Wollongong United solidified their spot in the top 4 of the Illawarra Premier League with a 1-0 win over Cringila Lions at Macedonia Park. An 83rd minute winner from Naoki Ogawa ensured that the host took home the 3 points and bragging rights in the Macedonian Derby. Cringila remain in 11th spot and only 2 points ahead of Fernhill in the relegation battle, which will continue into the final round of the season.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, United and Cringila shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Crehan park.

It was an uneventful beginning to the match, with Ryoga Uemoto creating the best chance for Cringila in the 13th minute, when he was able to turn on the edge of the box and shoot towards goal. The shot destined for the bottom-right corner was saved by Blake Coad.

United created a chance of their own in the 24th minute after a long-range effort collided off the crossbar and into the path of Maty Brennan, but the shot was blocked by a last-ditch effort from the Cringila defence.

As the half grew older, United looked more likely to score. In the 31st minute, Hikaru Kawasakiya had a shout for a penalty waved away after he believed that he was fouled in the box.

United created the best chance of the half in the 45th minute after Kawasakiya, Zac Mclaren and Michael Mendes combined inside the penalty box, before a strike from Kawasakiya was brilliantly saved by Nikola Ristevski.

Cringila very nearly took the lead in the 47th minute, after Aleksandar Prentoski struck a free-kick which was destined for the top left corner, but Coad produced a brilliant save to deny the Lions.

Mclaren was able to create a chance for United in the 49th minute, when he was able to unleash a shot from outside the box, but Ristevski was up to task and brilliantly saved the shot.

Ristevski produced a brilliant performance, and at times kept Cringila in the game.

Cringila’s defence held firm after an onslaught from United, and dealt with the barrage of attacks that continued to follow.

After dealing with the major threats at hand, Cringila seemed to be in the ascendency for a short period of time. Despite this, the Lions were only able to create half-chances and were no real threat to the United goal.

Matthew McNab looked to make an impact off the bench, and looked lively for the hosts. In the 74th minute, McNab was able to unleash a dangerous free-kick into the path of Ristevski. Ristevski parried the ball into the path of oncoming attackers, but the rebound shot that followed sailed over the bar.

United finally found a winner in the 83rd minute through Ogawa. Substitute Anthony Krsteski was able to cross the ball from the right wing into the path of Ogawa, and the Japanese midfielder made no mistake in finishing the ball into the back of the net.

For the final 10 minutes, United held firm and ensured that they would leave Macedonia Park with the three points.

Wollongong United finish their regular season at the PCYC next Sunday when they take on Minor Premiers Wollongong Olympic. A win would ensure that United play finals, however a draw could possibly be enough. The game will kick off at 2:30pm

Cringila face South Coast United at Ian McLennan Park next Sunday at 2:30pm. The Lions will be looking for their first win since Round 15, in a game where a win will ensure that they play in the Premier League next season.

Saturday 17th August 2019 @ Macedonia Park, Berkeley

 

Wollongong United - 1 (Ogawa 83')

Cringila Lions - 0

 

WOLLONGONG UNITED: Blake COAD, Maty BRENNAN, Hikaru KAWASAKIYA, Zac MCLAREN, Shane MURRAY, James O’ROURKE, Billy TSOVOLOS, Naoki OGAWA, Michael MENDES, Ben BROOKS, Jake LEIGHTON

SUBSTITUTES: Kane WRIGHT, Matthew MCNAB, Deegan HUNTER, Anthony KRSTESKI, Sam NASTIC

 

CRINGILA LIONS: Nikola RISTEVSKI, Aleksander PRENTOSKI, Anthony ROMEO, Aiden BRESLIN, James RALSTON, Alexander BRBEVSKI, Jake WEBSTER, Todd SPARKS, Steven UGRINOVSKI, Takao TERAMOTO, Ryoga UEMOTO

SUBSITUTIONS: Ibrahim SESAY, Alex MOJSOSKI, Jonathon LIDDLE, Rory BILLINGTON

 

Report by Jarrod Pollard

Photo courtesy of Dana Guthrie