A good crowd turned up at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday to watch Kemblawarra Fury defeat Tarrawanna Blueys 1- 0 in an enthralling match in which both sides had many opportunities to score.

Kemblawarra Fury began the match on the attack, dominating Tarrawanna with possession. They had their first shot at goal in the first 20 seconds of the match when Kemblawarra Fury’s Robbie Shields took the ball up the sideline and attempted a shot at goal but the attempt went over the top of the goal. Sheilds again had a chance in the 8^th minute with Kemblawarra dominating the early passages however his shot sailed wide when he perhaps should have done a little better.

Just minutes later, Cameron Morgan had a chance from in front however his header was safely held by David Hamilton. 

Tarrawanna's first real opportunity came after Fury goalkeeper David Poeirera had a heavy touch in the ball where he was disposessed by Bradley Welch who in turn laid it off for Matthew Mazevski however with the keeper scrambling to get back, the shot went over the bar.

Kemblawarra looked very comfortable on teh ball in the first half and they got their reward when Robbie Shields put them in front on 19 minutes. Kemblawarra were awarded a free kick just a few metres out from the penalty area. Shields' shot seemed to take a slight deflection as it alluded the outstretched Hamilton to find the corner of the goal. 

Kemblawarra Fury kept up pressure with firstly Cameron Morgan and then Fabian Iacovelli having shots on goal that failed to find their mark.

It took the Blueys nearly 30 minutes to get themselves in the game. After a better spell of posession by the boys in blue, Bryce Dolinscak crossed the ball to Sangyu Park whose snapshot at goal sailed over the top.

Tarrawanna Bluey’s Sangyu Park looked dangerous as he had another chance just six minutes later but his shot this time went wide on a day the players didn't quite have their scoring boots on.

Just minutes before half time, Kemblawarra Fury should have gone two up after some good lead up work by Fabian Iacovelli found Robbie Shields lurking in the box. Sheilds had his first effort blocked and his second from directly in front of goal went over the bar.

Right on half time, Tarrawanna had a free kick near the corner flag. Sam Chapple whipped in a dangerous ball that took an awkward deflection from Rhodes narrowly avoiding an own goal as the referee signalled for half time.

Coach Willis would not have been too happy with the Blueys first half performance and as they have done on several occasions this year, they came out with some renewed hope and strategy. Another dangerous free kick was thwarted by Kemblawarra early in the second half as Matthew Mazevski blasted into the wall and the follow up was swiftly dealt with.

Kemblawarra Fury’s Robbie Shields had yet another good opportunity to score after gaining possession of the ball in the 56^th minute and running straight towards the goals with only one Tarrawanna Bluey’s defender and the goalkeeper in his way but his attempt again was too high and went over the top of the goal. Shortly after, Shields had another crack and this time, it was Hamilton forced to make the save pushing it over the bar.

Tarrawanna Bluey’s were now beginning to find their groove forcing Kemblawarra Fury to play more defensively. In the 70^th minute Tarrawanna Bluey’s Rick Goodchild crossed the ball to Jake Morlando who, from the side corner, took a shot at goal but missed.

The last 10 minutes of the match was very tense between both teams as the game opened right up. A trip by a Tarrawanna Bluey’s player gave Kemblawarra Fury a free kick which was taken by Shane Murray in front of the goals but the shot went past the goal post.

Tarrawanna Bluey’s Matthew Mazevski linked up well with Jake Morlando who put through on goal however with the goal beckoning, he blasted wide.

Minutes later, the Blueys should have levelled with Bradley Welch missing a sitter after good work by Isabella.

Down the other end, Nathan Jagelman missed a great chance to wrap up the points.

In the end, perhaps Kemblawarra Fury did enough to win the game however amazingly the score was only 1-0 in a game which could easily have seen five or six goals.

 

Sunday, 3^rd of July, 2016.

Albert Butler Memorial Park Warrawong.

 

Kemblawarra Fury Team: David Poeira, Lachlan O‘Connor, Shane Murray, Shane Lyons, Brenton Rhodes, David Hartas, Fabian Iacovelli, Alvin Ceccoli, Robbie Shields (1), Cameron Morgan, Sam Munro

Replacements: Matthew Mcnab, Nathan Jagelman, David Zufic, Kyle Kirkland

 

Tarrawanna Blueys Team: David Hamilton, Allister Carrigan, Bryce Dolinscak, Daniel Chapman, Jake Morlando, Samuel Chapple, Samuel Isabella, Matthew Mazevski, Bradley Welch, Rick Goodchild, Sangyu Park, Joshua Brown, Trent Thompson, Benjamin Leanmonth, Jaiden Lloyd, Christian Pretto.

 

Main Referee: S.Bozic

Assistant Referees: C.Blanch, A.Rogers

 

Report by Emma Gilly

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn