KIAMA QUARRIERS GO TOP OF THE TABLE WITH TWO WINS

The Kiama Quarriers Soccer Club played their Second Round match against University S.C. at the Kiama Leisure Centre last Saturday.  In a tough match the Quarriers ran out winners 1 – 0.  This, combined with their great 4 – 1 win the previous week against South Coast United in the opening round, has left the Quarriers in good form at the start of the new season.

The First Round match against South Coast was an incredible affair with all the action taking place in the first twenty minutes of the game.  Kiama scored four goals, had a player sent off, lost their first choice keeper to injury and conceded a penalty all in the space of the opening twenty minutes of the game, and still hung on for a good win.

But Saturdays match against University was a much more controlled affair with both sides playing good soccer and probing for the opportunity to knock in a few goals.  Although there was only one goal in the game there were plenty of thrills and spills for the supporters.

Both teams enjoyed good runs in the semi finals last year without taking out any trophies and are good bets for some of the major games later in the season.  Uni play a hard, physical style and tend to batter their opponents and use their pace to their advantage.  Kiama on the other hand are a ball playing side this year and have a good team that is capable of upsetting some of the more fancied clubs.

Coach Brod Creighton has a young squad that is much stronger than last years and has about seventeen or eighteen players that can come in and out of first grade without weakening the side.

 

Saturday’s version featured Mike Merriman in the sweepers role and he totally dominated his end of the field.  Defender Jason Sawyer was also in outstanding form and never let his younger and quicker opponent get into the game.  Dave Jovanov and Marc Price are forming a good partnership in the midfield with Mick Gillespie supplying the muscle.  Jason Lockhart, back after a three-year absence, fitted in like he had never been away and had an outstanding game with his sensible approach and stability.

The first twenty minutes belonged to the home team and the Quarriers were very good playing the ball through the midfield and were unlucky with a number of chances in front of goal.  Luke Bedford teased Uni every time he got the ball and is in top form at the moment.  He is an exciting player and totally unpredictable, even for his team-mates.

Both sides were evenly matched and a lot of the game was played out in the midfield, especially in the latter part of the half.   The game was evenly balanced with both teams taking the upper hand at various times.  Uni used a long throw in to great advantage and caused the Quarriers defence problems with it from attacking positions.  They had a player that could throw the ball into the goalmouth from the sideline and he was a constant thorn in the Quarriers side.

 

On the alternative, Kiama were dangerous when moving the ball out wide and continually penetrated the Uni defence before sending over dangerous crosses.  But for all the action there were no goals to show at half time. 

Kiama made a few substitutions early in the second half and the experienced Damien Mason was introduced into the midfield.  He is a real impact player and the results were immediate with the Quarriers looking a lot more dangerous in the attacking zone.

There was a forlorn cry for a penalty after sixty-eight minutes when Jovanov was flattened inside the box after going around the goalkeeper.  It seemed pretty clear cut but the ref saw it different and cautioned Jovanov for diving.  Rather than a dive he was knocked about eight feet in the air by the keeper but the referee had his own opinion.

Shortly afterwards Kiama had a golden chance to open the scoring when Mick Gillespie made a terrific run down the sideline.  He beat the defence and took the ball to the goal line before cutting back a low ball to an unmarked Jai Cartwright.  With lots of time and acres of space the youngster smashed the ball onto the cross bar and hung his head in dismay.

But a goal wasn’t far away and Kiama scored the only one of the match in the seventy fifth minute.  After a bit of sustained pressure from the Quarriers new signing Neil Wurst got on the end of a good cross and powered a header at goal.  A Uni defender cleared it off the line and it fell to Dave Jovanov who forced it into the net after a goalmouth scramble that left him injured.

The last few minutes of the game were a real nail biter for the local supporters and Uni looked quite capable of stealing a late equalizer.  The opinion on the sideline was that a one nil win is every bit as good as a two nil win and the Quarriers should have shut up shop to ensure the points, so it was a real relief to hear the final whistle.

 

A win against Uni, whether at home or away, is a great result for the Quarriers who have suffered at the hands of the students in recent years.  They are a classy side and a good measuring stick for the young Kiama team. 

Kiama’s big test comes in a few weeks time when they take on Albion Park White Eagles at Terry Reserve Albion Park.  The Eagles were relegated from the Premier League last year and are looking to buy promotion back to the top flight this year.  Their chequebook has been given a belting with many new signings and the big question is “Can they buy the championship?”  We will find out on Saturday 21 April at Albion Park.