With a promising season behind them, Warilla Wanderers came out fighting on Sunday afternoon when Kiama Quarriers visited them at King Mickey Park. The form of both sides was good coming into this intense fixture and it was evident out on the field.

Both teams showed promising chances right from the get go. It was Warilla who had the first chance from a Chad Keating corner. His cross found Javier Ovando whose header was well saved by Kiama’s Dylan McDonald. The ball rebounded back to Ovando who had his second attempt again well saved by McDonald.

Both teams were showing some good attack with the ball travelling up both ends of the field.

It wasn’t until the 33^rd minute however that the deadlock was broken. It was Warilla’s Luke Greathead who brought the ball down the right shoulder, clearing Kiama’s defence. Once he was just inside the box, Greathead hit the ball into the top left corner beating McDonald.

With Warilla leading 1-0, the game began to get more intense, but it was evident that Kiama was bringing a challenge to the home team. Half time ended with Warilla leading.

The second half began with both teams still energized despite the double header for each team as they both came out trying to add the scoreboard.

Kiama had a promising chance when Chris Christodoulou crossed the ball to Keegan Beringer who attempted a high shot towards the goal, but unfortunately it sailed over the crossbar.

In the 81^st minute, Ovando passed the ball to Martin Castelli who came on in replacement of Chad Keating. Castelli tapped the ball in from close range giving Wanderers a 2-0 lead.

Kiama did not give up though and just a minute later, James Donlan made a good run and shot that brought out a good save from Warilla’s Brad Hunter however the ball rebounded back out and it was Beringer who tapped the ball in to an unguarded net to bring he Quarriers back into the game.

Despite several more promising raids, Kiama were unable to muster up an equalizer which effectively means they now must get something out of their final game of the season against Corrimal and hope 1-2 results go their way to make the playoffs.

For Warilla, they have put themselves in a strong position to finish in second spot and some confidence as they look to give the playoffs a big crack.

King Mickey Park, Sunday 21^st August.

Referee: Greg Reid

Assistant Referees: Mitchell Thorpe, Damien Donelly

Warilla Wanderers: Brad Hunter, Tony Anastovski, Adam Martin, Jason Goldsmith, Ryan Hunter, Luke Everingham, Luke Greathead(33)’, Adrian Montalbano, Adam White, Javier Ovando, Chad Keating, Stewart Robertson, Paul Gaffney, Martin Castelli (81’), Jacob Pickles, Ken Nguyen.

Kiama Quarriers: Dylan McDonald, Luke Munro, Tom Cunliffe, Chris Hill, Todd Wade, Jesse Annen, Daniel Swinton, Dean Land, James Donlan, Keegan Beringer (82’), Chris Christodoulou, Aaron Buzinki, Josh Gomes, Tait Edmond, James Spence, Phil Bherun.

Report by Lauren Ferri.

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia (Library Archive)