IPL’s elite eight set for semis

Bulli’s Marcelo Guerrero in action.

ILLAWARRA PREMIER LEAGUE DAVID NAYLOR

THE ILLAWARRA Premier League’s top eight has been decided, with the semi-finals starting on Saturday.

Heading into round 26 Dandaloo and Bulli had locked up first and second place respectively.

Dapto went into their round 26 clash against Bulli needing a win for a top-four finish and the priceless second chance come finals time.

They produced the goods, winning 1-nil thanks to a Paul Ryrie goal ten minutes from time after Bulli’s goalkeeper rushed off the line to collect a long through ball.

However, custodian Josh Tidswell was the hero for Dapto, making a number of outstanding saves to deny the Balls Paddock outfit.

The loss was a missed opportunity for Bulli, who dominated for long spells of the second half but were unable to find a goal of their own.

Some poor finishing and scrappy defence from Dapto was enough to preserve the nil-all deadlock.

That result has set up a rematch in this weekend’s quarter-final.

Port Kembla nailed down fourth place, and eliminated Cringila Lions in the process, with a 2-1 win at Wetherall Park.

One point would have been enough for Cringila but Mark Piccolini put Port ahead one-up on the stroke of halftime.

Piccolini added a second midway through the second term before Cringila pulled one back through Akwasi Agyei with 15 minutes remaining.

Port’s victory opened the door for Tarrawanna, who went into round 26 in ninth place.

The Tarrawanna side then sealed the eighth playoff berth with a 4-1 win over relegation-bound Kemblawarra at Butler Memorial Park.

The score belied the difficulty Tarrawanna had putting away the hosts – goalkeeper Christian Pretto made some excellent saves to deny Kemblawarra a farewell win.

Kemblawarra drew first blood before Nathan Minutillo equalised direct from a corner kick and Tim O’Brien scored to put Tarra in front.

After the break both players scored again to give the visitors a flattering result. However, they will have to improve on that performance to progress in the semi-finals.

South Coast United will meet Tarrawanna after a regulation 5-1 win over Coniston Lions.

Picton scored a mental advantage for their final against Albion Park with a 2-1 win at Terry Reserve. Meanwhile, Dandaloo lost 5-1 at Kiama Sporting Complex.