Ian McLennan Park saw its first Illawarra Premier League action in nearly a year on Saturday night with South Coast United and Fernhill playing out a two-all draw in howling wind.

The conditions were in South Coast’s favour in the opening half and they nearly took advantage inside the opening 10 minutes forcing Foxes goalkeeper Bryce Deanell into a parrying save before the ball was cleared by his defence.

Fernhill’s first chance came in the 20th minute when Kurt Foulger’s shot from the back post was pushed away by Jason Bleakley only for Foxes captain Dean Morosin to have a shot which went inches wide of the right post.

The home side took the lead in the 27th minute with Josh Messinis driving the ball into the crowded area for captain Greg Valic to deflect past Deanell.

South Coast doubled their advantage with three minutes left in the half when Messinis’ low crowd found Cameron Hanson who placed the ball to the right of the goalkeeper.

The visitors were able to pull a goal back right on half time when substitute Blake Freidrich sent a well-placed cross to the feed of Alex Rooke who managed to dip the ball just out of Bleakley’s reach leaving the at 2-1 at the break.

The windy conditions intensified in the season half with United’s punted clearances struggling to make it over the halfway line.

Rooke created numerous chances in the second half including a curling effort which forced Bleakley into a vital save. The young striker was on hand for Fernhill’s equaliser in the 84th minute when the United goalkeeper fumbled the ball to Rooke’s feet for him to scrape into the back of the net.

Fernhill nearly stole all three points in the dying embers of the match when Rooke picked out Friedrich in the box who sent his close-range header just wide of the goal.

Foxes coach Bruce Tilt believed his side did enough to get the win but was content given the tough playing conditions.

“We probably should have snatched the win,” Tilt said.

“We had a lot of good chances but I am happy with 2-2 I suppose given the conditions and wind gusting around like it did.”

“I was very impressed with the ability of both teams to play football and keep the ball on the deck.”

The points were the first for each side after first round defeats and next weekend Fernhill host Tarrawanna while United visit Premier League champions Bulli.

Click here to listen to the full post-match interviews.

Saturday 30th March 2019 @ Ian Mclennan Park, Kembla Grange

South Coast United – 2 (Greg VALIC 27’, HANSON 42’)

Fernhill FC – 2 (ROOKE 44’ 84’)

South Coast United – Jason BLEAKLEY, Dylan MENA, Chris VALIC, Greg VALIC, Josh MESSINIS, Zac HAWKER, Chris SMITH, Ricky BERTAKIS, Josh HAWKER, Cameron HANSON, Byung-Kuk CHO

Substitutes - Mate NIMAC, Tommy SKARA, Anton BATUR, Kieren BRODNIK, David VALIC

Fernhill FC – Bryce DAENELL, Rhys WILSON, Robert WATSON, Kurt FOULGER, Thomas POTTS, Elias AYOUB, Dean MOROSON, Alexander ROOKE, Adam BUSSUNI, Jack LOMBO, Jordan HUGHES

Substitutes - Ben RIACH, James KERR, Liam CHILTON, Alex JOSIPOVIC, Blake FRIEDRICH

Referee - Nick RYAN

Report by Tim Dixon, on Twitter @Tim_Dixon_

Photo by Denis Ivaneza - Inner Visions Photography

The image remains the copyright of Inner Visions Photography and may only be reproduced with prior permission for publication purposes.