Coniston coach Jeff Allport believes Saturday's come from behind 2-2 draw with leading contenders Corrimal Rangers proved his squad can match it with the best in the Illawarra Premier League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2018 District League champions have endured a testing start to the campaign, but showed they're up to life in the top flight after coming back from 2-0 down on home soil. A second half brace from leading goal scorer Dinko Terzic cancelled out Van Elia's first half double on an entertaining afternoon at JJ Kelly Park.
"There is always a little doubt there whether you can match it with them, but that performance proved we can," Allport said.
"We have had a tough start to the season but in every game for part of the game we were competitive, against the likes of Wollongong United, Albion Park and Wollongong Olympic.
"It was a good feeling at the end of the game to know we did it.
"And to be fair, we had a couple of good chances at the end to win it as well."
Terzic has been able to continue making an impact in the top flight after starring for Coniston in their stellar run to promotion in the District League last season. He won the Golden Boot with 35 goals in 2018 and his double took his tally to five goals in as many games twelve months down the track.
"He's playing really good and scoring goals regularly which is obviously great to see," Allport said.
Allport gave credit to his squad's fighting qualities after the match.
"We were resilient and the longer the game went on, the more we got into it as well," he said.
"It could have gone either way in the end.
"It was a close game and we both had chances to win it in the last five or 10 minutes. When the whistle went I thought we will take a point.
"It was a good entertaining game and I was pleased with the way we played."
The point sees Coniston remain in 10th on the ladder, with a win, a draw and three losses in the first five IPL rounds.
Coniston will continue their FFA Cup campaign during the week with a testing road trip to face NSW National Premier League outfit Manly United.
"We are looking forward to it as a club," Allport said.
"Obviously it would be a fairy tale if we can beat them but we are going to give it a crack."
In Saturday's other matches, title contenders Wollongong Olympic let a two goal lead slip in the second half in a 2-2 draw with Woonona Sharks.
Wollongong United beat South Coast United 2-0 at Macedonia Park.