State League Division 2 Round 1 Review
Match of the Round
Prospect United v Penang FC
Prospect United secured their first home win of the season with a spectacular individual goal by substitute Pasquale Landrelli on 61? minutes.
Prospect were the dominant side throughout the match with some quality possession and exceptional attacking football.
Prospect controlled the opening 15? minutes with Alex Pejic and Kamahl Gabara combining down the right-flank to cause the Penang side early concern. Prospect were finding their stride however their finishing touch was lacking. Penang was under the attack and it continued in the 23? minute when Ahmed Ibrahim latched onto a thunderbolt strike from 20-metres only for his chance to sneak over the bar.
Penang FC was struggling to hold possession in the midfield allowing Prospect to take charge of the attack. It nearly cost the visitors a goal in the 30? minute when Stjephan Puljic placed a neat through ball to Kamahl Gabara to create a one-on-one chance. Penang FC goalkeeper Peter Vaughan was up to the task and made a sensational save.
Penang FC playmaker Russell Isaac Cole was determined to fire up his troops when he made a bursting run down the middle winning his side a valuable free-kick outside the 18-yard box. Despite the boost from the Penang playmaker, Shannon Hall wasted the opportunity striking the ball wide to the right.
Both sides went into the interval with scores level, and the second-half was proving a one-sided game with Prospect attacking fiercely, this time nearly opening the scoring. Prospect?s Robbie Portelli was involved in a scrambled 18-yard box when his attempted shot struck the crossbar in the 46? minute. Prospect controlled the pace of the match from this point; however frustration was settling in as chances were being wasted.
Penang forward Kevin Woodbridge was one of their best in what was a disappointing performance, with his continuous efforts to chase down the defence, however player of the match, Prospect?s sweeper Jason Lewis, was outstanding as he took control in what was a spectacular defensive performance.
Penang goalkeeper Peter Vaughan was having an outstanding game keeping out the Prospect attack and it continued on the 59? minute when a shot from 25-metres by Pasquale Landrelli was well kept out. However, despite the goalkeeper?s efforts throughout the match, nothing could have stoped the sensational bursting run by Pasquale Landrelli in the 61? minute, splitting the Penang defence down the middle and placing the ball past Peter Vaughan left side.
The home side continued to rally and the likes of Robbie Portelli and S. Devlin for Prospect were outstanding as the home side went on to take a 1-0 win and three valuable points to give them a dream start to the 2009 State League Division Two season.
Prospect United coach Brian Vella was delighted with the three points despite missing seven of his players. He stated that he wants to see his side play in a more superior pace and quality: ?We should have been better today, having said that we got the three points and the boys that were out there today showed a gutsy performance.?
Penang FC coach Tony Gallagher said he was pleased with the side today compared to that of last season:
? We have a new team this year, the boys are learning to gel, but I have to say its a much more improved side, we were just beaten by the better side today?.
Match Stats
Prospect United 1 (Pasquale Landrelli 61?)
Penang FC 0
Saturday 28th March
William Lawson Reserve
Referee: James Barnes
Prospect United: 19. Owen Rogers; 2.Jason Lewis, 3.Stjephan Puljic, 4.Chris Senat, 6.Ahmed Ibrahim (16.Mark Stead 69?), 7.Alex Pejic (15.Pasquale Landrelli 43?), 8.Luke Isbister, 9.Michael Viera, 10.Robbie Portelli, 11.Kamahl Gabara (17.Luis Freitas 63?), 13.Justin McLeay
Substitutes Not Used: 1.A. Keane
Yellow Cards: Alex Pejic 42?, Luis Freitas 86?
Red Cards: Nil
Penang FC: 1.Peter Vaughan; 4.Josh Dicandillo, 6.Steve Devlin, (Kyle Leadbetter 62?) 9.Shannon Hall, 14.Eddie Davila, 17.Matt Aldrick, 16.Kevin Woodbridge (10.Kevin Gallagher 87?), 20.Chris Piper (Mitchell Dowzard 72?) 22.Russell Cole, 23.Jared Keens, 25.Kyle Leadbetter
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Fairfield Bulls v White City
BULLS CLAIM FIRST WIN IN STYLE
Fairfield Bulls claimed a 3-1 victory against White City at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Sunday afternoon. Bulls forward S. Mayayolo scored a hat-trick as his side picked up a deserved win and three crucial competition points.
The Bulls came out of the blocks firing, a complete different side which saw them finish in last position in 2008.
White City was struggling to hold possession but most of all lacked the fire-power up-front and the control and pace needed in the midfield. George Vasic White City secretary said the club needs to recruit players with the ability to score goals and set up plays within the midfield.
?We are lacking the creativity, even though we had nine men at one stage it doesn?t explain our poor performance when we had eleven.
?This year we can only hope that we can make sixth or seventh, making finals would be a bonus and a massive achievement for this side.?
Fairfield Bulls forwards N. Filips and S. Mayayolo were outstanding throughout the match. The first goal scored by Mayayolo in the 37? minute started from a bursting run down the right side by Filips which found Mayayolo waiting in the box resulting in the first goal of the day. White City struggled especially after A. Zivadinovic was sent off for a terrible challenge in the 39? minute. The Bulls, with ease, maintained possession and were directing the game to their favour.
The second-half was a nightmare for the White Eagles especially when captain R. Mandic picked up a second yellow card for bringing down S. Dawd in the penalty box.
White city goalkeeper T. Sawalaga made a spectacular save to keep his side in the game, however despite the heroic goalkeeping the side?s day went from bad to worse when the Bulls scored a second in the 67? minute. Nine men White City responded five minutes later after substitute M. Drca scored of a free kick giving his side a slimmer of hope. Despite the goal Bulls had control of the game and wrapped it up in the 87? minute S. Mayayolo going one on one with the keeper dribbling around him to score a memorable hat-trick and a memorable win for the Fairfield Bulls.
Round One Review
Bathurst 75 scored a late equaliser in the first home game of the season at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday night with J Christie?s strike in the 89? minute cancelling out J. Mundell?s goal for Hakoah in the 57? min. The match finished 1-1 with both sides collecting a point.
Roosters rallied against Springwood at Summerhayes Park, with the away side scoring a 4-2 win. Roosters opened first through B. Elveren until Springwood?s M. Kelly levelled the game at the interval. The Roosters rallied again scoring in the 55? minute through E. Topal but the home side responded when luck played a part in an own goal. Despite the home side keeping the pressure, the Roosters finished with another goal from E. Topal in the 70? minute and V. Ogman in the 76? minute to secure a well earned 4-2 win for the visitors.
Sydney Cedars and Colo Colo Wanderers played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at the Punchbowl Oval.
Hawkesbury got the campaign off to the perfect start with a 2-0 victory over Luddenham. A first-half goal from Matthew Cotter and a second-half strike by Edwin George was enough to see the away side take three valuable points. Secretary Natasha Bertenshaw expressed that the club was delighted with the victory and it was a good all round performance following the match.
Gladesville Ryde Magic and Hurstville City played out a 1-1 draw at Belmore Sports Ground a good result for Hurstville after losing several players before the start of the season; this will give the club an immense amount of confidence going into next weekend.
Gazy Lansvale and Camden also played out a 0-0 draw in a match that was tarnished by two serious injuries, one from each side. Gazy Lansvale Secretary Safet Alispahic said that the match was an intense affair until serious injuries caused the match to end in a cruel way. The Gazy Lansvale player was taken to hospital with what seemed to be ligament damage, however much will be known about the situation on Monday about both players.
I wish the clubs and families all the best and hope that both players are healthy and able to return to the playing field as soon as possible.
-By Johnny Casni
