Kemblawarra Fury stormed back from two goals down to reverse the 2016 Grand Final result, running out 4-2 winners at Terry Reserve on Sunday afternoon. Matthew McNab scored a brace and there was a goal apiece for Fury top scorer Anthony Proia and Sam Munro.

It was another disappointing afternoon for the White Eagles, who looked back to their best for the first 40 minutes and were cruising comfortably at 2-0 up courtesy of a Fabian Iacovelli own goal and a strike by Hikaru Kawasakiya. But once the Fury got into their stride, Albion Park failed to respond.

The key battle in this enthralling tie for the neutral was between the two Number 10s. Last year’s George Naylor Medal winner Shohei Okuno was back to his creative best in the first half, setting up both the home side’s goals and playing with the freedom he achieved for most of last season.

Shane Murray was second best to Okuno for much of the first forty five, losing out in the tackles, chasing the ball, and rarely able to play his usual key role in setting up Fury attacks. But once the players came out for the second stanza with the scores tied at 2-2, suddenly it was Murray who got the upper hand, dominating the centre of the park until his replacement through injury with 20 minutes to play.

By the time Murray went off with a knock to the hip, the Fury had taken the lead, but coach Luke Maguire replaced his key midfielder with a third striker, Liam Unicomb. Speaking after the match, Maguire explained: “If you sit back and try to defend for 20 minutes against a side with the quality of Albion Park, you’re asking for trouble, so my philosophy is to continue playing the style we know and today it paid off. I thought it was an outstanding win and we showed great character.”

For the first 40 minutes of this tie, there was only one side in it. The White Eagles dominated possession with some beautiful passing moves that kept the Fury back four constantly under pressure.

As he wheeled back to clear one White Eagles attack, Steven Wright forced a fingertip save out of his own keeper, David Zufic making a rare appearance between the sticks to replace the injured Mitchell Blowes. But there was little Zufic could do moments later when Iacovelli headed straight into his own net as an Okuno corner dipped dangerously at the far post.

And the White Eagles soon doubled their lead when Kawasakiya flew in to meet a perfectly-weighted Okuno ball and fired his header into the back of the net.

With Vaughan Patterson and Mark Every pushing forward at every opportunity, there were more chances for the home side. Every sent one header inches over the bar and a shot just wide of the upright, before Mitch Del Turco produced a fine save from Zufic down to his left.

After 40 minutes of soaking up the pressure and succumbing twice, it was Fury captain Alvin Ceccoli who took the bit between his teeth and started the fightback.

He won possession in his own half, burst forward on a 30 yard run and chipped the ball into the path of McNab, who volleyed home from inside the box.

Less than five minutes later it was 2-2. This time Sam Matthews began the move, finding McNab on the edge of the area. A quick lay off to top marksman Proia, who made no mistake from ten yards out.

The scores were level as the players went into the sheds for the break but the momentum had shifted. As the second period began, it was Murray’s turn to shine, twice having a go himself as he found freedom and space to move with the ball.

Yosuke Tashiro had the ball in the back of the net for the home side just before the hour mark, but the flag was raised for offside and by then it was a rare foray into the Fury half.

The visitors took the lead in the 71^st minute, when Lachlan O’Connor burst through along the byline, and drilled the ball past Patterson to a grateful Munro who bundled it home at the near post.

For the last ten minutes the White Eagles pushed everything forward to try to rescue the match. Patterson joined Del Turco and substitute Lee Gilroy up front. There were loud calls for a penalty when Gilroy went down inside the box, but no spot kick given and Gilroy was just beaten to the ball by Zufic as he rushed in for a final touch on a Del Turco cross.

And then the killer blow came in time added on. Iacovelli found substitute Van Elia down the right. Elia turned well and pulled the ball back for McNab who finished off a fine move and a fantastic come back for the Fury.

Next up for the Fury is another tough test against old rivals Wollongong United in Round 9. The White Eagles, meantime, hope to get their season back on track with a trip to struggling Woonona.

Albion Park White Eagles – 2 (Iacovelli OG 13’, Kawasakiya 23’)

Kemblawarra Fury – 4 (McNab 41’, 90+1’, Proia 45’, Munro 71’)

Assists: APWE: Okuno 2 Fury: Ceccoli, Matthews, O’Connor, Elia

Sunday, 14 May 2017 – Terry Reserve

Referee: Steve Bozic - Assistant referees: Gareth Jenkins, Trent Clarke

Albion Park White Eagles: Bryce Daenell, Boden Allport, Mark Every, Shannon Fielding (Peter Prandalos 45’), Chris Nathaniel, Robbie Delbanco, Mitch Del Turco, Vaughan Patterson, Yosuke Tashiro (Luke Debrot 83’), Shohei Okuno, Hikaru Kawasakiya (Lee Gilroy 68’) (subs not used: Hayden Waples, Jacob Hufton)

 

Kemblawarra Fury: David Zufic, Steven Wright, Lachlan O’Connor, David Hartas, Fabian Iacovelli, Alvin Ceccoli, Shane Murray (Liam Unicomb 72’), Anthony Proia (Van Elia 84’), Matthew McNab, Sam Matthews (Kazuto Kushida 49’), Sam Munro (subs not used: Kyle Senior, Yanni Mavrikis)

Report by Simon Duffin