Albion Park White Eagles recovered from an ordinary opening round defeat and being knocked out of the FFA Cup midweek to record a stoic 2-1 win over Wollongong United at Terry Reserve. Robbie Delbanco scored twice on a solemn afternoon for the White Eagles with head coach Paul Carter returning to the sideline after the recent passing of his father Robert.

The hosts had a couple of sprays at goal inside the opening few minutes and they were awarded a fantastic chance to open the scoring when Ben Brooks brought Joel Beattie down in the box. Cameron Morgan was the man to step up but the Fraternity Club Cup scored hooked his shot to the left of Sam Nastic’s goal.

United won a penalty of their own in the 25th minute with Naomichi Araki fouling countryman and former White Eagle Hikaru Kawasikiya just inside the box. Shane Murray made no mistake in dispatching his effort to Jacob Hufton’s left. 

The lead lasted less than a minute with Albion Park equalising through Delbanco. Chris Nathaniel made an overlapping run down to left wing before crossing the ball in for the midfielder who was jogging on the spot to slot home.

The White Eagles could have went into the sheds with the advantage when Fukushige was played through on goal but the retreating defender was able to pressure the winger into a tumbling strike which was comfortably stopped by Nastic.

Early in the second half the home side had another good chance with Beattie’s shot from a tight angle blocked by Nastic before Araki’s follow up was deflected wide. United had a half chance soon after when Brooks towered above his marker on a corner but couldn’t direct his header on target.

The second came for Albion Park in the 68th minute when Morgan slipped Beattie into the right of the area where his cross-come-shot tumbled across the six-yard box for Delbanco to blast home once again.

Wollongong United showed more urgency in the final 20 minutes, however, apart from set pieces they rarely tested Hufton who was making his starting debut for the White Eagles.

After the match, an understandably emotional Carter praised his side who he believes are close to getting their season back on track after a difficult week on the park as well as off it.

“They were brilliant, I am so proud of them today,” Carter said.

“For me personally, it’s been the toughest six or seven weeks of my life and the last week has just been enormous pressure but the players stood up today and they deserved the win after a professional performance.”

“I am more than happy with this squad, I believe we can do some damage, I believe in these players and we will turn up [next Sunday] against [Wollongong Olympic] the competition favourites, the big spenders, but we will be there to have a real go.”

Albion Park are now level on points with Wollongong United. Icko Atanasoski’s side are also in action next Sunday away to Corrimal.

Sunday 31 March 2019 @ Terry Reserve, Albion Park

Albion Park White Eagles - 2 (DELBANCO 27’ 68’)

Wollongong United - 1 (MURRAY 26’ PEN)

Albion Park White Eagles - Jacob HUFTON, Blake MCGINN, Chris NATHANIEL, Shannon FIELDING, Luke DEBROT, Robbie DELBANCO, Ethan KAMBISIOS, Naomichi ARAKI, Joel BEATTIE, Cameron MORGAN, Eiki FUKUSHIGE

Substitutes - Valentino MERXHUSHI (on for FUKUSHIGE), Shaun MCRAE (on for MORGAN), Chris GOMEZ, Bojan CARIC, Yuki UNO

Wollongong United - Sam NASTIC, Maty BRENNAN, Ben BROOKS, James O’ROURKE, Billy TSOVOLOS, Zan MACLAREN, Shane MURRAY, Naoki OGAWA, Hikaru KAWASAKIYA, Zac NICHOLAS, Matt GORDON

Substitutes - Mo KARDOLI (on for OGAWA), Jake LEIGHTON (on for BROOKS), Charbel HADDAD (on for O’ROURKE), Jake BAILEY, Zak BEDELEVSKI

Referee - Steven BOZIC

Assistant Referees - Caleb BLANCH, Lachlan MCRAE

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

Photo by Kiah Hufton