KIAMA Quarriers came away from Judy Masters Oval with a valuable point against high flyers Balgownie Rangers last Saturday with a 0-0 draw, in its IFA District League match.Rangers, which boast one of the best defensive records in the league to date, only conceding 13 goals all season, were lucky to keep the game goalless.

In cold, blustery conditions, Kiama's 3-5-2 formation held firm and pressed forward on its opponent's goal at every opportunity. Sweeper, Steve Dick, marshaled the defence well, while Nate Chellew and Mitch Grant played simple football to retain possession. Balgownie tested George Guevara in goal on occasion, but the stand-in keeper had another great game in the absence of Tony Ritevski, who is out for at least a further three weeks with a broken bone in his hand.

The first half became a battle of midfield, where man-of-the-match, Mick Gillespie, belied his age, with a workmanlike performance aided and abetted by Andy Lockard, Gabriele Guevara and wingers, Kyle Glazier and Daniel Swinton. If the first half did not produce many goalbound chances, the second more than made up for the lack of action, with Kiama coming close on several occasions.

Striker, Billy Sterjovksi, had a good effort well saved as Glazier was starting to make in-roads down the flank, while the introduction of midfield playmaker, Gary Vian, brought composure to the Kiama outfit, but young Daniel Swinton should have done better with a glorious chance to give The Quarriers the lead. Moments later, leading goal scorer, James Mortimer, saw his fine effort hit the woodwork, which would have netted the young striker his seventh goal of the season.

The Quarriers battled fiercely to try and break the deadlock, but the Rangers defence stood firm to ride out the storm and come away with the goalless draw. Coach, Robert Hernandez, said that the side were unlucky to come away with only a point; "I thought we did enough to win that one, the players were hungry for the win, but we must learn to take our chances when they come. In tight games like these, it's important to put the ball away," he said.

Kiama are third in its District League ladder while sitting ninth overall, with a strong possibility of a top four finish. With no new injuries and with most of the long-term injured players coming back to the fold, Kiama will need to be at its best next Saturday, when they meet third placed Berkeley in The Quarry at 3pm.

Earlier in the day, Kiama Youth were brought back down to earth after its 7-0 demolition of Wollongong Olympic last week, to fight out yet another goalless draw. Kiama Reserves were again on the wrong end of a three goal game, losing 2-1 in another hard fought affair. Rangers hit the front, but livewire winger, Chris Reminis, equalised for The Quarriers before Rangers sealed all three points.