Wollongong United visited the home of Port Kembla for Round 2 of the Fraternity Cup, with both sides picking up 1 goal wins in their first game, over Kemblawarra and Cringila respectively. Port played well last week to grind out a 1-0 win against a resolute Cringila side at Crehan Park, whilst United toppled Premiers Kemblawarra 2-1 at Macedonia Park. With both sides looking to capitalise on a solid opening performance, the match was played at a very fast, offensive pace, with both sides looking to score constantly.

Much to the delight of the home crowd, it was talisman Sandy Lowcock who opened the account after only 6 minutes. A long ball out of defence from Kyle Hazebrek found the run of Lowcock, who was one-on-one with United keeper Nastic from halfway, faking him across his body before rounding him and slotting into the open net.

Chances were end to end in a very even affair, with powerful shots from both Joey Lavalle and Lowcock troubling Nastic, whilst Miki Awad slapped a half-volley centrally down the other end.

United were going forward in numbers, and the array of passing out of midfield was troubling Port's defence. A cross from the by-line had Jardine worried, with William Mobbs forced to clear it over the crossbar.

Soon after, Daisuke Yuzawa made a great diagonal run in behind the Port defence, rounding Jardine, only to have the gloveman recover in time to block the shot and smother possession back for the home side.

Similarly, the same move was repeated, but this time by Port, with Kody Maude headed across the top of the box and around Nastic, slotting his shot into the open goal for 2-0 to Port midway through the first half.

The second half opened immediately with Justin Cario slapping a powerful half-volley through traffic after a corner, with Nastic doing well to get low and effect the save.

Nine minutes into the second period, Yuzawa made a mazing run on the counter, beating two before being fouled on the edge of the area. Matt Floro stepped up to take the dead ball, powering a drive inside the far post, past an outstretched Jardine to halve the deficit.

Yuzawa nearly equalised minutes later with a shot from nothing, Jardine nearly caught unawares, but the fumble was dived on before two onrushing United men.

Jardine was again in the action, a scuffed clearance hitting the feet of Joel Craig 35 yards out, however his sharp shot was straight back at the keeper - who was out of goal - and was a big chance gone to waste.

Port were visibly losing their style late in the game, getting caught up in the tempo, aggression in tackles and calling for fouls constantly, to which United's experience held them firm as they continued to push for the equaliser.

Zac McLaren made a strong run down the right wing, cutting in to force another big save out of Jardine, however the cracks were appearing.

In controversial circumstances, United found the net on the cusp of full time. A corner was put into the area, with Jardine advancing to claim. A collision saw the gloveman and a United player stay down temporarily, with play on called. Jardine, expecting the free-kick for the contact, placed the ball down, before picking it up again. The play on call was repeated and clarified, as Jardine dropped the ball again, with Billy Tsovolos, pouncing amidst the confusion to poke into the empty net for 2-2.

Port will feel as though they deserved the win in this game, for which they certainly would've played well enough had it not been for the lapse in the final 10 minutes. United deserve credit for holding their cool being down 2-0, a position they are not used to being in. Both sides remain undefeated ahead of the final pool games next week, United hosting Cringila on Thursday and Port Kembla hosting Kemblawarra on Sunday.

 

Thursday 23rd February - Wetherall Park

Referee - S. Bozic

Assistants - J. Higgins, A. Vangelovski

 

Port Kembla 2 - Lowcock 6', Maude 23'

Wollongong United 2 - Floro 44', Tsovolos 70'

 

Port Kembla - Jardine, McGinn, Stela, Hazebrek, Moobs, Werakso, Maude, Cario, Smith, Lavalle, Lowcock

Subs - Frkovic, Bassoni, Mussameci, Woodiwiss, Farina

Wollongong United - Nastic, Brooks, Zoric, Tsovolos, Awad, Craig, Floro, Ardle, Hajitoffi, Brennan, Michael

Subs - McLaren, Ristevski, Yuzawa, Acev, Swamy

 

Note: Unlimited subs in pre-season games. Halves are 35 minutes.

Report by David Atherton - @daveatho5
Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia (2016 file photo)