GOOD EFFORT FROM THE BOYS

The Gordon Macdonald Electrical Youth Grade team took on rivals Dapto in a match they had to win to get their season back on track. Dapto were only one point behind on the table and the game took on a must win approach if the boys were to keep their place in the top 8 and keep them in contention for the final series.

The team had another line up change following the call up to first grade for Brad Tuohy and Ryan Omrod out with a reoccurring ankle injury. This did not daunt the boys and replacements Chris Hughes in defence and Wade Mathews wide on the right slotted into team and played extremely well.

Kiama showed an improved attitude to the game and got stuck in right from the opening whistle. A free kick early in the game wide on the left was perfectly curled onto the edge of the 6 yard box by Scott Schofield and Craig Costello jumped well above the defence but put the chance over the bar.

The game flowed from end to end with the Quarriers holding the upper hand in a tight battle. Solid defence from Hughes, Paul Thayer and Craig Lord meant keeper James Terry had only a couple of saves to make. Danny Pridham again asserted his authority in the middle of the park with Dave Kay providing support and Matt Gallagher distributing the ball to all corners of the park. Mathews found plenty of space wide on the right and his speed always had his opposite number in trouble.

Andy Hungerford had his best game since making his comeback earlier this season. He combined well with Costello to cause the Dapto defence problems. Their work paid off towards the end of the first half with Hungerford putting the ball past the Dapto keeper to put the Quarriers ahead 1 - 0.  

The second half was much the same as the first as both teams struggled to take control of the game. Dapto finished the game with more purpose than the Kiama boys. Kiama were struggling for composure and numbers as Dapto poured forward looking for the equaliser. Substitutes Ben Jones and James Spence gave Kiama fresh legs and they managed to hold on for the win.

This was a better effort from the boys but they need to step up a couple more gears if they want to win the games they need to, to stay in the top 8.