Last Friday night the Kiama Quarriers traveled to Crehan Park, Cringila for the Round 8 clash with Cringila Lions in the Illawarra Soccer Association Premier League. In a tough match played in atrocious conditions in front of a good crowd the Quarriers came off second best with a 1 – 0 loss.
Kiama were without playmaker Nathan Broad who is out for two games after being sent off the previous and Nick Gallagher who is missing with a groin injury. Captain Mike Merriman is still awaiting a Doctors clearance to play after breaking his cheek a few weeks ago. Coach Brod Crighton retained the side that played last week with the exception of Craig Barrass standing aside for Mick Gillespie in the central defenders role and Marc Price coming for the suspended Broad.
The Cringila Club must be applauded for the stadium they have build at Crehan Park and the supporters at this game were well protected from the torrential downpour during the game.
Although the Quarriers lost this match their was no dishonor in the result as both sides put on a terrific display of soccer, albeit two different styles. Cringila played a classy game with lots of short passes and lots of possession while Kiama concentrated on soaking up the pressure and releasing lightening fast counter attacks. With both sides looking for the win it was a spectacle for the supporters of both Clubs.
The Quarriers opened well and Brian Brown and Nathan Wright caused the Lions defence plenty of concern in the first fifteen minutes when they used their speed to put the defence under pressure.
Wright tore a hole in the defence in the 11th minute and was unlucky to shoot into the side netting from six metres out. Three minutes later he had his best chance of the game when he got onto a deflected shot from Mason inside the penalty box and took a snap shot from three meters out. The volley dipped over the keeper and skimmed the top of the cross bar. Brad Boardman also had a great chance when he dummied his way through the defence only to have his shot well saved by the Lions goalie.
Kiama’s ‘keeper Josh Tidswell pulled off a remarkable save at the other end from a top corner drive after a well worked move. There was not a person in the ground that knew how he got his hand to the ball but it was a great reflex save. He pulled off another brilliant save in the 30th minute from close range and Cringila must have been cursing for not putting that one away.
The half time score was 0 – 0 and the game could have swung in either direction. Neither side dominated although both were totally committed to attacking football. The referee was also helpful in encouraging the open play and used the advantage rule whenever possible.
Cringila started stronger in the second half and really put the Kiama defence to the test. Dave Jovanov was brilliant in the sweepers role and was like a rock. Gillespie was also in fine form while Brad Tuohy had a titanic battle going on with his opponent. The Quarriers slowly fought their way back into the match and put the wind up Cringila with a couple of terrific moves that should have resulted in goals.
Nick Wright shimmied his way through a couple of defenders and had a low shot saved at the 55th minute mark and two minutes later Gareth Gardner played a terrific move with Brown and found himself inside the penalty box with only the keeper in front of him. Unfortunately he was off balance and snatched at his shot and hit a softie at the ‘keeper. This move certainly deserved a better ending.
Cringila for their part were not leaving it all to the Quarriers and were busy at the other end. Tidswell was having a blinder and pulled off two great saves that should have hit the back of the net. The pressure was slowly building as the game opened up. Gaps appeared that were not there earlier and both sides were throwing players forward looking for the opening goal.
It was becoming obvious that the first goal in this game would be the winner but there was still uncertainty as to who would score it. Cringila were playing exceptionally well and had possession of the ball for increasingly long times while the Quarriers were content to soak up the pressure and look for the quick break. Surprisingly it was one of these movements that fell to Cringila and Tuohy and Jovanov found themselves being attacked by four opponents. It was only a last minute interception by Tuohy that saved the moment.
The only goal of the game came in the 80th minute and it fell to the Lions. They played the ball forward confidently and swung the move out to the right wing. Two Kiama defenders missed important tackles before the ball was swung into the penalty box. A Cringila striker hit a first time volley under extreme pressure and beat Tidswell for a very good goal.
Faced with the prospect of being on the losing side of the game the Quarriers opened right up and Jovanov pushed into the midfield. Brown made way for Luke Bedford and the game was wide open. The last stanza of the game was electric as the match raged back and forth.
Full time saw Cringila run out 1 – 0 winners but this was a game that could have gone either way. Unfortunately for the Quarriers they really needed the points and find themselves digging a hole for themselves. The side has recorded one win, three draws and four losses and must find a way to lift themselves and get back on the winning ledger. Merriman and Broad should be back in the side shortly and this will bolster the team not only in playing strength but also in confidence.
All of the players put in top performances and really put it to the Cringila players. Damien mason was very strong in the midfield with Boardman out wide also performing well. Jovanov had a blinder in the heart of the defence and was well supported by Gillespie. The Kiama Leagues Club Man of the Match was goalkeeper Josh Tidswell. He was instrumental in keeping the Quarriers in the game with a string of fantastic saves. His overall general play was also very strong and he led from the back and marshaled his defence with confidence.
Kiama’s reserve Grade played on Thursday night and continued their ordinary form with a 5 – 2 loss. The match was even at 2 – 2 with only ten minutes left before the side lost concentration and had three goals hammered past them at the death.
Kiama Youth Grade had a sensational game against third placed Cringila and recorded their first win of the season with a 2 -1 triumph. The boys were all guts and fight and fended a late match charge by the Lions to take the win. Goalkeeper James Terry pulled off a miraculous save from a volley late in the match to keep the points for his side. All of the boys had big games and this match was a reward for their tenacity.
Next Saturday the Quarriers are at home to bottom side Tarrawanna who were promoted with Kiama last year. Tarra have been struggling in recent weeks but are a much better side than the results have been showing. Tarra and Kiama are both languishing at the wrong end of the points table but the season has a long way to go and it was always going to be the case of the new boys taking time to settle and find their feet.
First Grade kick off at 3.00pm and all supporters are welcome to join the players at the ground for what should be a great afternoon of football and for an after match function at the Kiama Leagues Club where players awards will be presented.