An early season titanic clash between Corrimal Rangers and Wollongong Olympic resulted in a Rangers securing a 1-0 victory in round 4 of Illawarra Premier league at Memorial park on Sunday afternoon.

Corrimal instantly put Olympic on the back foot right from the kick-off, when inside the first minute, Corrimal looked to threaten their opposition goal.

Corrimal pressed high on Olympic’s defence in the opening 10 minutes of the half which seemed to unsettle the visitors. It wasn't long before Van Elia went on one of his trademark dribbles from out wide and into the box but just took a heavy touch enabling Hayden Durose to make a sliding save.

In the 20^th minute Olympic had their first decent attempt on goal which came from a free kick that saw Saito's effort sail towards the top left corner of the post however a fingertip save by Nicholas Loe saw danger averted.

Olympic thought they had the lead in the 29^th minute, after a terrific effort initiated by Matt Floro’s through ball to Yusuke Ueda however the stiker was adjudged offside and his effort did not stand. Corrimal startled and fortunate had a goal themselves stratched out only moments later for off side as tension mounted.

Corrimal's high line saw Olympic regularly ruled offside as they just couldn't find the right runs.

The last attacking play in the first half saw Floro win a turnover deep in Corrimal's half however his low shot was well saved by Loe.

Credit to both teams as they looked to find a winner. Both teams came out with an increased intensity in the second half and Corrimal had the opening chance when inside the first five minutes, a wonderful cross from Tomeki Wada saw a number of players contest the ball however sadly for Corrimal, the ball just went over the bar. 

At the other end, Floro was tormenting the Corrimal defence and his free kick somehow managed to get therough the wall however the ball just did not have the pace on it to beat Loe who scrambled across to make the save. 

Corrimal's peskiness finally paid off when in the 63^rd Elia twisted and turned his defender and managed to send the ball past Durose from just inside the box. Corrimal now had the lead however Olympic were not done just yet.

Eager to equalise, Olympic created numerous chances throughout the remainder of the game with multiple opportunities particularly to last season's golden boot Ueda who just was not hitting the mark. He was unlucky not to get a foot or head to the ball in front of the goal late in the game but that just about summed up Olympic's afternoon.

Corrimal’s defence held off Olympic in the dying minutes of the game although substitute Jamie Wakeling's jaw dropping half volley, forced Loe to pull off a vital match winning save.

Olympic can consider themselves unfortunate not to get anything from this game particularly given their domination of the second period however Corrimal claimed a huge three points.

Both teams start favouries next week as Corrimal back up against Coniston whilst Olympic host Woonona.

 

Sunday 14^th April 2019 @Memorial Park, Corrimal

Corrimal Rangers - 1 (ELIA 63’)

Wollongong Olympic - 0

Corrimal Rangers - Nic LOE , Ben ZUCCO, Jason ZUFIC, Alvin CECCOLI, Banri KANAIZUMI, Matt GALANTI, Lucas STERGIOU, Tomoki WADA, Sam MATHEWS, Van ELIA, Tim WYLIE – Subs – Dean PENDER

Wollongong Olympic - Hayden DUROSE, Kojiro HORI, Mark EVERY, Jack KEATING, Ikumi SAITO, Peter PRANDALOS, Brendan FORDHAM, Vaughan PATTERSON, Julian MINUTILLO, Yusuke UEDA, Matt FLORO -Subs- Luke FOSTER, Ekoue D’ALEMEDiA, John MARTINOSKI, Damian BEDWELL

Report by Tim Dixon, on Twitter @tim_dixon_