Table-topping Round 21 action in the WGC Cranes District League saw leaders Coniston head to second-placed Bellambi with only one point separating the sides at the top of the standings. A win for Coniston would wrap up the League title, whilst a Bellambi victory would have them in the box seat come Round 22, with a two point lead.

As it panned out, a pulsating game where both sides had chances to win it, would end with scores even at one apiece. A Tim O'Brien header early in the second half opened the scoring for the visitors, who looked to hold on to their slim lead with lengthy periods of stout defending, only for a late Hiroaki Kohinoki header to turn the game on its head, the visitors laying siege to the Bellambi box as time eventually proved their enemy, the score ending 1-1.

Within a minute of kickoff, a fluffed goalkick from Bellambi keeper Nathan Campbell gifted possession to Mark Picciolini 20 yards out, the striker took his time but the placed shot was pushed just wide by the stretched gloveman in a panic.

Campbell was called into action on the quarter hour, a hooping volley by Kohinoki parried away from his near post with a reflex save.

Bellambi were restricted to two chances all half, both of which came late on. First, a quick break down the right side, Andy Keep squaring for Ilja Prenzoski who scuffed his shot into the ground. Shortly after, a miss-hit defensive free kick from Coniston fell the way of Prenzoski, who was closed down in as scramble before being able to get his shot off from 20 yards.

Both sides seemed content heading into the sheds with scores level; Bellambi hadn't created much, while Coniston knew a draw kept them topping the table. As the second period commenced, there proved to be more chances in the first 15 minutes than the entire first half.

With 50 minutes played, league top-scorer Dinko Terzic popped his head up for the first time, latching onto a long ball, only to Maradona-esque handball it around Campbell after an early offside call, rolling the ball in for the first time all afternoon.

Coniston had come out in the second half really pushing the issue, probing for an opening goal with real purpose, pushing Bellambi back deep into their own area, their only outlets the pace of Keep and the guile of Prenzoski.

With 55 minutes played, it was in fact Bellambi who took a surprise lead; O'Brien getting his head on the end of a dinked free kick across the box, crashing it home at the far post.

Minutes later, and they almost had a quickfire second; a great chest and volley from Chris Cevinini from 30 yards cannoned into the junction of the woodwork with Coniston keeper Ben McGinnes rooted to the spot.

This only spurred Coniston on more, as Bellambi saw their chance to bunker down and hold onto what they had.

An exquisite free kick from Kohinoki, dipping over the wall and curling into the near post, was pushed away by a top-shelf save from Campbell.

After such plays where skill almost got them over the line, Coniston nearly opened their account by sheer luck. A long ball to Terzic forced Campbell to advance and contest the bounce, however the striker didn't get the anticipated touch on it, with the howling wind pushing the ball almost out of reach for the overhead catch for the keeper.

Bellambi had their chance to catch the visitors on the break twice in succession; first a sweeping play down the left through Keep and Prenzoski, the cross unable to find the wide-open run of Cevinini at the far post. Shortly after, Prenzoski beat his man after a fast break from Keep, turning on the edge of the area and shooting past McGinnes only to roll his shot inches wide of the left upright.

With 10 minutes remaining, Coniston had it all to play for; a 1 goal deficit but looking like they could score a handful.

Matthew Cuda's cross was headed wide by Mark Picciolini in the area, nobody near him, past the near post from 10 yards. Moments later, the striker pushed another shot from 20 yards just wide after broken play as Coniston really put the hosts under the pump.

With 82 minutes on the clock, up stepped Kohinoki, in what seemed fitting for Coniston's best player on the day. A great cross from substitute Lachlan Martin found the run of the diminutive No. 7, overrunning the flight of the ball and nailing a fade-away header which found the inside netting across goal in spectacular fashion.

Two minutes remained and it almost seemed inevitable that Coniston would grab a second goal late on to close out the game, and they did everything except put it in the back of the net. A short free kick from Kohinoki found Terzic on the tight angle, his shot parried by Campbell, into the path of Takayuki Kayano at the far post, somehow skying his chance at glory from 3 yards.

Bellambi were visibly relieved to hear the final whistle, one which ended the assault and assured they took the title race all the way to the final day.

Bellambi emerged battered but clung on for the draw, a point which on the balance of play they were lucky to take away. Heading into the last round, they will head to Thomas Gibson Park (Saturday 25/8 3pm) to take on Thirroul.

For Coniston, a draw was not the result they were looking for, but their late equaliser saved them from a disaster. They enter the last round, at home against Helensburgh (Saturday 25/8 3pm) knowing a win makes all other results null, and the title is theirs.

In regard to the title race, here is the breakdown of all you need to know.

If Coniston win, they have the title, and Bellambi's result is inconsequential.

If Coniston draw, only a Bellambi win will be enough. If Coniston lose by more than 1 goal, a Bellambi draw or better will see Bellambi win. If Coniston lose by 1 goal, Bellambi need either a win, or a draw where they score 4 more than Coniston do (eg Coniston lose 1-0 and Bellambi draw 4-4).

Note: If Points, Goal Difference and Goals For are all equal after 22 Rounds, the decider is Head-to-Head aggregate, in which Coniston lead 3-2. For this to eventuate, scores would need to end Coniston 0 - 1 Helensburgh, Thirroul 3 - 3 Bellambi.

 

Saturday 18th August - Elizabeth Park

Bellambi - O'Brien 55'

Coniston FC - Kohinoki 82'

 

Bellambi - Nathan CAMPBELL, Grant ZANNI, Tor PREECE, Nathan THOMPSON, Matthew RICHARDSON, Matthew PASLUCK, Tim O'BRIEN, Nick MORGAN, Chris CEVININI, Ilja PRENZOSKI, Andy KEEP

Subs - Jean POULTON, Scott MARTIN (on for CEVININI 74'), Matthew WALLACE, Jack DUGGAN

Coniston FC - Ben MCGINNES, Kohei ENOKIDO, Takayuki KAYANO, Hiroaki KOHINOKI, Franc PIERRO, Christopher STEVANOVSKI, Dinko TERZIC, Mark PICCIOLINI, Luke PICCIOLINI, Bradley MOREIRA, Matthew CUDA

Subs - Lachlan MARTIN (on for L. PICCIOLINI 64'), Christian PLAKIAS (on for MOREIRA 66'), Julian CESTA-INCANI (on for STEVANOVSKI 74'), Bowen SIMPSON, Conor O'NEILL

 

Referee - Bobby MAZEVSKI

Assistants - Graeme CHARKER, Tristan JAMES

 

Report by David ATHERTON, Twitter @daveatho5

Photo by Noel Wynn