THE race for a semi-final position in the Shoalhaven senior football competition is likely to go right down to the last round after last week’s results. Culburra’s competition lead was reduced to five after their draw with Shoalhaven United.
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Despite the draw United dropped out of the top four to fifth position. Shoalhaven Heads and Manyana remain in second and third respectively after wins over Basin and Illaroo.
Bomaderry moved to fourth position with a strong win over Huskisson.
THE match of the round is between fourth placed Bomaderry and competition leaders Culburra.
Bomaderry have recovered from their big loss to United with two strong 4-nil wins over Illaroo and Huskisson.
Their defence has not been breached since the United game which is an area that coach Doug Foley would have wanted to improve.
They have moved back into the top four and will want to stay there now.
At full strength they have a side that can compete with anyone.
The likes of Ben Foley, Matt Kellett, David Hampton, Mitch Cornell, Michael Hampton, Blake Munilla, Daniel Frew and Daniel Turner will all need to be at their best against a strong Culburra side.
Culburra had a tough game against United last week and probably should have been beaten, however they showed that a good side are never beaten and they scored late to get a draw.
This is the third or fourth time this year that they have scored in the dying minutes of a game to either get a late win or draw.
This shows the value of playing for the full 90 minutes of a game.
The Cougars are going well though considering that they are usually missing at least four star players and the ones that do take the field are sick.
The rest of the competition should be concerned because they will be unstoppable when they are at full strength and free of illness.
Bomaderry are the only side to inflict defeat on Culburra this year and the other game between the two was a draw.
Bomaderry will be desperate and may be able to do enough to get a draw this time also.
ANOTHER great game will be between Shoalhaven United and Shoalhaven Heads. United should have beaten Culburra last week as they had at least four clear cut chances in the second half, however they had to settle for a draw.
Despite this result United have dropped out of the top four.
United coach Trevor Skingle is pleased with his side’s recent form with their last loss being against Manyana in round 11.
The pace of Dean Atkinson, Billy Wallington and Taite Arney has been putting pressure on opposition defences and their goal scoring has improved.
They have also improved defensively with Matt Lewis, Matt Fuz and young Zac Gordon all playing well.
Shoalhaven Heads had to work hard to beat Basin last week however at the end of the day they still managed to get all three vital points.
Due to Culburra’s draw they are now only five points behind top spot which is something they would still feel they have a chance at.
Heads coach Ross Tasker has done a great job to get his side into this position but he will also know that a couple of losses could not only see them drop from second spot but also out of the top four.
Tasker will be looking for big performances from Connor Edenden, Ian Martin, Dane Tasker, Brad Page, David Crapp, Roy Miller, Tim White and Jared Ryding. United won the first round 3-nil while Heads won the second contest 1-nil.
This game should also be close with a draw the expected result.
ILLAROO will host Huskisson in what should be another good game.
Illaroo have had a season they would rather forget.
Coach Andrew Timbs has done his best with the side he has had available each week however they have simply not been good enough.
While they have classy players including Evan Leedham, Aaron Crittenden, Trent Bray and Zac Vellis they have had too many players unavailable to compete against the top sides.
In saying that they should have beaten Culburra earlier in the year.
They are too far back to make the finals, but they could still cause problems for the sides in contention.
Huskisson has also had mixed results this year.
They have had draws with Culburra, Heads and United but have had too many losses to be in contention.
Like several other sides they have been competitive for 45 minutes only to fall away in the second half.
They have several top class players including Josh Fuz, Jayme Delehenty, Sam Boardman, Sam Duffy, Jake Malligan and Brendon Hobbs and they are sure to want to finish the season on a positive note.
Illaroo won the first round 1-nil while they also won the second round 5-3.
This will be a tight game however at home Illaroo should take maximum points.
THE final match in this round is between Basin and Manyana.
Basin has been good in recent weeks against Culburra and Heads.
The Heads side struggled to get on top of a determined Basin outfit and coach Scott Aldridge would be no doubt be happy with his team’s determination.
Heads won 2-nil however as they are currently in second spot, this is a great effort from the young Basin side.
Tim Shields has been scoring regularly while Adam Brown, Jack Nile, Wade Garin, Chris Preece and Tom Reminis have also been good.
Manyana had a good win over Illaroo last week with Rohan Daley being the dominant player with three goals.
Daley is the leading scorer in the competition and is a danger to even the best defences.
Manyana are an extremely dangerous attacking side with Branden Perosh and Billy Zappas also among the leading scorers.
Manyana are only one point behind Heads and they will be looking to move into the top two should Heads slip up.
Manyana won the first round 4-1 and the second 6-nil.
They should win by a similar margin in this game also.
Round 17
Saturday, July 26
3.30pm
Bomaderry v Culburra at Bomaderry Oval
Shoalhaven United v Shoalhaven Heads at Lyrebird Park
Illaroo v Huskisson at Sharman Park
St Georges Basin v Manyana at St Georges Basin Sporting Complex
Reserve grade
Round 17
Saturday, July 26
1.40pm
Bomaderry v Culburra at Bomaderry Oval
Shoalhaven United v Shoalhaven Heads at Lyrebird Park
Illaroo v Huskisson at Sharman Park
St Georges Basin v Manyana at St Georges Basin Sporting Complex
Third grade
Round 17
Saturday, July 12
Noon
Bomaderry v Culburra at Bomaderry Oval
Shoalhaven United v Shoalhaven Heads at Lyrebird Park
Illaroo v Huskisson at Sharman Park
Name Club Goals
Rohan Daley Manyana 15
Corey Ryan Culburra 11
Evan Leedham Illaroo 11
Brandon Perosh Manyana 11
Shane Button United 10
Jack Miller Culburra 9
Connor Edenden Heads 9
Dane Tasker Heads 9
