SHOALHAVEN United have taken fourth spot on the Shoalhaven Football Competition first grade ladder thanks to a 2-nil win over Shoalhaven Heads on Saturday.
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United coach Trevor Skingle described himself as one very happy coach.
“The boys are good. They are improving each game, and that one especially,” he said.
“With us chasing fourth with Bomaderry, to have a win was great in what was a very important game.”
United got off to a flying start at Lyrebird Park with Billy Wallington taking on Heads’ defence and winning in the seventh minute to take an early 1-nil lead for his side.
Although both teams having equal possession, no-one’s chances were converted, and the game remained 1-nil at the break.
In the first 15 minutes of the second half Heads applied some pressure and gave United’s keeper James Spackman some close calls, but to no avail.
In the second minute of injury time United foiled Heads’ chance of a last minute draw when Wallington cut the ball across to Tait Arney, who found the back of the net to finish the game with a 2-nil win to United.
“The goals were very pleasing because they were something we worked on in training,” Skingle said.
“I can’t single anyone out as they all played well. If they started the season like we are playing now then we could of given the competition a real shake.
“But Culburra look like they have got the championship, even with four or five players out each game.
“It’s probably a bit late in the season, but definitely the right time for us to start playing well.”
Heads coach Ross Tasker said he was disappointed about the cheap goal his team conceded in the first half, but said they put in a good effort for the day.
“It was a good game. United were always going to be very hard, especially at home. But it wasn’t nasty and the ref did a really good job. It was just too bad we couldn’t get a win.”
Tasker said like last week, the back two thirds of his side were strong however the front third needed work.
“It was a pretty good effort, there was just a couple of things we didn’t do well,” he said.
Best on field for Heads were Alex Stokes and Nathan Golding.
This week Heads will face Bomaderry whereas United will come up against Manyana.
Tasker said with Bomaderry’s loss to Culburra this week, the Tigers will be playing for their lives when they play each other next round.
“They are a bit like United really, they really needed a win. But now it’s also on us, we really need a win so we don’t slip out of that top four,” he said.