A hat-trick to Bellambi’s Ilija Prenzoski has given them bragging rights over Warilla for the second time this season. Prenzoski netted his three goals within the opening 36 minutes, helping his side to a 3-0 score-line at the break. Warilla would pull back a late consolation goal as Jeremy Lopez slotted one home in the 83^rd to make it 3-1 in this round 12 clash of the WGC Cranes District League at Elizabeth Park.

The early stages of the match weren’t shaping up to be a good day for the visitors, similar to their earlier clash in this season in which Bellambi handed them a 9-0 thumping at home.

It didn’t take long for Bellambi to score and it was Prenzoski finishing off a nice play from Andrew Keep in just the third minute. Keep’s lobbed cross fell perfectly for Prezonski and his first time header bounced into the bottom right corner, getting the better of Wanderers goalkeeper, Adam Arnott. A dominant start for the home-side looking to continue their strong run into the second half of the season.

The next chance that would come in the game would fall for the Wanderers. Adam White got the better of his opposing man and pushed forward on goal. The striker would hit a low cross aiming for the penalty spot but a last touch by Grant Zanni almost helped the ball sneak in at the near post. Jack Dugan was aware of the change of pace and saved comfortably.

Seeing most of the possession within the first 15 minutes of the game, Bellambi would get another in the 14^th minute. A surging run forward by centre-back, Nathan Thompson saw him break past the midfield beating several players. His perfectly waited through ball found the run of Prenzoski. The first time finish across the face of goal rolled into the back of the net. Bellambi taking an early 2-0 lead.

Warilla had their chance to pull one back 10 minutes after Prenzoski’s second. Pressure on the back-line from White and Jeremy Lopez forced an error which allowed Lopez a run onto goal. Getting into the box, his low shot came off a strong right foot from Dugan and Bellambi cleared.

After almost conceding at the other end, the home-side pushed for a counter-attack and it was Scott Martin coming on the end of some neat passing up the middle. Tim O’Brien’s through ball found Martin on the edge of the box. The winger took one touch to put it onto his right, but hit his shot just wide.

Although Bellambi wouldn’t be too disappointed of the missed opportunity as they went three goals up after a scramble in the box. Keep’s corner found a flick on from Matt Richardson at the near post. After ricocheting off several bodies, Prenzovski got the last touch as the ball ended up in the back of the net.

The Wanderers did almost score right before half time. A cross from full-back, Jason Goldsmith went long and high towards Dugan. Dugan leaped higher than the chasers but fumbled it in the path of Ben Ellul and White. Both players tried to get a touch onto it as the ball fell to them on the six-yard box, only to be cleared by the Bellambi defence as the score remained 3-0 at the break.

The second half started similar to the first as the visitors were instantly on the back-foot early. A series of shots from Bellambi almost gave them their fourth. Firstly, O’Brien’s shot just inside box was saved comfortably by Arnott. Two minutes later, Prenzoski’s low shot forced Arnott to save low to his right and regather after punching it away from goal.

The game then started to see less chances on goal from either side and didn’t see another until the 70^th minute. The visitors front four would be on the end of a clearance from their defence as they looked to counter. White sent a long ball over to Lopez, his low cross only got a small touch off of Jesse French and back-spinned away from goal, towards the bi-line. Ellul would snatch up the rebound but couldn’t capitalise.

It seemed be a stern half-time team talk for the visitors, coming out of the blocks firing and they started looking more composed from the first 45. A long ball from the midfield by Martin Castelli found White on the edge of the box. His first touch set up a shot on his right foot but would fall inches wide of the post.

The home-side were a bit quiet throughout the half and didn’t get an opportunity on goal until the 77^th minute. Substitute, Chris Cevenini powered up the left wing and delivered an accurate cross onto the head of O’Brien. The midfielder’s header falling kindly for Arnott.

Warilla were then centimetres away from scoring when Matt Passlacks’ slip in the box gave the ball straight to Brendan Geribo. With a turn and a shot, the ball smashed into the apex and out for a goal-kick.

Although it wasn’t the best performance from Warilla, they did pull one back only seven minutes from time. A free kick on half-way was sent into the packed 18-yard box. Bellambi easily clearing but straight to the feet of Lopez. The striker took one touch and sent the ball along the ground, rolling into the bottom left corner. Not too much change on the final result, but a more respectful score-line for the visitors.

Bellambi holding onto a comfortable 3-1 win over Warilla making the aggregate score over the two legs 12-1, keeping Bellambi on top of the table.

The win for Bellambi sees them stay above Coniston on goal difference. They will travel to Shell Cove next week who are coming off a 4-0 win over University.

As for Warilla, they continue hold the last spot of finals football. They are five points clear of Balgownie sitting in sixth. The Wanderers host third place Helensburgh at King Mickey Park next week who they edged 3-1 back in round 2.

Saturday 9^th June at Elizabeth Park.

Bellambi FC: 3 (PRENZOSKI 3’, 14’, 36’)

Warilla Wanderers FC: 1 (LOPEZ 83’)

 

Line-ups:

Bellambi FC: Jack DUGAN, Matt RICHARDSON, Nathan THOMPSON, Tor PREECE, Grant ZANNI, Matt PASSLACK, Tim O’BRIEN, Boden ALLPORT, Andrew KEEP, Ilija PRENZOVSKI, Scott MARTIN

Subs: Chris CEVENINI (MARTIN 55’), Shaun POULTEN (PRENZOVSKI 68’), Tom CAVILL (ZANNI 79’)

 

Warilla Wanderers FC: Adam ARNOTT, Nathan PEGLER, Drew SHAW, Jordan NOLAN, Jason GOLDSMITH, Brenton GERIBO, Ben ELLUL, Martin CASTELLI, Jeremy LOPEZ, Adam WHITE, Jesse FRENCH

Subs: Mark MARINELLI, Stewart ROBERTSON, Rhys MARSH, Blake PUSELL

 

Referee: Greg REID

Assistant Referees: Mick AGIM and Demi GODDARD

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo by Noel Wynn