Papanicolaou inspires Spirit towards Super League Grand Final match-up

Spirit were able to turn the tables on the Suns who had defeated them on both occasions this season but Rockdale were unable to make it a hat trick of wins as they suffered only their second home loss of the year.
Rockdale?s proud unbeaten home record was broken last weekend against Parramatta in the major semi, and now two losses in seven days, and finals elimination, will be a very bitter pill to swallow.
The Suns had rung in the changes after last weekend?s loss, bringing in strikers Kurt Crnic and Igor Kotevski in place of Sam Awad and Goce Trposki while Spirit welcomed the return from suspension of captain Paul Nicoloau. Apart from Nicolaou?s return though, Spirit fielded an unchanged lineup, a first eleven who have remained very settled in recent games.
Spirit duly shocked the home crowd on eighteen minutes when Leo Papanicolaou received an inch perfect pass and expertly turned his defender before smashing the ball home.
Rockdale almost responded just a couple of minutes later when Igor Kotevski ran on to a long ball which was just out of reach of Nicolaou, but Kotevski could not quite fully connect. But apart from this one chance, it was Spirit who had the better of the game at that point, their tails well up after hitting the lead.
They pressured the Rockdale team across the park, not allowing them any time on the ball. And Papanicolaou was desperately close again as the Suns defence was stretched.
Then a well worked move which started with Adam Peatey, saw Tim Simpson flick on to Papanicolaou who yet again looked likely to score only for Joshua Lawson to make a last gasp tackle, saving the day for the Suns.
In between those two chances, a great run by Peter Apolevski resulted in a nice set up for Paul Dee, but his shot went comfortably into Murray Nelson?s arms.
Down 1-0 at the break, Rockdale returned to the field with renewed vigor and determination. And with Sam Awad coming on just on the hour, it looked like it would not be too long before Rockdale would equalise. Awad?s pace and skill started to create some chances, causing concern for the Spirit backline.
As Rockdale pressed for the equaliser, and laid on the pressure, Spirit became increasingly desperate, at times only snuffing out the chances at the last moment.
Awad came close, but perhaps the best chance of all fell to Kotevski who had a brilliant chance to equalise but his shot from just outside the area, but well in front, was always rising.
The last fifteen minutes was intense as Rockdale piled on the pressure, Spirit seemingly just hanging on.
But then deep into injury time, Papanicolaou sealed the result for Spirit when he was able to capitalise on a defensive lapse which saw Angelo Kosmatos stranded outside his area. Papanicolaou neatly hit the ball into an empty net.
The cheers from Jason van Blerk and co from the bench told the story of what this goal meant and it was indeed curtains for the Suns.
Spirit FC move onto next weekend?s Grand Final against PCYC Parramatta Eagles looking to overturn the preliminary final loss. If next weekend?s game comes up to the level of that match, it will be well worth watching.
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns 0
Spirit FC 2 (Leo Papanicolaou 18?, 93?)
Sunday 6 September 2009
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Jason Blackwood
Assistant Referees: Murray Wilson and Lance Greenshield
Rockdale: 24. Angelo Kosmatos 2. Paul Dee 10. Saso Trajcevski 18. Robert Di Meglio (Goce Trposki 75?) 23. Askin Oygur 7. Peter Apolevski (c) 16. Joshua Lawson 20. Cameron Jones 22. Adem Kir (3. Stefce Solevski 85?) 13. Kurt Crnic (21. Sam Awad 59?) 14. Igor Kotevski.
Subs not used: 40. Tony Simonovski 5. Stevan Nedanovski
Coach: Mile Todorovski
Spirit FC: 1. Murray Nelson 2. Daniel Cunningham 3. Ross Kethel 4. Paul Nicolaou (c) 18. Lachlan Harte 5. Glen Littlebury 6. Matthew Peatey 7. Adam Peatey (11. Con Paradasis 75?) 8.Josh De Kelly (16. Brendan Griffin 80?) 9. Tim Simpson (15. Glen Maundrell 90?) 10. Leo Papanicolaou.
Subs not used: 31. Matt Nemes 14. Joe Ciano
Coach: Jason van Blerk
Player Ratings
3 ? Leo Papanicolaou (Spirit FC)
2 ? Peter Apolevski (Rockdale)
1 ? Paul Nicolaou (Spirit FC)
It was a good day for Spirit FC whose under 20s side also made it through to the Grand Final when they defeated PCYC Parramatta Eagles 1-0. A lone goal in the first half to John Belme was enough to advance to next Saturday?s finale against Northern Tigers at Belmore Sports Ground.
-By Peter Rowney