An enthusiastic and dedicated crowd turned up to McLennan Park Kembla Grange on Sunday to watch a passionate round 10 Premier League match between South Coast United and Albion Park White Eagles. The hard fought match was to end in a draw – South Coast United 1- Albion Park White Eagles 1.

Coming into the match, on the Premier League table, Albion Park White Eagles in 7^th place on 12 points led South Coast United who were in 11^th place on 7 points.

The match started at a lively pace. A shot in the 2^nd minute by South Coast United’s Oliver Carrasco from the 40 metre mark gave South Coast United an early chance to score first points but the shot went past the goal post and was unsuccessful.

Good passing saw South Coast United’s Ricky Bertakis put the ball into the net in the 18^th minute but the player was ruled offside and the goal disallowed.

Albion Park White Eagles Bryan Montanari took a shot at goal from 20 metres out in the 28^th minute but the attempt went wide.

In the 32^nd minute a free kick was awarded outside the box to Albion Park White Eagles after Mitch Del Turco was obstructed. Shohei Okuno took a shot through the wall but it was well saved by Jason Bleakley.

There was desperate play by both sides in the lead up to half time with both sides having unsuccessful attempts at goal but when the half time whistle blew the score remained nil all.

Both sides commenced the second half determined to put points on the board.

Albion Park White Eagles had a chance to score in the 52nd minute when they received a free kick as a result of aggressive tackling by the opposition. However the free kick, taken by Shohei Okuno, went over the wall and was well handled again by Bleakley.

South Coast United also had their chances from free kicks and corners but could not capitalise on their opportunities. The game was becoming more desperate.

Finally in the 79^th minute the first goal of the match was scored. Albion Park’s winger Peter Prandalos took the ball up the sideline and crossed it to Bryan Montanari who was right in front of the goals and put the ball into the back of net.

Albion Park White Eagles 1- South Coast United 0.

Just 4 minutes later, South Coast United were able to equalise. A pass from the South Coast United centre to Aden Wade who from 15 metres out put it past the oustretched Daenell.

Albion Park White Eagles 1- South Coast United 1.

The final minutes of the match were tense with both sides looking to grab the winner through opportunities however it wasn't to be and the two sides had to settle for a draw that probably helps neither team at this stage.

Albion Park White Eagles 1- South Coast United 1.

Albion Park White Eagles face Wollongong United in the next round while South Coast United will face Wollongong Olympic.

 

 

Sunday 29^th May, McLennan Park Kembla Grange

Albion Park White Eagles – 1 (Bryan Montanari)

South Coast United – 1 (Aden Wade)

 

Main Referee: Blake Herbert

Assistant Referees: Emma Hayes and Trey Clarke

 

Albion Park White Eagles Team: Bryce Daenell, Justin Cario, Mark Every, Shannon Fielding, Peter Prandalos, Vaughan Patterson, Mitch Del Turco, Darren Jones, Bryan Montanari, Shohei Okuno, Kotaro Itigashi

Replacements: Daniel Dafkovski, James Vzunouski, Hayden Waples, Hayden Soper, Lachlan Ahling.

 

South Coast United Team: Jason Bleakley, Lee Gilroy, Aden Wade, Greg Valic, Robert Brown, Ricky Bertakis, Oliver Carrasco, Jun Lee, Liam Unicomb, Denis Stojic, Yuki Kiyohara

Replacements: Dinko Terzic, Kolan Hemoa, Anton Batur, Cameron Solevski, Chris Lazarevski.

 

 

Report by Emma Gilly    Twitter: @EmmaGilly

Photo: Kiah Hufton
Denis Stojic (South Coast United) lunges in for a tackle on Kotaro Higashi (APWE)