It was a crucial clash even at this early stage of the season at King Mickey Park between the Warilla Wanderers and the Kiama Quarriers on Saturday afternoon. The Quarriers perhaps needing the points more than most at the present moment, with two heavy losses to Coniston and Thirroul respectively to start their season. Warilla were looking to build on their impressive victory over Helensburgh in the previous round.

It was the Wanderers who pushed the ascendancy early in the match with the majority of possession belonging to them in the early stages. An early snapshot from Warilla forward Jeremy Lopez blazed over the bar, perhaps a warning of what was to come for Kiama.

The first real highlight of the match was on the 24^th minute, where the ball was turned over in Kiama’s final third, leaving the backline exposed. This led to a one-on-one chance for Warilla’s Ben Ellul. Quarriers keeper Adrian Bartlett stood strong however, preventing the first goal of the match with a strong right-handed save.

Despite not owning much of the ball in the first period, there were some clever combinations in the final third from Kiama. Quarriers right fullback Daniel Gillespie’s positive runs down the flank allowed for some sharp passing between Kiama’s attacking players. After winning the corner, Christopher Christodoulou whipped in a cross which found the right foot of Benjamin Tarrant. This forced a smart save from Wanderers keeper Adam Arnott just before halftime.

On 39^th minutes, Jeremy Lopez netted the opener for Warilla. A back pass intended to Bartlett from the Kiama defence did not have enough power behind it, with Lopez the quickest to react, making it 1-0 with a composed right footed finish.

Just three minutes later, the lead was doubled. A set piece situation caused some more confusion in the Kiama penalty area. Warilla defender Jason Goldsmith was given the simple task on tapping the ball home.

It could very well have been a third for Warilla directly from the kickoff. The Quarriers seemed to switch off at the back which forced Bartlett into a double save from a one-on-one situation, with Daniel Atkins failing to convert.

It was a particularly cagey opening to the second period, with both sides becoming more physical in a general sense, with niggly fouls not allowing for the match to flow.

The Quarriers were given a chance to pull a goal back on the 52^nd minute mark from an indirect free kick which was given to them in the box following a backpass decision. The Wanderers wall stood tall with Kiama failing to convert a golden opportunity.

Tired legs overall from both sides created a greater openness to the affair. Wanderers number 9 Aden Wade glided past Kiama central defenders Ben Hardcastle and Christopher Hill only to put his shot wide of the goal.

It was on the 69^th minute where the game was essentially put to bed. Warilla substitute Jessie French received the ball on the right edge of the penalty area, where he managed to curl his left footed shot into the top corner with class.

The last quarter of the match consisted of a few missed opportunities for Warilla to perhaps improve on their goal difference after their heavy first round loss. Lopez missed a couple of golden one-on-one chances which could have made the scoreline a little less flattering for Kiama.

The win for Warilla moves them just outside the finals spots in 6^th, with their opening round drubbing against Bellambi seeming to be a distant memory at the present time. They are away from home at Keith Bond Oval next Saturday against an Oak Flats side who will be desperate to gain their first win of the season in front of their home fans.

It has been an overall tough start to the season for Curtis Campbell’s men, with three losses on the trot to begin the season certainly not the greatest opening. They will face a Shell Cove side at the Kiama Sporting Complex next Saturday who will be hungry not to fall behind the title contending pack this early in the campaign.

 

Saturday 7 April @ King Mickey Park

Warilla Wanderers – 3 (Lopez 39’, Goldsmith 42’, French 69’)

Kiama Quarriers – 0

 

Warilla Wanderers – Adam ARNOTT, Nicholas DEL TURCO, Daniel ATKINS, Martin CASTELLI, Jason GOLDSMITH, Nathan PEGLER, Jeremy LOPEZ, Ben ELLUL, Aden WADE, Adrian MONTALBANO, Ryhs MARSH

Subs – Javier ORVANDO (on for ATKINS), Jordan NOLAN (on for PEGLER), Jessie FRENCH (on for ELLUL), Brenton GERIBO, Blake PUSELL

Coach – Barney King

 

Kiama Quarriers – Adrian BARTLETT, Daniel GILLESPIE, Ben HARDCASTLE, Christopher HILL, Mitchell GOWLAND, Thomas MCCOLL, Dean LAND, Jesse ANNEN, Benjamin TARRANT, Christopher CHRISTODOULOU, Wayd SHERIDAN

Subs – Jye MARKS (on for MCCOLL), James MALIN, Matthew GALLAGHER, Colin STUDMAN

Coach – Curtis Campbell

 

Referee – John RUSCICA

Assistant Referee – J. AHLING

 

Report by Jordan Warren, on Twitter @jwarren0817

File Photo: Pedro Garcia