An improved Rockingham City went down to a late goal at Dianella on Saturday where the home team snatched victory by 2-1.

 

The match was, at times, a scrappy affair but it was City who took the lead in the 27th minute. The energetic, Andrew Kearey arrived at the back post to head home a cross from the tenacious Frazer Marr. It should have been 2-0 soon after when Craig Howard mesmorised the Dianella defence with one of his trademark runs but failed to finish and the chance went begging. Dianella hit back just before half-time with a wonder strike from 30 yards which sailed over the head of the stranded Tim Smith in the Rockingham goal.

 

The second half saw both teams pressing for the winning goal with City having numerous chances to wrap-up the game. In the 81st minute City paid the penalty for not pressing home their advantage when Dianella snatched the winner following a run down their left. It was a cruel blow for City who deserved at least a share of the spoils. Defensive frailties are costing them dearly and need to be addressed before the trip to fellow-strugglers, Ashfield on Saturday. This is a game that City dare not lose.

 

Earlier in the day the Under 18's won an exciting match against Dianella 4-3 with goals from Cameron Harvey, Tom Walsh, Sam Salisbury and Josh Senior. The Reserves obtained a creditable draw, 1-1 with a goal from David Nairn but drop to a mid-table position.

A live band 'Worlds Apart' played at the half-time interval and again at the end of the game following Rockingham City's comprehensive 8-0 defeat against the formidable Perth Glory last Wednesday at the Lark Hill Sportsplex. Worlds Apart is an appropriate description of the events that took place on the field of play. The difference in class was there for all to see. But it took the Glory over half an hour to finally register a goal from young midfielder Jimmy Downey.

 

Up until that time Rockingham City had more than held their own against their illustrious high-flying visitors. Brent Griffiths had gone close with a header for Perth Glory and a Eugene Dadi goal had been ruled offside. City had also tested Tando Velaphi with shots from outside the area from the tireless Andrew Keary and John McCreary. The goal from Downey on 34 minutes opened up the floodgates just when City were looking like they could achieve the impossible and reach the interval at 0-0. Further goals from the Ukrainian-born striker, Nikita Rukavytsya (36) and the much-travelled Ivorian Coast striker, Eugene Dadi (42), left City three down at half-time. There had been some excellent displays from City players in the first half, not least from 16 year-old Tim Smith in the City goal whose handling from crosses was impeccable coupled with some excellent saves. Tim is a fine prospect for the future.

 

An avalanche of goals arrived in the second-half for the good-hearted crowd of around 1000. Substitutions were made by both teams at the beginning of the second half with Craig Olejnik and David Nairn replacing Tim Smith and the tough tackling Richard Lacey for City. Within six minutes of the restart Dadi scored his second of the night with a close range header. Jamie Harnwell got the fifth goal in the 59th minute and the impressive Dadi completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute. Substitute Anthony Storage completed the rout with goals in the 67th and 72nd minutes.

 

The after-match Man of the Match presentations sponsored by Ti-West were awarded by Lawrie Birney to the hard-working Craig Howard for Rockingham City and the influential Adriano Pellegrino for Perth Glory. After the presentations Dave Mitchell, the Head Coach for Perth Glory, thanked Rockingham City Soccer Club for their hospitality and exceptional facilities. It is hoped that this match will become an annual event. It was fitting that 'Worlds Apart' would bring this successful evening to its conclusion and leave the City players dreaming of what might have been.............