'No one thinks we're good enough': Albion Park record statement win against Lions

The Lions would have overtaken Park into first on the ladder with a win in front of their home fans, but the Eagles showed why they have been so dominant in 2023.

George Antoniou's men now go six points clear with six rounds remaining in the Illawarra Premier League.

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Question marks were raised about APWE following a 2-0 loss to Olympic last round. However in less than 120 seconds those doubts were quashed when Liam Wille produced a sensational bit of skill down the right to turn his defender where he then blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

Cringila's talisman Peter Simonoski levelled the scores in the second half via the spot, before disaster struck for the Lions.

A miscommunication at the back between goalkeeper Nikola Ristevski and defender James Carli resulted in the latter heading the ball into his own net, beating his on-rushing stopper.

That own goal was enough to see the Eagles home and secure one hand on the premier's plate.

The Eagles were without an array of midfield options such as captain Brendan Fordham (NAIDOC rep duties) as well as Ethan Kambisios and Brendan Griffin (injuries), but a huge performance from youngster Tyler Bromham-Fuller saw APWE home.

He said the result was massive, not only after the Olympic loss, but the past month where Albion Park had surrendered a healthy gap at the top of the leader board.

"The last few weeks we've had to dig deep and we had to turn it around against one of the best in the league," he said.

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"It was two top teams going together. So we proved we deserve to be where we are. Everyone's writing us off now. No one thinks we're good enough to win this comp. So we were very focused during the week but the effort was really there so it was good to get the result at the end of it."

Speaking on his performance, he said it was the type of game any footballer would relish.

"These are the games you play for, the top of the table clashes," Bromham-Fuller added.

"If you want to win a comp, you've got to show up in these games. So I'm glad I could do the job tonight."

It was a fast start thanks to Wille's effort, putting the Eagles up 1-0 inside the opening stanza.

Cringila's first chance came from Stefan Dimoski via a free-kick, but it was relatively simple for Park stopper Hayden Durose.

Soon after it was Ristevski that was called into action and it was certainly needed. The big figure stood strong after Chris Nathaniel made a huge run from left-back to be one-on-one with the goalkeeper, however Ristevski stood strong to make a save and keep his side in it.

Anthony Krsteski was always dangerous and in the first half he got in behind of the Albion Park defence but his shot was relatively simple for Durose.

The Lions kept on pushing. Next it was Dimoski heading the ball into the grateful arms of Durose.

As the half was drawing to a close, Josh Macdonald forced a stop from Ristevski before Michael Mendes for Cringila stung the palms of Durose. But the score remained 1-0 going into the sheds after Wille's opener.

In the second half, Simonoski should have had the equaliser. Andre Dias' free-kick hit the wall before the fullback whipped the ball back into his captain who forced Durose to make a save from point-blank range. Despite some of the Eagles protests for offside, it was not the case and it was a huge chance.

Dimoski continued the pressure for Cringila, this time hitting a violent strike across goal and thankfully for Durose, wide of his right post.

But the pressure soon paid off for the home side. Cringila were awarded a penalty and Simonoski made no mistake, sending Durose the wrong way midway through the second half and it was game on.

But as the match was coming to a close it was a horrendous moment for both Carli and Ristevski. The miscommunication meant the ball rolled over the line and gave APWE the lead which they held onto.

For the rest of the round on Saturday: Wollongong United face Bellambi, Corrimal take on Bulli, Olympic host Port Kembla, Helensburgh travel to Coniston and South Coast lock horns with Tarrawanna in the late fixture.

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