South Coast Flame returned to Crehan Park to host Hurstville FC with a renewed sense of optimism after spiriting wins in all three graders against Western Condors last weekend. Louis Connell opened the scoring on his starting debut but Flame would eventually be pegged back before losing due to a 90th-minute winner from Paul Gagro. Despite the heartbreaking defeat in the main game, the younger teams were able to collect four points with the under 20s winning 1-0 and the under 18s holding on for a 2-2 draw.

Within a minute of the kickoff, Flame had a massive opportunity to take the lead when Julio Mushabab linked up with Matt Mazevski in a crowded box but the latter’s one on one shot produced a smoothing save from James Drahalivas. Undeterred, the home side continued to play some enterprising football which was rewarded in the 21st minute. Mazevski had a freekick 20 metres out and to the left of the goal, he played the ball into vacant space behind the wall for Connell to run on to before he slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs - a delightful set play.

Hurstville began to work themselves back into the contest with Paul and Jesse Gagro both missing the target through half chances. In the 32 minute, the visitors hit back with a ball being played in from the right for Rhys Turner waiting at the far side of the six-yard box to tap home. Turner could have netted his second five minutes later when he pounced on a speculative Mushaba clearance but he scuffed his shot wide to the right.

Flame had the final chance of the half when Bojan Caric whipped an effort at goal from 25 metres which initially bounced out of goalkeeper’s hands before he gratefully regathered leaving the sides level at one apiece at the break.

The match began to open up with either side having solid opportunities in the opening 25 minutes of the second half. In the 52nd minute, the ball fell for Paul Gagro and he blasted the ball from 10 metres out forcing Matt White into a strong save, the ball went back to a Hurstville player but his header was held by White. Three minutes later Caric cut into the left of the box before rounding Drahalivas and sliding the ball goalbound only for it to be cleared off the line by a retreating defender.

In the 65th minute, there was another piece of smart play between Mazevski and Connell with the former playing the latter through but his shot on goal produced a solid stop from the Hurstville custodian. The play went straight down the other end with Josh Padjen jinking into the box before firing at goal but once again White was up to the task, pushing the ball out for a corner.

With five minutes remaining, Flame found the back of the net. Caleb Grace surged around his defender on the right wing before cutting the ball back into the crowded area for Connell to strike but the goalkeeper somehow denied him before Wade Wilton knocked the ball in from close range only to be judged offside from the Connell’s initial effort.

The points looked set to be split before the visitors stole all three in the final moments of the match. Hurstville floated the ball into the left of the box from a deep central free kick, Stefano Malinverno headed it across goal for a couple of attackers to knock in at the far post with Gagro awarded the goal despite suggestions he used his hand to bundle the ball in.

After the match, White believed the side were hard done by in not getting anything out of the match, “It was very disappointing to go down the way we did… we were very unlucky today and we at least deserved a point.” He was able to draw positives out of the way his side started the match and also the performance of Connell, “I am very happy with Louis and what he adds to our side. His pace is second to none, he gets in and behind defenders, he causes havoc and I hope he keeps it going for us.” The defeat sees the side remain in 10th ahead of a crunch match with 8th placed Hurstville Minotaurs at St George Stadium next Saturday.

The under 20s picked up their sixth win of the season with a determined 1-0 win over a gritty Hurstville outfit. The goal came midway through the first half through Cameron Hanson and the youngsters were able to hold on and maintain their place in the top five. The under 20s have a game in hand against Prospect United which will be played at Crehan Park on Tuesday night at 8pm. This match was abandoned three weeks ago due to an injury to Nathan Vaughan meaning play will restart in the 38th minute with the score still at 0-0. A win by two or more goals would lift the side into second.

The opening match saw the under 18s draw 2-2 with Hurstville who sit one place above South Coast. Flame led 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Harry Lloyd and Oscar Mari but the visitor’s Dominic Padjen snagged his second of the afternoon to earn his side a point. Their next match is against Hurstville Minotaurs who are level with them on 7 points pending results on Sunday.

 

Saturday 26 May 2018 @ Crehan Park

 

South Coast Flame FC - 1 (CONNELL 21’)

 

Hurstville ZFC - 2 (TURNER 32’ Paul GAGRO 90’)

 

South Coast Flame FC lineup - Matt WHITE, Martin THOMSON, Wade WILTON, Andrew CHRISTIE, Doug WOODIWISS, Djordje UZELAC, Andrew BOVA, Matt MAZEVSKI, Julio MUSHABA, Louis CONNELL, Bojan CARIC

 

Subs - Mitchell PRESILSKI, Jayden SMILESKI, Cameron HANSON, Caleb GRACE (on for CARIC), Dion STERJOVSKI (on for MUSHABA)

 

Coach - Paul ROBAARD

 

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela