Division One Round Up 4 Review

Division One Round Up 4 Review
The double header due at Arlington Oval over the weekend fell prey to the weather conditions and both games were subsequently washed out, with both the Dulwich Hill-Inter Lions and Stanmore Hawks-Spirit FC games needing to be replayed at a date and venue yet to be announced.
Blacktown Spartans got up against UNSW on Saturday night at Francis Park by 1-0, the lone goal coming in the 56^th minute from Hubbard.
At the CSI Sport Ground, Schofield Scorpions and Sydney Wanderers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Pannowitz put the Wanderers ahead after 11 minutes, before Borg grabbed the first of his two equalizers in the 38^th minute. Mansueto looked like he?d given the visitors the points with an 85^th minute goal, before Borg popped up again in the 87^th to give both teams a share of the spoils.
Mounties FC took Hurstville City Minotaurs apart at Cook Park with a 5-2 demolition. Lloyd and Tomich put the home side two up after just six minutes, before Al Bayati pulled one back on 26 minutes for Hurstville City. Three goals in 11 minutes early in the second half put the Minotaurs to rest, with Noro, Sanchez and Llloyd (again) doing the damage, before Di Mento pulled back a late strike for the visitors to finish off the scoring.

Division 1 Match of the Round

Hills gifted three points
The consistent downpour of rain across Sydney over the weekend did not affect Hurstville Oval, as home side Hurstville ZSC hosted Hills Brumbies in a Division One, Round 4 clash on a brisk Sunday afternoon.
A major cricket venue in the summer, the centre of the playing field was expectedly hard and slippery, as well as being a little dug up and uneven, affecting the players as they tried valiantly to play some decent football.
The home side took to the field looking dapper in their brand new white strip, marked with a distinctive Croatian checker design, but it was the visitors who settled the better, and as early as the 4^th minute Brown headed over from a free kick whipped in by Ibrahim.
In the 10^th minute Ibrahim played Farrell into a gap, and his low cut back was cleared over his own bar by Susic (M).
From the ensuing corner, Samogly volleyed dangerously from just inside the corner of the box for Hurstville?s custodian, Papadopolous, to palm over the bar to safety.
Hurstville Zagreb had found it tough to get into any rhythm whatsoever, but alas, unexpectedly took the lead just over half an hour into the game.
Captain Skulic sent big striker, Kostanic, away down the left, and he raced past one defender into the box before steadying himself, and shooting low past Needham on his inside post.
Just five minutes later and the visitors were level with a breathtaking strike. Hills? hard working midfielder, Bajic, sent a high cross diagonally towards the edge of the penalty box, only for the ball to be deflected upwards by the Hurstville left back, Smith.
Farrell swiveled as he let the ball bounce, and from a tough angle, cracked a vicious volley high into the roof of the Hurstville net to send the teams in at half time at 1-1.
The second half was only three minutes old when the Hills Brumbies almost took the lead. Ryan crossed to the back post for Farrell to head across goal, and Bajic pivoted before having his close range shot tipped over by Papadopolous.
Hurstville responded on 9 minutes with a fierce free kick from Terkes, that whistled just over the bar from 20 yards.
Animated Hurstville coach Ago Skulic was becoming more and more frustrated, and made two substitutes early in the second period hoping to spark some reaction from his players.
However they were caught napping in the 66^th minute,  as Ryan played a ball through the static Hurstville defensive line, and Bajic raced onto it before slamming his shot high into the net to give the Brumbies a 2-1 lead.
This was a little too much for coach Skulic, and after a contentious tackle on one of his players, was banished to the stands for persistent dissent by referee Mr D. Finlay, who had a splendid game, allowing it every opportunity to flow.
With 11 minutes remaining, Kraljevic, who was a consistent menace on the flank for the Brumbies, headed into Kostanic?s path and his shot on the turn was parried to safety by Needham.
The big man however, was not to be denied as he scored his, and Hurstville?s, second goal in the 81^st minute to finish off a wonderful sweeping movement by the home side. Substitute Majetic played an inside pass to Vidovic on the halfway line, and he in turn sent  Kraljevic away down the left wing.
The Hurstville midfielder sent a delicious cross far post for Terkes to thunder a header against the cross bar. Kostanic showed his predatory instincts by being first to the rebound and sliding his shot under Needham for the equalizer.
Just when the match seemed to be heading for a draw, the game took a final dramatic twist in the 86^th minute.
A speculator of a clearance by the Brumbies was somewhat easily headed back by Susic (S) to his keeper, but Papadopolous made a meal of what seemed an easy grab and spilled the ball.
Fortunately for the visitors, Samogly had continued to make his run and couldn?t believe his luck as he slipped the ball into an unguarded net, to give the Hills Brumbies a last gasp win and much wanted three points.
Best on the day for Hurstville were ; left back Smith, who was swift in his tackling and distribution ; Kraljevic, who used the flanks well and made some telling crosses ; and big striker, Kostanic, who scored two well taken goals.
Best for Hills Brumbies were ; left back Ryan, who made some effective contributions in the second period ; captain Camilleri, who played a domineering and commanding role in the centre of defence ;  and best-on-ground Bajic, who worked tirelessly in midfield during the first half, and made all the difference in the second half when he was moved up front.
Match Stats
HURSTVILLE ZFC 2 (Kostanic 32?, 81?)  
HILLS BRUMBIES 3 (Farrell 37?, Bajic 66?, Samogly 86?)                           
Hurstville ZSC;  1. Papadopolous, 5.Repeti, 8.Susic M, 18. Susic S (86? 2. Golec),
13. Smith (62? 3. Majetic), 11. Zoric (54? 4. Leon), 14. Terkes, 6. Vidovic, 15. Skulic ?, 7. Kraljevic, 19. Kostanic.
Subs not used; 12. Tayebi, 17. Puljic.
Hills Brumbies ; 1. Needham, 3. Ryan, 4. Ibrahim (80? 14. Pintabona), 5. Camilleri ?, 6. Brown (27? 12. King), 7. Farrell, 8. Bajic, 10. Samogly, 11. Colaluce, 13. Tuckerman, 18. Hawkins (87? 15. Harnett).
Subs not used; 17. Dimovski, RGK. Faint.
-By Frank Speranza