Helensburgh ended Oak Flats perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win at Rex Jackson Park. Jamie Stevenson put the visitors ahead with a well-placed penalty before Luke van Zyl also converted from the spot. Luke van Zyl scored his second in the dying embers of the game with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

The first chance of the game fell the way of Oak Flats in the 9th minute as Daniel Munilla put in a right-footed delivery from the left-hand side which narrowly missed a teammate at the back post. Munilla was involved again on the left-hand side five minutes later this time cutting inside and firing a shot which curled around the far post.

On the half-hour mark, Oak Flats were awarded a freekick in a dangerous position. Jamie Stevenson stepped and forced Josh Williams into tipping the ball onto the crossbar and out for a corner. Three minutes later, Helensburgh also hit the crossbar when Addison Grinham made a run to the near post and flicked the ball causing it to skim across the woodwork. Helensburgh’s pressure continued a couple of minutes later as Brad Watts made a lung-bursting run down the left-hand side. He made it all the way to the by-line, but Scott Fagerlund was aware of the attempted cut-back, turning it behind for a corner.

In the 38th minute, Oak Flats’ Munilla threatened once more, again attempting to curl a shot into the nett but this time the ball went well over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Oak Flats were awarded a penalty. Jamie Stevenson stepped up and leathered the ball past Josh Williams to send Oak Flats into a halftime lead.

Oak Flats had dominated the first half for large parts and had created plenty of chances. Helensburgh needed to respond in the second half if they were to get anything from this game.

Helensburgh came out of the traps quickly and this resulted in a chance in the 53d minute for Brad Watts who found himself one-on-one with Fagerlund. He rounded the keeper but facing an open goal he was unable to convert smashing his effort off the post. Five minutes later, Oak Flats had an opportunity as Josh Eagleton tried a strike from range but didn’t trouble Williams.

In the 75th minute, Helensburgh were awarded a penalty of their own. Luke van Zyl confidently stroked the ball into the net, sending the keeper the wrong way. Helensburgh had momentum with them and looked like they were going to find a winner.

With two minutes to play, Helensburgh were given a freekick in a very dangerous position. Luke van Zyl stood over the ball but his shot failed to hit the target. It looked like Helensburgh were going to have to settle for a point however, they were awarded another freekick, a bit further out this time. The ball was whipped into the area and dropped to van Zyl who calmly passed the ball into the far corner with a left-footed strike to win the points for the Thistle.

Oak Flats failed to back up their positive first-half performance and let Helensburgh back into the game. Luke van Zyl lead from the front with a brace as captain. Brad Boardman had positive words for his skipper saying ‘he’s instrumental, he’s been a standout for us the last few years. This year he’s come out his shell…… he’s going from strength to strength.’

Helensburgh face-up to Warilla at King Mickey Park in their next league match. Boardman said when speaking about Warilla ‘I’m sure they’ll come out a lot tougher in the actual comp’, referring to Helensburgh’s 3-0 win over the Wanderers in the Fraternity Club Cup. Helensburgh will have to avoid complacency despite Warilla’s unconvincing start to the season and previous results between the sides.

Oak Flats will be disappointed not to have continued their hundred per cent record especially considering they were half-way there. The Falcons have a difficult task ahead of them as they will play host to title favourites Bellambi next week. The Rosellas have conceded just one goal in the opening five rounds and most recently dismantled Kiama 11-0.

 

Friday 19 April 2019 at Rex Jackson Park, Helensburgh

Helensburgh Thistle - 2 (van Zyl 75’, 90+1’)

Oak Flats - 1 (Stevenson 44’)

 

Helensburgh Thistle: Josh WILLIAMS, Ryan GRIMA, Jarrod BENHAM, Ryan HOPE, Dale EDMUNDS, Kade KINSELLA, Luke VAN ZYL, Shota KIHIRA, Addison GRINHAM, Brad WATTS, Cody CUTHBERTSON

Substitutes: Yu ITO (KINSELLA), Eamon VAN ZYL, Ben WATTS, Matt WARDLE

 

Oak Flats Falcons: Scott Fagerlund, Alan WARBURTON, Justin POTTER, Jamie STEVENSON, Lee GILROY, Christian CAPPETTA, Jarryd VINTON, Hayato SADAMORI, Josh EAGLETON, Daniel MUNILLA, Paul RYRIE

Substitutes: John TILDEN, Michael MACGRAW, Vince CAPPETTA, Chris JARMAN

 

Referee - Reece EDWARDS

Assistant Referees - Annaliese PHIPPS and Gareth JENKINS

Report and photo by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_