Southern Ettalong hangs on to a draw

The Southern Ettalong soccer team managed to hang on to a draw despite a barrage of attacks in the final 10 minutes from Avoca when the two sides met at Erina High School on Sunday, July 2.

The final score in the 2017 NSW Premier League match was 1-1.

Notwithstanding Ettalong being without three regular first team players, the first 20 minutes was a fine performance.

Ettalong were in complete control of the match, patiently building from the back and constantly switching sides and penetrating into Avoca's final third of the field.

At the 23rd minute mark, Ettalong's dominance finally paid off when their midfielders swarmed on an Avoca defender in possession, stealing the ball just outside the Avoca penalty box.

The ball fell to James Caban who finished well to take the lead and make the score 1-0.

From the resumption of play, Avoca went on the attack and just four minutes from conceding the first goal, Avoca striker Stewart Adams muscled his way through and fired a blistering shot on target only to see it turned wide by a brilliant save by Ettalong goalkeeper Alec Sproule.

Avoca was slowly getting back into the game by keeping the ball for longer, resulting in a confidence not demonstrated in the first 20 minutes.

In the 37th minute, Adams received the ball just inside the Southern half.

He looked up and seeing Sproule off his line, let fly with a 40 metre attempt at goal.

However, the ever-alert Sproule backpedalled in time with a comfortable catch on his line.

The second half saw an inspired Avoca side take the game to Ettalong pressing to get the equaliser.

At the 59th minute, the ever slippery Adams chased down a long pass wide and deep into Ettalong's half and arrived at the ball just ahead of Sproule who had sprinted out from his goal.

Sproule knowing that his goal was empty launched himself at Adams bringing him down outside and wide of the penalty box.

The referee immediately blew for a foul.

As Sproule was getting back, Adams cheekily took a quick free kick catching Sproule and the other Ettalong defenders asleep as the ball hit the back of the net making the score 1-1.

Avoca continued to attack, pressuring Ettalong and constantly putting them on the defensive.

Avoca seemed to have the majority of possession in the second half, but Ettalong's organised defence stood firm, locking down the score line at a one-all draw, where it remained with good displays from Matt Mitchell, Wyatt Elliott and Sproule.

Southern Ettalong coach Mr Dale Eggleton will be looking forward to the return of his missing players but praised his young team's composure and resilience when under pressure.

SOURCE:

Match report, 3 Jul 2017

Reporter: Bruce James