If it wasn't already obvious that this is the most open Illawarra Premier League competition in years, Port Kembla proved it with an emphatic 3-0 win over the previously unbeaten Tarrawanna Blueys on Good Friday.
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Sandy Lowcock relished the opportunity to be back in the starting line up and showed his class with a stunning hat-trick to sink the Blueys at Wetherall Park.
Port held a commanding 3-0 lead and were in complete control before skipper Will Mobbs got handed his marching orders in the second stanza to inflict Tarrawanna's first loss of the season.
It did little to sour an imposing performance from the Zebras at home.
"I am very happy with that performance," Port coach Steve Dimitrievski said.
"We started well and nullified their attack.
"Last week we had the same amount of chances and couldn't score.
"We are doing well with a lot of injuries. We are missing probably six first grade starters with injury and what have you.
"We are doing really, really well and I am proud of the boys."
Dimitrievski had a smile on his face early. Lowcock was clinical just 24 minutes in after he took a golden chance following a sensational ball from Bradley Acev.
He doubled his tally just after half time, navigating his way around Blueys keeper Adam Rodriguez and slotting into an empty net.
When Lowcock had his third, Port were in a commanding position before Mobbs got handed a second yellow and an early shower.
Lowcock had been biding his time as a super sub but took his chance in the starting line-up.
"When he's had chances coming off the bench they haven't always landed for him but today he was clinical," Dimitrievski said.
Dimitrievski only sees improvement from his men, which momentarily moved into second on the ladder on a busy Easter weekend.
"I think at the end of the day we haven't been clinical enough so far but It's a good point of view for a coach to be because we are creating half a dozen chances," he said.
In Friday's other game, Albion Park White Eagles kept Cringila win-less in a 3-0 win.
On Thursday night, defending premiers Bulli stumbled as Fernhill took their biggest scalp of the campaign to win 1-0 at Balls Paddock.
A stunning strike from the Foxes weapon Yoji Ogawa provided his side with their first win of the season.
On Saturday, Coniston host Corrimal Rangers, Wollongong Olympic meet Woonona and Wollongong United face South Coast United.