QUARRIERS OUTCLASS BERKELEY

 

The Kiama Quarriers Soccer Club came back fresh as a daisy last Friday night after a weeks lay off to beat local rivals Berkeley Soccer Club 3 – 1 in Round 13 of the Illawarra First Division at Berkeley Sports Ground.

 

The Quarriers went into the game carrying a few injuries and Coach Brod Crighton continued his system of squad rotation and brought in fresh replacements.  Midfielders Mason and Broad were missing along with goalkeeper Tidswell.  Crighton filled the spaces with Price and Triffitt and brought in sixteen-year-old Youth Grade goalkeeper James Terry between the posts.

 

The game was re-scheduled for a Friday night kick off and the players had no trouble adjusting to playing under lights.  What they did find hard to adjust to was the muddy conditions underfoot that made the going heavy and the ball slippery.

 

Kiama have played some terrific games of soccer this year and displayed a dazzling brand of play.  This match was not one of them and was simply ugly.  The conditions, compounded by Berkeley’s harassing tactics, made it a very poor game from a spectators point of view but well earned points for the players and coaches.

 

Berkeley are languishing towards the bottom of the table but have a young squad that are very keen to mix it with their opponents.  They closed down the Quarriers very quickly and were more than willing to get stuck in and battle for the ball.  In this phase of the game, Kiama really missed Mason, Broad and Gillespie who excel in that type of football.

 

For all the froth and bubble during the first half there were very few goal scoring chances and the Berkeley ‘keeper only had to make one save from a Boardman drive.  Other than that, most of the game was fought out in midfield with neither side gaining the upper hand.

 

Kiama opened the scoring minutes before half time and it was leading goal scorer Luke Bedford who tucked it away.  The goal was ordinary but still counted and the Quarriers struck a blow in the danger period that is always so perilous to teams as they start thinking about a half time rest.

 

At half time most of the supporters considered the Quarriers to be on top without turning their dominance into goals.

 

The second half saw a more dominant Kiama team lift their game and underline their superiority.  The normal fluency was not there but in patches the Quarriers were very impressive, especially out wide on the flanks away from the boggy mire.

 

The Quarriers second goal came via a pinpoint Dean Triffitt cross that had midfielder Dave Jovanov hitting the back of the net with a diving header.  The goal was very classy and an indication of what the team was capable of.

 

Just when it seemed that Kiama were going to over run Berkeley and nab a bagful of goals they struck back with a brilliantly taken free kick from thirty metres out.  Young Kiama ‘keeper, Terry, was merely a spectator as the ball was curled into the far, top, right hand corner for a stunner of a goal.

 

For the next few minutes it seemed that Berkeley were going to push Kiama to the end but surprisingly their flair ran out and the Quarriers took control again.  For the rest of the match they seemed content to knock the ball around and keep out of trouble.  Five minutes from time Bedford got his second for the night and Kiama were never going to be caught.

 

Overall the match was a disappointment and the side can play much better but taking into account the conditions and the fact that both teams hadn’t played for a fortnight the win seemed that much better.  At this stage of the season any win is a good win and the team must keep focused on the remaining games.

 

Best for the Quarriers in an average game were defender Brad Tuohy, who had a blinder and striker Luke Bedford.  Both players stood out from the pack and played somewhere near their normal peak. 

 

The Kiama Leagues Club Man of the Match was midfielder Mark Price who was the old head amongst the kids.  Price had the experience to smooth his ruffled teammates in tough times and slow play down when it was needed. 

 

The win leaves the Quarriers in a terrific position with only four rounds to go.  The Quarriers are sitting out in front on their own two points clear of Tarrawanna and Warilla Wanderers and have a bye next week, which gives them an automatic three points.

 

The only question mark for the team is the on-going dispute currently going through the appeals process over the washed out game against Warilla Wanderers.  The matter will shortly go before the New South Wales Soccer Federation Appeals Board for determination. 

 

The Quarriers have a simple request.  They want to replay the match while the Wanderers are holding out for a forfeit and three points.  The Quarriers find it hard to understand how any club can claim a forfeit when it has been conceded by Soccer Illawarra that it failed to notify Kiama of the re-scheduled match against Warilla after the first game was washed out in May.   Hopefully sanity will prevail and the match will be played thus allowing all teams a fair go.

The Clubs run in to the business end of the season is being somewhat stuttering, as Round 14 of the competition is a bye for the Quarriers.  All teams gain three points for the bye and all should either hold their positions or creep up a place or two in the case of the Reserve Grade.

The Quarriers next match is Saturday July 28th at the Leisure Centre when the Club takes on Woonona.  First Grade kick off at 3.00pm and all supporters are welcome.