Dandaloo took out the Illawarra Premier League Grand Final for the second consecutive season when they defeated Premiers Port Kembla 3-1 at Crehan Park in front of a bumper crowd of 3275.

The Lions can thank striker Ilija Prenzoski who scored a double for giving Dandaloo the advantage but it was a close run thing early on.

Port Kembla started the brighter and could even have taken a lead within ten seconds of kick off when an immediate attack caught Dandaloo unawares but the golden opportunity was wasted when Aden Wade skied the ball when unmarked on the edge on the six yard box. It was an amazing start to the game and the impressive beginning for the Premiers had Dandaloo looking rattled. Nuno Pires had a good strike for Port Kembla too, but just lacked sufficient power.

But as the game began to settle down, Dandaloo came into the match, eventually overcoming the early Port pressure.

It was somewhat of a surprise though when it was Dandaloo who took the lead. A cross from the right by Ben Price found Ilija Prenzoski unmarked in the area and he needed little encouragement to knock it away. It was a let down for Port who had given the ace striker too much room, when a striker like Prenzoski needs little.

The goal gave Dandaloo the confidence to play their normal game after a nervous start and it was only great goalkeeping from David Poeria that kept Dandaloo at bay.

Port Kembla responded with a good run by Peter Richardson, but his cross didn't get the reward it deserved while Matthew O'Shea was close with a header.

But just after the half hour, Dandaloo did double their lead. A free kick from out wide by Alvin Ceccoli evaded all, and it took only one bounce before his strike nestled into the net.

If it seemed that that goal may perhaps kill the game, Port Kembla had other ideas. Just a minute later, Peter Gaffney knocked in a cross before Matthew Sini sidefooted away from straight in front, although helped by a slight deflection.

It kept the game on a knife edge, as the two sides battled away during an absorbing first half, Poeria again saving well from Price while Gaffney looked dangerous down the wing for Port.

The second half though lost a little of the sparkle of the first as the game became a little scrappy. The chances were few but it took just a cool head from Prenzoski to seal the game. In the 64th minute, the ball fell loose to Prenzoski who neatly slotted the ball past Poeria.

The game was all but over despite half an hour still remaining but it never looked like Dandaloo would lose it from here.

It was a well deserved win and continues the impressive record of the young club who only entered the Illawarra competition in 2004. It was another trophy to add to an increasingly notable honours board.

MATCH STATS:
Port Kembla FC 1
(Matthew Sini 33')
lost to
Dandaloo Lions FC 3
(Ilija Prenzoski 14', 64', Alvin Ceccoli 32'')

Crowd: 3,275

Port Kembla FC
Player listing : 1. David Poeria (gk), 2. Peter Richardson, 3. Brett Farnsworth, 4. Matthew Radman, 5. Murray Leyland, 6. Matthew Sini, 7. Aden Wade, 8. Matthew O'Shea (c), 9. Nuno Pires (14. Jonathan Ramos +70') 10. Karouna Michael (15. Joseph Lavelle +82'), 11. Peter Gaffney (12. Fabian Capetta +77')

Substitutes not used: 13. Bradley Gallagher 16. Alex Garcia Rgk Mitchell Cooper

Coach: Stuart Beedie

Yellow Cards: tba
Red Cards: Nil


Dandaloo FC 'Lions'
Player listing : 1. Mitchell Blowes (gk), 2. Ben Price, 3. Ryan Carr, 4. Anthony Matthews 5. Eugene Turner 6. Chris Jackson 7. David Reid (13. Milan Bosnar 73') 8. Alvin Ceccoli (c) 9. Ryan Emerton 10. Paul Harries (11. Paul Wither 82') 12. Ilija Prenzoski (13. David Huxley 88')

Substitutes not used: 16. Rayvin Ragoo, Aaron Tambakis (rgk)

Coach: Peter Beggs

Yellow Cards: tba
Red Cards: Nil

Referee: Steve Bozic
Assistants: Matt Cropper, Thomas Royall; Fourth official: Andrew Naylor

Scott Chipperfield Medal - 'man of the match' : Ben Price (Dandaloo)

Pitch: 6/10

Game: 7/10

Match Report and photos by Peter Rowney



(Aproaching John Crehan Park nestled in the hill - Photo Chris Dunkerley)

(The referee leads out the teams (and seagull) for the Grand Final)

(The lineups)

(Port fans show their colours)

( Dandaloo captain Alvin Ceccoli gets the better of Port's Matthew Sini)

(Port's Aden Wade is clear)

(The clubs' flags fly proudly)

(The teams return for the second half)

(Port's Murray Leyland clears)

(Attacking like he's on the wings of a bird - Photo Chris Dunkerley)

(Dandaloo's Ben Price collects the Scott Chipperfield medal for Man-of-the Match)

---

See also Illawarra Easter Ground Hop 2010, or Towradgi Trip - Chris Dunkerley [ Opinion Article ...]


IFA Good Friday games report
IFA web site
See also A Day Out in Dapto, Paul Green [ Opinion Article ...]

See also Easter Ground Hop in the 'Gong 2008 ...
[ Opinion Article ...]