Fernhill late goal clinches thriller

ILLAWARRA SOCCER

Fernhill continued their great start to the Illawarra Football Association Premier League last weekend.

Fernhill were off to a dream start when former Sutherland State League player, Monte Pfrengle, headed in off a corner from the right side.

Only four minutes later Dandaloo were back on level terms when some scrappy defending gifted the ball to Marcelo Guerrero, who blasted home from the edge of the penalty area. The game continued at a frenetic pace and Fernhill squandered two good chances, one of which was nicely saved by Dandaloo keeper, Scott Whalan, before an ordinary clearance from Whalan in the 21st minute deflected off a Fernhill player and fell to an unmarked Ben Chapman, who drilled a sizzler into the net from 20 metres out.

Once again Dandaloo showed their resilience and came back strongly at the Foxes to be rewarded with another equaliser in the 35th minute after a miscued header from David Kerr fell invitingly to Steve Krishna and was volleyed in. Just two minutes later, David Kerr again got his head to a corner from the left and this time made no mistake to give Dandy a 3-2 lead that they held on to until half-time.

Finally, Fernhill’s wishes were granted in the 66th minute when Ben Price met a superb Dale White cross from the left side and headed into the right corner of the goal.

The score was now 3-3 and the atmosphere amongst the 500 or so spectators was electric and even more so when Price netted in the 87th minute to the roars of the home crowd, Fernhill hung on and stole the three points with a 4-3 victory over three-in-a-row League Champions Dandaloo.

In other games on the weekend Port Kembla became sole competition leaders after their 4-0 win over Dapto, Wollongog United edged out Albion Park White Eagles 1-0, Picton Rangers thumped Warilla Wanderers 10-0.

On Friday night Coniston Lions and Tarrawanna drew 1-1 and South Coast United defeated Cringila Lions 1-0 at Crehan Park.