Wintry Washout Plays Havoc With League Fixtures

Illawarra Mercury

Monday September 8, 2008

By MIKE DRISCOLL

THE calendar said it was spring, but heavy wintry rain forced the cancellation of Saturday's Premier League games, causing a headache for clubs ahead of this weekend's final round.

Cringila beat the rain and swept Fernhill away 4-1 on Friday night to leapfrog into fourth spot, but four other round 25 games were called off.

With the second relegation spot still up for grabs, the washout leaves several clubs facing a midweek game or a double-header on the eve of the finals.

Illawarra football boss David Naylor confirmed it was "highly likely" that Saturday's washed out Albion Park versus Dapto clash and the Bulli versus Wollongong United game would be played midweek.

With Port beaten yesterday, Albion Park have clinched the league title, while Wollongong United have made a miraculous recovery under new coach Peter Beggs and need one more point from their last two games to guarantee Premier League survival.

Naylor said a decision on the fate of the other games washed out in round 25 would be made today.

Meanwhile, three of the four games in the District League semi-finals scheduled for yesterday had to be called off due to waterlogged grounds.

Ground inspections late on Saturday afternoon ruled out matches being played at Balgownie, Bellambi and Corrimal.

The Woonona versus Berkeley semi-final survived at Ocean Park, Woonona and a decision on when to play the washed out games will be made early this week.

Cringila claimed fourth spot from Fernhill on goal difference following their big win on Friday night at Crehan Park.

Both teams had a host of chances in an open, entertaining game, with Cringila's finishing in front of goal proving the difference.

David Polidoro, Domenic Magill, Alan Lo Proto and Blake Coates scored for Cringila, while Dean Kerr found the net for the Foxes.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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