley opened the scoring when midfielder Brian McCarthy moved the ball past Balgownie keeper Tye White for a 1-0 lead. Rangers took momentum into half time when midfielder Chris Rowlon scored an equaliser in the 44^th minute.

A stale second half was brought to life in the dying minutes when Robert Cull thought he’d grabbed the winning goal for Berkeley with three minutes to spare. Inspired substitute James Seymour dashed Berkeley’s hopes in the final minute of the match when he slotted an all-important equaliser for Rangers.

Helensburgh Thistle 1 – 2 Picton Rangers

In another mid-table clash, Picton Rangers have leapfrogged Helensburgh Thistle into 6^th place on the ladder after victory at Rex Jackson Oval on Saturday. Picton now hold 6^th place on goal difference but have two games in hand on Helensburgh who sit 7^th.

Rangers made a lightning quick start to the match when midfielder Jarred Morley opened the scoring just seven minutes into the game. A smattering of yellow cards and the half time break passed as the teams searched for a goal to liven the match.

The two goal cushion finally came for Picton in the 63^rd minute when striker Nic Muridge struck the ball past Thistle keeper Matt Wardle. A 75^th goal from Helensburgh defender Mitch Buchan brought Thistle within striking distance but Picton were able to hold them off and seal the win.

Thirroul FC 2 - 1 Oak Flats Falcons

Thirroul FC earned an unlikely win against league leaders the Oak Flats Falcons on Saturday at Gibson Park. An unfortunate, last minute own goal gave Thirroul a victory that saw them knock the Falcons down to 4^th and jump up into 3^rd themselves.

Thirroul found the back of the net just four minutes into the match when Brad Hoyle got his name on the scoresheet for the perfect start. The score remained 1-0 for the rest of the half as the Falcons looked to even it back up.

Oak Flats found their equaliser in the 56^th minute when defender Chris Murdzveski was able to direct the ball into the net. Both teams pushed hard for a winner for the remainder of the half but it wasn’t until the 93^rd minute that the deadlock was broken. Falcons’ keeper Brendan Sovanovski disastrously put the ball into his own net and gifted Thirroul a valuable win.

UOW FC 3 – 1 Coniston Lions

UOW FC consolidated their midtable position with a comfortable win against the Coniston Lions at Koolobong Oval on Saturday. FC jumped one place from 9^th to 8^th while the struggling Lions fell to last place with their 8^th straight loss this season.

Coniston took a 1-0 lead into first half and were looking good for their second points of the season. UOW were able to even up the game after the break through Scott Muilwik and took a 2-1 lead when Marc Lee slotted from close range. Ross Graham sealed the win for FC when he hit a powerful shot from the edge of the area and passed Lions’ keeper James Mclelland.