On Wednesday night, Terry Reserve played host to the round 12 clash between Albion Park and Kiama in the Women's First Division. Albion Park was looking to overtake Woonona at the top of the league while also maintaining their perfect winning record. As for Kiama, they came into the match without a win in three and they were hoping to cause an upset to move back into the top four.

 

The league’s top scorers managed a shot on goal inside two minutes with Rylee Mcgartland hitting the ball from range forcing Megan Blanch in the Kiama goal to push it over the bar.

 

With 15 minutes played Blanch had made another two stops. The first came after a mazing run from Brittany Ring and the second came after the ball fell to Linda Hillard off a corner with Blanch producing a fine save from close range.

 

Albion Park was pushing high up the field, however, the Kiama defence remained resilient which led to the home side trying their luck from distance. The Quarriers eventually caved in just after the half hour mark when Nicole Mccracken launched a ball into the box for Shakiah Tungai to head over the keeper.

 

Kaelah Austin had a decent opportunity five minutes before the break when she was played through on goal, she took a touch before firing it straight into the goalkeeper’s arms. The teams went into sheds at halftime with Albion Park maintaining their one goal advantage.

 

The beginning of the second half was a mirror image of the first with Blanch making another save off a long-range shot from Mcgartland after two minutes. Two minutes later, Kristina Glisic chipped the ball in from the left of the box finding Mcgartland who took a touch before striking the ball but once again Blanch was able to parry the ball away for a corner.

 

In the 52nd minute, Mcgartland finally got the upper hand in her battle with the Kiama goalkeeper when she was allowed time and space 25 metres from goal. The powerful midfielder hit a low drive which Blanch was able to get contact with but unable to keep out of the net.

 

The Albion Park onslaught continued but it took pieces of individual brilliance to carve out clear cut chances. On such chance arose in the 70th minute when Brittany Ring turned her defender 25 metres out from goal before striding into the box, her shot was blocked by Blanch before catching the ball on the second attempt.

 

In the 72nd minute, Albion Park had their third. Faith Atkins played a delightful ball into the left of Kiama’s box for Ring to run onto, the league’s second-highest goalscorer could have been selfish but she opted to pass it across to Glisic to tap into an empty net.

 

The match finished a respectable 3-0 which may not be a true reflection of the home side’s dominance. Terry Reserve is a daunting venue for any travelling side yet the Quarriers played with an abundance of determination and along with Blanch in goals they made Albion Park work for the three points.

 

The win moves Albion Park back to the top of the table, two points ahead of Woonona. They now turn their attention to Sunday’s State Cup semi final where they will play Miranda Magpies at Myimbarr Park. The defeat leaves Kiama in fifth with just goal difference keeping them out of the top four.

 

Albion Park SC - 3 (Tungai 31’, Mcgartland 52’, Glisic 72’)

Kiama Quarriers - 0

 

Wednesday the 28th of June, 2017 at Terry Reserve, Albion Park

 

Albion Park SC - Faith Atkins, Kaelah Austin, Tenaya Davis, Michelle Foscarini, Kristina Glisic, Linda Hillard, Nicole Mccracken, Rylee Mcgartland, Brittany Ring, Philippa Robinson, Casey-Leigh Suttle, Shakiah Tungai and Madison Wunsch

 

Kiama Quarriers - Christie Akid, Megan Blanch, Emilee Della-Libera, Tamara Duckitt, Kari Gonzalez, Carolynn Mackenzie, Ailin Olsen, Brooke Perkiss, Nerissa Peterson, Rachel Sheppard, Jenna Shiaxiates, Alex Stronach and Rebecca Welsh

 

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela