Southern and Ettalong defeat Killarney 2-1
Southern and Ettalong United has defeated Killarney 2-1 in its round nine soccer fixture on Sunday, June 16.
Swapping of the home and away fixtures, The Lions headed North to Killarney's home ground knowing they would have to put in a solid performance to come away with any points from the 2023 Club Champions.
The playing surface despite Saturday's heavy rain was in reasonable condition.
As expected right from the opening minute, there was for high-tempo attacking football.
It would be the Lions with the first real opportunity in the seventh minute when Jacob Lepre found some space in front of the Terrier's goals to lay a ball on for the Lion's young gun Ryan Brown.
The shot was denied by a sharp save by Killarney's keeper Declan Drake.
In the 17th minute, Killarney's Nathan Baxter found himself in front of the goal outside the box to strike first time from distance, giving the Lions Keeper no chance to take Killarney to an early 1-0 lead.
The game increased in intensity with the Lions pushing to get the game back to level terms.
In the 31st minute, Declan Drake made a confident save and again in the 32nd minute he once again denied Jacob Lepre adding to his season tally.
The best chance of the half fell to the Lion's Matt Page in the 40th minute who found himself at the far post unmarked only to send his close-range volley over the crossbar.
The second half started with the Terriers defending the Southern end of the field and the early signs of the half saw the Lions attack more comfortably in the dryer conditions of the field.
In the 48th minute, a long throw by Todd Balneaves found Ryan Brown with his glancing header goal-bound, only to be denied by Drake.
From the following corner, Jacob Lepre's first-time shot was flicked over the crossbar by Drake.
In the 53rd minute, Jacob Lepre found some space in front of the goal just outside the Terrier's box.
The powerful right foot strike cannoned off the crossbar to hit the diving Declan Drake and finds its way into the back of the net to level the scores at 1-1.
In the 72nd minute, the game was delayed for seven minutes while a Terriers player was cleared to leave the field after a medical assessment.
In the 83rd minute, it would be the Lions who took the lead with another long throw from Todd Balneaves that found Jack Ellwood.
He shot to add to his season tally and put the Lions in front 2-1.
The Terriers pushed hard for an equalizer which saw the Southern defence repel multiple attacking raids.
In the 95th minute, the Lions came close adding a third goal which saw a defensive header rush past the far post before the final whistle saw the Lions come away with a 2-1 victory.
Match official was Miles Allen-Scott.
SOURCE:
Website, 20 Jun 2024
Central Coast Football