Port Kembla has been pushed even further down the ladder after yesterday’s 3-2 loss to Albion Park White Eagles. The Eagles jumped up one position into sixth place whilst Port Kembla find themselves placed just one point ahead of bottom team Woonona. The White Eagles are on a hot streak winning every game since their 5-1 defeat to Olympic in Round 7.

The action started right from the get go with a strike from Port Kembla’s Sandy Lowcock, which was blocked well by Albion Park’s Shannon Fielding.

After good early pressure from Port Kembla, Albion Park had their first shot on goal after 7 minutes. A Shohei Okuno free kick from just outside the box was fumbled on the line by Port Kembla’s Ryan Franks, and after a mad scramble, the ball waas cleared.

Only three minutes later, Port Kembla had great chance to go in front,  however Albion Parks’ keeper Bryce Daenell produced two fine saves to deny Terramotto and Lowcock.

In the 17^th minute, Albion Park were awarded a penalty kick after Carlo Stella brought down Brian Montanari inside the box. The reliable Shohei Okuno stepped up and calmly slotted into the left corner of the goal sending Framks the wrong way.

In the 26^th minute, Mitchell Scazzariello went on a dazzling run through the centre of the field, deceiving two defenders and before finding the mark with his second effort for a fine goal.

This saw the scores level and it stayed that way through to half time.

The second half saw both teams come out looking for the win.

Brian Montanari gave the visitors the lead once again on 59 minutes after he managed to get a header in ahead of his opponent from a well weighted Okuno corner.

Parity was restored once again in this see-saw battle when in the 71^st minute, Albion Park’s Riku Iwauchi made a rash challenge on Takao Terramotto resulting in a spot kick. Joseph Lavalle stepped up smashing it high into the roof of the net.

Just six minutes later,Albion Park got what ended up the winner. Okuno started the move from midfield and after playing a wall pass with Iwauchi, he rolled the ball past the defender before unleashing an unstoppable left foot drive high into the goal leaving Franks no chance.

Despite some late pressure by Port Kembla, they were unable to draw level leaving coach Stuart Beedie disappointed with the home loss saying, “We had enough chances I think, we payed the penalty for silly mistakes really.”

 

Port Kembla: Ryan Franks, Peter Richardson, William Mobbs, Matt Werakso, Carlo Stella, Brooklyn Frkovic, Mitchell Scazzariello (26’), Takao Terramotto, Sandy Lowcock (71’), Adrian Nikolovski.

Replacements: Jarryd Vinton, James Volcanovski, Douglas Woodiwiss, Daniel Farina.

 

Albion Park White Eagles: Bryce Daenell, Ryan Suttle, Mark Every, Shannon Fielding, Peter Prandalos, Vaughan Patterson, Mitch Del Turco, Shohei Okuno (17’, 77’), Brian Montanari, Riku Iwauchi, Kotaro Higashi.

Replacements: Justin Vario, Dylan Wrey, Ross Prandalos, Djordje Uzelac, Lachlan Ahling.

 

Sunday 12^th June,

Wetherall Park

 

Referee: Bobby Mazevski

Assistant Referees: Daniel Zuzic, Stuart Bell

 

 

Report by Lauren Ferri

 

 

Twitter: @lauren_ferri

Photo: Kiah Hufton