University FC made the trip to King Mickey Park to face high-flying Warilla Wanderers in an important Round 17 District League face-off.

Both sides were coming into the match off the back of losses, with University going down 4-1 to mid-table side Berkeley in Round 16, and Warilla suffering a shock 2-1 upset to strugglers Wests Illawarra at Unanderra.Both sides were looking to make up some ground with a win, with University needing the points to breakaway from last-placed Bellambi and ensure that they keep pace with Wests and Balgownie Rangers at the bottom of the ladder. For Warilla, a win would mean some vital breathing room at the top of the ladder, with Thirroul Thunder only a point behind in 3rd with a game in hand, but it also allowed for the chance to try and catchup to league leaders Fernhill, who they were hoping would be upset by Wests Illawarra.

As the match got underway, it was Warilla who dominated most of the early play but University had the first real chance, with a great run from Cameron Hanson being stopped by Jason Goldsmith in a tackle that saw University strongly call for a penalty. However, it was the Wanderers who would strike first blood just inside the first quarter of an hour, as a smart ball from Daniel Atkins allowed Adam White to cross the ball in, with a deflection from University player Scott Hawbey falling to Warilla player Jamie Young, who was able to simply net the ball.

Warilla would add a second a few minutes later after a well-placed through ball from Luke Everingham allowed Kaine Good to bear down on University keeper Russell Crighton in a one-on-one situation, with Good rounding Crighton and slotting the ball into an open net to put the Wanderers two up within the opening twenty minutes.

The Wanderers would continue to press strongly despite the advantage and came close to a third goal several times before Good would net his second of the match, with the striker netting after University failed to adequately clear the ball off a Warilla corner.

University however would not go lying down, and signs of life continue to flicker for the side, with Luis Gonzalez almost making the score 3-1 after Gonzalez failed to get a foot to a great ball from Doug Woodiwiss. Another great chance from Uni would go begging just before the half-time break, with Cameron Hanson getting a one-on-one with Warilla’s Blake Russell, but his final touch wasn’t up to scratch and allowed the ball to go straight to Russell.

With a healthy 3-0 lead at the break, Warilla showed no signs of slowing down as the second half got underway, with any real chance of a University comeback snuffed in the 56^th minute, with a great header from Jason Goldsmith off the back of a Wanderers corner sneaking past the Uni back-line and giving Warilla a four-goal lead.

Despite being down by four goals, Uni continued to push for a goal, and their push saw rising tensions between the two sides, with Warilla’s Martin Castelli and Uni’s Doug Woodiwiss both picking up yellows within a minute of each other for separate tackles. But University would finally be rewarded for their efforts in the 68^th minute, with a very well-placed free kick from Woodiwiss forcing Warilla keeper Blake Russell into making a save which ricocheted off the post and directly into the path of Luis Gonzalez, who scored to close the gap to 4-1.

However, less than sixty seconds later, Warilla would strike back through Adam White, who managed to break past the University defence and slide the ball past keeper Russell Crighton.

The final period of the match saw Warilla snuff numerous chances to increase their score, while University continued to make defensive errors at the back. University was allowed a little more breathing room after Warilla player Adam White was sent off in the 80^th minute for using offensive language, but this extra space allowed no more chances to fall Uni’s way.

The win ensured Warilla remains in second spot on the District League ladder, but they remain in the same position as they did entering the match, with Thirroul only one point behind them in third after the Thunder beat Kiama Quarriers 2-0. They were also unable to gain any ground on leaders Fernhill, who maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the ladder with a 4-0 thumping of Wests Illawarra.

University meanwhile will be hoping the loss means nothing ultimately, but they must now look behind their backs as last-placed Bellambi moved to within three points of the side after their 1-1 draw with Coniston FC.

Warilla travel to 7^th placed Berkeley next round in a replay of their Round 7 clash, which saw the Wanderers sneak out 3-2 winners at King Mickey Park. University on the other hand have a huge ask of them, playing host to league leaders Fernhill at Kooloobong Oval. Fernhill only managed a 2-1 win against the side last time out, but with University conceding nine goals in their last two matches, Fernhill will be hoping that they run up a cricket score against the second-last placed side.

Warilla Wanderers FC - 5 (Young 14’, Good 17’, 32’, Goldsmith 56’, White 69’)

University FC – 1 (Gonzalez 68’)

Saturday the 15^th of July, 2017 at King Mickey Park, Warilla.

Warilla Wanderers FC – Blake Russell, Nathan Pegler, Jamie Young, Martin Castelli, Jason Goldsmith, Luke Everingham, Ben Ellul, Kaine Good, Adam White, Adrian Montalbano, Daniel Atkins

Subs – Mark Marinelli, Stewart Robertson (on for Atkins), Jayden Heathcote (on for Castelli), Sasa Cugalj

Coach – Barney King

University FC – Russell Crighton, Andrew Christie, Alex Purvis, Scott Hawbey, Ryan Kurtz, Doug Woodiwiss, Luis Gonzalez, Luke McCann, Cameron Hanson, Tim Cole, Luke Vandenberg

Subs – Matthew Sainsbury-Dale (on for Purvis), Eamon Flint-Peterson (on for Cole), James Ealea (on for Hanson), Ben Joyce

Coach – Brod Crighton

Referee – Andrew Naylor

Assistant Referees –Lucien Moreno and Tristan James

Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt

Photo courtesy of Pickles