SOCCER
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It's been the perfect start to the season in more ways than one for Alvin Ceccoli.
The classy defender has helped lead Dapto Dandaloo to a flawless record of four wins from four games with just one goal conceded so far.
On top of this Ceccoli has been recognised for his achievements as a player during his time in the A-League.
The former Socceroo was named last week as part of Sydney FC's team of the decade alongside Italian great Alessandro Del Piero. He said it's an accolade he won't soon forget.
"Any team to get in is always great ... obviously it was a positional thing and while at Sydney FC I made that position my own. It was a good night and definitely one for the memory bank," he said.
While his A-League days are behind him, the 40-year-old still remains one of the Illawarra Premier League's finest players.
But it's a deep and talented Fury roster which has also played its part in Dapto Dandaloo's unbeaten record.
"It has been our best start in a lot of years," Ceccoli said.
"Noel [Spencer] did a lot of homework in the off-season and he had a plan and forecast in place. He has stuck to that and it has come to fruition. We have had some good performances and ones where we could have done better, but they were still good displays.
"We are in really healthy shape at the moment."
The Fury will continue their campaign this weekend against Bellambi at Elizabeth Park. The Rosellas have shown they are a competitive force in their second season back in the top flight and Ceccoli isn't taking them lightly.
"It is always difficult to promote yourself and they were good enough to keep themselves up. They are tracking good," Ceccoli said.
"We played them in the [Bert Bampton] Cup and they were right in it to the death. They are very competitive and along with every other team we won't be taking anything for granted."
TARRAWANNA coach Luke McGuire isn’t expecting any surprises when his men travel to Bulli on Saturday.
Bulli, the defending League Championship winners, have started the year undefeated and the Blueys boss thinks they will be every bit a title challenger again in 2015.
‘‘They are always well coached, well organised and have dangers all over the park. I don’t think there will be any real change to them this year,’’ McGuire said of his northern suburbs rivals.
‘‘They will be a real threat.’’
Bulli have started the year with three wins and two draws, while the Blueys have only got on the pitch three times so far.
McGuire’s squad were victorious in two of those encounters but have a 3-2 loss to Wollongong Olympic wedged between the victories.
Seven rounds in, they are yet to play in successive weeks because of wet conditions and will look to kick-start their season again this weekend at Balls Paddock.
‘‘We haven’t changed how we want to play. It is more or less trying to get the little one percenters in place so we can put our best foot forward,’’ McGuire said.
‘‘You need to be at the top of your game when you are playing sides like Bulli so if we can worry about our performance and get that as perfect as we can, then we will be a chance.’’
Despite playing just the three games, Tarrawanna do have the competition’s co-leading goalscorer on their books.
Off-season recruit Wand Jajaw has got on the scoresheet six times in three matches and sits level at the top of the charts with Bulli’s Ben McDonald.
‘‘We were lucky for him to come to us,’’ McGuire said. ‘‘Things have fallen his way so far. He has been in the right place at the right time and had a few penalties but hopefully he stays lucky.’’
In other matches this weekend, Woonona host Wollongong United at Ocean Park, Port Kembla face Cringila at home, Shell Cove are up against South Coast United and Albion Park take on Wollongong Olympic at Terry Reserve.
The White Eagles came from a goal down to defeat Cringila 5-2 during the week.