Two second half goals gave Dapto Dandaloo the victory they needed to go to the top of the Illawarra Mercury Premier League this weekend.

Ricky Zucco came off the bench and had a hand in both goals, scoring one and forcing the own goal which initially broke the deadlock in what had been until then a very tight game between two top teams.

With a strong wind and driving rain as the game kicked off, it took both sides time to settle. Port Kembla came up with the first effort on goal when Mark Picciolini’s right foot shot swerved wide of the upright.

At the other end an Alvin Ceccoli ball in from the left found Cameron Morgan, whose header flew just over.

But it was the two goalkeepers who kept the game scoreless in an evenly-balanced first half.

Fury keeper Mitchell Blowes dived the wrong way but still managed to keep out Picciolini’s spot kick on the half hour mark. While at the other end David Poeira made a series of key stops, at his best when he got down to save a powerful drive from David Hartas.

With improved conditions in the second half, both sides came out keen to make an immediate impact.

Another vicious cross from Ceccoli just after the restart flew across the face of the goal, with no one able to get a final touch on the ball. Then Morgan laid the ball off to Mitchell del Turco, whose shot was saved at the near post by Poeira.

But Port Kembla also came close to scoring when Antonio de Gennaro turned and unleashed a shot that was heading goalwards before Ceccoli  got back to clear. And William Mobbs attempted a long range dipping shot from the left that was taken up high by Blowes.

It was Ricky Zucco’s appearance which changed the game, though. Within seconds of coming on, he was the threatening presence in the six yard box forcing an unfortunate James Volkanovski to steer a Hartas cross into his own net.

And ten minutes later he got his own name on the scoresheet after a through ball from Morgan found Sam Munro whose right foot cross allowed Zucco to pick his spot.

The second goal, less than ten minutes from time, took the wind out of Port Kembla. They persisted right up to the final whistle, but never really threatened the Fury goal again.

Port Kembla coach Stuart Beedie was philosophical in defeat: “We had our chances and against better teams like this we have to take those chances. It was not our day.”

And Fury coach Noel Spencer said his team would not get carried away, even though they’re pleased to be on top this early in the season. In fact, in spite of the result, he was not happy with the overall performance today and said their football ‘needs to get better’. With four wins out of four already, Dapto Dandaloo will be a tough team to beat all season if they do get any better!

- Story by Simon Duffin -