Tarrawanna Oval played host to two sides who were keen to move on from a mediocre 2016 season. Bellambi started an experienced line up in comparison to Helensburgh who opted for a youthful team which featured several their youth graders and under 18 players from last season.

The first chance came for Bellambi in the 7th minute with the ball falling to Giancarlo Cevenini, who was unable to get his shot away before Wardle in the Helensburgh goal smothered the ball.

Helensburgh was granted the next opportunity through Brad Watts, who found space on the left of the 18-yard box before curling a shot that forced Bellambi shot-stopper, Ben Levai into a smart save.

In the 21st minute, experienced Rosella defender David Kiss lined up a free kick from just outside the penalty box. His driven effort was denied by the wall.

The first half was a reminder that this was a preseason match with an increase in misplaced passes and late tackles as the half went on.

A major handicap in Bellambi’s play was their inability to stay onside which denied them the chance to move the play into Helensburgh half.

As for Helensburgh, they lacked a player with the confidence to put his foot on the ball despite their captain, Luke Wyatt ticking things over in midfield. Helensburgh player-coach, Brad Boardman reacted to this by subbing himself on minutes before halftime.

Helensburgh began to take the initiative in the second half with Cody Cuthburtson playing through Brad Watts who sliced it over the bar due to pressure from an onrushing Leval.

In the 40th minute Bellambi striker, Scott Bridge worked his way between the Helensburgh centre-backs and his shot forced a great stop from Wardle.

Over the next 10 minutes, Helensburgh was in-charge of the match with the nimble Watts troubling the Bellambi defenders. He audaciously dinked the keeper but the ball faded to the left of the goal without a teammate able to get on the end of it.

In the next Helensburgh attack, Watts played in a low cross from the right wing that Boardman was able to tuck into the back of the net from 6-yards out.

Bellambi were now forced to push on but lacked someone in the midfield to play through meaning they often resorted to long passes to their wide attackers.

Bridge and Liam Ross were Bellambi's main outlets and they nearly combined for the equaliser in the 56th minute when Bridge played the ball through to Ross who was not able to get his shot on target with just the keeper to beat.

With 3 minutes remaining, Bellambi played Jack McNamara through on goal but he was flagged for offside, before abusing the assistant referee and receiving a second yellow card. This left Bellambi with 10 men and in search of an equaliser.

The equaliser never came and the match finished 1-0 to Helensburgh. Helensburgh were deserving winners and Boardman must be satisfied with the efforts of his young team.

Bellambi are next up against Coniston at Crehan Park on Friday in a match they will need to win if they are to have any chance of progressing. As for Helensburgh, they face Oak Flats at Memorial Park on Sunday.

 

Sunday 19th February - Tarrawanna Oval

 

Bellambi Rosellas 0

Helensburgh Thistles 1 - Boardman 44'

 

Bellambi Rosellas - Benjamin Levai, David Kiss, Daniel Harrington, Aaron Piercy, Liam Ross, Mattias Passlack, Black Ross, Giancarlo Cevenini, Scott Bridge, Darren Carney, Gary Newell.

Subs - Michael Jennings, Michael Torchia, Jack McNamara, Robin Marschell-Whythes, Tim Hooker

 

Helensburgh Thistles - Matt Wardle, Eamon van Zyl, Jason Falkiner, Blake Charman, Ryan Grima, Luke Wyatt, Luke van Zyl, Reggie Rowley, Liam Vermeer, Hayden Garrard, Brad Watts

Subs - Cody Cuthburtson, Brad Boardman, Lachlan Clark, Brady Tipping, Adam Thompson

 

Note - Unlimited interchange and 35 minute halves for preseason cup matches.

 

Referee - Greg Reid

Assistants - Dean Moreira, Gareth Jenkins

 

Report by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela

Photo by Pedro Garcia