The Northern derby of WGC Cranes District League came to Thomas Gibson Park in Round 1 of the competition this week. Thirroul were hosting Helensburgh in a rematch of their earlier Fraternity Club Cup pool game. Helensburgh emerged 4-1 victors on that day and would prevail once more away to the Thunder. Thirroul got on the board early through Ryan Latini, before a headed brace from Ethan Benham either side of the interval stole the win for the visitors.

Early on, Ethan Benham and Brad Watts were combining up front, nearly playing the latter through just after the 10 minute mark, only for a full-stretch Nick Beeten to nudge the ball out of his path, the last defender left protecting Joshua Williams in goal.

However, after this shock to the system, Thirroul upped their game hugely, with a quick break seeing Ryan Latini being played straight through the Helensburgh backline down the left corridor. After drawing Thistles goalkeeper Matt Wardle, Latini shifted onto his right foot and calmly side-footed into the right side of goal to give the hosts the opening goal.

The play was all Thirroul from there and Helensburgh were feeling the pressure. Tom Goodier collected a loose ball on halfway and went striding in on goal, only for Blake Charman to recover from the opposite side of the pitch with a heroic last-ditch sliding challenge as Goodier was in his shooting stride.

Helensburgh were struggling to get into the game as Thirroul consistently crowded Ethan Benham out of possession when he was isolated up front, instantly turning possession over and setting the Thunder off on another raid of the Thistles defence.

The only chances Helensburgh were afforded were on the counter - on the half hour, Ryan Grima and Brad Watts interchanging to send the latter through on goal again, this time cannoning his shot into the chest of Thirroul keeper Williams.

Cody Cuthbertson blazed a shot over from 12 yards shortly after, but Helensburgh would finally grab an equaliser in first half stoppage time - a short corner from Luke van Zyl finding the open head of Ethan Benham 12 yards out, blasting into the back of the net through the hands of Williams to take teams into the sheds at 1-1.

Helensburgh emerged to a nervous second half, Jarod Benham caught in possession on halfway, allowing Bradley Strudwick a free run at goal, three teammates in tow, however the striker opted to shoot himself, sliding his shot across goal, bombing a 4-on-1 opportunity for the hosts to restore their lead.

Less than a minute later, Strudwick had his reward, a mirror of the opening Thirroul goal, down the flank and curling a shot into the far post, however his celebrations were short-lived as the offside flag waved away another golden Thirroul chance.

Helensburgh were clicked into gear by these near misses as they began to recreate the attacking fluidity amongst their forward quartet which brought them much success last season. Cuthbertson made multiple runs to the by-line only to have low crosses cut out by Thirroul defenders, teammates waiting eagerly in the middle for a simple finish.

Ethan Benham was proving the perfect foil for the fluidity of the flying wingers all around him in the Helensburgh attacking department, his hold-up play and distribution much improved from the first half. Dropping back as to not be crowded by the Thunder defence, he was able to bring the Thistles out of danger and release the constant pressure as they began to look more dangerous going forward.

With 11 minutes to play, Cuthbertson finally got a cross to find its mark; an early cross hooping into the penalty area, perfectly meeting the run of the unmarked Ethan Benham who rose and powered his header past the hapless Williams in goal to give Helensburgh the lead late on.

Much like Helensburgh's opener, Thirroul nearly grabbed an equaliser against the run of play deep into stoppage time in the second half. Nathan Mucci's awkward corner left Wardle unsure of whether to contest or leave the ball, and after opting for the latter, nobody connected with it, and it was left to Adam Thompson to clear off the line after it cannoned into his groin. Thirroul erupted with cries of handball, but they were waved away and full time called on an engaging fixture.

In an extremely closely-fought contest, which could have gone either way, or perhaps resulted in a fair draw, Helensburgh left with all three points. Thirroul would be left to ponder what could have been if some calls went their way and their finishing been a touch more accurate.

Next week, Thirroul make the trip South to Kiama for a 3pm Saturday kickoff, the Quarriers coming off the back of a 6-1 defeat to Coniston, whilst Helensburgh host a Warilla side who were torn apart at home by Bellambi 9-0.

 

Saturday 24th March - Thomas Gibson Park

Thirroul Thunder 1 - Latini 19'

Helensburgh Thistle 2 - E. Benham 45', 79'

 

Thirroul Thunder - Joshua WILLIAMS, Daniel BOND, Daniel ARTHUR, Nick BEETEN, Adam WARD, Ryan LATINI (Jonathon DE LYALL 85'), Bradley STRUDWICK, Todd DAVIDSON, Robert GYNGELL (Joshua BOND 74'), Nathan MUCCI, Tom GOODLIER (Cooper BRINDLE 74')

Subs - Matthew KELLOND, Joshua BOND, Cooper BRINDLE, Jonathon TOBIN, Jonathon DE LYALL

Helensburgh Thistle - Matt WARDLE, Ryan GRIMA, Jarod BENHAM, Blake CHARMAN, Adam THOMPSON, Kei MITANI, Luke VAN ZYL, Eamon VAN ZYL, Ethan BENHAM, Brad WATTS, Cody CUTHBERTSON

Subs - Andy GARCIA, Luke MILLER, Josh BRADY, Reggae ROWLEY, Braiden GILBERT

 

Referee - Caleb Blanch

Assistants - Aaron Wardle, Nathan Alterator

 

Report by David Atherton

Twitter - @daveatho5

File Photo - Pedro Garcia