The clash between Port Kembla and Wollongong United on Sunday afternoon proved to be an entertaining high scoring match. With an intense start Port Kembla held their own throughout the early stages of the half, they found themselves in the lead 2-1 moments before halftime, until United let fire and cruised through Port’s defence before the halftime break, dominating the second half and finishing the match 5-2.

Within minutes of the whistle Port were placed under pressure off a spectacular free kick, United’s Shane Murray sent a well-placed shot towards the top right corner of the goal, although not enough power to beat the likes of Chris Fuentes forcing a one handed save pushing the ball out for a corner.

United’s early lead was set when Murray outsmarted Port’s defence in the 6^th minute with a right footed curler off a corner, placed just inside the far post catching Fuentes off-guard, bringing the score to United 1 Port 0.

Port worked their way up the field desperate to relevel the game, up until Brad Acev whipped in a low grounded cross off a nimble breakaway in the 17^th minute, received by Aden Wade in the 6 yard box ploughing the ball into the back of the net equalising the game at 1 – 1.

Within 2 minutes of Port’s equaliser, United fell from a 1-0 advantage to 2-1 down, when moments later in the 19^th minute, Sandy Lowcock was able to strike a terrific shot into the back of the net.

However United managed to head into the halftime break 3 – 2 after James O’Rourke sent a header from the far post back inside the box for Ben Brookes to pull off a spectacular volley into the top left-hand corner of the goal. Before Port were able to regain the advantage, United’s Hikaru Kawasakiya drilled a flying header past the right of Fuentes just before the halftime whistle.

Port started to drop their intensity in the second half and began missing vital opportunities, Lowcock made a speedy run down the wing in the 55^th minute beating United defenders passing it to Acev for a first touch shot falling just wide of the far post, had it of gone in the game could have proceeded completely different, however United began to capitalise and topple Ports defence.

Toni Musemeci was very consistent for Port in the back using his speed to shut down United’s through balls and attacking plays, but it was not enough to hold off Kawasakiya’s brilliance with the ball.

Kawasakiya pulled off a jaw dropping longshot from outside the 18-yard box hitting the underside of the crossbar for Naoki Ogawa to secure into the goal. Kawasakiya followed up with a solid shot pulled up by Fuentes hand, but not enough to hold up before the line for a hattrick, bringing the score to United 5 Port 2.

With three goals down Port were desperate for a comeback, their chance was given off a penalty taken by Lowcock sent to the right of United keeper Blake Coad, pulling off a remarkable well timed save. United continued to hold possession and dominate the rest of the half, finishing the match at Wollongong United 5 Port Kembla 2.

For round 21 of The Illawarra Premier League United will be up against Cringila who are sitting 11^th on the table and Port face off top of the table Wollongong Olympic.

Sunday 4^th August at Wetherall Park

Wollongong United FC – 5 (MURRAY 6’, BROOKS 40’, KAWASAKIYA 44’ 61’ 77’)

Port Kembla FC- 2 (WADE 17’, LOWCOCK 19’)

 

Wollongong United FC – Blake COAD, Matty BRENNAN, Ben BROOKS, Hikaru KAWASAKIYA, Jake LEIGHTON, Zac MCLAREN, Shane MURRAY, James O’ROURKE, Billy TSOVOLOS, Naoki OGAWA, Michael MENDES – SUBS- Mathew MCNAB, Andre DIAS, Nick HIGH, Ryan AKHURST, Zak BEDELOVSKI.

Port Kembla FC – Chris FUENTES, Toni MUSUMECI, Mitch DI PIETRO, Nathan BELSITO, Nobuaki MOCHIZUKI, Bailey FLEMMING, Chris GOMEZ, Kenta HARA, Brad ACEV, Sandy LOWCOCK, Aden WADE – SUBS – Fabian LACOVELLI, Dylan NIKOLOVSKI, Josh CRAPIS, Daniel FARINA.

 

Report by Tim Dixon on Twitter @tim_dixon_
Photo by JC Sports Photography