Wests Illawarra made the trip up North to face off against Helensburgh for Round 9 of the WGC Cranes District League. Wests have been struggling since their opening two wins, picking up only two points from the next six games, and are sliding further and further down the table. Meanwhile, Helensburgh have been cruising to victory against all bar the top four - Fernhill, Warilla , Thirroul and Coniston, showing they may have what it takes to grab a finals berth come seasons' end.

This tie was very much one way traffic for the entire 90 minutes. Had it not been for Wests' goalkeeper Kyle Booth, centre-half Godfrey Franco, and some poor finishing by the hosts, the score-line would've blown out hugely. Wests only had a handful of chances throughout the game, with the rather leaky Thistles defence holding tight.

Wests could have snatched an early lead within minutes of kick-off as a Junya Okamoto clearance struck teammate Kei Mitani and nearly found the net. Shortly after, Nick Tortarella put wide an open header from 6 yards, and so ended the first-half chances for the visitors.

Helensburgh were going forward in numbers at the other end - Luke and Eamon Van Zyl, Brad Watts, Cody Cuthbertson all swarming in numbers as Naruyuki Kato sat behind orchestrating the attacks. This culminated in a very, very long day for the Wests defence, even the solidity of Franco could not stop the sheer numbers of Burgh attackers.

The game was like a highlight reel for the season, such was the amount of attacks ending with saves and corners, Booth pulling off save after save to stop the downpour of goals.

Luke Wyatt was his usual presence in midfield, gliding around in possession distributing to the wide players, however he was disappointed at missing an open goal from 20 yards after Kato and Booth collided and the ball bounced free.

Cuthbertson was causing trouble down the right, drawing a lunge from Paul Burleigh in the area, Kato stepping up for the penalty and sending Booth the wrong way as he netted in the bottom left.

This would amazingly be the only time Booth would be beaten until nearing full time, despite the amount of chances afforded by his backline.

It was hard to keep up with, but there was a total of thirteen one-on-ones for the hosts, in addition to hitting the crossbar another three times - truly a game for the record books.

Wests had the odd chance - Burleigh hitting a nice free kick from 25 yards only to be punched clear by keeper Braiden Gilbert - however it was domination down the other end.

The attacking quartet of Watts, Cuthbertson and the Van Zyl brothers were all out-pacing the Wests defence and each failed to convert three one-on-ones.

The closest opportunities fell to Watts - sneaking a shot under the advancing Booth on the half hour, but Franco was on hand to recover in behind his keeper and clear off the line.

It was clear to see that whilst both teams were utilising pace up front, the dribbling of the Helensburgh attackers mixed with the passing vision of Kato and Wyatt was a lot more clinical than the long ball tactics from Wests sending Tortarella on a goose-chase each time it was played from deep.

Into the second period, the punishment continued, but one had the hunch that if Helensburgh failed to convert all these chances, Wests would somehow find an equaliser and walk away with a draw.

But still the chances continued to flow - Kato reached the by-line and cut back for an unmarked Luke Van Zyl on the penalty spot, but his curling shot was parried by Booth onto the crossbar and out.

In a tense five minute period, Helensburgh should've scored a number of goals only for poor finishing and Booth denying them again and again.

Watts showed neat footwork in-close, his shot beating Booth from 12 yards only to strike the woodwork, and again Luke Van Zyl was wasteful with a free half-volley on the penalty spot sprayed over.

Kato was playing in on goal by Wyatt, chipping Booth only for Franco to clear off his line - Watts recovering the loose ball and shooting at Booth - Cuthbertson grabbing yet another loose ball and seeing his shot at an open goal cleared off the line by a trailing leg from Josh Baker.

After a moment to breathe, Helensburgh were at it again, Cuthbertson down the right wing, his inch-perfect cross finding the head of Luke Van Zyl, his header cannoning into the crossbar with Booth well beaten, and Kato stepped up for the rebound, his shot cleared off the line by Daniel Pisani.

In what was almost a relief for both sides, in settling the game, Watts passed across the face of goal from 10 yards, having drawn Booth out, and left Kato with a simple tap-in five minutes from time to seal the 2-0 win.

In what was a tough day for Wests, they will be relieved to have left only two goals down, with Booth and Franco much to thank. Helensburgh deserved the win, however the two goal win will not bode well for a side with a goal difference of +2, and this may tell later in the year. To have had 13 one-on-one's and hit the woodwork thrice, and to leave with a penalty and a tap-in, they will be disappointed to have missed out on a huge goal haul.

 

Saturday 18th May - Rex Jackson Oval

Referee - G. Reid

Assistants - J. Ruscica, E. Lehn

 

Helensburgh Thistle 2 - Kato 24' 86'

Wests Illawarra 0

 

Helensburgh Thistle - Gilbert, Grima (Brownlee), Falkiner, Mitani, Okamoto, Wyatt, L. Van Zyl, E. Van Zyl, Watts, Kato, Cuthbertson

Subs - Brownlee, Tipping, Rowley, McDonald, Wardle

Wests Illawarra - Booth, Meikhurts (Riddle), Pisani, Burleigh, Franco, Andradle, Kougious, Bailey, Puljic (Saverino), Tortarella, Baker (Potter)

Subs - Timpano, Saverino, Kandilas, Potter, Riddle

 

Report by David Atherton - @daveatho5