Picton Rangers have reclaimed their spot in the top five in the IPL ladder after making a righteous return to the Premier League this year. Saturday’s game against Wollongong Olympic saw the two teams battle evenly, cancelling each other out resulting in an exasperating nil-all.

As soon as the game kicked off, Picton attempted a shot on goal in the second minute by Jarred Morley which failed, as Wollongong Olympic’s keeper Hayden Durose provided a fine save.

In the first thirty minutes the game was well balanced as both teams shared possession and defended well in front of the goals. There was good use of the wide areas whilst attacking. After a deliberate handball was made by Wollongong Olympic, a free kick was given to Picton, providing a chance to raise the score. Aidan Matthews was given the chance, but the shot on goal was defended well by Wollongong.

Squandering the 1-on-1’s at the end of the first half resulted in some cautions, following a few bad challenges. Another chance was given to Picton following this, with a free kick provided from outside the box. Aiden Matthews gave it another shot, but Wollongong defended the ball, sending it down their end of the pitch.

Wollongong provided strong defence as Picton dominated the first half with promising through-balls that unfortunately had no finishing build-ups.

The second half started with both teams hot on the attack. The 50^th minute provided a chance to Wollongong, as Hayden Lloyd made a promising strike from the left of the goal, unfortunately was misplaced over the top of the goals. The game seemed to be levelling out, as Wollongong lifted their game since half time, with more attacks.

Picton didn’t find it difficult defending the ball, with good runs and use of the wide area, but unfortunately lacked delivery when producing strikes. Picton had many chances to score, with three corners in two minutes.

In the 61^st minute, Picton attempted attack again, with a promising run down the right corridor by Matthew Tesoriero who provided a half shot at goal, half cross ball which was almost picked up by Morley but was saved again by Wollongong’s Durose. It seemed that Picton were again dominating in the last thirty minutes of the game with more shots on goal.

Wollongong’s Yusuke Ueda and Ja Kon Yu kept the attack tight for Wollongong, attempting three promising shots on goal within 5 minutes, almost resulting in the games first success after a scramble at the goal between attack and defence. A promising strike was made by Sam Gordon, but misjudged as the ball hit the crossbar and rebounded back into the field. Within the last ten minutes, Wollongong picked up their game but the Picton defence was strong.

The game ended with a draw as both teams defence was tight. After sharing the points, Wollongong Olympic remains fourth on the ladder, with Picton Rangers close behind in fifth position.

 

Wollongong Olympic – 0

Picton Rangers – 0

 

Saturday 28^th May, 2016

 

PCYC – North Wollongong

 

Referee: Greg Reid

Assistance Referee: Emma Hayes and Dean Moreira

 

Wollongong Olympic: Hayden Durose, Haydyn Lloyd, Jack Keating, Jake Duczynski, Sam Gordon, Harvey Rodriguez, Brendan Fordham, Harrison Brown, Chris Jackson, Yusuke Ueda, Ja Kon Yu, Kyle Hazebrook, Jon Mangos, Jamie Wakeling, Jordan Nikolovski, Declan Baker.

 

Picton Rangers:  Bradley Jones, Dale Nicol, Daniel Goodhew, Bradley Durrant, Nicholas Mugridge, Matthew Tesoriero, Aidan Matthews, Jarred Morley, Connor Dymond, Dayne Morkey, Scott Miranda, Ben Realph, Chris Sheerin, Jesse Howard, William McLeod, Dragan Ackov.

 

Story by Lauren Ferri (@lauren_ferri)

Photo: Pedro Garcia (archive)