It was an important game for both sides, with Thirroul looking to advance into the top four, and Helensburgh continuing to collect points for the faint chance at finals. It was a tense fixture from both teams with solid defence, but neither side able to trouble the scorer with a 0-0 the final score at Thomas Gibson Park.

It was quite a sluggish performance from the normally creative Helensburgh with Thirroul’s goalkeeper Jayden Lewis only having to make three saves throughout the 90 minutes.

The first real chance at goals fell to Helensburgh after a corner, where Jason Wellings headed the ball straight towards the goal, but unfortunately miscalculated and it went over the post.

In the 18^th minute, Thirroul had another chance on goal when Ryan Latini ran the ball down the left and attempted a shot on goal only for the ball to blaze over the crossbar from 20 yards with Braiden Gilbert in goals watching the ball fly over.

Bpth teams seems to get the ball down the other end easily enough however both defences were sound and snuffed out promising attacks with regularity. Thirroul though looked most likely to score with Gilbert hot on his toes in front of the goals.

In the 41^st minute, Helensburgh had a promising chance when Luke McCann crossed the ball towards Andrew Paine who volleyed it towards the right top corner of the goal which forced a great save by Lewis who dived high to save the ball from going in.

The second half began with both teams eager to change up the game and score a goal, with intense one on ones between the two fighting teams.

It was Thirroul who had the first chance in the second half. In the 47^th minute, Corey Haines-Grose brought the ball down the right side of the field and just as he was about to pull the trigger, Helensburgh's defence smothered the chance.

Only 6 minutes later, Thunders Todd Davidson was clear on goal when he sliced the ball harmlessly over Gilbert’s goal from 20 yards.

It was in the 56^th minute, Thirroul possibly had their best chance for a goal. A Ryan Latini corner wasn't effectively cleared allowing Harry Hodda to fiercely dip a shot which just cleared the crossbar from the edge of the box.

In the 62^nd minute, Braiden Gilbert and defender Jadyn Falkiner both combined to deny Haines-Grose who looked for all money that he would score.

In the 85^th minute, Thirroul were awarded a penalty kick after a bad challenge on Haines-Grose, who ironically took the kick. Just as it looked like Thirroul would snatch victory, Gilbert produced a fine save down to his right to deny Haines-Grose and keep parity.

At this stage it was clear that Thirroul were trying extremely hard to capitalise on their momentum. Helensburgh had a few decent chances themselves late in the game, however they both defences held firm as the intensity in teh game went up towards the latter stages.

One final chance was offered to Thunder in the second last minute when Latini crossed the ball in towards Haines-Grose from a corner. Haines-Grose volleyed the ball, miscalculating the strike as the ball rebounding off the crossbar – making for a very promising yet unsuccessful chance.

A melancholy sigh of relief when the final whistle was heard at Thomas Gibson Park, as neither teams scored a goal, sharing the points after this tense fixture.

 

Saturday July 30^th – Thomas Gibson Park

Referee – Tony Bosevski

 

Thirroul Thunder: Jayden Lewis, Daniel Bond, Harry Hodda, Tyler Snelgrove, Shayne Mullholland, Rhys Patchett, Ryan Latini, Todd Davidson, Adam Ward, Corey Haines-Grose, Daniel Ather.

Replacements: Robert Gyngell, James Townson, Ryan hunter, Joshua Bond, Oscar Pruks, Joshua Williams.

 

Helensburgh Thistles: Braiden Gilbert, Nathan Mucci, Mitch Buchan, Jadyn Falkiner, Reece McAlpine, Andrew Paine, Luke Wyatt, Damien Warwick, Luke Van Zyl, Luke McCann, Jason Wellings.

Replacements: Josh Brady, Luke Falkiner, Isaac Shaw, Ryan Kendrigan

 

Report By Lauren Ferri (@lauren_ferri)

Photo by Pedro Garcia (Library Archive