Football finals produce thrillers

ILLAWARRA PREMIER LEAGUE

DAVID NAYLOR

DANDALOO'S scratchy post-championship continued with a spotty 1-nil win over Port Kembla in week one of the Illawarra Premier League finals series.

"?The Orange' were thumped by since-relegated Kiama 5-2 in round 26 and were lucky to escape with a win in their quarter-final against Port Kembla.

At Dandaloo Sports Ground, the first half was end-to-end affair before the champs drew first blood through master marksman Ilija Prenzoski's 35th-minute strike.

Scores remained that way until halftime, after which Port Kembla peppered the Dandaloo goal.

Port Kembla hit the woodwork three times while Scott Whalan pulled off a number of great saves.

The black and whites had a golden chance to level when they won a penalty in the 85th minute.

However, Whalan again produced a fine save to preserve Dandaloo's lead.

Meanwhile, Dapto maintained their hoodoo over fellow heavyweights Bulli with a 2-1 win.

That win was Dapto's second over Bulli in as many weeks and third of 2007.

Bulli dominated the first 20 minutes before Dapto scored against the run of play through Justin Potter's thunderous volley from the edge of the box.

The Balls Paddock club were back on terms 20 minutes into the second half when Shane McGirr was on hand to knock home a cut back from Michael Clare.

However, it wasn't long before Dapto had their noses in front and a lapse in concentration at the back allowed Chad Bishop to score from a near-impossible angle.

Dapto now get a week off, whist Bulli have to prepare for an elimination game against Tarrawanna next weekend.

Eighth-placed Tarrawanna survived thanks to a penalty shootout win over fifth-placed South Coast United.

The Blueys led 2-nil until the dying stages before late strikes to Sasho Dimoski and Greg Valic saw South Coast United draw level and force extra time. Neither side could find a winner in the extra half hour, sending the match into penalties.

Tarrawanna won the shootout 4-3, with goalkeeper Christian Pretto making crucial saves from United's goal scorers, Dimoski and Valic.

Penalties were also required to separate sixth-placed Albion Park and seventh-placed Picton Rangers.

White Eagles 'keeper Mitchell Blowes was the hero, saving three spot kicks as Albion Park prevailed 3-2 on penalties.

The teams went to the break scoreless before the defending grand final champions drew first blood halfway through the second half. Albion Park equalised through Kosta Lagoudakis ten minutes later for a 1-all score at full time.

Lagoudakis went from hero to villain when he was sent off for his second yellow card during extra time leaving Albion Park with ten men for 20 minutes.

The writing appeared to be on the wall when Piction's Brad Boardman scored with eight minutes remaining. However Aaron O'Brien equalised to force a penalty shootout.