A last minute Matt Tesoreiro strike gave Port Kembla an important 1-1 draw with the Dapto Dandaloo Fury at Wetherall Park on Sunday.

The result, coupled with Saturday’s 4-0 win over Bellambi, confirms Port’s place in the semi-finals this season as Stuart Beadie’s men put together an impressive second leg of their season.

“The character of the team has really shown through like last year,” said Beedie.

“We just keep going and going and going and wear teams down. All 14 players were used today and they really put it in for the club.

“I’m really pleased with how the second half of the season has gone and we’re looking forward to the finals.”

Unfortunately for Dapto Dandaloo, the draw has knocked them out of the hunt for the League Title with Bulli holding a three point advantage and coupled with far superior goal difference (+14).

Interim boss Noel Spencer now has the task of guiding the Fury through the finals as player-coach in the absence of Norm Boardman, who is fulfilling his responsibilities with the W-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

"I am proud of the boys but disappointed that we can't go into next weekend with something to play for and win the league,” said Spencer.

“A bit disappointed after going 1-0 up but we showed great football ability for 60-70 minutes and then we just lapsed at the end there.

“We’ll use next week’s game as preparation for the finals but today was probably some of the best football we’ve played all year.

It was a game of attacking displays on the day with both teams guilty of missing a plethora of chances as they struggled to finish off some good play.

Port Kembla keeper David Poeira was forced into action to save from Shaun McRae before Alvin Ceccoli struck the crossbar with a long range effort a minute later.

At the other end of the pitch Mitchell Scazzariello worried Mitch Blowes with a bending free-kick just outside the area.

Some more scuffed chances made way for the half time whistle with the sides still locked at 0-0.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 63^rd minute when Joe Crowley tapped into an open net after some good work from David Hartas on the wing.

The goal sparked Port into life and 10 minutes later Matt Floro struck the post with a sizzling shot across the face of goal.

Floro was again denied by the wood work in the 80^th minute when a spectacular bicycle kick rattled off the crossbar.

The final minute of stoppage time saw Port finally make the break through when Tesoreiro disposed Alvin Ceccoli before charging into the box and lashing a powerful effort into the back of the net.

The Fury faces Wollongong Olympic in their final game of the competition proper next weekend while Port Kembla hosts Wollongong United in a potential finals match-up preview.

 

1-1	Port Kembla	Dapto Dandaloo Fury
Goals:	M. Tesoreiro (90+3’)	J. Crowley (63’)
Bookings:	P. Richardson (y); M. Scazzariello (y); M. Tesoreiro (y)	D. Hartas (y); C. Bush (y); Crowley (y)

 

Referee: Andrew Naylor

 

Julian Keith 

FSC Reporter