Balga SC Masters suffered their first loss of the 2018 season at the hands of Carramar FC.
After a delayed start to the match Balga looked unsettled and were immediately on the back foot. With the bulk of the possession Carramar looked more likely to break the deadlock.
However it was against the run of play that the visitors opened the scoring when Carramar’s keeper cleared the ball which was deflected to Tahir Kulelija who put the ball past the retrieving keeper from about 35 meters out.
Carramar were quick to respond. A long ball from defense opened up Balga’s back line and leaving Mark Higgins helpless to keep the ball out.
Balga were then dealt a couple injury blows with both centre backs having to be substituted in very short succession.
None the less they took the lead again through Ermias Tecle who headed the ball in from close range after a well executed Amir Dzamastagic free kick.
The teams were back on level ground just before the half time break. Carramar striker was brought down just outside the box and stepped up to take the resulting free kick and superbly slot the ball into the top corner leaving Higgings with no chance.
Balga picked up the pace in the second half and quickly asserted their dominance which resulted in another goal however this was incorrectly ruled out by the Carramar linesman. As the game went on, Balga had another player substituted with an injury. Carramar started to dominate the game and were rewarded with the lead shortly after.
Balga were then reduced to 10 men with the referee showing a second yellow card to Anthony Banham.
Carramar continued to push forward and apply pressure on Balga however the visitors had another couple chances to get something out of the game with Carramar keeper pulling of some great saves and keep Balga at bay. The injury substitutions continued mounting for Balga with yet another player getting an early rest. This proved to be decisive. Carramar took their chance and scored a couple quick goals to end Balga’s unbeaten run.
This weekend Balga have a bye and are next in action at 2:30 PM on 20 May 2018 when they take on Premier Division side Joondalup United in the Round 2 of the Masters Cup at Charonia Park Mullaloo.
