Lions roar to first title of 2008

JOEL RITCHIE

CRINGILA Lions won the first trophy of 2008 with a 2-1 win over South Coast United in the Corrimal Leagues Club Knock Out on Sunday.

The Lions lived up to their pre-season billing as big improvers with a hard-fought win at Memorial Park.

Alan Lo Proto opened the scoring for Cringila midway through the first half with a strike inside the box after clever lead-up work from the midfield.

South Coast United hit back on the hour when Ricki Bertakis nodded home the equaliser from a cross by Michael Santalab.

The deadlock only lasted ten minutes before a freak goal to Cringila which was credited to man of the match Cord Tolson.

Tolson looked to cross from the side line, but the ball took a wicked deflection off a defender and evaded the United defence on its way to goal.

That capped the scoring in a open game that was devoid of clear-cut chances.

Earlier, Albion Park White Eagles thumped Picton Rangers 5-nil in the third place play off.

Chris Smith scored a double for the Illawarra Premier League grand final winners.

Jordan Lando, Aaron O’Brien and Beren Sullivan completed the scoring for Albion Park.

Cringila netted $2100 for winning the competition while South Coast United received $1050.

The tournament, now in its 48th year was one of the most successful on record with 6000 people going through the gates at different matches.

Attention will now turn to the 2008 season proper, which kicks off this weekend for both the Illawarra Premier League and Diustrict League clubs.