HIT106.9 Northern League One Rescheduled Round Review: Entertaining draws as season enters final stretch

Match of the Round
South Cardiff FC 3-3 Toronto Awaba FC

South Cardiff and Toronto Awaba could not be separated after 180 minutes of football between them this season, with a late Gunners goal securing Southy a point on Sunday.

Toronto kicked off the scoring early at Ulinga Oval through winger Jarrod Purcell. After a hefty collision between Jacob Dundas and goalkeeper Zac Hamilton, Purcell was on the spot to calmly finish the loose ball to take an early advantage. Luckily Dundas and Hamilton soldiered on for the remainder of the game.

It was chances galore due to the game's end-to-end nature, as both sides had several opportunities but could not capitalise in the first 45 minutes. Toronto goalkeeper Drew Olsen put in a half to remember, making multiple outstanding saves to keep a clean sheet.

Unfortunately for Toronto and Olsen, fullback Regan Black scored a screamer with an authoritative strike from just outside the penalty area into the top left corner. The strike was the cornerstone to begin the onslaught of goals during the second half.

Shortly after Purcell scored via a heavy deflection off a South Cardiff defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper as the ball trickled over the line. But the lead was short-lived, with South Cardiff attacker Jack Diebold finishing a quick counterattack.

The Gunners then missed a golden opportunity to score, rattling the crossbar from a penalty. This would prove costly as Purcell completed his hat-trick, finishing off a penalty on the other end only minutes afterwards.

It seemed that Toronto were about to take the victory as the sun set over the backdrop of Ulinga Oval. But with mere minutes remaining, Diebold drew it level, finishing a shot from a corner by hitting it first time positioned at the back stick.

Despite being another callous game to watch for Gunner’s coach Scott Taylor and with no side being able to own bragging rights this season, he could seemingly mainly take positives out of the affair.

"It was just a picture frame of the season for us,” Taylor said.

“A difficult surface but both sides threw players forward to try and score. It was that sort of game. Chances at both ends and [it was down to] who was going to score the most.

"I think both teams realised that the middle of the field was not the place to play football. Both teams had willing runners, so it was going to get beyond the back line [a lot]. We worked it out and they worked it out.

“[Toronto] like to run with the ball and run beyond the backline as well. That's what they're good at and that's what got them to where they are. So we tried to be aware of that. But at the same time, we tried to do it ourselves and we had plenty of success doing that but just not finishing the chances.

"But it’s the fact that we're still competing down to the last game after last week. It's important that we bounced back and showed that we weren't just going to go out with a whimper and I think we did that today. We got back on the horse this week after last week’s [terribly] poor performance. It was important that we didn't repeat and we got a reaction from last week and we did and that's what we'll take into next week."

Toronto coach Jarrad Hiles' views were uncannily similar, considering they were also in line to return to winning ways after a less than impressive performance last weekend.

"Entertaining game as usual. Just more grey hair for the coach,” Hiles said.

"I'm disappointed to concede close to the 90th minute again but I’m happy we didn't throw it away. [It is a game] we could have won and could have lost. It must be this South Cardiff curse, conceding late equalisers, but I'm pretty happy overall. We played some pretty good football, it was hard to play on that pitch and just some weak defending let us down and we got punished again.

“[Generally] I thought we played some good football. But happy to take a point and live to fight another day. We worked hard, the energy was there, the effort was there and I can't knock the boys. They gave it their all for most of the game but that's football and we'll move on to next week."

Kahibah FC 2-2 New Lambton FC

It was déjà vu at Kahibah Oval as Kahibah gave New Lambton a shake up for the second time this season with another 2-2 draw on Sunday.

The Eagles had to score another late equaliser to take points out of the game, with Kahibah the only side to take away points from the leaders on both encounters this season, setting up a potential blockbuster if they face in the finals.

New Lambton striker Chase Lattimore opened the scoring with a dazzling individual goal 20 minutes into the first half, giving the Eagles an early lead.

As the half matured, Kahibah were handed a potential lifeline to equalise through a penalty. Veteran Rhys Tippett stepped up and made amends from last weekend, scoring the penalty this time.

As the sides walked into the change rooms after 45 minutes, it appeared nothing could split the two sides.

But when Liam Whitehead was sent off seven minutes into the second half, New Lambton now had a numerical advantage to take the reigns and ensure a 13th straight win. But the dwindling in numbers seemed to hand Kahibah a boost in confidence.

Riley Ferguson scored a header from a corner after many chances went astray for the Rams with 15 minutes remaining. But their lead was taken away soon after, with Joel Caldwell scoring merely two minutes later and rounding out the game 2-2.

Kahibah coach Mat Moncrieff was happy with the way his side faired against the competition leaders but believed they could have won, despite the disadvantage in numbers on the pitch.

"Disappointed we didn't get three points out of it,” Moncrieff said.

“The first half was pretty even and [New Lambton] had a fairly strong wind. So at half-time, we were happy with being at 1-1. Then in the second half, within six minutes, we got one set off with a second yellow, which changed a little bit of what we did. But to be honest, from then on, we pretty much dominated the game.

“I was super proud of the boys. We took it to the leaders and I think we're right in their heads if we have to meet him in the finals, for sure.

"It was a really good display. Everyone was up for the game and I think [New Lambton] would have more to worry about playing us than we would have playing them.

"The boys are beaming. It's hard because they all wanted to get up for that game because it was one of the ones from the first round that we thought we should have won and the boys were really up for it. But they got a lot of injuries and a suspension from it.

“We've got to play Wednesday night against Westy, so we need to see what numbers we have for that game. Hopefully the majority will be back for the Wallsend game. From now, we need to win one of the two games and we'll guarantee third. That is probably where our targets have been.

"George Stephens [deserves a special mention]. He was called up due to [Scott] Carter being unavailable and did a stellar job. He was really good."