Eagles Hold Off Port To Book Spot In Decider

Illawarra Mercury

Monday September 29, 2008

By JOEL RITCHIE

FERNHILL stayed alive, Albion Park booked a grand final spot and Port Kembla found some self-belief in Illawarra Premier League finals action on Saturday.

The Foxes ended Dandaloo's season with a 3-0 demolition at McLennan Park, while Albion Park White Eagles and Port Kembla drew 2-2 at Wetherall Park.

That result meant league champions Albion Park won the two-legged play-off 6-4 on aggregate and are the first team into the next month's decider.

Port Kembla will face Fernhill on Saturday at Balls Paddock for the second grand final berth.

Albion Park led 1-0 through a 10th-minute goal to Chris Smith before Mark Piccolini equalised for Port midway through the first half.

Port Kembla snatched a 2-1 lead through a Nathan Thompson penalty in the 85th minute, but Albion Park's Beren Sullivan equalised two minutes later for 2-2.

Port captain Rob Cazzoli said his team rediscovered its self-belief on Saturday. "It was a massive positive - we played the way we are capable of," Cazzoli said.

"We went ahead with five minutes to go but we let them back in - it was silly.

"After last weekend's performance (a 4-2 loss to Albion Park) we have some self-belief back."

When asked if his side had to lift again this weekend to stay alive, Cazzoli replied "no doubt".

"You don't put together two wins like Fernhill have unless you're doing something right."

Port Kembla will be missing Piccolini who picked up his second yellow card of the finals and an automatic one-game ban on Saturday.

Albion Park coach Steve Micevski said the week off would be a "godsend" for his side. Micevski rested Arthur Diles, David Gravoac and Norm Wicker on Saturday and Smith was replaced at half-time.

"The week off is a godsend for us - it will give us a chance to recover from all the niggles," Micevski said.

Micevski suspects Port Kembla may just have enough petrol left in their tank to book a rematch in the grand final, which will be played on October 12 at Crehan Park.

"Everyone thinks we'll be meeting Fernhill, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Port will knock them off," Micevski said.

"It doesn't matter - neither of them worry me."

For his part, Fernhill coach Alan Paine said his side's confidence was sky-high after consecutive wins over Cringila and Dandaloo.

"When we go in against Port, if everything goes right, I am confident that we will win," Paine said.

Paine stopped short of saying Saturday's demolition of Dandaloo was Fernhill's best effort this year, but said his side was hitting its straps at the right time of year.

"We have been convincing against two very good teams," Paine said.

The Foxes will most likely be at full strength next weekend, with Ben Price (knee) set to return after missing yesterday's match.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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