Rangers March to the Title Continues

With only eight games to play, Picton Rangers have opened up what appears to be an unassailable lead (15 pts) at the top of the table after picking up maximum points in a double header on the weekend.

On Saturday, Picton travelled to Unanderra Oval to take on Wests Illawarra and came away with a two goals to nil victory.

All the action came in the opening half with Rangers getting off to a flyer with Key Mitchell scoring inside the first minute of the game. They were in the driving seat when the lead was doubled on 24 minutes with a goal from Mitchell Hall.

The task for Wests became a lot more difficult when Dane Treneski was given his marching orders three minutes from the break for a second bookable offence.

24 hours later the Rangers were back on the road again for the trip to Albert Butler Reserve to tackle Kemblawarra and this time came away with a routine five goals to one victory against the team in second last position on the table.

The home side were behind the eight ball from ‘the off’ when Dayne Morley scored in just the second minute. Two goals in seven minutes just before the interval from Jack Taseski gave the visitors a very handy three goal break at the change of ends.

Substitute, Jarred Morley, scored in the 68^th minute before Joshua Koroskoski pulled a goal back two minutes later with Mitchell Hall rounding off the scoring on 76 minutes.

Whilst no one can question Picton’s fantastic form (undefeated in 18 games), their surge towards a potential return to the IPL has been aided by inconsistent form from the teams directly below them in the table.

Second placed, Corrimal Rangers could only manage a point in a disappointing nil-nil draw with the Balgownie Rangers.

Meanwhile, in their trip to Kiama Leisure Centre 24 hours later, Corrimal had to settle for a share of the points in a one all draw with Kiama Quarriers.

The Rangers got off to a good start when Franc Pierro scored after just 13 minutes but began to implode 15 minutes later when Boris Suria was sent off for some very poor ill-discipline.

Battling with ten men for a large portion of the game, Corrimal couldn’t hang on and it was no surprise when Keegan Berringer equalised 19 minutes from time.

Fernhill, currently sitting in third, dropped some vital points when they were held to a two all draw by Kemblawarra at Albert Butler.

All the action came in an exciting second half with Jayson Atanasoski opening the scoring just two minutes after the interval. Two goals in two minutes midway through the half from Ben Moerman and Masa Wada turned the game in favour of the visitors but just when they looked likely to hang on for a vital win, Kemblawarra scored a last gasp equaliser from substitute Joshua Koroskoski.

Helensburgh Thistle have been the big movers in recent weeks and they moved into fourth position on the ladder (32 pts) with a terrific come from behind two goals to one victory away to Thirroul Thunder.

Matthew Kellond scored on 28 minutes to provide the Thunder with a deserved half time lead but were unable to deny the Thistle in a stirring second half.

Andrew Paine, who has been the Burgh’s main man this season, was on hand for a 73^rd minute equaliser – but just 60 seconds later Thirroul’s chances were dealt a huge blow when James Townson was sent off for a second yellow card.

Helensburgh made the one man advantage count yet left it extremely late before Paine grabbed what proved to be the winner two minutes from time.

In a vital battle for the top five positions, Oak Flats Falcons took all three points in their joust with Berkeley Sports at Berkeley Sportsground. No goals in the opening 45 minutes and it was the home side who took the initiative ten minutes after the break when Tony Paglialunga found the back of the net.

The game became an end to the affair which was destined to go down to the wire and it was the visitors who prevailed, with two goals in the last five minutes of an absorbing encounter. Sub, Sam Markoulis, equalised on 86 minutes and with the clock winding down, Dominic Giustiniani snatched a dramatic 89^th minute winner in the two goals to one victory.

University FC scored a surprise two nil win over Warilla Wanderers at Kooloobong Oval to dent the visitors’ top five aspirations.

Luke Vandenbergh scored in the 8^th minute for a first half lead and were able to deny the Wanderer’s best efforts to get something from the game, but they had to wait until time added on at the end of the match before sealing all three points with a goal from Luke Foscarini.

In the remaining game, Kiama Quarriers scored a comfortable three goals to nil victory over Coniston Lions at JJ Kelly Park.

Goals from Chris Christodoulou (11’), Jesse Anen (39’) and Daniel Swinton (61’) were more than enough to see them move well away from the foot of the table.