South Coast United were taking some inspiration from their 1-0 win in their corresponding fixture last season however they knew they had their work cut out for them as they came into this match with several first team players unavailable and a Wollongong United side finally hitting some form.

As anticipated, Wollongong United began the game hard and fast, creating numerous chances from the outset. Courageously, South Coast withstood immense pressure as the experience of Mate Nimac and the class of former South Korean international, Byungkuk Cho, shone in defence, consolidated by Jason Bleakley who showed his quality in goals making multiple reflex saves.

It was Bleakley’s double save in the 44^th minute that kept the scores level at the break after a half that Wollongong United dominated in possession and goal-scoring chances.

After soaking up pressure in the first Half, South Coast came out of the sheds looking to score and created multiple goal-scoring chances on the counter but lacked the quality in the final third to capitalise.

However, this more attacking mindset from South Coast combined with fatigue, presented more opportunities to Wollongong United, mostly through Naoki Ogawa.

Ogawa wove his way down the left-wing on multiple occasions but limited his sides goal-scoring chances due to his tendency to hold onto the ball; often shooting rather than playing his teammates into space.

Ogawa’s wasted opportunities lifted the confidence of South Coast as the game entered a tense final 15 minutes, but just as South Coast looked to ascend into command, Wollongong United were awarded a penalty in the 78^th minute. Matt McNab stepped up, scoring a textbook perfect penalty into the side netting of the bottom left corner, giving an outstretched Bleakley little chance of saving it.

With little time remaining, South Coast threw everything forward in the search for an equaliser. This included bringing on 17-year-old Brenton McGee for his First Grade debut, but it was fellow youngster Josh Hawker that came closest to levelling.

It was in the 86^th minute that Hawker’s superb individual run culminated in a shot that scraped the near post, that prompted a sigh of relief from the Wollongong United faithful.

In the 89^th minute though, Wollongong United wrapped up the points as Maty Brennan calmly placed the ball into the back of the net, capping off a quick and precise counter-attack.

Despite leaving the goal-scoring until late in the game, Wollongong United will be satisfied with a well-earned 3 points.

South Coast, on the other hand, will be disappointed not to come away with at least a draw, in a game which they played so valiantly.

 

20^th April @ Macedonia Park

Wollongong United 2 (McNab 78’, Brennan 89’)

South Coast United 0

Wollongong United – Sam NASTIC, Ben BROOKS, Matt GORDON, Kane WRIGHT, Kawasakiya HIKARU, Jake LEIGHTON, Zac MACLAREN, James O’ROURKE, Billy TSOVOLOS, Naoki OGAWA, Nathan JAGLEMAN.

Substitutes – Maty BRENNAN (on for Maclaren), Matt MCNAB (on for Jagleman), Stevan ILIC, Mohamad KARDOLI, Zack BEDELOVSKI

South Coast United – Jason BLEAKLEY, Dylan MENA, Greg VALIC, Mate NIMAC, Josh MESSINIS, Zac HAWKER, Callum RUSSELL, Josh HAWKER, Anton BATUR, Cameron HANSON, Byungkuk CHO.

Substitutes – Brody MURRELL (on for Messinis) Mark VIDAIC (on for Nimac), Nicholas WILSON, Brenton MCGEE (on for Mena), Kristian KARAMATIC.

Referee – Brodie MERCHANT

Assistants – Blake HERBETT, Sebastian BLAKE

Report by Nic Wilson, on Twitter @_nicwilson

Photo by Richie Wagner