Port Kembla were defeated 1-0 by Albion Park at Wetherall Park in a tight encounter. Port Kembla went into the game on a good run of form having won their last two games scoring four goals and conceding none. As for Albion Park, they were still yet to fully recover from their first loss of the season, having failed to keep a clean sheet since that Bulli defeat. A perfect opportunity then for Port Kembla to take another important step towards securing finals football.

After a tense opening to the game, Port Kembla signalled their intent to take the points when a freekick was awarded just outside the box, within shooting range in the 11th minute. Jason Perez stepped up and delivered a strike which just cleared the crossbar. Four minutes later, Port Kembla again threatened when a ball clipped over the top was brought down well by Lowcock leaving him face to face with Albion Park goalkeeper Cristopher Fuentez Ramirez. Lowcock attempted to loft a ball over the onrushing goalkeeper but Fuentez Ramirez stood tall and prevented the goal. A minute later, Port Kembla had another opportunity to open the scoring when the Albion Park defence stood idle waiting for an offside flag that never came leaving Lowcock to take advantage making his way into the six-yard box and into a scoring position but skied his effort.

Albion Park had a chance of their own in the 34th minute when Hikaru Kawasakiya made his way down the left-hand-side and from a tight angle attempted to score with his right foot but the ball ended well wide of the target. Eight minutes later, Port Kembla were back on the front foot as Perez laid a ball back to Lowcock on the edge of the box whose original shot was blocked but it fell back to him on his left foot, but he cleared the crossbar once again. Into stoppage time Port Kembla were awarded another freekick on the edge of the box. Ben Zucco attempted to curl the ball around the wall and wasn’t too far away with his shot bending into the side netting. The half ended moments later.

Port Kembla could’ve easily been in front and have put the game to bed, but they had failed to take their chances or on many cases even test the goalkeeper. Albion Park needed a response in the second half if they wanted anything out of this game.

Straight from the kick-off Albion Park came straight at Port Kembla as Christopher Nathaniel delivered a left-footed cross to the back post which was headed away but only as far as Christopher Gomez on the edge of the box who tried to drive a ball across the goalkeeper into the corner, but his shot was blocked and then the ball was eventually cleared.

Just before the hour mark Lowcock had another chance to score when a ball played in between the two centre-backs for Albion Park found Lowcock who attempted to round the keeper but Fuentez Ramirez stood up made another crucial save for Albion Park. Six minutes later Port Kembla had another shot as Joseph Lavalle took aim from range but cleared the crossbar by some distance. A minute later Port Kembla were left to rue their missed chances as Albion Park took the lead against the run of play when a freekick whipped in from the left-hand-side came out to Jess Casey on the edge of the box who arrowed a left-footed strike into the top corner leaving Bradley Jardine rooted to the spot, a real sacker punch for Port Kembla who had played so well up until that point.

Eight minutes later Lowcock finally put a ball into the net when he muscled off several challenges and powered an effort into the bottom corner only to be called offside much to his despair. Two minutes later Lowcock again had could’ve scored for Port Kembla as a miss-kick from the Port Kembla defence fell to Lowcock on the volley but he scuffed his effort and the danger was cleared. After this, the game became scrappy with both sides struggling to create chances of any real potential. The game ended with Albion Park claiming an important win against a Port Kembla side that had real potential of causing an upset.

This win puts Albion Park 3^rd and four points away from 4^th placed Wollongong United who slipped up against Picton. Albion Park face a South Coast United side that currently sit bottom of the table and have failed to score in their last three games.

Port Kembla will be left disappointed that they couldn’t take any of the chances they created and Lowcock will be especially disappointed he couldn’t take even one of the chances he had during the match. This result ends a good run of form Port Kembla were on and means they are now even further away from Corrimal who are currently occupying sixth position. Port Kembla with play Corrimal next time out who have won their last two games scoring seven goals in the process.

 

Sunday 17th June at Wetherall Park

Port Kembla FC – 0

Albion Park White Eagles – 1 (Casey 65’)

 

Port Kembla FC: Bradley JARDINE, Nobuaki MOCHIZUKI, William MOBBS, Kyle SENIOR, Carlo STELLA, Justin CARIO, Jason PEREZ, Ben ZUCCO, Sandy LOWCOCK (KATO), Joseph LAVALLE (BELSITO), Fabian IACOVELLI

Substitutes: Naruyuki KATO, Nathan BELSITO, Makoto ISHIHARA, Bailey FLEMING, Daniel FARINA

 

Albion Park White Eagles: Cristofer FUENTEZ RAMIREZ, Blake MCGINN, Shannon FIELDING, Kane WRIGHT (REA), Christopher NATHANIEL, Robert DELBANCO, Kody MAUDE, Jess CASEY (WEHMEYER), Shayne ARDLE, Christopher GOMEZ, Hikaru KAWASAKIYA (ZAHRA)

Substitutes: Daniel REA, Corey ZAHRA, Cody WEHMEYER, Jacob HUFTON

 

Referee: Bobby MAZEVSKI

Assistant Referees: Steve BOZIC and Trae ARNOCO

 

Report by: Timothy Gibson, @timg123_ on Twitter

Photo courtesy of Kiah Hufton