Kiama Quarriers FC travelled to Keith Bond Oval to meet Oak Flats Falcons on Saturday.
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First grade coach James Spence - bouyed by a 2-0 home victory over Wests Illawarra in his side's last league fixture and a pulsating 4-3 victory at Fernhill in the Bert Bampton Cup on Tuesday - was without injured central midfielder Todd Wade so decided on a midfield pairing of Aaron Buzinki and Jacob Lester.
The back four consisted of the familiar quartet of Kane Rowe, Chris Hill, Dean Land and Daniel Gillespie, while Dylan McDonald retained his place in goals. Chris Christodoulou and Jesse Annen started on the wings, and James Donlon and Keegan Beringer spearheaded the strike force.
The opening twenty minutes were fiercely contested but Kiama lacked the craft to breach the experienced Oak Flats defence. Kiama did find the net in the 40th minute after Buzinki met Christodoulou's corner from the left flank with a bullet header. However, referee John Ruscica ruled the goal out for a seemingly innocuous foul in the penalty area.
19-year-old Lester was dangerous in midfield and Donlon held the ball up well but Kiama could not find a breakthrough in the first half and the scores remained 0-0 at half time.
It was Oak Flats who opened the scoring early in the second half. Kiama failed to prevent a dangerous cross coming in from the right flank and midfielder Christian Cappetta nodded past the sprawling McDonald to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Kiama piled the pressure on Oak Flats and Land's move into central midfield added thrust to their attacking movements. Daniel Swinton came on to play on the right flank while Lester and Annen looked to beguile the Oak Flats defence with their trickery.
The breakthrough finally came with less than ten minutes remaining after Oak Flats goalkeeper Chris Jarman could only parry Buzinki's shot to Lester, who unleashed an unstoppable half volley from 18 metres past the goalkeeper and into the net.
Kiama finished the match stronger and had further chances through Buzinki and Land but the match ended 1-1.
Earlier in the day, Jason Perinich's youth grade side fought hard but let themselves down after conceding a 90th minute goal and losing 1-0 to the young Falcons. Phillip Bitterlin was immense in goals for the Quarriers and saved a second half penalty.
Neil Spence's reserve grade side also fell to a late goal but were incredibly unlucky to lose 2-1. Falcons midfielder Brady Eagleton opened the scoring after their seemed to be a foul on goalkeeper Dean Beichert. Daniel Swinton levelled matters early in the second half with a sharp left-footed shot that evaded the Oak Flats goalkeeper.
Elegant striker Jye Marks suffered a nasty knee injury and had to be withdrawn after Spence had made all three substitutions so his side played with ten men for over 20 minutes. They eventually succumbed to a late headed goal from former Quarriers player Daniel Pisani.
Kiama host Balgownie Rangers at the Quarry on Saturday.