FOOTBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Four goals from Vaughan Patterson catapulted Tarrawanna to a vital 4-2 win over Albion Park on Saturday.
In his best performance in a Blueys's jersey, Patterson scored a hat-trick before half-time then added a fourth in the dying stages to seal his side's victory.
Tarrawanna had stretched out to a 3-0 advantage, but were pegged back by the White Eagles after half-time through two quick strikes to Adrian Karakolevski.
But Patterson - who joined the Tarrawanna from Bulli in the off-season - ensured the Blueys would leave Tarrawanna Oval with all three points when he nailed his fourth.
The midfielder had earlier opened the scoring from a glancing header at the near post after some neat work down the right flank.
Shortly after he added his second when he appeared in the right place at the right time to score off the rebound.
Just when Albion Park had thought the scoring was finished, Patterson added his third in the third minute of added time with a classy finish.
The Blueys were slow out of the blocks to start the second half and Albion Park capitalised quickly, but Tarrawanna eventually proved too strong to run out 4-2 victors.
Blueys assistant coach Kris Hebben, who was standing in for an absent Luke McGuire, said he was delighted with the character his squad showed in the win.
"They had great camaraderie . They brought some mateship and harmony back in the time after a few losses," Hebben said.
"We dug in and battled for 90 minutes.
"They showed really good character.
"We created a lot more chances and hit the crossbar a couple of times.
"We are unlucky a few times but the fourth one obviously put the nail in the their coffin."
The win ended a three-game run without a victory for the Blueys, which had seen them slide out of the top five.
In other matches, Cringila picked up a valuable away point in a 2-2 draw with Wollongong United, while Fernhill scored a late goal through Tobin Zoomers to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Wollongong Olympic.
Port Kembla beat Bellambi 4-0.