NERANG SHOCK SHARKS

Nerang 4 (L. Mutemba 2, C. Garside, I. Kebblewhite)

Palm Beach 2 (J. Fiebig, E. Fagan)

HT 2:2

NERANG produced the shock of the round and ended their three-game losing streak with a fine 4-2 win over Palm Beach Sharks at Glennon Park.

The result put a dent in the title hopes of Palm Beach who were missing coach Adem Poric due to his overseas commitments, with the team temporarily mentored by stand-in boss Daniel Fung.

The Sharks started brightly enough in a first half goal-fest and took the lead with a Josh Fiebig effort, but Nerang hit back thanks to strike from Chris Garside five minutes later.

Mozambique-born forward Levy Mutemba then capitalised on a good run and cross by Nick Jeffrey to give Nerang an unexpected but deserved lead as they fought to arrest their recent poor form.

Just before the interval the Sharks’ Eddie Fagan produced the goal of the game when he rifled home a screamer from over 30-metres to restore parity and send the two sides into the dressing sheds level at the break.

Nerang should have been enjoying a half-time lead though after being awarded a late penalty but Nathan Mulhearn failed from the spot.

With the game there to be won, Ian Kebblewhite struck Nerang’s third midway through the second period after Palm Beach failed to clear a corner. Soon after, Kebblewhite struck the bar with a dipping free-kick as Nerang pulled out all the stops to secure the points.

They weren’t breathing easy though until ten minutes from time when Mutemba wrapped the game up by scoring his second of the match after a jinking run inside the box.

The result leaves expected title challengers Palm Beach in sixth place on the ladder and they have now been leapfrogged by the ever-improving Broadbeach United.

Nerang were again without key player Adam Hayward who is expected to be absent for at least another five weeks with a chipped bone in his shoulder, but Paul Cockbain’s men have now successfully halted their horror run of form in a match that may well prove to be the turning point of their entire season.