Depleted Dapto stun Fernhill

DAPTO stunned previously-unbeaten Fernhill 3-nil in Illawarra Premier League action on Saturday.

Stuart Beedie’s men went to Ray Robinson Field missing key players through injury and suspension, but turned in a top-notch performance against the Foxes.

Dapto’s plight worsened when they lost ’keeper David Zufic with a dislocated finger after only three minutes; Beedie had to call on 16-year-old debutant Reece Kawalla to man the goals.

Despite the setback, Dapto led after Michael Binney headed in a free kick on 12 minutes.

Fernhill dominated the midfield but failed to produce any clear-cut chances, making Kawalla’s task easier.

Dapto went 2-nil up on 35 minutes when referee Booby Mazevski awarded a penalty agianst Matthew Keep, who was adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball.

Chad Bishop made no mistake from the spot.

Fernhill coach Alan Paine responded to the 2-nil halftime deficit by injecting Matthew Timpano and Dale White and changing his side’s shape in the second term.

The hosts dominated possession in the first 15 minutes after intermission but couldn’t convert possession into shots on goal.

Dapto all but sealed the three points on 63 minutes when Darren Carney cut the ball back to an on rushing Iain Hall, who made no mistake from 10 metres out.

Meanwhile, Albion Park have a perfect 18 points from six matches after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Picton Rangers at Hume Oval.

Jordan Lando scored against the run of play to give the White Eagles a 1-nil lead in the first half.

Andrew Borg got a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half time for a 1-all score.

The Eagles rode their luck at times with Picton hitting the woodwork twice, but it was their overall quality that pulled them through, with Lando getting his and the team’s second 15 minutes from time.

Port Kembla, fresh off the bye, scored a comfortable 3-1 win over Coniston Lions at Weatherall Park.

In a lopsided encounter at Balls Paddock, Bulli smashed 10 goals past Warilla Wanderers without reply.

The two postponed fixtures, Cringila v Dandaloo and Wollongong United v Tarrawanna will be rescheduled over the next two weeks.