HAPPY DAYS AT BULLI AS KIAMA SMACK FOUR
Last Saturday the Kiama Quarriers traveled to Balls Paddock, Bulli, for Round 16 of the Illawarra Soccer Premier League. A win was vital for both clubs as they propped up the foot of the competition in the bottom two positions. Kiama have been in good recent form while Bulli pulled off their first win in weeks in their last outing. The two clubs shared the points earlier in the season and there was no love lost between the two sides after that encounter.
The small band of hardy Kiama supporters on hand were thrilled as the Quarriers romped to an emphatic 4 – 1 victory. The winning points not only lifted Kiama off the foot of the table but also elevated them over both Bulli and Balgownie. Bally lost to Western Suburbs the same day and Kiama go above them on goal difference with the two teams to meet next week at the Kiama Leisure Centre.
I have been complaining for weeks that luck has not been going the Quarriers way and that they have been playing well and not getting the results they deserve. Well the pigeons came home to roost on Saturday and the Quarriers finally got their share of luck and success.
This was not the side’s best performance this year by a long shot, in fact the side played below par compared to other games, but it was a different Kiama team than we have seen so far this season. Saturday’s game was a somewhat dour affair and the Quarriers normal flair and style was lacking. But it was replaced by steely determination and a willingness to get stuck in and put the body on the line that has been missing in those earlier games. Quite simply, the boys decided they were sick and tired of being beaten after playing all the football. In this match the attacks were still plentiful but the team was much more focused on its defence which was decisive and at times brutal.
The opening of the match was rather tame and it was obvious that both teams were wary of the other. After 12 minutes Kiama scored off their first real attack when Nick Gallagher volleyed home a goal from four meters via a deflected Mike Merriman shot.
The Quarriers were leading 1 – 0 but Bulli turned on the style and penned the visitors back in their own half for much of the first half. Bulli put great pressure on Kiama and it was only some great goal keeping by Tidswell in goals that saved the day. The home side looked great on the ball but things tended to fizzle out in front of goal.
For their part Kiama went close through Brad Boardman with a header that shaved the post and Jovanov with a looping header that went over the bar. They were not looking pretty but were quite comfortable with their lead.
Half time saw the Quarriers go in holding their slim 1 – 0 lead but the game could have gone in either direction. Bulli were making plenty of chances but a combination of strong defence and Tidswell dominance put paid to most of these efforts.
Bulli opened up the second half in dynamic fashion and had Kiama pegged back in defence from the kick off. They equalized after 50 minutes from a corner on the left. Tidswell saved a strong header but could only parry the ball out and Bulli bundled the ball into the net to tie the scores up at 1 - 1.
Things looked ominous for the Quarriers and Bulli continued to threaten. The home side should have done better with a header from six meters out that went harmlessly over the bar.
In the 55th minute Mike Merriman hit a long clearance out from defence and classy striker Manny Mavrides set off on what looked like a forlorn chase of the ball. He was covered by two defenders and the advancing goalkeeper but showed his spirit by muscling through the throng of players and getting his foot to the ball just inside the box to lob it over the ‘keepers head. Kiama 2 - 1.
At this stage of the game the Kiama supporters were becoming increasingly concerned about the glut of free kicks the referee was dishing out to Bulli in dangerous positions. It was one of these that shaved the left-hand post after a strange referees ruling in the 60th minute. What made it harder for the Kiama supporters to fathom was that he sent Merriman off for treatment after noticing blood on his shirt. He effectively penalized Kiama twice and gave Bulli an unfair advantage for the free kick as Merriman was made to wait for the kick to be taken before rejoining play.
The Quarriers opened up in the 65th minute and scored their third goal. Brad Boardman chipped a lovely cross into the box and Gallagher snuck in unmarked and picked his spot with a low drive. Kiama 3 Bulli 1.
By this time the Quarriers had shrugged off all the shackles that Bulli had placed on them and opened up with some terrific football. They began to knock the ball around with great confidence and took the Bulli defence apart. Nathan Broad took on three defenders in a surging run before letting himself down with a poor finish and replacement Adam White lobbed a ball over the bar after good work by Nathan Wright.
Gallagher went close with a header after 90 minutes but it fell to live wire midfielder Nathan Wright to have the last say in the match. He was awarded a free kick on the right side of the park and Kiama took their places for a set move. It was obvious to the Kiama supporters behind Wright what he was up to and they were delighted when he hit a delicate curling ball over the Bulli keeper into the far top corner for a great goal to finish the match.
A Bulli official growled that the 4 – 1 score line flattered Kiama but so what. The boys took their chances whereas in other games they have gone begging. This was a terrific win for the Club at the business end of the season. Whereas this time last year the side was playing for promotion, the situation no less important this year with the side playing to avoid relegation. The commitment and dedication of the players is sky high and all they need is a few results to go their way to ensure safety in the Premier League.
Although the Quarriers appeared a little flat it was the change in tactics that gave this impression. A lot more attention was paid to stopping goals and this in effect assisted them in scoring at the other end and they played a more thoughtful game. The whole commitment of the team was excellent and the players put their bodies on the line time and time again.
Best for Kiama in a good win were defenders Dave Jovanov and Mick Gillespie. Striker Manny Mavrides was also in top form and did everything with style and simplicity. The Kiama Leagues Club Man of the Match was defender Damien Mason who had a brilliant game with strong defence and dangerous runs into the attacking zone.
Kiama’s reserve Grade continued their run of outs and went down 2 – 0 after a fantastic clash. Both sides threw everything at the other and the supporters on hand cheered both sides off the park. The Quarriers were unlucky with an own goal in the very last second and this blew the score out slightly.
Kiama’s Youth Grade put in another top effort against mid table Bulli and ground out a 0 – 0 draw. This was their sixth draw of the season and the boys are growing in confidence with every game. Coach Neil Spence is working well with the boys and their season is already a success and can only get better. The boys have given many of their more fancied opponents a battle and a bit more experience at this level will see the boys improve.
Next Saturday the Quarriers play another “Grand Final” type match against Balgownie Rangers. Bally hammered Kiama 5 – 3 away in the first half of the year in what was a very poor game for Kiama. This result stands out in Kiama’s season as a particularly bad one and the players have been waiting to match up with Bally again. A good result here can push the Quarriers up the points table. The clubs nearest to Kiama all have tough games against top four sides so it is a golden chance for the home side.
Come on up to the Kiama Leisure Centre and cheer on the Quarriers in what should be a fantastic afternoon of soccer. First Grade kick off at 3.00pm and an after match function will be held at the Kiama Leagues Club for player presentations.