Local football begins to heat up

Reflection round two

THE surprise in Premier League came with so far win-less Coniston Lions defeating highly fancied Dandaloo by 2:1.

Also somewhat astonishing was Albion Park WE 2:1 over Cringila Lions.

Dapto proved solid with a 2:1 away win at Tarrawanna.

Other results went more or less as expected.

In First Division round two on Saturday some high scores were recorded with no real upsets.

The double-header followed on Sunday which saw Balgownie Rangers surprising favourite Berkeley 1:0. Looking at the IFA ladder University, Fernhill and Highlands United all won the first three games and are leading the competition table on maximum points.

In Premier League after two games Bulli, Dapto, Albion Park WE and Picton Rangers all are undefeated until this last weekend. However as seen this did change with Bulli and Picton Rangers losing their own round three games.

Total goals scored in round two Premier League were 16 and in First Division playing two rounds on the weekend a total of 37 goals were recorded.

Both football competitions look evenly matched with very tight contests foreseen in the coming rounds.

Star signing for Warilla " Talented Premier League defender Nick Trencevski, returning from a rather long injury lay-off now gaining full fitness, has joined coach Matt Borg at the Wanderers. The experienced fullback is an important part in the club's defence formation and should help to keep a clean sheet from now on.

VIP at Season Launch Shellharbour Junior Soccer Club reports a record of registration numbers this year " in total 515 youngsters joining to play the world game, making up 42 teams from U/6 to U/18's girls and boys.

The club will be hard pressed to accommodate all teams on the three playing fields at Barrack Heights.

Both days on weekends will have to be utilised " a huge job for the Committee.

On Friday 13/4/07 Shellharbour stage the club's official season launch at the Worker Club.

Special guest attending is Craig Foster " former Socceroo and now TV personality, an analyst of the Sunday popular soccer programme on SBS TV. Foster's attendance is a tremendous coup for the Junior Club, guaranteeing a full house.

Preview Round four 14/4/07 Premier League

Picton Rangers v Coniston Lions at Hume Oval, hard to predict however the home side must win to keep up the top.

Tarrawanna v Bulli at Tarrawanna Oval, on paper the visitors could be favoured.

Dandaloo v South Coast United at Dandaloo Sports Ground, normally the 2006 league champion is to succeed but could run into stiff opposition.

Warilla Wanderers v Dapto at King Mickey Park should see the visitors too strong.

Cringila Lions v Kiama at Crehan Park could be a tough task for the visitors to grab any points on present form.

Port Kembla v Kemblawarra at Wetherall Park should see the home team succeed.

Wollongong United v Albion Park WE at Macedonia Park looks like a difficult contest for the home side not travelling too well against a hot-form Park side.

First Division round five University v Balgownie Rangers at Kooloobong Oval, Shelklharbour Clity v Helensburgh Thistle at Keith Bond Oval, Corrimal Rangers v Bellambi at Memorial Park, West Illawarrra v Woonona at Unanderra Oval, Berkeley v Ruse at Berkeley Sports Ground, Highlands United v Fernhill at Renwick Oval, Wollongong Olympic have the BYE.

Women Soccer Results

Albion Park 5 v Shell. City White 0, Dapto 3 v Kemblawarra2 0-, Shell. City Purple 14 v Helensburgh 0, University2 7 v Dandaloo 0, Figtree 15 v Olympic 0, Kiama 9 v South Coast 0, Thirroul White 3 v Fernhill Falcons 1, Fernhill Foxes 5 v Woonona2 0, Thirroul Blue 8 v Bulli White 0, Kemblawarra1 10 v Bulli Blue 0, Shell. City Black 2 v Russell Vale 1.

Weekend Results 7/4/07

Coniston Lions 1 v Tarrawanna 4, Bulli 1 v Dandaloo 2, Dapto 2 v Picton Rangers 1, Kiama 1 v Warilla Wanderers 2, Kemblawarra 0 v Cringila Lions 1, Albion Park WE 2 v Port Kembla 1, South Coast United 2 v Wollongong United 0.

First Division " Bellambi 3 v Shellharbour City 4.