A hat-trick to the District League top goal scorer, Dinko Terzic has helped Coniston overcome an eager Thirroul side 3-1 in this Round 18 clash at JJ Kelly Park. The home side opened the scoring within the first six minutes before Thirroul grabbed one back in the 32nd. The killer blow for the visitors was two goals in the final 10 minutes which extends Coniston lead at the top of the table to four points.

The reverse fixture between the two sides ended with an identical result as Coniston’s Mark Picciolini scored all three in a 3-1 win at Thomas Gibson Park in Round 7. In the previous week, Coniston were coming off a strong 3-0 win over University as Thirroul edged past Balgownie 3-2.

It didn’t take long for the home-side to continue their inspiring form, grabbing the first goal of the game in the 6th minute. Hiroaki Kohinoki drew a foul within Thunders’ defensive third and looked to be called back for a free-kick. But a wicked deflection saw the ball slip through to Dinko Terzic onto goal, as it was deemed play on. Terzic was calm enough to slot the ball into the bottom left despite the Thirroul defence giving him a nudge after the shot.

Following the goal, Thirroul launched their first real attack of the game through Tom Goodier up the left wing. The fullbacks looping cross to the back post found the head of Lewis Clements as he tapped it back onto the penalty spot, luckily for Coniston, they were able to clear.

Coniston continued to control the game early on and a series of shots from Kohinoki and Christian Plakias from range almost got through the Thirroul defence only to be blocked and cleared on each occasion.

The next real chance for the home-side came in the 20th minute. A foul towards the side-line gave the chance for Christopher Stevanovski to whip a ball in. Instead, the winger laid a nice ball back onto the edge of the box for an open Plakias who’s first time shot was looking destined for the top corner but a brave header off the line by Todd Davidson kept Thirroul in the game.

As the game ticked over to the 30th minute, Thirroul started to find their feet. Firstly, a Corey Haines-Grose free-kick on the corner of the area was whipped in with pace and it only took a reflex save from Coniston goalkeeper, Ben McGinnes to deny Thunder their equaliser.

The visitors wouldn’t be short-lived for long, however, when Haines-Grose snatched one back. A long ball out from the Thirroul backline looked to be a comfortable clearance for Takayuki Enokido, but a miscommunication between him and McGinnes saw Haines-Grose sneak past to grab the ball before shooting into an open net. A surprise counter-attack equaliser that got Thirroul back in the contest.

The first half finishing equal as both sides didn’t pose many threatening chances on target as they went into the sheds at 1-1.

The second half started quite like the first with Thirroul on the back foot early. Both teams playing to help their season and frustration started to show as the game went on.

Terzic and Kohinoki continued to pressure the opposing defence with some clever balls in and around the box. Kohinoki’s one-two play with Terzic opened up space for a shot but sailed wide of the post. Just minutes later, the midfielder found the run of Terzic up the right sideline before cutting in and delivering a fast ball across the face of goal. Thankfully for Thunder, goalkeeper, Chris Wearing got his outstretched arm to it first and were able to clear.

The next real chance for the home-side came through Terzic again. The striker received the ball at his feet before holding off a couple of players to turn and shoot on his left foot. His shot just floating wide of the post.

Thirroul’s first opportunity of the half, again came on a Coniston error in the backline. This time, an air-swing from fullback, Rory Evans saw Haines-Grose charging through onto goal. The one-on-one situation was stopped as his shot was saved by the foot of McGinnes.

Only three minutes after his last chance on goal, Haines-Grose found himself one-on-one with McGinnes once again. Joel Mucci found space up the left wing before passing towards the striker. With his back towards goal, a sharp turn got the better of Evans once again as he surged on goal. This time his shot rising just over the crossbar.

After the rare chances for Thunder to take the lead, it would be Coniston coming up with the play that put them ahead in the 79th minute. Nice interplay between Kohinoki and Franc Pierro forced Thunder into some desperate cover defence in the box, and it was Goodier sliding in to stop the shot from Pierro only to clip him to concede a penalty. Terzic stepped up to take as he calmly slotted it into the bottom left giving the home-side a deserved lead with ten to go.

Although it was frantic attacking football from Thirroul, it was Coniston scoring in the dying stages to put the game beyond doubt. With the ball finding Mark Picciolini on the edge of the area, the striker set himself up for the spectacular as he sent a bicycle kick goal-wards. An awkward bounce for Wearing saw him fumble it straight into the path of Terzic who tapped it home, sealing off a decisive 3-1 win for Coniston.

The win for Coniston sees them push four points clear of Bellambi in second after their shock 1-1 draw with Berkeley. They have a week off due to the Bert Bampton Cup Final with their next match being away to Warilla.

As for Thirroul, they’ve missed another chance to jump Helensburgh as they both battle to claim third spot.  They still sit two points behind Helensburg leading into the final four games. Thunder host University in two weeks time with the Books going into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Kiama.

 

Saturday 21st July at JJ Kelly Park

 

Coniston FC: 3 (TERZIC 6’, 79’, 90’)

 

Thirroul Thunder FC: 1 (HAINES-GROSE 32’)

 

Line-ups:

Coniston FC: Ben MCGINNES, Kohei ENOKIDO, Takayuki ENOKIDO, Christian PLAKIAS, Hiroaki KOHINOKI, Franc PIERRO, Christopher STEVANOVSKI, Dinko TERZIC, Mark PICCIOLINI, Bradley MOREIRA.

Subs: Valon RIZVANI, Lachlan MARTIN (PLAKIAS 68’), Luke PICCIOLINI (STEVANOVSKI 38’), Christian BOZINOVSKI, Connor O’NIELL (EVANS 80’).

 

Thirroul Thunder FC: Chris WEARING, Daniel BOND, Tom GOODIER, Cooper BRINDLE, Joshua HUTTON, Daniel ARTHUR, Lewis CLEMENTS, Todd DAVIDSON, Joel MUCCI, Nathan MUCCI, Corey HAINES-GROSE.

Subs: Angus NICOL (CLEMENTS 73’), Simon WARD, Samuel ALLISON, Robert GYNGELL (J. MUCCI 85’), Jarrod WALTER.

 

Referee: Nathan WOTTON

Assistant Referees: Annaliese PHIPPS and Gary FREEME

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo by Noel Wynn