Fernhill Fairytale Ends

Illawarra Mercury

Monday October 6, 2008

By JOEL RITCHIE

PORT Kembla produced a stirring second-half fightback to end Fernhill's dream Illawarra Premier League finals run at Balls Paddock on Saturday.

Fernhill - convincing winners in their past two sudden-death finals - looked home after Andrew Paine's second goal put them up 2-0 after 45 minutes, but Port counterpunched with goals by Rob Cazzoli, Jon Ramos and Matt Sini to knock the Foxes out 3-2.

That win - Port's first since August - booked the Wetherall Park men a grand final date with league champions Albion Park White Eagles at Crehan Park on Sunday.

Fernhill led 1-0 in the 23rd minute after a classy finish by Paine that capped a lightning-quick counter-attack after a Port corner.

The Foxes should have led by more than one goal at the break, but let a clutch of gilt-edged chances go begging.

That wastefulness would prove fatal, but the Foxes looked like they would add Port Kembla's scalp to those of previous victims Cringila and Dandaloo when Paine scored his second goal just two minutes after the resumption.

But Cazzoli (62nd minute), Ramos (70th) and Sini (89th) all netted to dump the fairytale Foxes - playing their first season in the top flight since 1999 - out of the finals.

Fernhill could have been the team celebrating if, with the scores locked 2-2 in the 85th minute, substitute Dale White did more with a first-time chance in front of goal.

White was unmarked, but steered the greasy ball wide of the posts when a winner looked certain.

Port Kembla coach John Fleming said his side's stunning second half display made up for six weeks of disappointment, including a 6-4 loss over two legs to Albion Park.

"The win was very stirring ... the last six weeks we've been through purgatory," Fleming said.

"We played pretty poor football and we got what we deserved.

"We had a chance of winning the championship and we lost it. We had a chance to get straight in the grand final and didn't do it.

"Today, 2-0 down, you would have thought our season was over, but the boys really pulled it out of the fire."

Fleming had an inkling Port's luck would change when they went to the sheds down by just one goal.

"At half-time I thought Fernhill had missed so many chances that to be only 1-0 down meant we won the lottery and that we were going to get a result," Fleming said.

Fernhill coach Alan Paine, who will not return next season, rued his side's lack of killer instinct in front of goal.

"Missed chances ... we missed so many in the first half and that one at the end of the match was a sitter," he said. "I think that was our game and we lost it ... it's no individual fault. You just have to take your chances."

Despite Port's sensational second stanza, Paine tipped the White Eagles to take the title.

"Nothing against Port ... but I just think Albion Park is a better football team."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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