It was seventh v eighth at Barrack Heights Sportsfield on Saturday with Shell Cove taking on an Oak Flats side who were booming with confidence following their surprise victory over Warilla in last week’s fixture. Both sides needed the victory in order to boost their finals ambitions relatively early in the season. Shell Cove had to cope with a major setback in the match with player-coach Steven Dimitrievski out for the fixture.

It was a scrappy affair in the initial quarter of an hour until the first real notable highlight resulted in a goal for the visitors. After a ball into the penalty area, Oak Flats forward Michael Wilson was quickest to react, beating the defence to glance his header over the head of Shell Cove goalkeeper Nikola Ristevski.

Shell Cove essentially struggled to get any rhythm into their passing game in the first half. Whilst Shell Cove did have positive moments going forward, they looked susceptible to the threat of a counter. The slick work of Jack Madgwick and Christian Cappetta did not allow for a settled period on the ball for the home side.

One particular play which exemplified this was from Wilson on the goal line, managing to keep a seemingly hopeless ball into play. After beating Shell Cove defender Mathew Cesta to the ball, a pass found its way to Madgwick, who blazed his shot over the bar.

Despite the Oak Flats dominance, Shell Cove found their breakthrough with the last kick of the half. Tricky playmaker Gadir Maabani finished off his chance after a receiving a piercing through ball from Daniel Toskoski. This gave Shell Cove a much needed boost going into the break.

The ascendency completely changed after half time. Shell Cove looked to be a completely different side intensity wise. Oak Flats struggled to cope, particularly with the positive runs from Shell Cove right back Craig Richardson, as he made a number of threatening crosses into the Oak Flats penalty area.

The first chance of the second half came in the 51^st minute, and it was perhaps the best move of the game. Beginning at the back, Cesta provided a ball to Daniel Vellonio who crossed along the ground from the left flank to Diogo Rodrigues who put his golden chance over the crossbar. It was a sign of things to come for Oak Flats.

The experience of the central defensive pairing for Shell Cove was crucial, particularly in the second half where an Oak Flats attack looked imminent at any moment. Mathew Cesta and Ljupco Naumovski provided cool heads throughout the second period. One attacking play from Oak Flats was nullified by Cesta. With Wilson heading towards the goal in what seemed to be a one-on-one situation. Cesta got his body in the way which halted Wilson’s process. It was a brilliant piece of defending which seemed to bring out the best in the whole Shell Cove team.

Almost instantly after Cesta’s interception, Maarbani bagged his second for the game. After a deflected shot in the lead up, Maarbani was the first to react to the second ball, slotting past Franks into the bottom left corner. It was a goal which was deserving when observing the pattern of the game.

At the other end, a volley fell to the right foot to Lance Condello following a set piece situation. The chance went begging however.

The final nail in the coffin for Oak Flats was on the 77^th minute as Maarbani nabbed his hit-tick. A ball over the top of the Oak Flats defensive pairing allowed for Maarbani to control and then chip the ball over into the net. A classy finish that essentially displayed the kind of day the playmaker was having.

Oak Flats did have one final chance which quite possibly could have been converted. A cross over the top of the Shell Cove defence found Chad Fernandez’s head. He could only direct it wide.

It was a kind of second half performance which could very well kick start a run of victories for Shell Cove. They will be away from home next Saturday against Berkeley Sports, who will be eager to write the wrongs of their 6-0 drubbing against Warilla over the weekend.

Oak Flats will be disappointed not to back up their extremely effective performance against Warilla last weekend. In their following fixture, they will be playing in front of home support against high flying Bellambi.

All games in the District League seem to be potentially mouth-watering clashes at this point in time, with inconsistent performances along with exciting attacking football making this season a very tight call for finals positions.

 

Saturday 21 April @ Barrack Heights Sportsfield

Shell Cove – 3 (Maarbani 46’, 66’, 77’)

Oak Flats – 1 (Wilson 16’)

 

Shell Cove – Nikola RISTEVSKI, Craig RICHARDSON, Mathew CESTA, Ljupco NAUMOVSKI, Filip ANGELESKI, Andrej GARESA, Aleksandar ANGELKOSKI, Daniel TOSKOSKI, Daniel VELLONIO, Gadir MAARBANI, Diogo RODRIGUES ANDRADE

Subs – Allan GIBBONS (on for ANGELKOSKI), Nikola RUSIC (on for VELLONIO), Matthew STOJANOSKI (on for RODRIGUES ANDRADE), Jonathan BARZEL

Coach – Steven Dimitrievski

 

Oak Flats – Ryan FRANKS, Liam DAY, Alan WARBURTON, Dominic GIUSTINIANI, Jamie STEVENSON, Lance CONDELLO, Jarryd VINTON, Matthew THORNTON, Michael WILSON, Jack MADGWICK, Christian CAPPETTA

Subs – Mathew GRASA (on for DAY), Chad FERNANDEZ (on for CONDELLO), Ross GRAHAM (on for THORNTON), Chris JARMAN

Coach – Mark Vinton

 

Referee – Brodie MERCHANT

Assistant Referees – Stuart BELL, Demi GODDARD

 

Report by Jordan Warren, on Twitter @jwarren0817

Library File - Photo (Kiah Hufton)