Bellambi have left it late to beat a determined Unanderra side 2-1 with Tim O’Brien netting a stoppage time winner in this round 19 clash of the WGC Cranes District League at Elizabeth Park. The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 64^th minute when Chris Cevinini put the home side ahead before Unanderra equalised through Nathan Pulgic just seven minutes later. A scrappy finish ended with the Rosellas snatching a goal off a corner to help their bid for the title race.

Both sides were playing for a crucial three points to help their season as it comes to a close. Before the cup weekend break, Bellambi had to settle for a 1-1 draw over Berkeley whereas Unanderra felt hard done by giving up a 3-1 lead early in the second half to lose 4-3 to Shell Cove.

A slow start to the game didn’t see the first real attack for either side until the 12^th minute. Unanderra midfielder Stephen Jovanski picked up the ball within the centre of the field before finding the run of Tim Cole on the left wing. Cole’s first touch was back towards the goal but an outstretched leg of Sean Poulten denied the shot.

Only a few minutes later, Bellambi pushed for their first real attacking opportunity of the game. Some nice interplay passing between Tim O’Brien and Scott Martin on the right edge opened up space for O’Brien. His threaded through ball found the feet of Chris Cevinini but his shot rolling wide of the post.

As the game passed into the middle third, the Rosellas found themselves planted into Unanderra’s half. A poor clearance from the Unanderra backline fell for Nick Morgan on the edge of the box, only to blast it over the crossbar. Just minutes later, Cevinini held the ball at his feet before turning and sending Martin through on goal. The cover defence for the Hearts was enough to put the winger off as he put his shot wide.

The last chance of the half fell for the Hearts off a dead ball between the 18-yard box and left sideline. Andrew Nanos sent a looping cross towards the back post but it was to Michael Potter’s surprise that his shot bounced wide of the goal.

Both teams going into the break even with neither side posing any trouble for the goalkeepers.

The second half started with more intensity than the first. Unanderra had a couple of half chances to start the the next 45. Firstly, a Nanos long ball out from the backline floated over the Bellambi defence. Bouncing just after the centre circle, Nathan Pulgic got to the ball first before touching it onto his left foot. Thankfully for the Rosellas, Pulgic was called back for offside. The next chance again came from a surging Pulgic run forward, this time putting pressure on Campbell after a poor touch on the ball, but the number one clearing it to safety.

After an even 15 minutes to start the second half, Bellambi had the chance to grab the lead. Jason Murdzevski brought down Cevinini just inside the box and there was no hesitation from referee, John Ruscica as he pointed to the spot. Andy Keep stepped up to take but goalkeeper, Jordan Timpano was deemed the hero as he dove to his left to save the shot. The follow-up from Keep sailing over the bar. An important save that kept Unanderra in the game.

However, Bellambi wouldn’t be too disappointed over the missed penalty as they scored the first of the day just six minutes later. A weaving run through the midfield from Matt Paslack gave him the chance to pass to an open Cevinini on the edge of the box. The strikers first time shot dipping and curling into the top left corner, giving the Rosellas the lead.

Unanderra then started to find their feet after the goal and almost equalised almost straight away. Dom Magill found Cole open on the right wing where he sent a bullet cross to find Pulgic. The rush of Campbell was enough for the goalkeeper as he blocked the shot.

Although just like Bellambi, the Hearts levelled it just minutes later. A switch in positions saw fullback David Dolidoro slot into the midfield. A smart move for the visitors as he immediately made an impact. Beating a couple of defenders to the ball, Dolidoro sent a perfectly waited through ball over the top for Pulgic. The striker only needed one touch as he chipped an onrushing Campbell as the ball bounced into the net. A goal against the run of play that helped Unanderra back in the game.

But to the Hearts’ despair, Bellambi pushed forward and continued an onslaught of attack. Within the dying stages, the Rosellas won corner after corner. Firstly, a corner whipped in by Keep pin-balled around the box before an O’Brien header skimmed the crossbar. The next corner, a header from Paslack was headed off the line from Nanos. But off the following corner, Bellambi would get the killer blow. A scramble in the box finished with a slight touch towards goal from O’Brien as it just crossed the line and was awarded a goal. A massive celebration for the Rosellas and a frustrated reaction from the Hearts.

Bellambi running out 2-1 winners in the end as they close the gap on competition leaders Coniston after their 2-1 loss to Warilla. A determined effort for basement battlers Unanderra but falling just short of jumping University who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Thirroul.

Bellambi will travel to Balgownie next week looking to keep the pressure on Coniston. The Rangers are coming off a 4-2 win over Shell Cove. Whereas for Unanderra, their season is on the line as they host Helensburgh next week with the Thistle leaving it late to beat Berkeley 3-1 in round 19.

 

Saturday 4^th August at Elizabeth Park

Bellambi Rosellas FC: 2 (CEVININI 64’, O’BRIEN 93’)

Unanderra Hearts FC: 1 (PULGIC 71’)

 

Line-ups:

Bellambi Rosellas FC: Nathan CAMPBELL, Sean POULTON, Grant ZANNI, Michael ROGERSON, Matt WALLACE, Nick MORGAN, Matt PASLACK, Tim O’BRIEN, Scott MARTIN, Chris CEVININI, Andy KEEP.

Subs: Ryu AMINAKA (PASLACK 80’), Christian ARMOUR (MARTIN 87’), Tom CAVILL, Jack DUGGAN.

 

Unanderra Hearts FC: Jordan TIMPANO, Andrew NANOS, David DOLIDORO, Ben SALLABANK, Jason MURDZEVSKI, Stephen JOVANOSKI, Michael POTTER, Joe YOUSSIFF, Dom MAGILL, Nathan PULGIC, Tim COLE.

Subs: Lachlan OSBOURNE, Luke BUSSOLETTI, Paul BURLEIGH (YOUSSIFF 86’), Daniel SAVARINO, Nick PURDEVSKI.

 

Referee: J. RUSCICA

Assistant Referees: T. ARNOLD and T. JAMES.

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_
File Photo: Noel Wynn