Oak Flats Falcons flew into the top five of the WGC Cranes District League thanks to a 0-0 draw at King Mickey Park on Saturday. They had keeper Ben Wunsch to thank for keeping them in it as the Wanderers laid siege to the visitors’ goal through the first half, and then the woodwork and some solid defending kept the tie goalless, though Falcons substitute Chris Murdzevski almost grabbed a late winner with virtually his first touch of the ball.

For Warilla, this was definitely two points dropped as chance after chance went begging, and it leaves the Wanderers a mountain to climb if they are to challenge for the league title at the end of August. Results elsewhere leave them still six points adrift of pace-setters Fernhill, and two points behind Thirroul, who they play next week, in what could effectively be an elimination final for the ladder race.

Warilla peppered the Falcons’ goal for the opening 20 minutes. Lead scorer Kaine Good had the ball in the back of the net within ten minutes but the offside flag was raised. Then it was the Falcons’ captain and custodian Wunsch who took control of his area to keep the home side out.

He made a double save as Ben Ellul shot from close range by the far post. Then he rose to punch clear as a corner swung dangerously goalwards, and finally he got down well to block another Good effort after the striker had been put through by Bojan Caric.

Having weathered the early storm, the visitors had time to settle, as a temporary lull saw play revolve around the middle of the park for fifteen minutes. But then the Warilla onslaught began again.

Caric flicked the ball on towards Good who tried to chest it home from two yards out, but Wunsch was yet again in the right place at the right time. Then Javier Ovando cut back from the byline onto the head of Luke Everingham, but Wunsch was there again with an easy take this time. The Wanderers did get the ball in the net again just before the break, but this time there had been an infringement in the area and there were no protests when the goal was disallowed.

The one-way traffic continued after the restart, with Warilla almost taking the lead in the 46^th minute. This time it was Good who found Daniel Atkins on the edge of the area. The former Cringila Lion stroked a beautiful left foot towards the top corner, producing a fingertip save from Wunsch, who pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Then Good himself steered a header goalwards, and the ball ricocheted off a defender for a corner, though there were loud appeals from home fans for a handball and spot kick.

The visitors had rarely ventured into the Warilla 16 yard box until the 50^th minute. Suddenly Daniel Munilla broke at speed, beat his marker and laid the ball off square to Michael Wilson, but in his effort to keep up with Munilla’s pace, the Falcons front man lost his composure and bundled the ball wide of the upright. Moments later a second effort from the Falcons showed they fancied their chances of getting a result and might even push on to win. But this time Ryan Franks sent the ball flying just over the bar with a sidefoot flick.

When Caric burst forward and beat three defenders along the byline, all he needed was someone in front of goal to tap the ball home, but instead Jay Mason – who had an excellent game from the back – kept his calm and cleared. The Warilla pressure was no longer relentless as the second stanza moved on, but still there were chances, as Atkins saw his close range effort cleared off the line in the 70^th minute, and Caric blasted the ball over from six yards out seconds later. And there was more heartbreak for the Warilla centre forward as two more chances went astray in the final minutes.

With one minute of normal time remaining, Oak Flats made their final change, bringing on Murdzevski to join Wilson up front. The gamble very nearly paid dividends as Murdzevski pounced on a loose ball inside the box and forced a reflex block from Val Rizvani in the Warilla goal. It might not have been a fair result if the Falcons had snatched the three points, but it wouldn’t have been the first time a team won 1-0 after surviving a siege on their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.

Oak Flats coach Mark Vinton felt his side had done enough to deserve the draw and spoke of the ‘fantastic commitment’ from his defenders. “We’re not scoring enough goals, but we almost nicked it at the end.” And it’s more of the same for his side next week as they travel up to Ray Robinson Field to take on ladder leaders Fernhill. “It doesn’t get any easier, does it?”

For Wanderers coach Barney King, it was a devastating result after having so many chances. “It was so frustrating for the lads. It was one of those days, and we can’t afford to have days like that if we are to challenge for the title. But we’ll be upbeat for Thirroul next week and have to hope the cards fall our way up there”.

Warilla Wanderers FC – 0

Oak Flats Falcons – 0

Saturday 16 June 2017

King Mickey Park

Referee: Peter Ilcevski

Assistant Referees: Mick Agim, Brendon Fotheringham

Warilla Wanderers: Val Rizvani, Nicholas Del Turco, Toni Anastovski, Jordan Nolan (Jamie Young 62’), Jason Goldsmith, Luke Everingham (Martin Castelli 55’), Kaine Good, Ben Ellul (Jeremy Lopez 73’), Bojan Caric, Javier Ovando, Daniel Atkins (subs not used: Adam White, Blake Pusell)

Oak Flats: Ben Wunsch, Jay Mason, Liam Day (Alan Warburton 14’), Ryan Pitt, Jamie Stevenson, Brenton Lloyd, Ryan Franks, Christian Cappetta (Ross Graham 74’), Michael Wilson, Chad Keating (Chris Murdzevski 89’), Daniel Munilla, (sub not used Chris Jarman)

Report by Simon Duffin

Photos courtesy of Pedro Garcia