Kiama Quarriers hosted Corrimal Rangers FC at the Kiama Sporting Complex in the final round of the Illawarra District League season on Saturday.
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Kiama's first grade side needed at least a point against the recently crowned champions to have a chance of making the finals. They faced a daunting task: Corrimal were on a 20-match winning streak and within reach of an unbeaten season.
Kiama coach James Spence and his assistant Curtis Campbell delivered impassioned speeches to their players before the match and it seemed to inspire Kiama in the opening 20 minutes as they displayed diligent defending and attacking verve.
Kiama had given Corrimal's players a guard of honour before the match but they weren't overawed by the situation on the field. Defenders Chris Hill, James Donlon, Daniel Gillespie and Luke Munro shackled Corrimal's Save Treneski and Mark Picciolini as Kiama seemed spurred on by the vociferous home support.
Chris Christodoulou pounced on Corrimal captain Vasko Mitkovski's errant pass, took one touch and fired an unstoppable half-volley from 26 metres past goal-keeper Mitchell Blowes to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute.
Kiama goal-keeper Dylan McDonald then produced two incredible saves to deny Paul Guido's shot from the edge of the penalty area and a Domenic Magill header.
The custodian was at his agile best during the match and was instrumental in keeping Corrimal scoreless at half-time.
McDonald denied Guido in the opening five minutes of the second half but Kiama had chances of their own through midfielder Aaron Buzinki. Buzinki was denied by an acrobatic Blowes save and a minute later received Christodoulou's clever cut-back 10 metres from goal, only to see his shot blocked by Mitovski.
Magill rattled the crossbar from 20 metres and McDonald punched clear a goal-bound Luke Picciolini corner before Kiama made it 2-0 in the 75th minute.
Daniel Swinton received the ball on the right-flank and surged past defender Fabian Capetta before being scythed down in the penalty area. Referee Peter Ilcevski pointed to the spot and Swinton blasted his penalty past Blowes.
Kiama defended grimly in the final 15 minutes and were dangerous on the counter-attack as Corrimal unleashed an attacking barrage. Tensions were high on the pitch and on the sidelines as both sets of supporters created a fervent atmosphere.
Treneski scored a monumental goal in the 90th minute to make the final score 2-1. Not only did it make Trenseki the league's top scorer for the regular season (along with teammate Mark Picciolini), it meant Kiama missed out on a finals spot on goal difference. Balgownie's 3-2 victory over Oak Flats secured them a finals spot at Kiama's expense.
Earlier in the day, Jason Perinich's youth grade side ended their season with a 0-0 draw. Goal-keeper Phil Bitterlin was Man of the Match for the young Quarriers, who finished the season in 11th position. Neil Spence's reserve grade were defeated 5-0 and ended up in 10th spot. Club stalwart Michael Tidswell was Man of the Match for Kiama.
In better news for the club, Kiama's Women’s Division 2 team will contest the grand final against University FC on Sunday, September 4.