Port Kembla FC hosted Picton Rangers in the Illawarra Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Wetherall Park. Without a win in their campaign so far, Port Kembla were eager to get some points on the board whilst Picton would have been keen to get some Premiership minutes on the pitch after their first three games were washed out and rescheduled. Both teams needed a win, Picton needed to kick off their campaign in the right way and Port Kembla needed a massive confidence boost.

The game started with pace and physicality, both teams pressed one another into making mistakes and forcing turnovers of possession. A few early fouls saw the officials on it early, clearly telling the players to relax.

Seven minutes in and Port Kembla’s confidence sky-rocketed when Kyle Hazebrook’s thunderbolt from outside the area found the back of the net in outstanding fashion, stunning the visitors. The strike was pure class and fired the hosts into an early lead.

The lead was doubled in the 10^th minute when a corner from Ben Zucco found Brooklyn Frkovic on the back post who had no trouble burying his header into the goal. A tantalizing cross but poor marking by Picton, and they were punished for it. A rapid start by Port Kembla and a sluggish beginning by Picton saw them chasing the game early.

Picton’s chances were very few and far between, due to the high pressure by Port Kembla throughout the game. When Picton finally had opportunities, they wasted them. A free kick on the right-hand edge of the area gave Picton a chance to put themselves back in the contest, yet the chance was wasted.

Port Kembla continued to dominate the ball and attack with real venom, while their defensive display snuffed out any attempt by the Rangers to push forward. The game began to get very physical and the referee did a very good job controlling the players and the benches. A yellow card was issued to Jarred Morley, after a silly challenge in the 35^th minute.

This caused the half to die off a little, with Port Kembla dominating possession however they failed to provide any more dangerous attacks.

Half time: Port Kembla 2-0 Picton

The second half began with the same pace as the first half ended, and similar in the fact that Port Kembla held the most of the ball, keeping Picton on the back foot. A few deflections and missed clearances inside the Picton area forced a wonderful reflex save from Brad Jones, who tried to keep Picton in with a fighting chance.

But it was no use, and after Jarred Morley came in studs up against Jung Seuk Jung, in the 56^th minute, the referee showed him a second yellow and sent him from the field. Picton had the odds stacked against them even more, a clumsy challenge had effectively sealed the Rangers' fate.

Picton were torn apart only 4 minutes later by a lovely short pass from Doug Woodiwiss which cut the defence in two and put Sandy Lowcock through with only the keeper to beat. He slotted it past the advancing Jones who could do little to stop the striker from polishing off a well worked move.

The Ranger's afternoon was about to get worse a few minutes later as Bradley Jones clashed with Lowcock outside the box, in what was terrible attempt at the ball, the Goalkeeper gave away a free kick and subsequently was given a red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.

The Rangers were now down to nine players and at three goals down and 20 minutes left, one could forgive them for wanting the game to end as quaickly as possible. Port Kembla went for the juggular as they scored directly off the subsequent free kick in which Jones gave away. Port Kembla’s Jung Seuk Jung finessed the ball into the top left corner with a dazzling right footed shot.

Two minutes later, Port Kembla finished off a clinical display with what was another beautiful worked goal. Jung turned provider and laid a pass through to Sandy Lowcock, who comfortably finished his second of the match. Port Kembla were a relentless dragon, firing five past a helpless Picton.

The game finished without any other changes to the score line or any big chances with Port Kembla still pressuring the ball up until the 90^th minute. A wonderful display will give Port Kembla great confidence as they take on reigning Premiers Kemblawarra next week. Picton on the other hand will be hoping to put this loss behind them as they take on Tarrawanna in a midweek catch up game.

I talked to Port Kembla’s Coach Noel Spencer after the game and asked him about the game.

https://soundcloud.com/liam-emerton/fsc-interview-with-noel-spencer

 

Full time

Port Kembla FC 5 ( Hazebrook 8’, Frykovic 10’, Lowcock 63’,77’, Jung 69’)

Picton Rangers 0

Port Kembla

B.Jardine, B.McGinn, W.Mobbs, M.Werakso, C.Stella, K.Hazebrook, B.Frykovic, M.Scazzariello, S.Lowcock, B.Zucco, J.Jung.

Replacements

R.Maude, D.Woodwiss, J.Cario, J.Sallucci, D.Farina

Picton Rangers

B.Jones, C.Dymond, D.Goodhew, B.Durrant, K.Mitchell, M.Hall, J.Morley, S.Miranda, L.Storkey

Replacements

D.Nicol, B.Roberts, R.Llyod, L.O’Bree, C.Sheerin

Referee: Andrew Naylor
Assistants: Patrick Hutton and Harrison Keelum

Report by Liam Emerton
Photo by Noel Wynn