IN a pulsating IFA Division One game on Good Friday, Kiama Quarriers came away from Moss Vale with a valuable three points to kick start its season off in the right direction against Highlands Utd in a hard fought 5-4 win. Kiama keeper, Tony Ristevski was called upon as early as the 5th minute to pull off two miraculous saves to the keep the Quarriers in the hunt, but it was a harsh decision on the 9th minute mark when utility player Steve Dick was adjudged to have fouled a Highlands forward inside the area with the resulting penalty safely dispatched to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Kiama then went further behind on the 22nd minute mark through a simple defensive error and Highlands seemed to be in total control and cruising. But a resolute Kiama side came back with a vengeance. Michael Pitt was on hand to slide home the opener for the visitors on 30 mins, then a Gary Vian effort from out wide escaped the keeper's body to level the scores at 2-2. Highlands came back hard and punished a slack defensive error in the dying minutes of the first half to regain the advantage at halftime..

3-2 down from the restart, Kiama coach, Robert Herandnez, changed things around to good effect, but the goal of the game came halfway through the half, courtesy of an Alex Cross 30m screamer, to level the scores yet again (3-3). It could easily go down as an early goal of the season, as Cross switched foots as the defence retreated, to blast the ball into the top corner of the net. Man of the Match, Tony Ristevski was determined that the points came Kiama's way with some top-draw goalkeeping, while his defence was put to the test in what was turning out to be a real crowd pleaser, with some volatile intrusions from the travelling fans. On the hour, in a smart Kiama move, involving Vian, Cross and Aaron Murphy, Mick Pitt was on hand to score giving Kiama the lead for the first time in the game with a well taken goal from 12 yards. The home team responded immediately, Kiama keeper Ristevski saving from point blank range, but could do nothing about the rebound which netted the equaliser (4-4). With 15 minutes remaining, it was a another fluid move through the Kiama engine room which saw young James Mortimer head home under pressure from 10 yards to regain Kiama's lead. Mortimer had pushed forward all day and added bite to the Kiama attack with some wonderful individual moves to keep the Highland defence on the back foot.

Stephen Dick, who had played a champions game at the heart of Kiama's defence, was sent off for a second book able offence with only 10 minutes remaining adding a bit more spice to the final moments. Needless to say, Highlands threw caution to the wind and pressed forward in numbers, but Kiama stood firm and totally deserved its famous victory. Vian, Ristevski and Cross all stood out in a remarkable game, which was a tremendous team performance seeing as they were without star striker, Tommy Mayes (injured). But Mayes will find it hard to command a regular first team place on this showing. Coach, Hernandez, was over the moon with the result stating; "In all the years I have been involved with Illawarra football, I cannot remember the last time Highlands conceded five goals at home. "It is always difficult to get a result from here, but to win in this manner having coming back from two goals down after 15 minutes speaks volumes for the commitment from the boys." Earlier in the day young goalkeeper, Ben Cahill, produced an outstanding display for both Youth grade and Reserves with the latter losing 2-0 while the Youth went down 6-2.

Goal scorers for youth were Jacob Cooper and Wes Gidley, the side coming back into the game with a better second half performance after being overwhelmed in a twenty minute spell in the first 45. The Reserves were an unknown quantity going into this game, but put together on the field for the first time, they showed heaps of promise ably lead by James Spence and Scott Schofield. Blake Eickeler had some promising runs cut short when he had to leave the field with concussion. Needless to say Highlands were physical, but all the teams responded well under the circumstances. Kiama went into this game as underdogs, and now have the bye, which may well suit, due to injuries incurred at Moss Vale.