Central Coast have opened up a two point buffer at the top of Super League after defeating Fraser Park while previous joint leaders Spirit FC dropped points at home to Blacktown Spartans. But St George, Macarthur Rams and Granville Rage are hot on their heels after all three gained victories this weekend.
Dulwich Hill v St George
At one stage, it looked like this match would not take place, with the power supply at Arlington Oval having been disrupted earlier in the day, but late repairs meant that the floodlights were able to be called into action and the game was on, if a little late, a decision which both clubs were grateful for.
By the end of the night though, it would be St George who would benefit the most. They took home the three points, but not before surviving a scare against a tenacious Dulwich Hill.
The match started at a furious pace, and it took only five minutes before the first chance appeared. Steve Donevski, for Dully, really should have scored when faced with a gaping goal, the gilt edged chance being horribly wasted.
Simon Verrender returned salvo for the Saints, his header from a Daniel Fallico long throw, coming back off the post.
St George did take the lead midway through the first half, a penalty by Ivo de Jesus securing the lead after Reuben Lagos was fouled. They dominated the half, in both territory and possession, but couldn’t find a way through for a second. Blake Ricciuto hit the post and Matthew Kasbarian saved well from Denis Cutura. Donevski meanwhile, again for Dully, turned well but Daniel Nash was equal to the task.
A penalty to Dulwich Hill after the restart, seemed certain to draw the home side level, but Matt Toogood’s strike was saved by Nash. A close call then for the Saints, who had been under some pressure.
As Dully continued the search for a goal, St George struck to make the game safe. James Kovas evaded the offside, though hotly disputed by Dully, and faced Kasbarian in a one-on-one. Rounding the keeper, Kovas shot sweetly to make it 2-0, with ten minutes left.
Lagos almost blasted home a third from the edge of the box with a couple of minutes to go but a great save by Kasbarian kept the scoreline down. In truth though, a 3-0 scoreline would have been a disservice to Dulwich Hill.
“They took their chances and we didn’t, that was the difference” stated Paul Carter after the game.
“I thought they dominated the first half but we killed them in the second. But they are a good side, and very clinical”.
But while his side may have lost, Carter saw only good things ahead.
“To be honest, I have been very happy with the squad so far. There have been a few little issues, but things will only look up. We are a totally new squad, while St George and Spirit [who Dulwich Hill played in round one] have been together for a couple of years. There is a lot more in us, improvement in our cohesion, we can still improve 60%.”
One player who we can expect to see shortly is striker Troy Eedy, who scored a fine equaliser for Dulwich Hill in the Under 20s 2-2 draw.
“Troy is like a brand new player. He hasn’t played for a long while but he will be a big plus for us”.
Kory Babington was satisfied with the win, although he did feel the performance could have been better.
“We were a little bit rusty tonight and I believe we still have a bit of improvement to go. We didn’t train on a field this week, which doesn’t help, and I thought we were a little bit average.”
“But we need to be taking the three points, if we wish to be there at the end of the season”.
Dulwich Hill 0 v St George 2 (Ivo de Jesus 23’ pen, James Kovas 80’)
-By Peter Rowney
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