A second-half Balgownie comeback has left them 2-1 winners over Shell Cove in their Round 8 clash of the WGC Cranes District League at Judy Masters Oval. A goal in the opening 10 minutes to Nikola Rusic, gave the visitors the lead but late goals to Kurt Dorahy and Mathew McCoy helped the Rangers to their first win since Round 4.

Both sides saw a fair share of possession inside the first 10 minutes but with literally their first real chance, Shell Cove pounced. The Cove pressed high onto the Ranger’s defence before forcing a mistake out of defender, Mathew McCoy. A stray pass fell straight to the feet of Steven Dimitrievski, who slipped the ball through the Rangers depleted backline to Diego Rodriguez. The shot from the winger would strike the post and roll kindly to Rusic for an easy tap-in 12 yards out to give Shell Cove the lead early on.

Shell Cove would have another chance on the 20^th minute mark when a poor clearance from Balgownie sat up nicely for Dimitrieski. The midfielder took it on the volley but dipped down just wide of the post.

It took 21 minutes for the Rangers to muster their first chance. Tom Shannon sent a long ball for Jake Boyle to run onto. After bringing it under his control and taking another two touches, Boyle would see his low shot roll past the post.

This close opportunity seemed to give the home side confidence as the game went on. A cross from fullback, Lachlan Veeney had Shell Cove goalkeeper, Nikola Ristevski rushing out to save. There were appeals from Shell Cove players and supporters as Ristevski hit the ground after the mid-air challenge. With play-on being ruled and Ristevski on the ground, Shell Cove scrambled their defence to stop the shot from Dohary.

The Rangers came agonisingly close to grabbing the equaliser only five minutes later. A poor goal-kick landed at the feet of Lucas Bruce. A switch of play across the Balgownie front three saw the ball end up with winger, Jake Boyle. A powered shot slamming off the crossbar and falling onto the head of Sebastian Dallas. Luckily for Shell Cove, Ristevski was able to adjust in time and make a comfortable save.

After not having many attacking opportunities towards the end of the half, Shell Cove would push forward in stoppage time with a couple of missed chances. First, Dimitrieski and Daniel Toskovski linked up nicely 20 yards out. Dimitrieski followed with a shot straight at Rangers goalkeeper, Liam Stevenson. The next chance came about after some well-worked passing up the middle which finished with a shot from Andrej Gacesa. His hit a low-driven shot looked destined for the bottom corner but it skimmed just past the post.

The half finished strongly for both sides but it was Shell Cove that would hold onto a slim 1-0 lead going into the sheds.

The next 45 minutes could have seen the game go either way. With neither team really showing any control or dominance over the game, both teams lifted the intensity within the first 15 minutes of the next half.

Shell Cove developed some well-executed interplay between their three attackers which almost doubled their lead on multiple occasions. Rusic sent a low cross into the path of Toskovski. The midfielder would get to the ball first only to have his shot blocked by defender, Brandon Lewis. Minutes later, fresh substitute and target-man, Gadir Maarbani found the ball 20 yards out from goal. A curled shot blazed past the post and Shell Cove would have to continue their one goal lead.

Balgownie would also have their chances early on but wouldn’t pose any threatening opportunities towards substitute goalkeeper, Vasko Petkucevski. A strong run by Bruce saw him beat several defenders before getting a clean run onto goal. A powerful run ended with a finish into the arms of the goalkeeper. Dallas then had a huge chance of equalising when he found himself one-on-one with Petkucevski. However, a poor bounce and an unbalanced shot, ended up sailing over the bar.

Although it wasn’t long after this chance where Balgownie would start their fightback. With the ball ending up on the left sideline with Anthony Oliver, he was given the space to stop, look up and whip in a precise cross to Dorahy. Dorahy wouldn’t blow his chance as he headed home to equalise with 20 minutes still to play.

Despite conceding, Shell Cove almost hit right back immediately. A free-kick only 25 yards out from goal gave Gacesa a chance to curl one. A right footed placement shot almost found the bottom right, but Stevenson positioned himself well. Although an awkward bounce would see the Balgownie goalkeeper fumble the ball into an oncoming Rusic who did not seem to expect it as the ball was scrambled clear.

The decisive point came about only five minutes from time as Dorahy continued to look dangerous on the edge of the box. Fancy-footwork saw him go through the Shell Cove defence and he was brought down just inside the box by Daniel Angeleski. With a penalty awarded, Rangers captain, McCoy stepped up to calmly slot the ball into the bottom left corner giving Balgownie the lead for the first time in the match.

Shell Cove pushed for a couple of last efforts as both Maarbani and Gacesa found space within shooting distance. Shots flew high and wide respectively and Balgownie held on to secure a determined second half comeback as the game finished 2-1.

The Rangers get back into winning form after 3 consecutive losses to keep their spot within the top 5. It may not get easier for them as they travel to Bellambi next week, who are still yet to lose a game and are sitting on top of the ladder.

The loss for Shell Cove sees them stay in 7^th as they continue an average start to the campaign. A stronger effort may be needed for Shell Cove as they face the other undefeated team in the competition when they host Coniston at Barrack Heights Sports Field next week.

 

Saturday 12^th May at Judy Masters Oval

Balgownie Rangers FC: 2 (DORAHY 70’, MCCOY 85’)

Shell Cove FC: 1 (RUSIC 10’)

 

Line-ups:

Balgownie Rangers FC: Liam STEVENSON, Lachlan VENEY, Mathew MCCOY, Brandon LEWIS, Anthony OLIVER, Tom SHANNON, Jake BOYLE, Jim YOUSSEF, Sebastian DALLAS, Kurt DORAHY, Lucas BRUCE.

Subs: Frank TIMPANO (VENEY 40’), Ben KEARTON (DORAHY 85’), Mark JONES (DALLAS 90’), Hugh BAHNERT.

 

Shell Cove FC: Nikola RISTEVSKI, Mathew STOJANOVSKI, Mathew CESTA, Daniel DAVKOVSKI, Filip ANGELESKI, Andrej GACESA, Alek ANGELKOSKI, Diego RODRIGUEZ, Steven DIMITRIESKI, Daniel TOSKOVSKI, Nikola RUSIC.

Subs: Gadir MAARBANI (RODRIGUEZ 54’), Atanas SIMONOVSKI, Vasko PETKUCEVSKI (RISTEVSKI 45’), Adem AKKOC, Marko BUBANJA (DIMITRIEVSKI 70’).

 

Referee: J. RUSUCA

Assistant Referees: B. FOTHERINGHAM and J. MCDEAN.

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

File Photo: Noel Wynn