Conference League Northern Round 8 Review
All eyes were at Birchgrove Oval on Saturday where Balmain SC played host to the previously unbeaten leaders, Roosters FC.
The home side were up for the occasion, trouncing their opponents 4-0 in a dominating display. The chief destroyers for Balmain were Merlino and Buonavoglia, who both managed to score a goal in each half, taking their personal tally for the season to 7 and 10 goals respectively.
Roosters FC, who had previously conceded only four goals all season, will have to regroup very quickly for the visit of Hawkesbury next week at Mona Park, if they wish to retain their position near the head of the ladder.
Prospect United continued their steady progress by climbing into fourth position on the ladder with a 6-0 spanking of Luddenham United. Miralles (20th) and Pejic (36th) gave United a 2-0 half time lead, before Stead (70th), Sofiak (58th & 78th) and Pejic (84th), with his second, completing the rout.
There was an annihilation at Alec Lamberton Field where Bathurst 75? took Penang to the cleaners by 9-1. Miljkovic got things moving for Bathurst with a brace of goals, scoring on 18 and 23 minutes. Clancy grabbed his side?s third after 32 minutes, before top marksman Dowling got the first of his hatrick on 34 minutes to make it 4-0.
Smith gave Penang something to cheer about when he pulled a goal back in the 37th minute, but Dowling?s goals in the 40th and 46th minutes completed a remarkable 12 minute hatrick for the club?s top goalscorer, putting the game and result beyond doubt.
His team mate Christie wasn?t yet finished however, and even went one better by grabbing a late hatrick of his own within just ten minutes, to complete the rout, and send the Bathurst fans home very content with their team?s performance.
Given the amount of goals everywhere else, they dried up at Summerhayes Park where Springwood and Gladesville Ryde Magic played out a scoreless draw, keeping both clubs just below mid table in the competition.
The high flying Hawkesbury had the bye this weekend ahead of their big match next weekend vs Roosters FC.
-By Frank Speranza
