South Coast Take Laid-back Feel Into Knockout Final

Illawarra Mercury

Monday March 10, 2008

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

SOUTH Coast United player-coach Michael Santalab isn't getting too carried away with having qualified for Sunday's Corrimal Leagues Club Knockout final.

United will take on Cringila Lions for the first trophy of the year, a match that will end the five-week pre-season tournament.

Santalab has treated the knockout as competitive trial matches and said not too much will change in the final.

"The main thing is for us to have everyone healthy for week one of the season," he said.

"We will be going out there to win, but we will be sensible with how we do things."

The loss of striker Sasho Dimoski is the only change from the South Coast side that performed well last season.

"I know the things we need to work on and the players know as well," he said.

"It is a matter of fine-tuning what we have been working on."

South Coast striker Vince Milicevic scored twice in the first half of yesterday's win.

Team-mate Adrian Lamacchia then had a second half spot-kick saved before Santalab made no mistake when his side were awarded another penalty.

Cringila had to work much harder to secure their spot in the Memorial Park decider.

After Angelo Hajitoffi gave the White Eagles a first-half lead, Cringila striker Alan Lo Proto headed home the first of his two goals for the day.

A 20m screamer from Albion Park midfielder Andrej Gacesa gave his side their second lead in the 71st minute, only to see Lo Proto level the scores within 90 seconds.

Man of the match Dominic McGill headed home the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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