In the club’s first ever home match at Crehan Park, South Coast Flame FC went down four goals to one against the University of NSW. The visitors came into the match at the top of the table after two wins from their opening two matches including a 4-1 win over FC Gazy Auburn on Easter Monday.

The Students came racing out of the blocks and found themselves with a three-goal lead inside the opening half an hour. Christian Soares scored the first two goals in the 10th and 20th minute, with the first being a stunning curled effort into the top left corner from the edge of the area. Nima Beik netted University’s third when he was played through on goal before sneaking the ball past Matt White.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half, Flame began to control more of the possession and it resulted in a couple of chances. In the 35th minute, Matt Mazevski tested Uni goalkeeper Ian Johnson from 20 metres out but, he was up to the task. Three minutes later, Dion Sterjovski found Mazevski in the box, but pressure from a defender meant the playmaker was unable to get a solid effort on goal.

South Coast returned from the break with a new sense of urgency, having a couple of close efforts before pulling a goal back in the 53rd minute. Caleb Grace harried a University defender into a turnover with the ball falling for Bojan Caric to run through on goal. The number 9 sized up the situation and snuck the ball between Johnson’s legs.

In the following five minutes, White was forced into action to keep the Flame in the hunt. University midfielder Ilan Kessler blasted a shot bound for the right of the goal but the Flame captain was able to push it wide for a corner. Two minutes later, Kessler lined up another effort from range and once again White was up to the task, parrying the ball wide before it was eventually cleared.

With less than 15 minutes remaining. the Students put the game to bed by netting their fourth of the evening. A corner was allowed to bounce in the box before substitute Sam Wrublewski managed to flick his header into the top right corner. University of NSW running out 4-1 winners and maintaining their place at the top of the State League.

After the match, First Grade boss Paul Robaard admitted his side were not up to the task in the opening half an hour. However, he was able to draw positives from the side’s second-half display, "I am much happier with our second half, our shape was better, we were able to keep the ball and create chances."

This match kicks off a busy week for the Flame, with a Wednesday FFA Cup match against FC Gazy Auburn at Jensen Park before the Round 4 match next Saturday at home to Bankstown United.

The Flame under 20s secured their first three points of the season with an encouraging 2-0 win. South Coast took the lead in the 10th minute through Johnny Vicoroski - who is in a rich vein of form after scoring a hattrick against Balmain Tigers in Round 2. The three points were sealed when Abdullah Okla calmly slotted the ball home with five minutes remaining. Under 20s coach Neil Mineeff was immensely proud of his players' efforts in earning the win and the clean sheet, “To the boys' credit, all week we have been working on defensive structure and today it really showed.”

In the under 18s, South Coast Flame went down 2-1. University took the lead after half an hour through Felix Jones. The boys were able to work their way back into the match with Ethan Lehn going close on a couple of occasions. With 20 minutes remaining the equaliser came through midfielder Josh Montgomery who smacked the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area. Unfortunately, University retook the lead late in the match via a quick counter finished off by Theo Hollington.

Listen to the full post match interviews with Paul Robaard and Neil Mineeff on this Wednesday’s FSC Weekly.

 

Saturday 7 April @ Crehan Park

South Coast Flame FC - 1 (CARIC 53’)

University of NSW - 4 (SOARES 10’ 20’, BEIK 27’, WRUBLEWSKI 76’)

South Coast Flame FC lineup - Matt WHITE (C), Andrew BOVA, Dion STERJOVSKI, Andrew CHRISTIE, Bojan CARIC, Cameron HANSON, Matt MAZEVSKI, Julio MUSHABA, Caleb GRACE, Djordje UZELAC, Martin THOMPSON
Subs - Doug WOODIWISS, Wade WILTON, Kenny JAMES, Colin HEAPY, Johnny VICOROSKI

Coach - Paul ROBAARD

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela