UNITED SCRAPE PAST VALIENT PORT

Fifth versus sixth was penned as one of the matches of the round for the Illawarra Mercury Premier League as Wollongong United hosted Port Kembla. The visitors were holding down the last finals berth and coming off the back of a dominant performance toppling Corrimal 6-0, whilst the hosts hadn't won in two weeks - courtesy of defeats to Albion Park (2-1) and Tarrawanna (1-0) respectively.

Almost from the outset, the game was played at a frantic pace with neither side hesitant of the big challenges and key interceptions.

Port started off the better - within five minutes striking the upright off the right boot of Cameron Morgan with goalkeeper Sam Nastic beaten.

Shortly after it was again Port on the offensive, Joey Lavalle seeing a powerful volley cleared off the line bravely by the chest of Milan Zoric.

It was clear that Port Kembla had a distinct game-plan for nullifying the usual suspects of United - dropping a centre half deep each time Ricky Zucco received the ball so they could double team the striker, and choosing to foul out Daisuke Yuzawa each time the winger gained possession.

Both were visibly irritated at their respective treatment, and with Dion Sterjovskifailing to make any headway on the left of the front three, United were battling to get forward with purpose.

However it was much the same story at the other end - Port were unable to get Chris Smith on the ball facing goal. Ben Zucco was orchestrating the game from central midfield though, despite the constant pressure of Zac McLaren and Mikal Awad, and was frequently seen dribbling through the central corridor and nailing outrageous passes.

Just after the half hour, the game really came alive - first Mikal Awad scoring a ridiculous outside-of-the-boot shot from 25 yards out on the right flank, curling into the very top corner of the far post, fingertips of Brad Jardine unable to keep it out.

Three minutes later, Ben Zucco brought Port back into it, striking a powerful drive through traffic after a corner popped out to him on the edge of the area - Nastic left unsighted as the ball nestled in the bottom corner to bring scores level once more.

To cap off a crazy period of play, Ricky Zucco struck a free kick into the wall from 25 yards, with Jardine already committed to the dive, barely able to throw out a glove and palm away the deflection at full stretch.

The first time Yuzawa escaped his man William Mobbs was just on the hour, the defender slipping in the drizzly conditions and allowing the United equal-leading goal-scorer to run straight on goal from halfway and slotting under Jardine from 12 yards out to restore the United lead.

In a shame for the fixture, Port appeared to crumble from here - losing all shape in midfield and panicking for a second goal with still half an hour to play.

Sandy Lowcock was unable to impress himself on the fixture throughout, with only Lavalle troubling Nastic from a free kick.

It was all United applying the pressure - Ricky Zucco nearly finding a third spectacular goal for the afternoon, half-volleying with his back to goal and skimming the crossbar.

Sterjovski had a weaving run cut short as his shot was blocked off the boot by a desperate Matt Werakso; the resulting corner volleyed just wide of the upright by substitute Billy Tsovolos from 20 yards.

Jayden Salucci had the chance to snatch a point for Port Kembla during injury time, a neat dink over Nastic from an acute angle pawed away as the goalkeeper clattered into Zoric leaving both requiring attention.  

The match as a whole petered out once United had their second goal, most of the Port midfield stationing themselves further forward as Ben Zucco was almost stranded and asked to play the role of three men - to which he tried admirably. It was simply too much to ask though - United took control of midfield and never looked back.

 

Saturday 17th June - Macedonia Park

Wollongong United 2 - Awad 33', Yuzawa 57'

Port Kembla 1 - B. Zucco 36'

 

Wollongong United - Nastic, Brennan, Zoric, B. Brooks, Hajittofi, Swamy (Tsovolos 68'), Awad (Noji 74'), McLaren, Yuzawa, Sterjovski, R. Zucco (Nicholas 83')

Subs - Ristevski, Tsovolos, Noji, Micholas, J. Brooks

Port Kembla - Jardine, Frkovic, Mobbs, Werakso, B. Zucco, Hawkebroek, Morgan, Cario (Stella 30'), Smith (Salucci 75'), Lavalle, Lowcock

Subs - Stella, Salucci, Musamecci, Bussanni, Farina

 

Report by David Atherton - Twitter @daveatho5

Photo courtesy of Wollongong United




Comments

Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.