Football Kickaround with Otto Bader

SEASON_END Goal Blitz A frantic attempt by top contender Bulli (13 goals required) was not enough to prevent Dapto based Dandaloo from taking the title of League Champion in Premier League in the last competition match of the year.

Anthony Hartshorn of Bulli Soccer Club scored an incredible seven goals in a tense final day of the IFA competition. It would have been enough if their rivals Dandaloo dropped points it was not to be.

In the final summary the competition table reads Dandaloo as League Champion with 56 points recording 17 wins. Bulli 2nd on 54 points despite carrying a handy lead through most of the season.

Picton Rangers, Cringila Lions, Wollongong United, Port Kembla, Tarrawanna and Coniston Lions make up the top eight to feature in the finals series, played over the next few weekends with the end of the season Grand Final on 7/10/06 at the magnificent ground at Crehan Park Cringila.

The remaining teams are South Coast United (9th), Albion Park WE (10th), Dapto (11th), Warilla Wanderers (12th) with the last two Shellharbour Suns (13th) and Kemblawarra (14th) to be relegated to First Division.

Reserve Grade saw Picton Rangers finish as League Champion, with runners-up Bulli, and Tarrawanna, Port Kembla, Wollongong United, Kemblawarra, Albion Park WE and South Coast United rounding out the top eight.

Youth Grade saw Picton Rangers take the title with runner-up Port Kembla, Dandaloo, Albion Park WE, Warilla Wanderers, Tarrawanna, Dapto and South Coast Untied.

Viewing all clubs three grades first-reserves-youth on the competition tables Picton Rangers finished up with their three sides in the top eight (3rd, 1st, 1st), along with Tarrawanna (7th, 3rd, 6th) and Port Kembla (6th, 4th, 2nd).

Some astonishing goal records (for and against) have been recorded this year Dandaloo scored 53, conceded only 21, recording the lowest tally in first grade. In Reserve Grade Picton Rangers scored 86, conceding only 14 goals. In Youth Grade Picton Rangers managed 79 and conceded just 26.

Unfortunately Shellharbour Suns after a bright start to the season had a record of 91 goals scored against them in First Grade and in Reserve Grade an enormous 113 goals and 82 in Youth Group.

First Division Sprint Finale With just one last game to be played the vital 2nd spot on the table was taken by Berkeley, leaving Highlands United rueing a last minute loss to remain in 3rd place and missing out on possible promotion to Premier League.

Kiama had already been crowned League Champion in round 24 being 10 points ahead of their nearest rival, a great achievement by club coach Ian Morris and his boys.

Berkeley took the limelight in the end of competition games. It took a dynamic new club coach in the form of Barney King to rejuvenate the Berkeley Soccer Club. In 2005 Berkeley was a poor last on the table in first grade, last in reserve grade and 12th in youth grade. After an astonishing year in 2006 we could be seeing the club back in Premier League in 2007. Coach Barney King can look back with satisfaction on his success having now lifted two clubs, Dapto some seasons ago and now Berkeley. Assuming he remains for 2007 as Berkeley coach Barney King is well aware that to compete in Premier League there needs to be some focus on strengthening the present playing squad. Barney King first came to prominence as a 19- year old striker (1982 top scorer in the district) playing for the then champion side Shellharbour Workers.

Lower Grade League Champions One rarely mentions the other grades who are the backbone of any football club. Woonona won in Reserve Grade with 18 wins ahead of Berkeley, Fernhill and West Illawarra.

In Youth Grade Woonona were crowned League Champion ahead of Fernhill , Highlands United and Kiama.