OAK Flats Falcons retained their unbeaten record after four rounds of the Illawarra Football District League, scoring a one-all draw with Kiama Quarriers.
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The only plus in this clash for the Falcons coach, Gus Garcia, was his side remained unbeaten.
Otherwise, he was disappointed with his players, apart from the last 20 minutes when the Falcons woke up and started to dominate play.
The first half started well for Kiama. It threatened the opposition’s goal with a fast attack and only a top-notch save by Falcons keeper Brendon Jovanovski kept a clean slate.
Kiama’s goal-keeper Mitch O’Neal, a former Oak Flats first grade custodian, also had a field day, with a number of great saves stopping the Falcons from converting good opportunities.
There was no score at half-time and the Falcons looked flat and complacent, struggling to counter the enthusiastic Kiama youngsters.
The second half started well for Kiama when they scored in the 55th minute with a Steve Parkes header into the net off a corner.
This seemed to wake up the Falcons and the boys started to fight back.
The equaliser came in the 78th minute due to the tenacity of the smallest player on the pitch, winger Liam Gallo, who headed the ball in from close range.
From then on, the Falcons played with spirit and could have taken the points, but Kiama defended desperately and deserved the point won.
Next Saturday, the Falcons play at home at Keith Bond Oval against Coniston Lions.
The youth grade lost 3-1 against a stronger and older opposition – the Falcons have just assembled their squad from former under-16 and under-17 junior teams.
The score was 2-0 in favour of Kiama at the break and the second half featured a more even contest, with the Falcons coming back with a goal from Alex Bausch.
If coach Klaus Wunsch can keep the team together for another season, the future looks bright. He was not too disappointed with his boys and gave his bench players game time to give them experience.
The reserve grade won 4-0 with goals from Joshua Koroskoski, Toby Napper, Beau Armstrong and Goran Boskovic, while keeper Chris Jarman was hardly tested.
