A hat-trick by Save Treneski and a goal apiece for the Picciolini brothers gave Corrimal Rangers a comfortable victory over South Coast United. That’s the newly-promoted side’s second win in a row and sets up a mouth-watering clash next weekend against Illawarra Premier League Grand Final champions Albion Park to see who wins this Premier League pool of the Fraternity Cup.

South Coast lined up against three of their former players for this tie, as they seek to rebuild a squad that was decimated by departures over the summer break. Veteran Dimitrievski scored United’s consolation goal and for a brief moment in the second half, there were signs of potential in this new-look side, but it could be a hard slog for Greg Valic’s team as the season kicks off.

Treneski and Mark Picciolini shared the Golden Boot award for top scorer in the District League last season, and the pair look to be performing just as well at the higher level, with five goals between them in two starts so far this season.

It didn’t take long for Treneski to add to his tally in this match. He was in the right spot at the far post for a simple tap in when Luke Picciolini’s corner floated over everyone in the box in the third minute.

Things didn’t get any better for United. First one of their former players, Aden Wade burst through on goal forcing a brave save out of Cameron Camilleri, with the United keeper needing attention before he could carry on. And then moments later, one of United’s stalwarts Denis Stojic was laid out flat with a head injury, keeping the United physio busy in the opening minutes. Stojic eventually limped off, but that would be a big blow for United if his services are not available for any period of time.

It didn’t take Corrimal long after the restart to double their lead. Luke Picciolini sent a free kick crashing into the back of the net from about 20 yards out.

And half an hour in, it could easily have been three. Wade this time launched a long free kick towards Treneski, who made space for himself, switched to his left foot and fired a bullet towards goal. The ball ricocheted off a lucky defender and flew into the air where Paul Guido rose up highest and sent a header just past the post.

United were reeling. Valic and Mate Nimac were putting in brave efforts at the back and Alex Valjanovski put in a vital tackle just before the break when Treneski again was about to shoot. But 2-0 was a fair scoreline at half time, and United had their work cut out if they were to get anything from the match.

South Coast had its strongest period just after the break. Tommy Skara tried to lob Jason Bleakley, the former United player who came on as a substitute for the second half, but his shot arced just over the bar. And Ricky Bertakis saw his glancing header fly just wide of the upright from a Skara free-kick. New boys Junior Mushaba and Abdul Lawal were also showing promising signs in the middle of the park and out on the left.

But all the good work was undone in a disastrous five minutes which finished off United.

Christian Plakias sent a dangerous ball through to Mark Picciolini in front of goal, but a mix up between Nimac and Camilleri gave Picciolini an open target to aim for and the centre forward slotted home his first of the season for 3-0.

Then less than five minutes later, Camilleri’s nightmare got a whole lot worse as he sent a clearance straight to Treneski. With Camilleri out of position, it was another open goal and that’s a target the goal-hungry Ranger was not going to miss. At 4-0, the game was out of reach for United.

But the score could have got a whole lot worse for South Coast if it hadn’t been for the unfortunate gloveman. Camilleri produced some top drawer saves to keep out Luke Picciolini and Tim Wylie in the following few minutes.

Just past the hour mark, United got the consolation they probably deserved. It was a solo effort from Dimitrievski, who thundered a shot from 30 yards out which crashed against the cross bar, and then flew into the net off the back of Bleakley’s head.

There was to be no fight back for United, though, and less than five minutes later they were 5-1 down. Camilleri could only parry Mark Picciolini’s shot this time, and it was straight into the path of a grateful Treneski, who fired home for his hat-trick.

Corrimal’s win puts them second in their pool, just behind Albion Park on goal difference, ahead of next weekend’s crunch decider in the group. South Coast take on Tarrawanna next Sunday, as both teams seek to get their season off the ground with a final competitive fixture before the IPL season kicks off in March.

Corrimal Rangers FC – 5 (Treneski 3’, 53’, 65’, Luke Picciolini 21’, Mark Picciolini 49’)

South Coast United FC – 1 (Dimitrievski 61’)

Assists: Corrimal: Plakias, Mark Picciolini, Luke Picciolini             

Sunday 26 February 2017

Memorial Park, Corrimal

Referee: Steve Bozic

Assistant Referees: Aiden Crawley, Emajen Crawley

Corrimal Rangers: Alex Baird, Robbie Brown, Fabian Cappetta, Nathan Belsito, Gavin O’Brien, Paul Guido, Chris Stevanovski, Aden Wade, Mark Picciolini, Luke Picciolini, Save Treneski (subs: Christian Plakias, Melih Yilmaz, Nicola Rusic, Tim Wylie, Jason Bleakley)

South Coast United: Cameron Camilleri, Alex Veljanovski, Greg Valic, Mate Nimac, Jason Pappas, Junior Mushaba, Tommy Skara, Ricky Bertakis, Yu Takahashi, Abdul Lawal, Denis Stojic (subs: Chris Valic, Steve Dimitrievski, Ivan Bratansak, Aaron Buzinki, David Valic)

Report by Simon Duffin

Photo by Noel Wynn (Library File Photo)