Kemblawarra Fury defeat South Coast United 4-3

Kemblawarra Fury took the first step towards the search for their first bit of silverware for the season defeating a resilient South Coast United 4-3 in their Fraternity Club Cup match at Memorial Park on Friday night. Goals to Hartas (37’) Ceccoli (44’ Pen) McNab (55’, 63’) for Fury out did South Coast United’s Brown (4’) Lee (53’) & Batyr (70’).

Only one minute in when South Coast had their first chance coming from number Dinko Terzic who latched onto a long ball from the back line, unable to finish under tremendous pressure. South Coast united striker Robert Brown was the first to sign his name to the score sheet with a goal in the 4th minute after winning a tackle on the edge of the Kemblawarra box and blitzing a shot along the ground which caught the Kemblawarra keeper off guard to send the ball into the far side of the net. This early goal acted as a wake up call for the Kemblawarra Fury as they pushed forward with intricate passing plays down the right wing, and darting solo runs into space by the three midfielders all leading to scoring opportunities in the first half. The dying minutes of the first half was dominated by chances for South Coast who capitalised on the speed and skill of Terzic in space with long balls leading to 1v1’s with the Fury keeper who was forced to make several saves in a short period.

The second half opened with a bang with a goal scored by the Fury in the second minute from Hartas after a spectacular darting dribble from the halfway line by the Fury right back to a couple of metres shy of the 18 yards with another set of short passing which found Hartas fending off two defenders parallel with the box in the middle of the area which finished with a left foot shot in the bottom right hand corner.

Five minutes later, fresh halftime sub number Blake Friedrich used his blitzing pace to touch the ball around defender and race down the right wing towards the touchline which lead to a late lofted cross which fell to the feet of unmarked McNab who got an unlucky connection to send the ball over the bar from just outside the 6 yd box. Fury’s second goal came from a penalty after left winger Fabian Iacovelli was brought down in the box following a strong physical battle all first half with opposition right back Yuki Kiyohra whom was given a yellow card. Fury Captain Alvin Ceccoli stepped up in the 44th minute and calmly placed the ball in the bottom right corner inches away from United keeper Bleakley.

South Coast United responded 9 minutes later with a goal to half time sub Jung Lee who scored after a deep cross met by Brown whom headed towards the penalty spot for Lee to strike on the half volley in a crowded Fury box which sailed into the net to make it 2 all. United continued to press with their momentum with three more attempts inside three minutes by Brown who was called offside during a 1v1 with Fury keeper Poriera, who was relieved moments later to have his captain tip the ball over the bar with his head.

Fury’s third goal came in the 55th minute from a breaking run down the right wing by Friedrich whom played a floor cross to the penalty spot for a well positioned McNab who made sure of his connection this time to take the lead for his determined Kemblawarra team mates who were all pressing high looking for goals.

Fury continued to pepper the United defence with attacking runs and passing which eventually lead to a second goal for McNab and a fourth the for Fury in the 63rd minute after an intricate passing play along the edge of the United box found a mobile McNab who was unmarked around the middle of the area when his shot found the United net.

One last goal appeared in the match with a resilient United never-say-die attitude which had them pressing high, attacking aggressively and peppering the opposition goal with shots and crosses, eventually a breakthrough came in the last minute of the match with a superb strike from Anton Batyr which had nothing in front of it but the Kemblawarra net.

South Coast United coach commended his entire midfield for their efforts and energy against a relentless Fury team, while the Kemblawarra coach believed that the competition for spots in the First Grade team is what brought out the best in his players on the night. Stand out players included Brown and Terzic (South Coast United), and McNab and Friedrich (Kemblawarra).

Story and photo by Samantha Jordan