Kiama Quarriers held on for a 1-1 draw with the in form Thirroul Thunder to share points in this weeks fixture that took place at Thomas Gibson Park. Goals belonging to Kiama’s Jacob Lester 26’ and Thirroul’s Matthew Kellons 42’ cancelled each other out and saw both teams exasperated after the 90 minutes.

Kiama finished the game strong after receiving two red cards late in the second half, with Thirroul unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage, however to their supporters pleasure, a number of promising opportunities arose in the dying moments.

It was a well balanced game with both teams sharing possession and both teams defending well in front of goal and good use of the wide areas in attack. Thirroul were first to attempt to take the lead just 9 minutes in when Luke Mittwollen chased a lofted through ball which had Kiama defender Dean Land the trajectory and Thirroul’s Mittwollen rushing on with a half volley shot forcing an outstanding parried save from an out stretched Dylan Mcdonald.

Kiama looked certain to score in the 18th minute with good skill by Daniel Gillespie to catch an early cross from the left hand side with his head to dink it precariously over his defender’s head, run around him and fire a left foot shot over the bar.

A second opportunity came for Kiama 6 minutes later when Chris Christodoulou received a lofted pass to the chest on the edge of the 18 yard box from his midfield, with his back to goal, chested the ball to the side and spun around to fire the volley at the right hand side of the net, however Joshua Williams had sight of it the entire way and easily collected.

The First Goal of the match presented itself in the 26th minute thanks to a well struck half volley from 25 yards out by Lester, the shot took a deflection and jumped above the crowded penalty box and into the net past Mcdonald.

Thirroul hit back in the 42’ minute thanks to a wonderful strike from Matthew Kellons at the far post after latching onto a through ball down the left hand side by Mittwollen. The teams entered the dressing sheds at half time with the score locked at 1 all.

The second half saw shots fired in from Kiama’s Lester and substitute Daniel Swinton and Thirroul’s Mittwollen, Corey Haines - Grose and Ryan Latini all failing to make the net shake. Good movement of the ball in the early stages saw Thirroul take control of the midfield by effectively distributing the ball to the strikers, while Kiama looked the stronger in the wide areas as a counter.

Kiama’s Keegan Beringer was shown two yellow cards in quick succession to end his day on the pitch. Shortly after, Lester was also shown red after a bad challenge.

With 9 minutes to go and down to 9 men, Kiama parked the bus committing most all players to defensive tasks. This proved to be effective in keeping the powerful Thirroul strikers at bay as they peppered the goal and sent players forward. The game finished with scored locked to the credit of the Kiama defence.

 

Thirroul Thunder - 1

Kiama - 1

 

Saturday 7th May 2016

Thomas Gibson Park - Thirroul

 

Referee: Blake Herbert

Assistance Referee: John Ruscica and Daniel Da Rocha

 

Thirroul Thunder: Joshua Williams, Daniel Bond, Liam Forsythe, James Hutton, Shayne Holholland, Corey Haines - Grose, Ryan Latini, Ryan Hunter, Luke Mittwollen, Matthew Kellons, Daniel Arthur

Substitutions: Adam Ward, Joshua Bond, Robart Gyngru, Tom Goodier, Peter Besnard

 

Kiama: Dylan Mcdonald, Daniel Gillespie, Chris Hill, Kane Rowe, Dean Land, Adam Hinkley, Jacob Lester, Aaron Buzinki, Chris Christodoulou, Keegan Beringer, Jesse Annen

Substitutions: Thomas Cunliffe, Mitchell Eowland, James Spence, Daniel Swinton, Phillip Bitterlin

 

Story by Samantha Jordan

Photos by Pedro Garcia