Foxes rue missed opportunities

Port Kembla has qualified for another grand final appearance after finishing too strongly for Fernhill in last Saturday’s Illawarra Premier League clash at Ball’s Paddock.

Fernhill had produced a commanding first half performance during which they created numerous goal scoring opportunities, enough to put this game to bed well before half time.

It was this failure to convert their chances that would cost Fernhill a fairy tale finish to the season that the players and coach Alan Paine probably deserved.

The Foxes did lead 1-0 at half time after Andrew Paine was on the end of a glorious counter attacking move midway through the opening period, to fire home with a fine volley at the far post.

When Paine got his second, one minute into the second stanza with a header from a corner you couldn’t blame the Foxes for thinking that they just might get their shot at Premier League glory in their first year back in the top flight after 10 seasons in the second tier.

However, the game changed dramatically, almost instantly when it appeared that Fernhill went to sleep and the free flowing counter attacking game that they play so well ended as they sat back on the two goal lead.

On top of that, one didn’t allow for the fantastic fighting spirit of Port Kembla as they mounted the mother of all fightbacks to save their own season.

When Robbie Cazzolli headed home from a corner on 62 minutes, Port had a sniff and it was game on when Jonothon Ramos equalised seven minutes later to set up a titanic finish.

Fernhill managed one last attack on the Port Kembla goal with only one minute of normal time remaining. The ball was flashed across the six-yard box to the feet of an onrushing Dale White. White seemed certain to score just as he had done one week earlier against Dandaloo from a similar position.

Unfortunately, he sent the ball agonisingly wide of the goal and with it Fernhill’s chances of contesting the season ending decider.

As so often happens in our great game, agony and ecstasy are never far apart and what happened next was one of these moments. From the ensuing goal kick from the White miss, the ball was transferred to the other end of the field and in the movement that followed, the low cross that came in from the left, was fumbled by the Fernhill keeper straight at the feet of Matthew Sini who became an instant Port hero when he scored from close range to cap off the stirring come back as Port Kembla ran out winners 3-2.

Port will now take on Albion Park White Eagles in the decider at Cringila Park on Sunday at 3pm.