State League Division 1 Round 10 Review
Match of the Round
Stanmore Hawks v Blacktown Spartans
The deluge of water that hit Sydney over the past week or so affected four of the six matches in Division One over the weekend, with the sentimental and traditional venue of Arlington Oval escaping the referee?s wrath to not allow play.
Because of a lack of games, this reporter had no choice but to visit Arlington once more. But I did have the benefit of once again viewing what has become the Stanmore juggernaut, as the Hawks won their third game on the trot with a 3-0 victory over Blacktown Spartans.
The Hawks have climbed to within three points of the summit following this win, without conceding a goal I may add, albeit having had played more games than some of the teams above them.
But it could?ve been so different had the Spartans capitalized on some great scoring opportunities at crucial times in the match, finding Stanmore?s goalkeeper Theouli in outstanding form.
The fans had barely taken their seats when Stanmore should?ve scored within a minute of the kick off.
A long throw across the edge of the penalty area was cleverly allowed to run through his legs by Koroma, and the unmarked Theodosiou smacked his low shot wide of the upright without a defender in sight.
An interchange of passes five minutes later resulted in a brilliant through ball by James to Giannoulis, whose fierce cross shot at goal which was brilliantly parried to safety by Blacktown keeper, Saliadarre.
On nine minutes and Stanmore were at it again, Caltabiano beating the offside trap but being thwarted by a great save by Saliadarre, racing off his line to cut the angle.
Blacktown flanker Cornett almost put the Spartans in front against the run of play in the tenth minute. He went on a mazy run down the right touchline, leaving a couple of defenders in his wake before shooting from a tight angle where a cut back may have proved the more effective option. Stanmore keeper Theouli made a great save down low from almost point blank, one of many saves from the custodian during the afternoon.
Saliadarre was at it again for the Spartans on 17 minutes, saving down low after big Stanmore defender Lagoudakis was allowed a free header from a corner.
Blacktown had a fanastic opportunity to take the lead in the 25th minute, when young Malouf skinned Papazafiropoulos as he sped past the Stanmore defender down the left touchline.
Fifteen yards into the Stanmore half, Malouf played a beautifully weighted pass behind the Hawks defensive line with the outside of his right foot for Jajaw to run onto.
Blacktown had welcomed back their equal top scorer last week, after having been out with an injury, and Jajaw?s low shot from the edge of the box was saved brilliantly by Stanmore keeper Theouli.
The opening goal of the match arrived on 34 minutes, and it was Stanmore?s midfielder Bromley who tapped into an unguarded net from a few yards to put the Hawks in front.
Some swift passes had resulted in Theodosiou drilling in a low cross from the by line which was parried by Saliadarre, with Bromley the first player from either side to reach the loose ball.
A couple of minutes before half time Stanmore made it 2-0 with another clinical passage of play.
Numerous passes in a rapid upfield movement saw Caltabiano chase a through ball into the Spartans box. He beat the onrushing keeper Saliadarre to the ball, waltzing around him before crossing to striker Hijazi, who headed through a couple of desperately retreating defenders and into the net.
The goal was Hijazi?s sixth of the season, the striker showing consistency by having scored in five matches this season.
Referee Mr.David Christie was his usual attentive self as he blew the half time whistle right on cue, the players returning to the sheds for some motivational words from the respective coaches.
It was up to Blacktown to come out and take the game to their opposition, and try to peg back a goal to bring themselves back into the fray.
The Spartans did show some renewed vigour in the second half, pushing forward in numbers after winning possession, but just couldn?t find that goal.
Jajaw went close on the hour mark, his rasping half volley from the edge of the penalty area flashing wide of the upright.
Stanmore?s captain, James, almost scored the clincher on 70 minutes, racing through to chip the advancing Spartan keeper, Saliadarre, but alas, Blacktown defender Awola cleared the danger with a header off the line.
Three minutes later and Theodosiou should?ve wrapped up the match, dribbling through to face Saliadarre in a one-on-one. But the Spartans keeper parried the first effort, pushing the ball out wide, before jumping up to catch Theodosiou?s second effort, an attempted chip shot.
The Spartans to their credit kept at it, and their intensity was there for all to see in the middle of the park as they tried valiantly to get back into the match.
Brown almost pulled a goal back on 75 minutes, with a 30 yard drive that went straight down Theouli?s throat, whilst substitute Matafonov had a crack minutes later, the low shot saved well by Theouli.
The final goal of the match came a minute into injury time, and what a ripper it was.
Stanmore substitute, Pieris, picked up a pass near the corner of the Spartan penalty area, and running across the edge of the box, hit a superb strike that curled into the top far corner of the net to make it 3-0.
Mr.Christie blew his full time whistle, and the home fans applauded their charges for yet another pleasing three points.
Even though Stanmore showed some real enthusiasm and dominated for most of the match, it could?ve been so different for Blacktown if they had taken their chances.
The Spartans showed some real courage when they were down, especially after the break, biting in the tackles, pushing men forward, and giving it a real go, rather than succumbing to an inevitable defeat.
If their efforts are anything to go by, the Spartans will recover from this setback and no doubt be there come finals time.
I asked Blacktown?s striker,Wand Jajaw, what he thought of his team?s performance against Stanmore.
?Today, I think, when defending as a unit we sometimes lacked a little?maybe a bit of running off the ball, maybe a bit of aggression,? said Jajaw, ?but I am confident we can fix these things and still win this competition.?
Given it was his first start in a few weeks, the striker did well to suggest the goals are around the corner.
?Following my injury, I?m at about 80%, and should be close to full fitness by next weekend,? warned the disappointed striker.
The Hawks are really playing well at the moment, and there seems to be a real belief within the team, both in their play, and in within themselves. Their effort and results have no doubt given them an opportunity for success in 2009.
Stanmore?s mercurial captain, David James, was upbeat about his team?s victory.
?That?s three on the run,? beamed James, ?and once again, our defence was brilliant in keeping a clean sheet three weeks in a row.?
?Our substitutions once again made an impact, like always, and we took our chances that came our way ? what about that goal by Pieris! If we continue to play like this, we will be very hard to beat.?
For the Spartans, best on a tough day were ; keeper and captain, Saliadarre, showed once again why he is one of the best goalkeepers in Division One. His saves at crucial times kept his team in the game, proving a real obstacle for opposition strikers in one-on-ones. Saliadarre has a real presence on the park, barking encouragement and directions constantly for his team mates from the back ; central defender, Awola, who was his usual fearless self in defence, winning tackles with great timing, and effective in his distribution ; young striker, Malouf, who was inventive with his dribbling, often beating his marker with ease and sending in telling balls to his team mates.
For the home side, Stanmore Hawks, contributors to the victory were ; goalkeeper Theouli had a solid game between the sticks, making some great saves to keep a clean sheet ; skipper James was his consistently imposing self in the centre of the park, strong in the tackle, composed on the ball, and involved in most of his team?s forays up the park ; tricky winger Theodosiou, who has a great touch with the ball at his feet, often setting up chances for his strikers with pinpoint crosses and passes ; central defender Lagoudakis, who again was a tower of strength at the back, winning the high ball constantly and a real barrier for the Spartans forwards.
Match Stats
STANMORE HAWKS 3 (Bromley 34?, Hijazi 43?, Pieros 91?)
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 0
Sunday, May 24, at Arlington Oval, Dulwich Hill
Referee ? Mr.David Christie
Referee?s Assistants ? Mr.Les Foster & Mr.Darren Richards
STANMORE HAWKS ;1.L.Theouli, 2.D.Papazafiropoulos, 4.C.Lagoudakis, 5.P.Giannoulis (15.A.Papadopoulos 55?) , 6.A.Caltabiano(7.D.Pieris 68?), 9.A.Heath, 10.D.James (capt) (24.S.Giannoulis 79?), 11.C.Theodosiou, 16.D.Koroma, 20.S.Bromley, 17.W.Hijazi
Subs not used ?8. C.Fiakos, 45.P.Kotopoulos.
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS ; 1. C.Saliadarre (capt), 3.J.Awola, 14.D.Cornett, 2.S.Falanga (18.M.Georgy 73?), 11.W.Jajaw, 15.A.Machado (8.A.Matafonov 61?), 17..M.Malouf, 16.B.Semenikow, 4.M.Hubbard (10.J.Canessa 79?), 7.M.Todd, 9.J.Brown.
Subs not used ? 13.C.Townley-Jones, 20.N.Cordina.
DIVISION ONE REVIEW ? Round Ten
Schofields Scorpions ? Balmain SC (at CSI Sports Ground)
Sydney Wanderers ? Inter Lions (at Hajduk Stadium)
Hurstville ZSC ? Hills Brumbies (at Hurstville Park)
Fairfield City Lions ? Mounties FC (at Norford Park No.2)
Mother Nature had her say in the end as feared, and the four above-mentioned matches were all postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
All matches will be re-scheduled, so stay tuned to the Football NSW website for news on the dates and venues.
Dulwich Hill ? UNSW 1-3
Well if you were a betting man, you would no doubt have lost your cash on Saturday night at Arlington Oval with one of the biggest boilovers of the season so far. Or you may have won a motza if you like a long shot, as UNSW were at long odds to come up trumps in what looked a one sided game on paper.
Going into the match, Dulwich Hill were unbeaten in 2009, and with the best defensive record, having conceded only the five goals so far.
UNSW were still looking for their first win of the season, and only the players themselves, the coach, and their most ardent fans, would?ve thought they could take anything away from this match.
But they say ?expect the unexpected? in football, and UNSW produced a inspiring display to come from 0-1 down at the break to beat Dulwich Hill by 3 goals to 1.
Big Sam Messam continued his great form of late to put Dulwich Hill in front on 27 minutes, his fourth strike of the season.
But UNSW came out firing in the second half, and won the match with a hatrick to Meney, who scored his three goals in a 21 minute spell (48?/ 54? / 69?).
UNSW have jumped to 7 points with the win, two points and within striking distance of three teams on 9 points, whilst Dully remain second on 18 points.
-By Frank Speranza
