Cringila Lions fought hard to battle out points against second placed Wollongong United at Crehan Park on Sunday afternoon. The hosts were good value against United in an exciting 1-1 draw, coming back from 1-0 to level the game and claim a point.

Both sides looked to attack from the outset with the closest opportunity carved out by United’s Zac McLaren whose mazy run looked to create a golden chance however a last gasp tackle saw the ball taken away from him just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Hikaru Kawasakiya and McLaren worked well together in attack, combining well and bringing playmaker Shane Murray into the game. Murray was able to whip in a number of crosses into the Cringila box and some good defending kept United frustrated.

Just on the half hour mark, Wollongong United almost got the breakthrough. McLaren controlled the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and sent a well-placed shot towards the inside of the left post however Nikola Ristevski pulled off a crucial diving save to deny the youngster.

Moments later and down the other end, Takao Teramoto got on the end of a stray back pass and nearly found the goal as he lofted the ball past Nastic only to be denied by a goal line clearance.

Wollongong United looked to turn the screws in the second half as they created further opportunities. On 55 minutes, Mathew McNab’s powerful long-range effort off a quick counter attack followed by another McLaren chance drew top draw saves from Ristevski who was having determined to keep United out.

Midway through the second half, Wollongong United got their breakthrough and perhaps on the face of it, deservedly so. Aidan Breslin was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area and United were awarded a penalty which the reliable Murray managed to convert. Finally, Ristevski was beaten albeit from the penalty spot and just like that, Wollongong United were ahead.

Just as the game looked to be slipping away, Cringila drew level on 78 minutes through an Alexandar Prentoski free kick from just outside the box. Prentoski sent a rocket past the three-man wall and past the outstretched hands of Nastic to send the home fans into raptures.

Moments later, Murray attempted a similar free kick but Man of the Match Ristevski again managed to deny his former club.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Todd Sparks had a chance to win it for Cringila as he found Nastic lurking off his line and his shot from distance went agonisingly close as the game ended all square.

Cringila look to have a renewed sense of hope with new coach Stuart Beedie taking control recently as they look to get themselves off the foot of the table where they have effecfively sat through the first half of the season. For United, they will see this as two points dropped as they look to make a charge for top spot with both clubs having colossal matchups next week.

Cringila host South Coast United in a match that will determine who finishes bottom after the first half of the season whilst Wollongong United battle an inform Wollongong Olympic side who is currently top of the league.

 

Sunday 26^th May 2019 @Crehan Park, Cringila

Cringila Lions FC -1 (PRENTOSKI 78’)

Wollongong United – 1 (MURRAY 68’)

Cringila Lions FC- Nikola RISTEVSKI, Alexandar PRENTOSKI, Aidan BRESLIN, James RALSTON, Anthony ROMEO, Alexander BRBEVSKI, Takao TERAMOTO, Ibrahim SESAY, Alex MOJSOSKI, Todd SPARKS, Ryoga UEMOTO. Subs- Jonathan LIDDLE, Steven UGRINOVSKI, Rory BILLINGTON, Alex S.

Wollongong United- Sam NASTIC, Matt GORDON, Hikaru KAWASAKIYA, Jake LEIGHTON, Zac MCLAREN, Mathew MCNAB, Shane MURRAY, James O’ROURKE, Billy TSOVOLOS, Kane WRIGHT, Naoki OGAWA, David ILIC, Stevan ILIC, Ben BROOKS, Michael GIRALDI, Zak BEDELOVSKI.

Referee- Nick RYAN

Assistant Referees- Brodie MERCHANT, Harrison FISCHER

Report by Tim Dixon, on Twitter @Tim_Dixon_

Photo courtesy of Dana Guthrie