Illawarra Premier League Season 2022

THE GRAND FINAL

WOLLONGONG OLYMPIC v WOLLONGONG UNITED

The Grand Final is on a rainy day at WIN Stadium. The pitch is in good condition. No soccer player features at the entrance despite a host of successful players from the Illawarra who have featured on the international stage in the world’s largest sporting competition– only rugby league (another story).

Jake True in an early struggle for possession with James Stojanovski.

Dinko Terzic readies for the penalty take.

Justin Pasfield saves. The score remains 0-0.

Tynan Diaz steps up to take a corner down the other end.

Price heads the ball under pressure from Terzic

Chris Price scores off the corner with a powerful pinpoint header.

Perfect Price header puts Olympic in front.

Olympic celebrate Price goal. 1-0 (15′).

Bailey Barbarovski slides in to win the ball off David Hartas.

Danny Lazarevski sets up the United corner defence.

Cross rockets across the face of the goal.

Bailey Barbarovski intercepts the cross and the ball flies into the net. OG.

Helensburgh fans who are going up next year enjoying the Grand Final.

Klime Sekutkoski receives the ball inside the penalty area.

Sekutkoski zips between the two defenders.

Sekutkoski fires a nutmeg through the defensive block by Hartas.

The battle for control of the ball renews.

Score remains 2-1 as full time approaches.

With a few minutes left the shot kisses the goal face. Score remains Olympic 2 United 1.

Olympic are Illawarra Premier League Grand Final Champions.

FINALS SERIES

Fixtures and Results

Wollongong united v cringila lions

The winner goes into Grand Final against Olympic on Sunday. United have the home ground advantage. It’s a sunny day with a coolish breeze on a heavy pitch.

The Lions attacks down the right flank through Michael Mendes.

Anthony Krsteski is closely watched by United.

Ben Zucco breaks through the lines down the left flank.

Sean Thomas halts Zucco’s progress with a body check.

Kawakami shields the ball under pressure from a pressing Lions.

Cautious approach by United as they build from the back.

Klime Sekutkoski finds space to fire on goal.

The Sekutkoski ball zips into the bottom right-hand corner.

Wollongong United 1 Cringila Lions 0 (36′)

Nikola Ristevski pushes the ball over the bar.

The players are out for the Second Half.

The ball is headed down to James Stojanovski.

Lions clear the loose ball. The score remains 1-0.

Andre Dias blots down the left flank and shoots.

Krstevski shot serves and deceives the keeper.

Thomas Darjani drives the ball far post.

Jeremy Flanagan gets to the ball and slots it home.

United are through to the Grand Final next Sunday against Olympic.

Bulli 1901 FC v Cringila Lions

The Elimination Final is between Bulli 1901 FC and Cringila Lions. The winner will play Wollongong United next week for a place in the Grand Final against the in-form and clinical Wollongong Olympic.

Supporters enjoying a cool spring afternoon.Review of Elinination Final

Lions fans applaud the Ristevki penalty save.

Bulli FC 1901 surge forward through Ryan Emerton.

Javis Paterson is narrowly unable to get to the cross.

Under pressure, Seiya Miyamoto punches clear.

Peter Simonoski pounces and slots the ball away.

An action filled first half comes to an end.

Second half is underway. Zucco launches a Lions attack.

Bulli FC 1901 keep a close eye on Zucco.

Lions make tactical changes in the second half seeking onto hold their 0-1 lead.

Bulli FC 1901 coaches concerned with state of play.

Miyamoto watches the ball swerve at the near post.

Miyamoto pushes the ball over the crossbar.

Bulli FC 1901 bring on their gun striker, Ben McDonald.

Lions contain Bulli FC 1901 and play on the counter.

Dimoski shot on the counter is saved by Miyamoto.

Krsteski drives the ball into the goal area.

Review of Elinination Final

Bulli 1901 FC v Cringila Lions

Can the Lions hot streak continue?

Or will Bulli 1901 FC prove one step too far?

The loser is out. The winner continues the journey through the Finals Series?

Elimination Final: Coniston FC v CRINGILA LIONS

The game was moved to Monday to allow the field to drain. It is a beautiful spring day and a heavy pitch. Given past meetings between the sides this season one expects another close encounter.

The teams enter the field for the sudden death elimination semi-final.

Lions need to defend an early high ball into their final third.

Lions defence holds firm against the high ball.

Ben Zucco sends a pin-point ball forward.

Anthony Krsteski heads the ball over the keeper.

Krsteski scores the opening goal after only 4′.

Van Elia passes the ball into the penalty area.

Nikolu Ristevski saves the offensive ball back from the goal line.

Ristevski punches clear under pressure. The score remains 0-1.

Lions looking to flick the ball onto Krsteski.

Stefan Dimoski narrowly misses through a wall of players.

The Coniston high ball over the top is well defended.

Krsteski is brought down in the box right in front of the referee. Penalty!

Kaydin Harrison saves the penalty. The score remains 0-1.

Harrison distributes the ball from the back.

Tobias Norval drives a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Krsteski dribbles into a central position.

The Krsteski ball swerves and dips leaving the goalkeeper stranded.

Samuel Matthews shoots as the Lions defence scrambles.

Ristevski tips the Matthews drive over the crossbar.

Harrison pushes the Mendes shot over the crossbar.

Peter Simonoski fires the cross into the net. 1-3 (43′).

Part of the crowd on the other side enjoying the game.

Lions are first out for the 2nd Half. They are leading 1-3.

Coniston FC revved-up for the 2nd Half who need to score two.

Andre Dias goes for the ball as Ekove D’aleida charges down the right wing.

Jake Morlando looks to build the attack. Coniston are with the possession.

Coniston are wary of the counter-attack.

Lions counter. Dimoski uses the right flank.

Full time. Cringila Lions are through to the elimination final.

Preview

Due to both games being on Sunday and I am unable to be there, here is a quick preview.

The key game is the Coniston FC v Cringila Lions elimination semi-final. There has been rain all week leading up the game. Their most recent encounter was a tightly fought 2-2 draw.

In their previous previous meeting the score ended 2-2.

No Round this week

Hiatus. In the meantime, the UCI World Championships are on in Wollongong.

UCI_WWC: 1

ROUND 30

Fixtures and Results

Cringila Lions are one point away from making the Finals Series- it is the last round of the regular season. They face Wollongong United who are at home and will show off their Premiership Cup to their fans.

The Lions need at least a draw to make the Finals Series.

Mid-air collision. Neither side is giving an inch.

United use the direct header to launch an attack.

Kyah Jovanovski is surrounded by Lions defenders.

Jovanovski is down in the box. No penalty.

United with the direct header into the box.

Mason Versi weaves his way into the Lions box.

Versi shoots through the closing defenders.

Concentration. Game remains 0-0 after 20′.

Lions build the pressure to get the lion’s share of possession.

United defend the Lions’ ball over the top.

United on the attack. Lions fall back into shape.

Seiji Kawakami closes down Anthony Krsteski.

Krsteski shoots through two United defenders.

Jacob Madden pushed the Krsteski shot around the upright.

Akhurst drives the ball into the penalty area.

Lions’ win the penalty. Penalty converted.

Halftime: United 0 Lions 1 (Mendes, 39′).

United are immediately on the attack looking for an equalizer.

Ben Zucco is brought on to bolster the defence.

Ryan Akhurst brings down Versi from behind.

United show their Premiership Cup to their fans.

Round 21 (moved)

Fixtures and Results

Tarrawanna Blueys play Cringila Lions for 5th spot and a Finals Series berth. The Lions have games in hand on the Blueys and a win today would put them in the box seat for the Final Series. The weather is warming, spring showers interspersed with bouts of sunshine.

Blueys defend a Lions cross into their box.

Lions tightly mark attacking midfielder Takumi Ofuka.

Blueys spread the ball wide to Harry Llyod.

Krsteski leaps to redirect an attacking lob.

Lloyd on the outside right of the penalty box eyes-up a shot.

The Llyod shot flashes past the right upright.

Keegan Matias dashes up the right flank into the rain shower.

Players make their way out for the 2nd half.

Blueys are immediately on the attack from the whistle.

Lloyd with space down the right lines one up.

Ristevski tips the Lloyd drive over the crossbar.

Ofuka leads Blueys’ attack down the right flank.

Ralston shields Ristevski who intercepts the Ofuka cross into the goal area.

The cross from the right wing into the penalty area.

Andre Dias in a battle royale with Lloyd.

Krsteski punts the ball back across the goal area.

Goal! Lions lead 0-2 in the 85th minute.

Full time: Tarrawanna Blueys 0 Cringila Lions 2.

Round 28

Fixtures and Results

Cringila Lions v Coniston FC is about to get underway.

The race for the Finals Series is on in earnest. Cringila Lions need a win, if they are to be an outside chance of making the Finals Series. Coniston FC still have ambitions for the Premiership and/or Grand Final Winner. There is a late blast of winter. It is a cool and wet night for the match.

Both sides looking are looking for a win.

Jason Zufic is brought down by the Michael Mendes challenge.

Coniston are immediately on the counter.

Nikola Ristevski punches the ball clear.

Anthony Krsteski put Lions ahead on the stroke of Halftime.

Gian Sacco pounces on the ball inside the area and belts the ball into the net.

Coniston celebrate taking the lead. Sacco goal!

Anthony Krsteski tussles with Kayano in the box.

Wollongong Olympic play Wollongong United in a top of the table clash. Olympic need to win to make up points on United and put in an end of season challenge for the Premiership. The rain continues to flow.

Rick Goodchild steps up for the direct about 25m out.

Jacob Madden pushes the ball over the bar.

Second half is under way. Olympic defence close down Mitsuo Yamada.

Players are down in the box. Penalty appeals are turned down. The score remains 1-0.

Well-timed defensive lunge for the ball.

Jacob Madden is up for the corner with minutes to go.

ROUND 27

Fixtures and Results

Nervous moments arrive for the Blueys who come off a win over Wollongong United. Consistency remains an issue. They play Bulli FC 1901 who are still in the race for a Premiership and a win today will in all likely cement their spot in the top five- a Finals Series spot. The Blueys sit precarious in 5th spot on the table. A wettish spring day and if the rain holds off ideal conditions for a local rivalry.

Nervous moments for the Blueys who need to win.

Tomohiro Ishii drives down the right. Bulli FC 1901 are quick off the block.

Adam Rodriguez gathers the ball under pressure from Jarvis Paterson.

Paterson with his eye on the dropping ball.

Goal! Paterson volley is smashed into the back of the net.

Clarino slide wins the ball off Takumi Ofuka.

McDonald holds the ball under Ofuka pressure.

Miyamoto reflex save. Blueys 0 Bulli FC 1901 1.

Toby Drain is unable to get the cross in.

Clarino heads clear the over-the-top ball.

Bulli FC 1901close down the Blueys inside right flank attack.

Bulli FC 1901 use the inside right to attack.

The decision is no goal due to encroachment.

Blueys start the attack down the right from deep.

Blueys 1 Bulli FC 1901 2 (Paterson 63′).

Paterson gets on the end of a McDonald’s header.

Paterson hattrick. Blueys 1 Bulli FC 1901 3 ( 84′)

Full time: Tarrawanna Blueys 1 Bulli FC 1901 5.

Corrimal Rangers v Woonona Sharks

The relegation battle is reaching its finale. A win for the Sharks over Corrimal Rangers will guarantee survival due to Bellambi FC losing to South Coast United. A beautiful spring day for football with the pressure on the Sharks to find a win.

The Sharks are immediately on the attack. Richard Lee rounds his defender.

Takumi Tomizawa punches the Lee shot clear.

Jesse French shoots. Sharks pepper the Rangers goal.

Tomizawa with lightning reflexes pushes the French strike around the post.

Tomaizawa punches clear as the Sharks continue their all out attacking approach.

Sharks’ technical area watch on as save after save denies the Sharks the lead.

Luke Toohey rocket in the top right hand corner gives Tomizawa no chance.

Corrimal Rangers 0 Woonona Sharks 1 (38′).

Safe hands by Brandon Groom keeps the score 0-1.

Rangers overload the right flank to break down the Sharks defence.

With the clock winding down, Tomizawa steps up to take the direct.

Tomizawa slams the ball onto the crossbar. Broom can only look on.

Thomas Richmond beats Tomizawa to the ball and shoots towards the empty net.

ROUND 7 Moved washout round

Fixtures and Results

Relegation battles feature this round. It is still not clear who will go down. The Woonona Sharks FC take on Bellambi Rosellas FC in a long-standing local rivalry in the northern suburbs of the Illawarra. A Sharks win will all but guarantee survival and the drop for the Rosellas. It is a cool cloudy day with a light WSW – ideal conditions for football.

Nicholas Valjak crosses into the box. Rosellas use the right wing to get behind the Sharks defence.

Sharks keeper Brandon Groom intercepts the cross from Valjak.

Adam Casey expresses his concern about the Rosellas penetration.

Sharks are first to the ball with a defensive header.

Max Ashton takes on Daniel Koliopoulos down the right wing.

Ashton reverse weaves around Koliopoulos.

Ashton gets his cross in around the Koliopoulos pressure.

Tight marking and rapid closing down by Luke Boersma.

Chris Gomez gets behind the Sharks defence and at speed shoots under pressure.

Groom with quick reflexes makes a big save.

Casey shoots under pressure from Rosellas keeper Nathin Cupitt.

Robbie Gaudiosi distributes the ball to launch Shark attack.

Rosellas fire the ball across the penalty area.

Survival probability has just increased.

The struggle to avoid relegation moves to the wire.

ROUND 5 REmainder washout round

Fixtures and Results

Coniston FC play Port Kembla FC at home. Coniston have been hitting form and contesting for Finals Series spot. For Port they need a win if they are to have any chance of making the final five. The weather is perfect and the ground looks in good condition.

Coninston are immediately on the attack.

Port Defence are tight on Ekoue D’almeida.

Nikolovski on another raid down the right.

Matthew Floro scores off the quick counter-attack.

Oliver Carrasco with a looping back-header.

Halftime: Coniston FC 1 Port Kembla FC 1.

Port lob the ball down the right flank to set up an attack.

Elia finds a little space in the penalty area.

Elia shoots under pressure as Port close down the space.

The Elia shot rebounds off the crossbar.

Samuel Matthews at pace prepares to volley.

Matthews adjusts and guides the ball behind the keeper.

Port are unable to keep the ball from going into the goals.

Relegation looms large for both South Coast United and Woonona FC Sharks. A win could bring daylight into focus from the relegation abyss. Both need wins. The season moves on and into its latter stages. Its a cool but mercifully dry night for this clash.

South Coast United and Woonona Sharks are in a relegation struggle.

Jason Bleakley saves the Adam Casey shot.

Bailey Morphett dribbles down the inside right channel.

Morphett pivots and distributes the ball centrally.

Bleakley stops the shot across the keeper.

End-to-end action. Both teams are looking for the win.

Gaudiosi is unable to reach the rebound.

United and Sharks in a relegation battle.

Sharks win the ball. United appeal for a foul.

Jumping Vranic volley is across the keeper at pace.

Marco Pennisi arrives near post and drives the ball into the net.

United are in front with less than 15 minutes to go.

Samuel Lendrum shoots. Sharks are into all-out attack mode.

The Bleakley deflection causes the ball to flash past the upright.

Only a couple of minutes is left for the Sharks to equalize.

Sub Thomas Richmond blasts the ball into the net.

Full time: South Coast United 1 Woonona FC Sharks 1

Thrilling draw.

Round 4 washout catchup

Fixtures and Results

The Blueys are at home to Coniston FC with both teams vying for a Finals Series berth. The Blueys are off a loss, and another will see them drop into the melee. Cono are wanting that Top 5 spot. This should be another interesting encounter.

Adam Rodriguez makes the first save of the match.

Zufic drives a cross into the Blueys penalty area.

Van Elia scores! Blueys 0 Coniston FC 1 (7′).

Coniston celebrate Elia goal with the three-point penetration, Zufic-Matthews-Elia.

Penalty. Jacob Gjorsevski steps up to the spot.

Takayuki Kayano passes forward from the back.

Loe gets his cross in under pressure from Stone.

Goal! Coniston take the lead. 1-2 (55′).

Zufic and Gjorsevski in a struggle for the ball.

Loe volleys the rebound to make it 1-3 (66′).

Adam Voloder drives the ball into the Six.

Matthew Floro drives the ball home! 1-4 (75′).

The ball flashes past the Coniston upright.

Full time: Tarrawanna Blueys 1 Coniston FC 4

ROUND 23 (CATCHUP ROUND)

Fixtures and Results

The Blueys take on the Cringila Lions. The Blueys need to win to remain on top of the ladder. The Lions come off a heavy loss to Olympic and must win if they are to keep faint hopes alive of making the Finals. The ground is slippery and bumpy.