Helensburgh have left it late to steal a point over Unanderra as the teams wrestled out a physical contest in this round 13 clash of the PeopleCare District League at Unanderra Oval. The hosts took the lead right on the hour-mark through Nathan Puljic before Jarrod Benham stepped up in the 87^th minute to level the scores with an inch-perfect free-kick.

The reverse-fixture between the sides saw Unanderra leave as 2-0 winners at Rex Jackson Oval. Both sides were going into the match off of wins as Unanderra beat Berkeley 2-1 and the Thistle smashed Shell Cove 10-0 at home.

Helensburgh almost got out to a flying start with a lucky deflection off an Eamon Van Zyl cross falling to District League leading goal-scorer Addison Grinham on the penalty spot. A scuffed shot however allowed Unanderra goalkeeper, Jake de Jesus to save it onto the post and out for a corner. An early let-off for the Hearts as the Thistle looked to dominate early.

This would be the only action inside the opening half-hour as tempers started to flare for both sides as they looked to continue their surge into finals football. The next chance fell to Helensburgh when a blocked shot from Grinham set up the volley for Brad Watts. But thankfully for the Hearts de Jesus saved.

The hosts had a couple of chances of their own following the close call as Mark Picciolini was looking dangerous in Helensburgh’s half. His touch and shot on the turn in the 32^nd minute could only rise over the bar. Then just a minute later, Luke Picciolini’s cross found the head of Nathan Puljic but the winger couldn’t aim his header on target as it went wide.

It was Helensburgh coming closest again as a surging run from the midfield by Yu Ito saw him break through on goal. After rounding de Jesus, his shot was blocked off the line by a determined Matt Cuda to keep the scores level heading into the break.

That was all the action in the first 45-minutes as the teams couldn’t be separated.

The second-half started with a lot more intent from both sides as they looked to break the dead-lock. Helensburgh came closest again inside the first three minutes with a deep free-kick from Van Zyl forcing de Jesus to come out and save. However, with the goalkeeper unable to hang onto the ball, it fell perfect at the feet Ben Watts who then delivered a cross back into the centre to Ryan Grima. The defender was caught off-guard as he side-footed his shot over.

M. Piccioilini was continuing to look a threat for the Thistle defence as he ran onto a long ball from de Jesus. Getting the better of his defender, the striker went through one-on-one but failed to generate enough power behind the shot as it rolled into the arms of Josh Williams.

Two minutes after this, Brad Watts weaved his way through the entire Hearts midfield as he used his pace to slip through on goal. With the ball looking destined for the bottom right, de Jesus pulled off an amazing reflex save off his boot to force the ball out for a corner.

Having almost conceded at the other end, the Hearts would have de Jesus to thank as they grabbed the first goal of the game in the 61^st minute. After Dom Magill dispossessed the ball off the Helensburgh midfield, he ran up the right flank before delivering a curling cross onto the six-yard box. The contest between Williams and Christian Plakias fell in the Hearts favour as it pin-balled off both players and fell to Puljic for an easy tap in at the back post. Giving the Hearts the lead and sending the fans into celebrations.

Unanderra weren’t settled for the one-goal cushion as they pushed for another just a minute after the restart, in which they almost got. Some slick dribbling from M. Picciolini on the edge of the box helped him drive onto goal. But an unbalanced shot rolled straight to Williams for a comfortable save.

The game turned into a see-saw battle as both sides continued to look good in attack but patchy in defence. The final 20 minutes saw Helensburgh provide constant pressure as coach, Brad Boardman opted the three at the back tactic to have more chances on goal.

This tactic almost paid off straight away too, when a neat flick-on from Van Zyl sent Brad Watts through on goal yet again. The winger was in the exact same position as before and posed a similar result as he sliced his shot wide, allowing Unanderra to rest-easy for the time-being.

With 10 minutes to play, Unanderra weren’t satisfied with the one-goal advantage and were inches away from going two-up when M. Picciolini ran onto a dinked through ball from Plakias. The striker also trying the dink but didn’t dip down in time as it landed on the roof of the net.

But the pressure seemed to pay off for the visitors when they were awarded a free-kick in a very dangerous position after a handball in the 87^th minute. With Van Zyl and Jarrod Benham standing over the ball, a fake run from Van Zyl may have second-guessed de Jesus as Benham stood up to take and curl it into the far right corner, equalising the game with just minutes to play.

But just when everyone thought the game was over, Unanderra were allowed one final attack in the 91^st minute after Plakias won the ball back in the midfield. His perfectly-waited through ball found the run of Magill straight on goal and with all the time in the world. However, a last-ditch clutch stop from Williams denied the midfielders shot to save the Thistle in the dying stages.

After 90 minutes, a goal apiece was probably the fairest on the day as both teams went home with a point.

The draw today now sees Unanderra stay in fourth spot but possibly only five in front of University should the students beat Kiama on Sunday. They host Warilla next week who are coming off a nil-all draw with Shell Cove.

For Helensburgh, their 2-point buffer over Oak Flats has been closed following the Falcons 1-0 victory over Balgownie. The Thistle are still ahead on goal-difference and will be looking to move back above them when they face Picton at home next Saturday.

 

Saturday 15 June at Unanderra Oval

Unanderra Hearts: 1 (PULJIC 61’)

Helensburgh Thistle FC: 1 (BENHAM 87’)

 

Line-Ups:

Unanderra Hearts: Jake DE JESUS, Ben SALLABANK, Matt CUDA, Michael POTTER, David POLIDORO, Christian PLAKIAS, Nathan PULJIC, Dom MAGILL, Stephen DRAPER, Mark PICCIOLINI, Luke PICCIOLINI.

Subs: Luke BUSSOLETTI (L. PICCIOLINI 79’), Chris MURDZEVSKI, Jason DIMOVSKI, Damian JORGE, Jordan TIMPANO.

 

Helensburgh Thistle FC: Josh WILLIAMS, Ryan GRIMA, Jarrad BENHAM, Ryan HOPE, Hayato KAME, Shota KIHARA, Luke VAN ZYL, Yu ITO, Addison GRINHAM, Brad WATTS, Ben WATTS.

Subs: Kaoe KINSELLA, Josh BRADY (GRINHAM 73’), Eamon VAN ZYL (KIHARA 41’), Aaron DARK, Matt WARDLE.

 

Referee: Jay WALPOLE

Assistant Referees: Anna PHIPPS and Rob SINDEVSKI

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn