THE Quarriers capitulated in the final half hour of its IFA District League top-of-the-table clash against Woonona Sharks, conceding three goals in a 30 minute spell in The Quarry last Saturday. It was never going to be easy for the home side, with four key regulars out and their cause wasn't helped when they were reduced to ten men as early as the 35th minute, when Alex Cross received his marching orders for a second book able offence. Debut keeper, George Guevara, was called upon early as the 15th minute to save at the feet of an onrushing Woonona striker, but had no chance on the half hour mark when a miscued effort somehow managed to find the back of the net in a crowded area to open the score.

With the Quarriers down to ten men, a reshuffled line up did well to steady the game down and started to control short spells, in a half of few chances. Gary Vian and Gabriel Guevara both had to be taken off injured which exasperated The Quarriers cause, while Billy Sterjovksi and James Mortimer up front, tried hard to pull back the deficit. The second half started off brightly and a well taken Sterjovksi free kick on the edge of the box shaved the Woonona post while George Guevara pulled off a great save to keep the scoreline to 1-0 after 50 minutes.

Man-of-the-Match, Nate Chellew was tireless in defence, aided by Mitch Grant and Mick Gillespie, but the back four always looked fragile without its injured sweeper, Steve Dick. Just past the hour mark, Woonona were handed another goal, this time from the penalty spot for a diving tackle inside the area. This broke the tiring Quarriers and further goals were added in the 79th and 83rd minutes to seal the win, but with a scoreline that flattered the Sharks. Kiama Youth Grade gave a gutsy performance to rattle previously unbeaten Woonona and take all three points for a morale boosting 1-0 win. In a goalless first half, Kiama went toe to toe with the ladder leaders who were visibly unsettled by the hosts gritty style of play.

Immediately from the restart, Keegan Beringer's effort was only parried by the keeper to the feet of Wes Gedling, who obliged with a simple tap in to break the deadlock. Ben Cahill was called upon to bravely save a high ball from two onrushing strikers, while Mark Jones was solid at the back and Matt Saliba thwarted many moves from his midfield anchor role. It was Kiama's first win of the season in a highly commendable team performance. In the Reserves, Woonona dominated the second half after going in at the break 5-2 up, but ran out comfortable winners 11-2 after 90 minutes.

Mitch Stone and Chris Hughes scored for Kiama in an equal first 45 minutes, but The Sharks ran riot in the second period scoring 6 unanswered goals. Last Wednesday, Kiama were knocked out of the Under-23 Bert Bampton Cup by Woonona 6-1. Gabriel Guevara scored on his debut for The Quarriers. This Saturday, Kiama entertain Kemblawarra in The Quarry, which should be an interesting match between last season's two relegated sides from the Premier League.