Third place in the Illawarra District League was up for grabs when Oak Flats visited Unanderra. Only separated on goal difference, both sides sat on 40 points going into the penultimate round of the season. A draw was enough for Oak Flats to maintain their position in third, while a win was crucial for Unanderra with their inferior goal difference. However, Unanderra would crumble under pressure as Oak Flats blasted five goals past them; the Falcons showing that they are a serious championship contender come the finals series.

Although Oak Flats showed their class in front of goal throughout the afternoon, it was an acrobatic goal-line clearance by defender, Brenton Lloyd, in the tenth minute that was the first significant moment in the game. Having expertly brought down a long ball with his chest, Unanderra’s Save Treneski flicked the ball into the path of Damien Jorge through on goal. Hitting the ball first time, Jorge chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, however, Lloyd would get to the ball just before it crossed the line, scissor-kicking it out for a corner. It was a ‘sliding-doors’ moment, with one left wondering how the Heart’s afternoon may have panned out had they taken an early lead.

In the 16^th minute, Unanderra had another promising attack, when right-winger Daniel Saverino beat his man and swung the ball across the box to the onrushing Mark Picciolini. However, despite connecting with the ball well, Picciolini failed to hit the target as his half-volley flew wide of the near post.

One minute later, Unanderra looked threating once again when the ball fell to the feet of Christian Plakias. Aiming for the bottom left corner, Plakias, pulled his shot wide of the uprights. This moment though would also signal the end of Unanderra’s promising attacking movements, as the tides turned to flow in the direction of Oaks Flats.

As the Falcons began to take control of the game, it was left-winger, Hayato Sadamori, who was causing headaches for the Unanderra defence.

Gliding past defenders with sheer pace combined with incredible control, Sadamori, created a good chance for Oak Flats in the 29^th minute, when he cut the ball across the box with pace to Lee Gilroy. Gilroy would hit the ball over the bar, this, however, would be of little consequence when Sadamori drove towards the Unanderra defence seven minutes later. Receiving the ball out on the left, Sadamori barnstormed towards the goal, slicing the Heart's defence in two, before releasing a shot from the top of the box that rocketed into the bottom left corner to give the Falcons a much sought after lead.

In the 42^nd minute, Oak Flats would double their advantage through their number 9, Bojan Caric. Trapping the ball on the edge of the box, Caric struck the ball off one step, perfectly placing the ball, scraping the far post as it nestled into the side netting.

The second goal demoralised Unanderra going into the break, and their confidence would take another hit when a horrible goalkeeping mistake would gift Oak Flats their third goal only nine minutes into the second half. Looking to clear the ball, Unanderra’s goalkeeper, Jordan Timpano, completing misjudged the bounce, kicking the ball with his shin straight into the path of Oak Flat's, Jarryd Vinton. With an open goal in front of him, Vinton duly passed the ball back into the net to extend the Falcon's lead.

Immediately from the kick-off, though, Oak Flats should have put themselves four in front. Having given up possession easily, the Unanderra defence showed little resolve to attempt to stop Caric run through on goal. Luckily for the Hearts though, Caric pulled his shot wide, keeping the score at three-nil.

However, four minutes later, Unanderra’s lacklustre effort in defence would cost them when Sadamori took control of the ball. Uncontested, Sadamori deftly brought down a high ball with his thigh, then dribbled past the stagnant Heart’s defence straight towards Timpano in goals, who he calmly rolled the ball past into the back of the net.

In the 66^th minute, Oak Flats came agonisingly close to scoring again when a perfectly weighted cross found the head of Caric. Powerfully driven towards goal, Caric's header would be denied his second goal of the afternoon by the crossbar.

However, Caric would have another opportunity in the 71^st minute when the ball was played to him on the penalty spot. Aware of the time afforded to him by the Unanderra defence, Caric took a touch before sealing all three points with a confident strike into the bottom right corner.

After the fifth goal, the game petered out as attention turned to next week and the upcoming finals with both sides making several substitutes to conserve energy and reduce the risk of injury to key players.

For Oak Flats, the win all but secures third spot bar a disaster next week against University. The result will fill the Falcons full of confidence going into the finals and will put their potential opponents on edge.

Meanwhile, for Unanderra, they will be bitterly disappointed with the result but it may give them the impetus to refocus before the finals. They take on Picton next week but with fourth spot theirs it will be interesting to see whether or not key players will be rested in anticipation of a finals clash with either Thirroul or University depending on next week’s results.

17^th August 2019 @ Unanderra Oval

Unanderra – 0

Oak Flats – 5 (Sadamori 36’, 58’, Caric 42’, 71’, Vinton 54’)

Unanderra- Jordan TIMPANO, Matt CUDA, Luke BUSSOLETTI, Stephen DRAPER, Christian PLAKIAS, Damien JORGE, David POLIDORO, Ben SALLABANK, Daniel SAVERINO, Save TRENESKI, Mark PICCIOLLINI.

Substitutes – Nathan PULGIC, Chris STEVANOVSKI, Chris MURDZEVSKI, Jake de JESUS.

Oak Flats – Ryan FRANKS, David KOTRC, Ross GRAHAM, Jamie STEVENSON, Brenton LLOYD, Christian CAPPETTA, Kyle HAZEBROKE-SOUTHGATE, Jarryd VINTON, Hayato SADAMORI, Lee GILROY, Bojan CARIC.

Substitutes – Chris SARMAN, Rhys BLANCH, Daniel MUNILLA, Chad FERNANDEZ, John TILDEN.

Referee – Caleb BLANCH

Assistants – Ruby BLANCH, Jai RUSSELL

Report by Nic Wilson, on twitter @_nicwilson