First half goals from Brenton Burke and Jacob Lester gave Kiama Quarriers their first win of the season in this Round 5 District League tie against near neighbours Oak Flats. The Falcons failed to fly and their only goal came from a goalkeeping error when Mitchell Reeve spilled the ball into his own net.

Oak Flats were without leading marksman Josh de Gouveia, so that meant a start for Luke Greathead, partnering Chris Cappetta up front. But they were unable to find a way through a resolute Kiama defence, which looked a lot stronger than earlier results this season might suggest. Daniel Gillespie was man of the match in the Kiama area, putting in the vital tackles and getting his body in the way each time the Falcons looked to push in on goal.

Oak Flats played some nice football early on, but penetration in the final third was always lacking. It was the home side who had the early opportunities, with balls through the middle testing the Falcons defence. Ben Wunsch had to be sharp in just the third minute as Keegan Beringer bore down on his goal, but the Falcons keeper was quick off his line to prevent the shot.

At the other end, Cappetta created a couple of half chances but Reeve had his shot from a tight angle covered, and he flicked a header wide of the upright after Brenton Lloyd curled in a cross.

Kiama’s opener came on the break. Gillespie burst forward down the right and sent in a low cross to the feet of Burke. The ex-Falcon turned and slotted a fine right foot shot low to the keeper’s left at the near post for 1-0 in the 27^th minute.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to get back into it, though. Stephen Jovanovski floated a cross deep into a crowded six yard box. Reeve came to collect but spilled the ball and could only watch as it dropped into his own net for the equaliser.

The goal stirred the Falcons into action and for the next few minutes they pressed forward looking for a second. Ross Graham fired over from close range, when he would at least have hoped to trouble a Kiama keeper who might have lost confidence from the mistake he had just made. Then it was Chad Keating who sent in a pinpoint ball for Cappetta, with Gillespie getting back to block that effort.

But Kiama, too, were opening up and starting to play some decent football. Lester tried to chip the keeper from 25 yards out and was not far off. And then in the 40^th minute, the home side broke again and regained the lead.

The Falcons had just failed to take advantage of a set-piece in a dangerous position on the edge of the area. Kiama broke and in two quick passes through the middle, Beringer found Christodoulou, who flicked on for Lester. He stayed composed and drilled the ball home from twelve yards out.

There was still time for more action at both ends, as Reeve again spilled a lofted cross, with Greathead sending a shot inches wide of the post after the ball flew clear. And Kiama broke yet again, just before the break with this time Michael Hampton bursting clear inside the box, but he placed his shot wide of the woodwork to leave his side with a 2-1 advantage at half time.

The second half saw the Quarriers dig deep and defend for their lives, stifling pretty well everything the Falcons threw at them. Gillespie was tireless in defence to ensure that Reeve was barely tested again, though there was one moment of farce when the Kiama keeper rushed out of his area to clear, but skewed his kick straight to a Falcons forward, but a series of miskicks, scuffs and blocks meant that Oak Flats couldn’t take advantage of the open goal Reeve had left behind him.

Apart from that incident, the Kiama defence looked composed and organised. So much so that with time running out Falcons full-back Lloyd had a go from fully 35 yards out and the ball zipped inches over the bar – about the closest the Falcons were to come to equalising.

Speaking after the game Kiama coach James Spence said he was pleased to beat a competitive Oak Flats outfit. “We took our chances well and the overall performance was just about what I am looking for.” Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Spence said he had a couple of players still to come back from injury, but he felt he had the squad to push on for finals football at the end of the season.

Next up for Kiama is a tough trip up the coast to Thirroul, while Oak Flats will be looking to get their season back on track with a home match next week against Helensburgh Thistle.

Kiama Quarriers FC – 2 (Burke 27’, Lester 40’)

Oak Flats Falcons – 1 (Reeve og 31’)

Assists: Kiama: Gillespie, Christodoulou; Oak Flats: Jovanovski

Saturday 22 April 2017

Kiama Sporting Complex

Referee: Ryan O’Sullivan

Assistant Referees: Brendon Fotheringham, Trent Clarke

Kiama Quarriers FC: Mitchell Reeve, Daniel Gillespie, Adam Hinkley, Chris Hill, Luke Munro, Ben Hardcastle, Jacob Lester, Michael Hampton (Col Studman 86’), Keegan Beringer, Brenton Burke (Cameron Barrett 65’), Chris Christodoulou, (subs not used: Tom Cunliffe, Mitch O’Neill)

Oak Flats: Ben Wunsch, Brenton Lloyd, Chad Keating (Ryan Franks 67’), Christian Cappetta (Jay Mason 61’), Daniel Munilla, Jamie Stevenson, Jarryd Vinton, Luke Greathead, Matthew Cesta, Stephen Jovanovski, Ross Graham (Michael Wilson 56’) (subs not used Chris Jarman, Jason Murdzevski)

Report by Simon Duffin

Photo by Pedro Garcia: (Library Archive)