South Coast United hosted Picton Rangers at Dandaloo Oval on Sunday in what was a crucial clash for both sides. South Coast United needed to bounce back after being truly outclassed against Bulli last week in a 6-0 defeat. They did, however, lack a couple of experienced players in that match including player-coach, Greg Valic. Picton were on the other end of the confidence scale, picking up an important 3 points against Corrimal, pushing them 2 points clear of South Coast United who were left at the foot of the ladder which certainly shaped the match to be an intriguing encounter and possibly the most crucial game in the relegation battle thus far.

South Coast United started the game well, playing to their philosophy, they held the ball attempting to open up the Picton defence. They played patient while Picton sat back in their own half, content with allowing South Coast to push players forward. But Picton’s plan almost backfired immediately as South Coast’s Ivan Bratjanscak found himself one on one with the Picton keeper. He ran towards goal but was caught in two minds, hitting the ball wide by a fair distance. The first chance should have woken Picton up, but instead, it forced the visitors deeper into their own half.

Picton barely touched the ball in the opening 10 minutes, while South Coast flung numbers forward in an attempt to gain an early advantage. Eventually, the mounting pressure became too much for Picton when South Coast were awarded a corner. The ball was hit towards the near post in which Greg Valic flicked on into the mixer. The ball hit a group of Picton players at pace which sent the ball flying into their own net with O’Bree having no chance of stopping the deflection - Liam Storkey the player adjudged to deliver the final touch.

The goal forced Picton out of their shell as they began to try and find an equaliser. Yet it was 15 minutes before Picton could manage a half chance. A corner of their own was hit low and hard across the 6-yard box with neither side being able to get a touch the ball fizzled out for a throw-in. While Picton pushed forward, South Coast were able to play their own game, attempting to hold possession and play around at the back. Once they found a gap in the defence they pushed forward, and it almost paid off. Ikumi Saito had a burst of pace beating a Picton defender before attempting to curl a left-foot shot into the far corner. The home crowd gasped as the shot went just inches wide of the left hand upright and left Saito with his head in his hands.

With 5 minutes to go South Coast looked to have switched off, dropping their concentration levels. They gave away sloppy passes and unnecessary fouls which allowed Picton a way back into the game. In the 42nd minute, their lapse of concentration would cost them, an open cross from the right wing would find Alex Mojsoski, who was waiting on his toes for a delivery into the area. Mojsoski had no problem finding the back of the net with a sweet finish, side-footing the ball on the volley past the helpless Jason Bleakley. South Coast’s early domination and goal were cancelled out with only three minutes left in the half. The teams went into the sheds level, but Picton were the happier of the two.

United almost had the perfect start to the second half creating a couple of opportunities early on, but the best chance came from Oliver Carrasco. After a couple of attempts on goal, the ball fell to Carrasco, who struck the ball with venom. As the ball curved, for a split second the home crowd began to cheer, but Carrasco and South Coast were denied by the crossbar. The ball rocketed down of the crossbar, with the spin taking it away from the Picton goal. A lucky escape and a wakeup call for Picton and a frustrating moment for South Coast.

After Carrasco’s golden chance, the game was locked into an intense stalemate with neither team being able to crack on another, both giving away possession too easily in crucial points in their attacking build up. It wasn’t until 25 minutes later that any team had a shot towards goal. It was Dayne Morley who had back to back opportunities to put the Rangers in front. His first was a well-struck shot that forced a good save from Bleakley who kept the ball in his grasp. The second chance saw Morley drive at the South Coast defence with a fantastic showing of speed and skill, but he was unable to get the right connection, sending the ball over the bar. Picton looked the more likely to grab an equaliser however you can never count out South Coast United.

On the 85th minute mark, a dangerous attack from South Coast would result in Picton giving away a penalty with what was an unnecessary challenge. Carrasco, who had almost put South Coast in the lead earlier, stepped up to the spot. With the pressure on, he made no mistake in blasting it into the top left corner and out of O'Bree's reach.

The last five minutes saw United hold strong, defending with all they had to secure only their second win of the season and enjoying possibly the most crucial 3 points for any side this year.

The result move South Coast back ahead of Picton by a single point and two behind 10th placed Woonona. Both sides have a week off due to the Bert Bampton Cup Final, United next face Tarrawanna while Picton have another crunch game against Woonona at Ocean Park.

 

I caught up with Player Coach Greg Valic after the match, click on the link for the full interview.

https://soundcloud.com/liam-emerton/fsc-interview-greg-valic-south-coast-v-picton

 

Sunday 22 July 2018 @ Dandaloo Sportsground

South Coast United - 2 (Storkey OWN GOAL 13’ Carrasco 85’ PEN)

Picton Rangers - 1 (Mojsoski 43’)

South Coast United - Jason Bleakley, Dylan Mena, Chris Valic, Greg Valic, Denis Stojic, Anton Batur, Ivan Bratjanscak, Oliver Carrasco, Abdulsamiu Lawal, Ikumi Saito, Brody Murrell

Replacement - Joshua Brookes, Ricky Bertakis, Shane Crampton, Callum Russell

Picton Rangers - Lauchlan O'Bree, Liam Storkey, Michael Heyhorn, Brendan Berkeley, Daniel Nelson, Jarred Morley, Lachlan Newman, Alex Mojsoski, Dayne Morley, Connor O'Neil, Scott Miranda.

Replacements

Key Mitchell, Matthew Tesoriero, William Mcleod, Ryuki Hirota, Robert Cruickshank

Referee - Greg Reid

Assistant Referees - Aaron Wardle, Brodie Merchant

Report by Liam Emerton, Twitter @liamemerton

Photo by Noel Wynn