Tarrawanna Blueys hosted South Coast United at Tarrawanna oval, in the second round of the Illawarra Mercury Premier league. Yet this would be the first competition game for both teams and they were eager to start their campaigns with an early 3 points. They played each other earlier in the Fraternity cup where the Blueys won a tightly contested contest 1-0. This game looked set to be another close one.

Tarrawanna Blueys started early with South Coast United under severe pressure early but the stubborn South Coast defence wouldn’t be broken down so easily. Greg Valić’s loud voice kept the away sides defence strong as a unit. On the back of their impressive defensive display South Coast launched a swift counter attack. In the 7^th minute, after a scrappy play South Coast had a huge appeal for a hand ball dismissed by the Referee.

South Coast were then put on the back foot for a crucial five-minute spell. The immense force applied by Tarrawanna wouldn’t provide the breakthrough they were hoping for and 28 minutes through the second half South Coast launched another dangerous counter attack. The ball whipped in from the left-hand edge then found Ricky Bertakis on the half volley. With his back towards goal Betakis fell backwards and hit the ball first time, sending the ball into the right corner of the net. An extraordinary finish but well deserved for South Coast who had pushed through the unrelenting Tarrawanna attack.

The goal turned the game into a very fiery encounter. Both teams picked up the intensity, with 4 yellow cards between them coming in quick succession. The goal opened the game and allowed both teams to have more freedom when pushing forward.

Just before half time Tarrawanna capitalized on the fatigued South Coast and struck after Jared Fish squared up Jacob Fryday who had no issue polishing off an easy opportunity. The hosts continued attacks paid off sending them into half time level with the visitors in what was a very bubbly half.

Half time score 1-1

The second half began how it ended, physical and demanding on all players. Both teams squandered early chances yet it was South Coast who would take the first clear cut opportunity. After a spell of possession South Coast would work the ball into the box through Ricky Bertakis who was then fouled hard inside the area by Bluey’s number 4, Jarryd Mortimer giving away an unnecessary penalty. Bertakis then converted the penalty in the 55^th minute, for his second and sending South Coast into the lead for the second time in the match.

A back and forth game proceeded with neither team holding possession for an extensive amount of time. South Coast were impressive in both defence and attack and looked certain to hold the lead and secure a crucial three points early in the season. But Tarrawanna had other ideas and in the 67^th minute, after an attempted shot was drilled into the hand of a South Coast defender inside the box the referee awarded a penalty. Furiously, South Coast appealed against the referee’s descsion but it was to no avail. Rick Goodchild put away the spot kick and once again put the Blueys back level.

After Tarrawanna’s second goal the game died off, with both teams making substitutions they failed to get a grip on the final 20 mintues. The game finished with Tarrawanna Blueys and South Coast sharing the rewards of a very intense and hard fought contest.

The Captain of South Coast United, Greg Valić, had this to say after the game.

https://soundcloud.com/user-323830787/greg-valic-south-coast-united-interview

 

Full Time

Tarrawanna Blueys 2 (J.Fryday 45’, R.Goodchild 67’)

South Coast United 2 (R.Bertakis 28’,55’)

 

Tarrawanna: A.Rodriguez, M.Naylor, B.Dolinscak, J.Mortimer, J.Morlando, S.Chapple, J.Fryday, W.Oh, J.Fish, R.Goodchild, S.Park.

Subs: D.Chapman, S.Rose, A.Carrigan, M.Mazevski, B.Richards.

South Coast: D.Valic, C.Valic, G.Valic, M.Nimac, J.Brookes, J.Pappas, T.Skara, R.Bertakis, A.Byzinki, J.Mushaba, D. Stojic.

Subs: S.Dimitrievski, I.Bratansak, A.Lawal, C.Camilleri.

Report by Liam Emerton

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn