Kiama Quarriers FC hosted Thirroul Thunder FC in Round 18 of the Illawarra District League on Saturday.
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The first grade fixture was a monumental clash between James Spence's fifth-placed side and the fourth-placed Thunder.
Spence kept the same starting 11 as in his side's previous match, a 2-1 away victory over Balgownie.
Sharp-shooters James Donlon and Keegan Beringer led the line and looked to continue their impressive goal-scoring form.
The opening 20 minutes were frenetic and scrappy on a slippery Kiama pitch.
Central midfielders Todd Wade and Aaron Buzinki struggled to impose their authority on the ball.
Winger Daniel Swinton was starved of service, although Chris Christodoulou was more involved on the opposite flank.
Kiama produced some neat interplay on the edge of the penalty area and left-back Kane Rowe and Christodoulou found themselves in promising areas, but too often Kiama's crossing was poor.
Chances were few in the first half as Kiama goal-keeper Dylan McDonald and his opposite number Joshua Williams were rarely tested. Kiama's central defensive pairing of Dean Land and Chris Hill were wary of Thirroul's speedy strikers but remained resolute.
Land, Kiama's captain, was tenacious and authoritative for the home side.
Kiama improved in the second half and were rewarded in the 47th minute when Donlon opened the scoring.
Christodoulou whipped in a perfect cross from the right flank with the outside of his right boot and Donlon ghosted in front of Williams to glance in a header.
Thirroul had chances to equalise but were denied by some scrambling Kiama defence and assured goal-keeping from McDonald.
However, it was Kiama who looked the more dangerous, and they increased their lead through Swinton in the 70th minute.
Swinton, much more threatening and effective in the second half, received a clever pass from Donlon six metres from goal, beat one defender and blasted a shot high into the net in front of a group of raucous Kiama supporters.
Thirroul almost immediately replied but were denied by a sprawling McDonald and some poor finishing.
Kiama made the result safe when Donlon looped a header over Williams following a superb cross from Buzinki to complete his double.
Spence and his assistant Curtis Campbell were delighted with their side's fourth consecutive victory and pleased to see their side leapfrog the Thunder into fourth place.
Earlier in the day, Neil Spence's reserve grade side, missing some of their talented regulars, were beaten 3-0 by a Thirroul side who are the runaway competition leaders.
Andrew Pena was superb for Spence's side.
Jason Perinich's youth grade team performed admirably but were beaten 1-0 by a strong Thunder outfit. Daniel Hines was outstanding for the young Quarriers.
Kiama have a bye this weekend and play away to Warilla on Saturday, August 6.