South Coast Flame suffered a 3-0 defeat away to State League title contenders Bankstown United on Sunday night. Flame came into the match on the back of three positive performances, however, United’s star striker Mitchell Cross proved too hot to handle scoring his 16th and 17th goals of the season within the first half. Toshihisa Saikawa netted the host's third goal midway through the second half to wrap up the result which sees them stay within four points of frontrunners Central Coast United.

There was little between the sides in the opening stages but a failure to win the ball in midfield cost Flame 10 minutes in. South Coast goalkeeper Matt White launched the ball up the field where it was headed to Cross who was able to steam through the defence before tucking the ball into the bottom right corner.

Caleb Grace managed to fashion a half-chance a few minutes later after he stormed around his defender and into the right of the area. He cut the ball across the box but Bojan Caric wasn’t able to get a clean shot away due to the close attention of two defenders.

With 10 minutes left in the half, there was a heavy friendly-fire collision between Grant Wilson and White which left the latter winded. Despite this, within a minute of the restart he was able to pull off a strong save to his right as Cross fired at goal from the edge of the box.

In the 44th minute, White was again on hand to deny Cross who tried to blast the ball home from a tight angle. The ball was cleared after the save and within a couple of cycles of play Grace had a go from range which saw Bankstown goalkeeper David Hamilton make a scurrying save to his right. Hamilton played the ball upfield as the clock ticked into added on time and with seconds remaining United crossed the ball into the box for Cross close to the penalty mark and he made no mistake in finding the top right corner. The late strike seeing the United go into the break with a two-goal advantage.

Flame were able to get three shots away in the first few minutes of the second period but Hamilton was never troubled. In the 59th minute, Cross would turn provider as his long-range strike was parried into the path of Saikawa who was able to bundle the ball home for their side's third goal of the night.

In the 68th minute, Jovan Miladinovic darted in from the right wing before striking a shot destined for the inside of the far side netting but White was up to the task - pulling off an acrobatic fingertip save. Three minutes later, Hamilton was back in action when Andrew Bova turned and had a strike from 25 metres out but the United goalkeeper was able to make a shuffling catch.

South Coast showed plenty of promise in the final 15 minutes of the match with two solid opportunities to score a consolation goal. In the 77th minute, Dion Sterjovski played a delightful through ball - cutting out three players - to find Grace who jinked around the goalkeeper, before sliding the ball towards the goal but former Kemblawarra Fury defender Steven Wright made a desperate effort to retreat and clear the ball off the line.

With five minutes remaining, substitute Louis Connell managed to latch on to a long ball just inside the box, he took a touch to the left but his effort snuck outside the left post. The match coming to its conclusion with Bankstown United winning 3-0.

Despite the loss, the side remains in 9th, nine points off the finals places. Next weekend South Coast travel west to take on Wagga Wagga Wanderers for the second time this campaign. The Wanderers only win of 2018 came against Flame so Paul Robaard’s side will be looking to avenge that defeat.

In the under 20s, a late goal for Flame skipper Daniel Lucas secured a much deserved 2-2 draw. The sides were locked at one apiece at the break before United pulled ahead in the second half but Lucas was able to net his second goal of the match with a minute remaining to split the points.

After the match, under 20s coach Neil Mineeff was satisfied with his side’s exploits after a rough defeat against University.

“The boys rallied this week and though we went down and only got the equaliser late on - at no stage did the boys look like they were being outplayed,” Mineeff said.

“They didn’t stop for the whole game which is a credit to them.

“It was good to see Daniel [Lucas] put in a good performance. He leads by example and he doesn’t leave anything behind that’s for sure.”

The result keeps the side in 6th and edges them to within five points of the top five. The next match sees them face a Wanderers outfit who sit in 9th.

In the under 18s match, South Coast enjoyed a strong first half and they were able to lead 1-0 at the break thanks to a Petar Jurisic header. Flame were pegged back in the second period with United’s leading goal-getter Corey Freeman scoring a double to secure a 2-1 win. Flame remain in 7th and they face a must-win match away to Wagga next weekend who occupy 6th but are seven points better off.

 

Sunday 1 July @ The Crest Athletic Centre

 

Bankstown United - 3 (CROSS 10’, 45’, SAIKAWA 59’)

 

South Coast Flame FC - 0  

 

South Coast Flame FC lineup - Matt WHITE, Kenny JAMES, Grant WILSON, Martin THOMSON, Andrew BOVA, Wade WILTON, Matt MAZEVSKI, Caleb GRACE, Dion STERJOVSKI, Julio MUSHABA, Bojan CARIC

 

Subs - Brendan GROOM, Cameron HANSON (on for CARIC), Andrew CHRISTIE, Daniel LUCAS, Louis CONNELL (on for MUSHABA)

 

Coach - Paul ROBAARD

 

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela