Lions Foxed By Fernhill
Illawarra Mercury
Monday September 22, 2008
FERNHILL, the Illawarra Premier League's great entertainers, got down and dirty to eliminate Cringila 3-1 from the title race at Balls Paddock on Saturday.
The Foxes have gained a reputation for playing attractive football in their first season back in the top flight, but relied on throwing bodies behind the ball and attacking on the counter to end the Lions' bid for a 2008 treble.Andrew Keep scored a first-half double for Fernhill before Crini pulled a goal back through Alan Lo Proto in the 86th minute. Fernhill hit back immediately through a penalty from Andrew Paine to seal victory. Foxes coach Alan Paine, whose 32-year coaching career was extended by at least a week thanks to the win, was impressed his side successfully adopted a new game plan specifically for the Lions. "The boys had to play a game that was foreign to them, but they stuck with it for the whole 90 minutes," Paine said."They got a buzz out of knowing they were capable of doing something like this," he added.However, Paine said Fernhill would most likely return to to their freewheeling ways as the finals series progressed. "If we try to play like that against Dandaloo we'll get ourselves into real trouble," the coach admitted. "There's no fear, whoever we are going to be up against is going to be in for a fight." Cringila coach Icko Atanasoski rued his side's wastefulness in Fernhill's portion of the field. "We couldn't put more than two passes together in their half of the field," Atanasoski said."Our final pass let us down all day and our finishing was terrible," he complained.Atanasoski said he and his players should share responsibility for the disappointing end to the season. "Everyone has to take responsibility - the 11 players on the field and myself as coach," Atanasoski said of the defeat. Waiting for the Foxes next Saturday at McLennan Park will be Dandaloo, who eliminated Dapto 1-0 at JJ Kelly Park. Anthony Guido scored the winner in the 28th minute to complete an identical scoreline to last week's league clash. Dapto had a chance to equalise in the 75th minute, but Dandaloo keeper Scott Whalan saved Chad Bishop's penalty. Meantime, Albion Park Whites Eagles took a massive step towards next month's grand final with a 4-2 win over Port Kembla at Terry Reserve. The league champions led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Chris Smith and Jordan Lando, before Port Kembla pulled a goal back through Jonathon Ramos. Albion Park went 3-1 aheadthanks to Aaron O'Brien before Port's Ben Bartlett scored from the penalty spot to set up a thrilling finish. But Port Kembla's hopes of snatching a draw came undone when Smith completed his brace in injury time for a 4-2 result. The sides will meet again next Saturday at Wetherall Park.
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