Helensburgh v Thirroul was billed as a tight game of two defences tough to break down facing off. The hosts have picked up their season after some early defeats, and Thirroul still chugging away nicely just below the breakaways at the top.

The first half was predictably even, with few shots on target registered from either side. An early injury to striker Brad Boardman saw the pacey Brad Watts introduced after only 10 minutes.

Largely either side's chances were limited to capitalising on defensive errors.

Helensburgh could've opened the scoring as a wayward back-pass from Daniel Bond nearly wrong-footed Joshua Williams, but he was able to cover across his goal to clear the ball with Watts chasing.

Thistles keeper Braiden Gilbert took a huge risk by trying to beat Ryan Latini closing him down, successfully turning him but into trouble with Corey Haines-Grose right there, the rebounded clearance luckily going wide of goal.

Again Haines-Grose was in the action, teammate Nathan Mucci beating two players in a barn-storming run through the middle of the pitch and shooting straight at Gilbert, Haines-Grose having his rebounded shot cleared off the line by Blake Charman.

The hosts finished the first half stronger though, often looking promising on the counter attack. First, Naruyuki Kato was sent through on goal with a lovely pass, only to be tracked down and slide tackled by Bond in the penalty area, with Helensburgh shouts for a spot kick waved away.

Shortly after, Watts beat three players down the left wing, and reaching the by-line, cut back for Luke Van Zyl open on the penalty spot - however Williams anticipated this and left his line to claim possession back.

The tense game continued into the second half as both sides gave the ball away cheaply and were unable to put their stamp on the midfield battles. The introduction of Matthew Kellond for Thirroul seemed to spark their attack, and eight minutes after coming on, he had a hand to play in the opener.

A long run down the right wing from Kellond, cutting inside to shoot on the left foot, was well wide of target and kept in well by Mucci, crossing back over the box for an unmarked Latini at the far post to nod in for 1-0.

Only two minutes later it could've been a second but for the great work of Junya Okamotto - Haines-Grose ran in on goal to draw Gilbert, squaring the ball to Latini, but the Helensburgh defender recovered in time to snatch possession before the Thunder winger could roll the ball into an open goal.

It eventually came for the visitors, again through Kellond, a second to close out the match. The talisman received a switch down the right flank, and powered a shot on goal, blocked by Charman, but collected the rebound and made no mistake from his second effort, netting through Gilbert.

A late dismissal for James Hutton soured the win for Thirroul, receiving a second booking for kicking the ball away under contentious circumstances.

It was a deserved win for Thirroul though, as they created more chances than Helensburgh in what was a scrappy game which limited both teams. Thirroul looked much improved going forward after the introduction of Kellond and he proved the difference in putting chances away.

 

Saturday, May 6th - Rex Jackson Oval

Referee - S. Bozic

Assistants - S. Bell, L. McRae

 

Helensburgh Thistle - 0

Thirroul Thunder - 2 (Latini 64', Kellond 78')

 

Helensburgh Thistle - Gilbert, Grima, J. Falkiner (Rowley 83'), Charman, Okamotto, Wyatt, Van Zyl (L. Falkiner 83'), Mitani, Boardman (Watts 9'), Kato, Cuthbertson

Subs - Watts, Rowley, L. Falkiner, Tipping, Wardle

Thirroul Thunder - Williams, Bond, Haines-Grose (Rusbourne 76'), Hutton, Townson (Kellond 56'), Ward, Latini, Davidson, Bragg, N. Mucci (Snelgrove 86'), Arthur

Subs - Kellond, Strudwick, J. Mucci , Rusbourne, Snelgrove

 

Report by David Atherton - @daveatho5

Photo: Pedro Garcia (Library image)