Soccer: Kingz pick up point in Wollongong

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The goal drought continues to haunt the Football Kingz in their chase for early NSL points.

They played out their second goalless draw in four matches last night - this time against the Wollongong Wolves.

The Kingz have scored in only one game - the 4-1 away win over Northern Spirit.

Their point temporarily lifted the Auckland club to a share of fifth place with Sydney United, while the Wolves stay unbeaten and moved to a share of top spot with the Olympic Sharks.

The crowd of 3681 at WIN Stadium had little to enthuse about, with the home side enjoying the balance of play but unable to finish off a series of half-chances.

The Kingz contributed to an open game in which both teams played with three strikers in a 3-4-3 formation.

While Steven Turner and Mark Atkinson were steady in midfield, others did not show the same commitment, often surrendering possession which allowed the home side to press forward and put the Kingz' defence under pressure.

Again it needed some good anticipation and a couple of reflex saves from goalkeeper Michael Utting to keep the Kingz' goal intact.

While some turnovers came from an all-too-keen desire to get forward, others were simply sloppy under little or no pressure.

Having done their homework, the Wolves gave Chilean Patricio Almendra little room, but he still produced a couple of masterly touches.

Veteran right back David Cervinski and right midfielder Shane Lyons (son of league legend Cliff Lyons) were subjected to more than a fair share of pressure as the Kingz focused much of their early attacking efforts through their left flank.

The second half was dominated by Wollongong, with Liam Austin getting forward to test the Kingz' defence. He set up chances that his strikers should have made better use of.

The best fell to Zeljko Babic in the 72nd minute when he easily beat Hiroshi Miyazawa's challenge but, from point-blank range, failed to threaten the Kingz goal.

Wollongong had a two-to-one advantage in shots on goal.

The Kingz lived off the scraps as they battled the tiredness of a five-day turnaround after their 1-0 loss to Perth.

Two minutes after replacing Jeff Campbell, Paul Urlovic played a corner to the lurking Almendra whose dipping shot all but deceived Wolves' keeper Andrew Crews. That was as close as they came until the dying minutes when Vlahos and Urlovic both went agonisingly close from close range.

Utting was again steady in goal, Jonathon Taylor continued his good early-season form at the back and Turner made the most of his first full game as the Kingz collected another valuable point.