Wollongong United produced perhaps the most convincing performance of the season in beating Port Kembla 4-1 in the Elimination Final at JJ Kelly Park. United led by three within the opening quarter of an hour and the 2017 Grand Final winners weren’t able to mount a comeback despite having the better of possession in the second period of play.

 

The match was won and lost in the first 15 minutes with United finding the back of the next on two occasions while getting the ball just over the line to score their third goal. The warning signs were there from the off for Port with Sam Munro and Matthew McNab having efforts on goal in the opening five minutes.

 

The first goal would come in the fifth minute when a pinballing ball fell for Nathan Elasi who slotted it home from close range. The second goal came six minutes later in slightly fortuitous circumstances - the ball was played across the edge of the box, Munro airswung before the it rolled to McNab who snapped his shot into the bottom left corner.

 

United had their third in the 15th minute via a corner kick. The ball was lofted into the crowded area and Mark Every rose above the pack to thump a header against the underside of the crossbar before going over the line. The horror start led to Port coach Noel Spencer making an early offensive swap with Cameron Morgan coming on for Brooklyn Frkovic.

 

Port were better in the final half an hour of the first half but despite getting further up the pitch they weren’t able to muster a decent shot on goal leaving United three goals to the good at the break.

 

United had a couple of good chances in the opening period of the second half, first through Daisuke Yuzawa who had his one on one shot blocked by Brad Jardine and then Munro had a strike from just inside the box which was caught by the Port goalkeeper.

 

It would take a free kick on the hour mark for Port to have their first significant opportunity. Fabian Iacovelli’s set piece from the right wing found Kyle Senior who appeared to chest the ball towards the bottom right corner but Sam Nastic was able to scramble it out for a corner.

 

Port would have another two efforts on goal soon after with Makoto Ishihara getting on the end of an Iacovelli cross only for the header to be deflected wide before Morgan’s free kick from 30 metres out curled over the top left corner.

 

United had a chance to put the game to bed in the 80th minute when Elasi’s header was spilled by Jardine but McNab wasn’t able to bundle home the scraps. Four minutes later, Port gave themselves a puncher’s chance when Ishihara pulled a goal back after his initial shot ricocheted off a United defender, back onto him and into the bottom left corner from six-yards out.

 

The comeback would be short-lived with Elasi netting his second of the match in the 87th minute. The former Sutherland Shark dropped the left shoulder on the edge of the 18-yard box, leaving two defenders on the ground before tucking the ball inside the right post. This cool piece of play sealed a strong 4-1 win.

 

United will now take on the Albion Park White Eagles who were beaten 3-1 by Wollongong Olympic in the Qualifying Final. After the match, United coach Jeff Allport explained how the manner of the win could kick-start a solid showing in September while also highlighting the performance of his front three - especially Elasi.

 

“We got the goals [early] and that lifted everyone’s confidence,” Allport said.

 

“We are really looking forward to [next weekend] and they are already talking [about it] in the shed."

 

“Nathan [Elasi] today was outstanding, his work rate was sensational so if we can get that over the next few weeks we’re going to go alright.”

 

As for Port, the defeat sees their title defence come to an end and Spencer admitted his side we never in the match.

 

“We were outplayed in every facet of the game, simple as that. Enthusiasm, desire, attitude, application - the whole lot,” Spencer said.

 

The match was also Spencer’s last in charge of Port with the two parties opting to go their separate ways. Spencer led the club to a miraculous Grand Final win last season and finished with a win ratio of 50 percent.

 

“I've had two enjoyable years here and fortunately it's my choice to move on. I can't take the club to where I want to take it. I wish them all the best, they've been great,” Spencer said.

 

Sunday 2 September 2018 @ JJ Kelly Park

 

Wollongong United - 4 (ELASI 5’ 87’, MCNAB 11’, EVERY 15’)

 

Port Kembla - 1 (ISHIHARA 84’)

 

Wollongong United - Sam NASTIC, Matthew BRENNAN, Ben BROOKS, Nathan ELASI, Mark EVERY, Kazuto KUSHIDA, Matthew MCNAB, Hayden MORTON, Daisuke YUZAWA, Jake LEIGHTON

 

Subs - Kenta AZECHI (on for YUZAWA), Jackson BROOKS, Zac MCLAREN, Cody WALLER, Ben WUNSCH

 

Coach - Jeff ALLPORT

 

Port Kembla - Brad JARDINE, Brooklyn FRKOVIC, Nobi MOCHIZUKI, Kyle SENIOR, Carlo STELLA, Jason PEREZ, Fabian IACOVELLI, Ben ZUCCO, Sandy LOWCOCK, Joey LAVALLE, Makoto ISHIHARA

 

Subs - Nathan BELSITO, William MOBBS, Naruyuki KATO (on for LOWCOCK), Cameron MORGAN (on for FRKOVIC), Daniel FARINA

 

Coach - Noel SPENCER

 

Referee - Bobby MAZEVSKI

 

Assistant Referees - Liam WEBB, Caleb BLANCH, Greg REID (Fourth Official)

 

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

 

Photo by Dana Guthrie