Southern and Ettalong wins at James Brown Oval
Southern and Ettalong United has defeated Kanwal, 3-1, in the Men's Premier League soccer match played at James Brown Oval on Sunday, May 21.
Kanwal tried to take the game to Southern early and this nearly paid off with a scramble in the box cleared not once but twice by Southern after just four minutes.
The home side started well, and Keith Gumbs was causing the Kanwal defence problems from the outset, and it was only desperation and lack of finishing that was denying the home team an early goal.
But 12 minutes in it was the Kanwal side that took the lead.
Kanwal was playing a physical game and attacking Southern Ettalong with speed and numbers on the transition from defence to attack with effect.
Twenty minutes into the contest, a surging run from midfielder Jack Ellwood into the Kanwal 18-yard box was fouled and Southern were awarded a penalty and a golden opportunity to equalise.
The ever-reliable Keith Gumbs stepped up, but an out-of-character miss from the spot kept the score at 1-0 which despite some more good chances from both sides, remained the score at halftime.
The second half began evenly, but Southern would soon begin to gain the upper hand and dominate possession.
Rising to the challenge in the second half, the Lions started their comeback in the 51st minute when a ball from a Jacob Lepre free kick saw Jack Ellwood rise above the Kanwal defence to head home a thundering header to put his side back on level terms at 1-1.
Southern Ettalong was starting to get more rhythm in their passing game and causing all sorts of problems for the Kanwal defence.
The possession and territorial advantage saw Southern rewarded at 66 minutes into the game when another Jacob Lepre free kick found Jack Ellwood who put his side in the lead this time from his right boot while on the ground.
Kanwal tried to hit back, but just couldn't convert, and in the 78th minute a poor defensive decision by Kanwal saw Southern convert and take a 3-1 lead and ultimately close out the game.
Match official was Christopher Robinson.
SOURCE:
Website, 22 May 2023
Central Coast Football