Title door ajar after leader’s upset defeat

ILLAWARRA PREMIER LEAGUE

DAVID NAYLOR

DANDALOO opened the door to their Illawarra Premier League challengers with a shock 2-nil loss to Warilla Wanderers.

The defending Champions went into the King Mickey Park clash having not tasted IPL defeat since round two but were stung by two second-half goals to the hosts.

The teams went to the break at nil-all although Dandaloo had a host of chances in the first half.

Warilla, placed 11th, came out on fire in the second half and goals by Darren Jones and Josh Marimon sealed a memorable win.

Second-placed Dapto failed to capitalise on the leaders' slip-up, crashing to a 1-nil defeat against Wollongong United.

Ali Salim again found the back of the net for the Macedonia Park club, who had a host of other chances to increase their winning margin.

Dapto's plight was not helped by the absence of Christian Zelvis and Michael Brown.

Bulli, however are back in the thick of the title race after holding on for a 2-1 win over Cringila Lions at Crehan Park.

Veteran Rod Patterson opened the scoring for the Ball's Paddock heavyweights in the 20th minute with a looping far post header.

Bulli increased their lead to 2-nil just after the hour when Michael Clare scored an opportunistic goal.

Cringila breathed life back into the contest when new signing Ian King scored a quality goal five minutes from time.

At the other end of the table, Coniston Lions produced another major upset when they came from behind twice to defeat Port Kembla 3-2 at Wetherall Park.

That win saw the lads from J.J. Kelly Park leapfrog out of the relegation zone.

Scores were locked at 2-all at halftime but the second stanza was a tense affair before Chris Jankulovski's winner from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time.

Tarrawanna secured a rare win at Hume Oval, downing Picton 4-3.

Kiama are back in the relegation zone after being thumped 4-1 by Albion Park White Eagles at Terry Reserve.

A double from English import, Adam Johnson and goals from Mladen Slavuljica and David Wilson were too much for Kiama.

South Coast United scored a regulation 3-1 win over Kemblawarra to complete the round.

Goals came from Ante Deur, Sasho Dimovski, Ricky Bertakis and Michael Santalab for Uuited while Nuno Pires netted the hosts' goal.

Sunday's match of the round will see second-placed Dapto host Albion Park at Kanahooka Lodge.