Corrimal Rangers and Picton Rangers shared the spoils at Memorial Park on Sunday to leave just one point separating the bottom three sides going into the last three rounds of the Illawarra Mercury Premier League season.

 

Nicolas Bernal’s strike on his debut for Corrimal cancelled out Brendan Berkeley’s opener for the visitors on a day on which both sides knew defeat would leave them propping up the ladder.

 

The home side had the better of the first half, though there were few real chances at either end. But Picton picked up their game in the second stanza and could easily have taken all three points. As tension mounted towards the end, Corrimal captain Nathan Belsito was shown his second yellow card and will miss at least part of the vital run-in.

 

All eyes were on Bernal as the game kicked off in bright sunshine. The Chilean was making his first appearance at this level since his transfer from Wollongong Wolves and there were early signs that he could fit in well alongside Mark Picciolini up front for Corrimal.

 

Picton packed the defence early on, though, often sending two or even three defenders to shut down those two front men as soon as they got a sniff of the ball. And a very effective job they did, too, as Corrimal dominated possession but rarely got the ball close to Brad Jones in the Picton goal through the first forty five.

 

There was little for Jason Bleakley to do between the Corrimal sticks in the first half, either. When Dayne Morley rose highest from a corner and sent a header a metre over the bar, it was the nearest Picton had come in the first 25 minutes.

 

In the 33^rd minute, Corrimal almost got the breakthrough they were looking for. Aden Wade sent the ball forward up the left with substitute Branislav Radmanovic making a run into the box. The teenager picked his spot and sent a fierce shot goalwards. The ball appeared to make its way under Jones’s body, but the Picton gloveman managed to get enough contact to slow it down and gather at the second attempt before it could cross the line.

 

Moments later the visitors had their best chance of the first half. Jesse Kennedy floated a free kick in towards Matt Tesoriero at the far post, but James Walker got back just in time to clear before the Picton striker could pounce.

 

After a goalless first half, with little action in either penalty area, things picked up in the second stanza.

 

Picton came out looking hungrier and within seconds of the restart, Berkeley finally forced a save out of Bleakley.

 

Down at the other end, in the 49^th minute, Picton had Jones to thank for keeping them in it as he made a reflex save from ten yards out as Wade drilled the ball goalwards.

 

Less than five minutes later the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Picton who took the lead. Morley started the move, winning the ball near halfway. He took it down the left flank and sent a cross into the box, where Berkeley kept his cool and fired it into the back of the net from eight yards out.

 

A 1-0 win for Picton would have left Corrimal at the foot of the ladder on goal difference so the tension rose a few notches around the ground and it increased further as Morley looked to push home the advantage, first setting up Tesoriero, whose shot was blocked, and then having a go himself, only to see his dipping shot fly just over the bar.

 

But in the 62^nd minute Corrimal got back on level terms. Wade made a superb 30 yard run, playing a one-two with Picciolini, before picking out the Corrimal favourite with a fine cross from the byline. Picciolini’s shot was miscued, but it fell straight to the feet of Bernal at the far post and the Corrimal newcomer slotted home for a vital equaliser on his debut.

 

Moments later the home side should have taken the lead when Wade again sent in a lethal ball from the right. It dropped perfectly for Picciolini but he skied his effort from inside the box.

 

At the other end Tesoriero forced Bleakley to leap and push the ball onto the crossbar as the game began to open up, but neither side could press home the advantage.

 

Belsito saw red in the 90^th minute as the pressure mounted, and Picton very nearly nicked a winner in time added on. Berkeley’s goalbound shot struck Walker on the back and substitute Ben Realph sent a right foot shot inches wide, before the referee called time on proceedings.

 

Picton coach Brett Morley felt a draw was a fair result over the ninety minutes. He was pleased with his defence which ‘kept them to only a few chances’.

 

Looking ahead to the season run-in, he said: “I’d like to think we can do something in the next two games (against Wollongong Olympic and Bulli). Otherwise Round 22 (against Woonona Sharks) could be a nervous affair for both sides”.

 

There were mixed feelings for Corrimal coach Gavin O’Brien: disappointment at the injury to key player Dominic Magill and the suspension of his captain, but praise for the effort put in by his side today, with special mentions for Tim Wylie and Aden Wade.

 

And he was delighted with the performance of new boy Bernal: “It’s not always easy to come down a league or two, but he ticked the boxes for me today, he turned up, put in a shift, scored a goal, and he’ll be a great asset in the run-in”.

 

Corrimal Rangers FC – 1 (Bernal 62’)

 

Picton Rangers – 1 (Berkeley 53’)

 

Assists:Corrimal: Picciolini; Picton: Morley                                

 

Sunday 6 August 2017

 

Memorial Park, Corrimal

 

Referee: Nicholas Ryan

 

Assistant Referees: Stuart Derbridge, Trae Arnold

 

Corrimal Rangers: Jason Bleakley, Casey Graham (Christian Saffioti 80’), Robert Brown, Nathan Belsito, James Walker, Aden Wade, Dominic Magill (Branislav Radmanovic 30’), Karouna Michael, Mark Picciolini, Nicolas Bernal, Tim Wylie (subs not used: Aiden Gallo, Elisseo Chiodi, Gavin O’Brien)

 

Picton Rangers: Brad Jones, Scott Miranda, Chris Sheerin, Brad Durrant, Josh Maiolo (Ben Realph 86’), Matt Tesoriero (Jesse Howard 77’), Connor Dymond, Daniel Goodhew, Jesse Kennedy, Dayne Morley, Brendan Berkeley (subs not used: Connor O’Neil, Will McLeod, Lachlan O’Bree)

 

 

 

Report by Simon Duffin