Berries grind out victory against Sharks

This entertaining game produced great attacking football as well as solid defensive play, with both sides switching from attack to defence throughout.
In the first moments of the game both sides created opportunities but it was the Sutherland Sharks who looked likely to score first with key midfielder Nick Stavroulakis in the fifth minute taking a shot at goal, only for it to glide well over the crossbar.
West Sydney Berries were given their opportunity moments later by floating the ball deep into Sharks territory only for the ball to be saved by the quick thinking Nathan Denham who moved off his line and saved a certain goal.
In the 15? minute the Berries had another threatening chance by crossing the ball into the Sharks goalmouth with a fine header met, only for the ball to fall safely into the goalkeeper?s hands.
The Berries precise passing game finally produced a break through as Dimitri Zakilas drew the goalkeeper off his line and slotted the ball across the right side of goal, leaving Denham with no chance of making the save.
On 25? minutes, the Berries finally produced what looked to be a golden chance for a goal, with a set play starting from midfield as Sash Tirovski only had to shoot to score, though could only miss his chance with a lapse in concentration, allowing the Sharks defence to thwart the opportunity.
The game continued to be played with passion and flair as both sides were moving the ball forward and defending in packs. The consistency and flow of the game played by both sides illustrated that both teams wanted to win, and at times it looked like a draw would be a more appropriate result.
This prompted the Sharks to make a quick substitution in the 32? minute replacing Michael Sivcevic for Blake Powell, and it almost made an immediate impact moments later. Huseyin Jasli played a neat pass into the path of Chris Price who only had the goalkeeper to beat, though his effort was not on target. Unfortunately for the visitors, this would be the Sharks? only real attack as the first-half came to a close.
In the second-half there were a number of substitutions from both sides as Sharks? new Scottish import Stephen McConologue replaced Adam Faour for the Sutherland side, with immediate results, as their game plan changed to produce great attacking football with the ball kept on the ground.
In the 53? minute the Berries? Sasha Tirovski produce a gem of a goal, following a fabulous solo effort starting from the midfield, where he glided through the Sharks defence, before slotting the ball calmly past Denham for a two-goal lead.
Sutherland Sharks were still determined to claw their way back into the match, and continued to attack the Berries.
Eventually, in the 61? minute, a free-kick outside the Berries penalty-area for the visitors perfectly executed by Jasli who curled the ball well over the defensive wall and landed it in the top left-hand corner.
The home-side cleverly administered the closing stages of the match, though did have a fright in the final minute of the match as goalkeeper Hamish McLean thwarted an almost certain goal with a fine diving save, ensuring the Berries collected their first win of the season.
After the match, West Sydney Berries coach John Calleja expressed his content:
?The first-half we dominated and we played very well, our passing game was good our shape going forward and our shape defensively was also very good.
?The pitch suited us as we enjoy playing on a decent pitch where the ball flows. I guess in the second-half, all credit to them (Sutherland Sharks) they changed their shape they worked extremely hard and created many chances.
?We scored a good goal in the second and we thought that would do us. There was a lot of intensity in the game. They brought players forward but our defence was still very solid,? ended Calleja.
Across the other dressing rooms Sharks coach Robbie Stanton was less impressed with the final outcome:
?We let some soft goals in and it?s probably down to our lack of experience in a few areas as we are still trying to find our feet.
?We had a lot of young boys out there tonight and we need to learn fast, as we have had a horrific injury toll?but our second-half was a lot better.?
Match Stats
West Sydney Berries 2 (Dimitri Zakilas 20?, Sasha Tirovski 53?)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Huseyin Jasli 55?)
Referee: A. Best
Assistant Referees: G. Mclaughlan and S. Ho
Fourth Official: S. Lucas
West Sydney Berries: 1.Hamish McLean (GK); 3.Omar Saadi, 4.Daniel Clifford, 5.Ryan Walsh, 6.Jack Sobczyk, 7.Peter Peralta, 9.Fadi Ghosson (10.John Tsironis 75?), 14.Liam Austin, 16.Kosta Lagoudakis, 17.Sash Tirovski, 19.Dimitri Zakilas (12.Stefan De Jesus 80?)
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Cem Akilli, 15.Ryan Jones, 20. James O?Rouke
Yellow Cards: Peter Peralta 70?, Dimitri Zakilas 76?, Jack Sobczyk 77?, Ryan Walsh 84?
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham (GK); 3.Kyle Stuart, 4.Michael Robinson, 5.Adam Faour (10.Stephen Mcconologue 46?), 6.Chris Price, 11.Ben Spruce, 12.Neil Jablonski, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 22.Yianni Fragogiannis, 19.Huseyin Jasli, 23.Michael Sivcevic (8.Blake Powell 32?)
Substitutes Not Used: 16.James Lawrence, 18.Tyson Rodes, Jack Duncan
Player Ratings:
3 – Sash Tirovski (WSB)
2 – Huseyin Jasli (SS)
1 – Hamish McLean  (WSB)
-By Peter Chiodo