A single goal was enough for Wollongong United to earn a brave victory against Albion Park White Eagles at Macedonia Park on Tuesday night.

There was no lack of motivation for both teams in the make-up Round 11 clash, with the winner closing in on the top of the Premier League with only 6 rounds remaining.

An early Benjamin Brooks goal was enough for United to claw to a courageous victory, with the result disregarding the mounting injury toll for United throughout the 90 minutes.

United enjoyed the ascendancy from the opening whistle, with keen defensive pressure on the White Eagles back four making going difficult for the visitors.

Successive corners for Wollongong in the opening five minutes did not amount to anything, but the lively home United crowd did not have to wait long for the first genuine chance of the match.

In the 12th minute the diminutive Johnny Martinoski found space down the right sideline, cut back behind the defender to power a cross to Klime Sekutoski waiting at the far post. Sekutoski was unable to control the waist-high volley as it sailed dangerously over the crossbar.

The scare jolted Albion Park into action who scurried the ball straight down the park, and a ball threaded into the six yard box beat the United goalkeeper but was cleared by Ben Brooks.

Wollongong United right back Daisuke Yukawa showed great enthusiasm in the 14th minute to latch onto a loose ball off a Eagle goal kick, and with a one-two pass with Martinoski, Yukawa earnt United a corner.

Martinoski powered the corner low at the near post finding Karouna Micheal who struggled to get strong purchase on the strike, with the ball bumbling around the goal-line until Ben Brooks emerged to make no mistake by knocking the ball into the netting for the opening goal on the 15th minute.

United appeared to be in control of the fixture, despite key player Klime Sekutkoski gave into an injury complaint and forced an early substitution in the 21st minute.

Albion Park struggled to penetrate the midfield, with rushed passes struggling to meet their targets allowing United to dictate the early period of the clash.

In the 27th minute a lovely chipped ball through by Albion Park’s leading scorer Shohei Okuno found Mitch Del Turco behind the defensive line, who was unable to control the ball with the strike squirting off the outside of his boot well wide of the goals.

The Eagles threatened to strike their way back into the clash, with captain Vaughan Patterson shooting across the face of goal in the 30th minute to again scare the home team.

Lovely work in the penalty area in the 36th minute by the White Eagles nearly conjured a goal as a subtle Robert Delbanco touch allowed Mitch Del Turco to shoot wide only for Kotaro Higashi to charge onto the ball to thunder it into the United goalkeeper for no result.

A serious injury to substitute Zacharie Nicholas saw the stretcher called along with the half-time whistle blown, as both teams returned to the sheds with United holding onto a narrow single goal lead.

Albion Park began the second half where they finished the first, dominating territory as United appeared to be stranded in their own defensive half.

Regardless of the territory that Albion Park was gifted, the White Eagles were unable to take any advantage with a number of crosses and free-kicks sailing over the goals without challenging the United defence.

In the 65th minute a splendid ball from Albion Park’s Ryan Suttle found the chest of Bryan Montanari lurking in the penalty box, with the forward unable to turn and unleash a strike at goals.

Only a minute later Robert Delbanco threaded a ball to again found Montanari in the penalty area, this time unable to control the heat of the ball as the attack again fell apart.

The best chance for Albion Park White Eagles came from a free kick metres away from the penalty box in the 75th minute, with sharp shooter Shohei Okuno stepping up to the mark. Okuno powered into the top left hand corner forcing a special one-handed save by United goalkeeper Sam Nastic to keep his side in the lead.

In the 81st minute as Albion Park continued to press in search of an equaliser, a Ryan Suttle cross found the head of Vaughan Patterson who was only able to power the ball at the goalkeeper for a safe save.

Wollongong United held out to the final whistle, securing a resolute win and crucial three points after absorbing an entire second half of Albion Park attack.

Wollongong United will continue to mount their challenge to the top of the Illawarra Mercury Premier League, with an away clash against 9th placed Port Kembla on Saturday afternoon at Wetherall Park.

Albion Park White Eagles will host a desperate Tarrawanna Blueys, and hope that they can return to the free-scoring form which saw five goals against Fury only 5 days ago.

 

 

Tuesday 12 July, 2016

Macedonia Park

 

Wollongong United 1 (Benjamin Brooks 15’)

Albion Park White Eagles 0

 

Referee: S. Bozic

Assistant Referees: M. Thorpe & D. Moreira

 

Wollongong United:

Sam Nastic, Benjamin Brooks (Jackson Brooks), Daisuke Yuzawa, Shannon Burgin, Joshua Hurt, Motoki Kinjo, Tim Wylie, Karouna Micheal, Klime Sekutkoski (Zacharie Nicholas 21’ (Jake Leighton 46’), John Martinoski, Nathan Scicchitano

Yellow Cards: John Martinoski

Red Card: Nil

 

Albion Park White Eagles:

Bryce Daenell, Ryan Suttle, Mark Every, Shannon Fielding, Darren Jones (Djordie Uzelac 85’), Vaughan Patterson, Mitch Del Turco, Robert Delbanco, Brian Montanari (Hayden Waples 78’), Shohei Okuno, Kotaro Higashi (Jack Balmforth 64’)

Yellow Cards: Mark Every, Vaughan Patterson

Red Cards: Nil

 

Report by Daniel McGookin

Twitter: @mcgoookin93

Photo courtesy of Narelle Tugral