FOOTBALL
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Port Kembla powered to their first win of the season with a 3-1 win over Cringila Lions at Wetherall Park on Saturday.
After failing to find the same form that saw them win 16 straight games last campaign in their opening two matches, Port quickly put the Lions to bed in a strong performance south of Wollongong.
Skipper Daniel Aliffi opened the scoring early in the first half, getting the first touch on a whipped-in corner to head in at the near post.
The former Wolves' attacker was involved again shortly after, turning provider for last season's leading goal scorer Nuno Pires to give Port a 2-0 advantage.
Pires latched on to an Aliffi ball from the left flank and finished with aplomb.
To the Lions' credit, they refused to let Port run away with the contest throughout the remainder of the half and got one back from the penalty spot through Marko Miceski.
But Port would eventually kick clear late in the second stanza when the third of their strike combination, Matt Floro, got into the action with a goal of his own.
"They are our three main goal threats, Aliffi, Pires and Floro. They are the guys you are looking for to be a threat on goal, so for all of them to get moving for the season - it was good," Beedie said.
"It was a very physical game. Cringila really put it to us and I thought we really handled it well. We showed we weren't going to get pushed around."
The win was in stark contrast to Port's performance on Tuesday night when they lost 2-1 to Bulli.
The defending premiers seemed a touch slow and lacking their usual attacking flair in the grand final rematch, but Beedie felt his side had turned the corner on Saturday.
"I was pretty pleased with the attitude and the turnaround from Tuesday night," Beedie said.
"We pretty much dominated the game and probably could have had more goals, but it was pretty much encouraging all around.
"You clearly are not going to win every game but just to see an improvement in every department from the passing and creating chances."
The result lifts Port to fourth on the ladder after three games, two points behind leaders Tarrawanna and Bulli on six.
"We have got one of each, a win, a loss and a draw, so we will move on from there and try to secure a spot high up the table," Beedie said.
In Saturday's other matches, Albion Park played out a 3-3 draw away from home against Woonona while Wollongong United had a late penalty to Dapto Dandaloo to blame for their 1-1 draw at Macedonia Park.