State League Two Round 22 Review
The Bulls pipped the Wanderers by one point at the post following respective 4-0 victories over Luddenham and Roosters in round 22, setting up an enticing elimination final between the latter two teams at Luddenham on Sunday. Hurstville jumped Luddenham into third place on the ladder courtesy of a 4-0 win at Bathurst to earn a qualifying final berth against Wanderers this weekend.
In the other matches, Belmore beat Gazy 2-0, Springwood came from behind to defeat Hakoah 2-1 and Prospect finished the year with a 1-0 win over Hawkesbury. The final points table shows Fairfield Bulls (42), Wanderers (41), Hurstville (39), Luddenham (38), Roosters (34), Springwood (33), Belmore (31), Prospect (30), Gazy (29), Bathurst (22), Hawkesbury (17) and Hakoah (12).
On the goalscoring front for season 2010:
18 goals: Michael Di Meglio (Hurstville),
14: Niram Kanoun (Fairfield),
13: Khaled Elkerhani (Fairfield),
11: Ercan Topal (Roosters), Michael Amed (Gazy),
10: Elias Navarrete (Wanderers), Huso Merdanovic (Gazy),
Incredibly, the grade-20 season also finished with Fairfield in front of Wanderers and Hurstville, and Roosters also fifth. However, Belmore grabbed fourth place in the reserves competition.
Don?t forget to check out the fascinating season statistics for 2010 at the end of this report below, including home and away records, and full division two scoring stats.
Fairfield smash Luddenham
Corks popped right across south-west Sydney on Sunday night as Fairfield Bulls celebrated a Premiership following their 4-0 demolition job on Luddenham United at Knight Park. The win ? behind goals in the final half-hour to Ninos Filips (2), Alaa Ali Khan and captain Daniel Georges ? maintained Fairfield?s one point lead over Wanderers on the ladder, and the Bulls boys sure cheered loud enough for their rivals to hear from the field next door.
Coach Michael Mamoo?s re-appointment last year proved just the tonic the proud and long-standing Fairfield club needed to return to glory after three disastrous seasons at the bottom of the table. A respectable seventh place last year paved the way for an outstanding 2010 season where the Bulls remained undefeated at Knight Park (albeit not their true home ground), had the league?s best away record, produced a league-high 49 goals in 22 matches (including nine games where they scored three or more goals), and held their opposition scoreless in a third of the matches they played. Mamoo was understandably elated when spoken to after Sunday?s game.
?Mate, what can I say? I?m at the club celebrating the minor premiership and the feeling here is just incredible,? he said. ?I was wandering after the first 10 games of the season what I was doing as a coach that was so negative [one win and five draws in the first eight games]. But I knew I had rebuilt the structure of the squad from last year and when we got the right system going it was non-stop from there [14 competition points in the first 11 games, 28 points from the next 11]. It?s just an unbelievable feeling. I?ve never had an experience where it has come down to the last game for the minor premiership, but the boys really stood up today for a great win [despite star striker Niram Kanoun coming off with a hamstring injury in the opening 20 minutes].?
The Bulls club will probably have to name a grandstand in honour of Mamoo one day. He also won a premiership for them way back in 1994, breaking a then 16-year trophy drought. But never did the 22-year coaching veteran think he would have the club back to its glory days so soon.
?When I was appointed last year I honestly thought it would take four years to get them back to the top, so I want to thank my support team [from assistant coaches to club officials] ? we always knew we had it in us. But this year was like a marathon and I would also like to thank all the coaches and players from the 12 teams that participated over the past 22 weeks. It was a good challenge and someone had to win it at the end of the day, and I?m happy it was Fairfield Bulls. It?s been a long season and hopefully we?ll always be friends.?
Luddenham coach Andrew Montgomery didn?t read too much into the club?s first loss in seven weeks. ?We conceded a goal midway through the second half and they scored on the counter after we pushed forward,? he said. ?But today wasn?t about what was wrong with us, today was about why the Bulls are the champions, and they thoroughly deserve the trophy. We?re looking forward to being in the finals and happy to be playing the Roosters next week.?
Fairfield Bulls 4 (Alaa Ali Khan 59m Ninos Filip 79/88m Daniel Georges 83m) Luddenham United 0
Grade 20: Fairfield Bulls 7 Luddenham United 1
Wanderers rout Roosters
The score showed a convincing 4-0 win to Wanderers over Roosters FC at Knight Park on Sunday, but both teams had their eyes fixed elsewhere. While the Wanderers would have heard the cheers from the Bulls on the field next door, realising their win would count for little more than a home final in the first week, the Roosters also pleaded guilty to looking forward to next week?s post season games.
Wanderers got on the board just before halftime when a header from a sharp cross was bungled into goal by a Roosters defender. The visitors came out a little more energised in the second half but went further behind when Ahmed Khan found his scoring goggles and pumped in two inside a golden five minute spell for Wanderers, Ian Peti also finding the back of the net to put the home side 4-0 in front.
Wanderers coach Walter Alvarez had mixed feelings after the game. He knew his team?s slip against Springwood midweek had gifted Fairfield the minor premiership, but the finals was a new competition altogether. ?That?s the way it goes,? he said. ?We dominated the game today, mostly because Roosters already had the fifth spot so they lacked a little motivation. Now we must get our minds together and get ready for the game on Saturday. We have to deliver on the day.?
Roosters coach Harry Tsironis agreed his players lacked a little focus. ?They really couldn?t get into today because they are just so pumped for next week [elimination final against Luddenham]; they can?t wait,? he said. ?I think any team in the top five can take the trophy from here; it will just depend on who turns up on the day.?
Wanderers 4 (own goal 37m Ahmed Khan 64/68m Ian Peti 66m) Roosters FC 0
Grade 20: Wanderers 2 Roosters FC 2
Hurstville tear apart Bathurst
Hurstville City Minotaurs had an enjoyable trip back from Bathurst after winning 4-0 at Alec Lamberton Field and grabbing third place from Luddenham in the process. With Bathurst?s season gone, a Michael Di Meglio first-half brace and second half goals to Angelo Vagenas and Paolo Di Mauro has built a solid platform for the Minotaurs to launch their finals offensive against Wanderers this weekend.
The loss was number seven in a row for Bathurst (scoring three goals and conceding 20 during that time), who hit a brick wall after looking promising for the finals at the round-15 mark. Hurstville?s win was another landmark for goalscoring maestro Michael Di Meglio. He has scored a league-best 18 for the year, a freakish 12 goals in the last nine weeks (he only missed scoring in one game in that time), and the Minotaurs have won 12 of the 13 games he has scored in this season.
Hurstville coach Peter Sarikakis thought his team should have won by 10 goals and remained tight-lipped about this week?s crunch qualifying final. ?I don?t want to say too much; we played okay today and four goals in Bathurst is not bad, especially with our keeper out today. Just about everyone is back for next week and I think if we play well we will beat any team in the competition.?
Bathurst ?75 0 Hurstville City Minotaurs 4 (Michael Di Meglio 21/30m Angelo Vagenas 52m Paolo Di Mauro 61m)
Grade 20: Bathurst ?75 0 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
Springwood edge out Hakoah
Springwood United ended the year on a high note, coming from a goal behind to defeat wooden-spooners Hakoah at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday. With finals football just out of their reach a word or two at halftime from coach Errol Warwick-Day saw late goals to United?s Robert Haberman and Matthew Salmon cancel out Adam Joseph?s 23rd minute strike for Hakoah. All three players scored their first goals of the season.
?We were probably a bit lazy in the first half and our attitude resulted in why Hakoah scored,? Warwick-Day said. ?I had to fire them up at halftime and basically reminded them that we had been playing at a very high standard over the past month and to not let that drop against Hakoah. They lifted the tempo in the second half and picked up the goals. It was a good way to end the season.?
Hakoah 1 (Adam Joseph 23m) Springwood United 2 (Robert Haberman 71m Matthew Salmon 84m)
Grade 20: Hakoah 0 Springwood United 2
Belmore down Gazy
Goals either side of halftime lifted Belmore Hercules to a spirited 2-0 victory over Gazy Lansvale at Blick Oval on Sunday. The win, courtesy of strikes to George Illiopoulos and Paul Paras, stunted Gazy?s fairytale run of four straight wins and left both sides lamenting what could have been after just missing the finals.
Belmore coach Ernesto Meduri called it a friendly game, while Gazy mentor Safet Alispahic was still happy to finish a ?very long and very tough season. Unfortunately we didn?t reach the goals we wanted for ourselves this year, but I congratulate all the players and staff and everyone who helped in the past season. Well done to Fairfield Bulls to win the competition,? he said.
Belmore Hercules 2 (George Illiopoulos 33m Paul Paras 58m) Gazy Lansvale 0
Grade 20: Belmore Hercules 0 Gazy Lansvale 3
Prospect pip Hawkesbury
Prospect United defeated Hawkesbury City 1-0 in an entertaining fixture at William Lawson Reserve on Sunday afternoon. With the result meaningless both sides blasted away at goal ? a number of misses summing up both team?s seasons ? and it was Prospect who prevailed thanks to a Luis Freitas goal with five minutes to play.
United coach Tony Caruso called it ?a good way to end the year. The boys played really well; actually it was a good game all round. Now we?ll regroup and have a ?lessons learnt? session and see where we can improve for next year,? he said.
City coach Gary Lewis saw d?j? vu in the final round. ?We started the season the way we ended, with no substitutes and late withdrawals, and in the end we just didn?t take chances. It?s been a long season for all the clubs, I think,? he said.
Prospect United 1 (Luis Freitas 86m) Hawkesbury City 0
Grade 20: Prospect United 0 Hawkesbury City 1
Round 22 results
First grade
Bathurst ?75 0 Hurstville City Minotaurs 4 (Michael Di Meglio 21/30m pen Angelo Vagenas 52m Paolo Di Mauro 61m)
Belmore Hercules 2 (George Illiopoulos 33m Paul Paras 58m) Gazy Lansvale 0
Wanderers 4 (own goal 37m Ahmed Khan 64/68m Ian Peti 66m) Roosters FC 0
Fairfield Bulls 4 (Alaa Ali Khan 59m Ninos Filip 79/88m Daniel Georges 83m) Luddenham United 0
Hakoah 1 (Adam Joseph 23m) Springwood United 2 (Robert Haberman 71m Matthew Salmon 84m)
Prospect United 1 (Luis Freitas 86m) Hawkesbury City 0
Grade 20
Bathurst ?75 0 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
Belmore Hercules 0 Gazy Lansvale 3
Wanderers 2 Roosters FC 2
Fairfield Bulls 7 Luddenham United 1
Hakoah 0 Springwood United 2
Prospect United 0 Hawkesbury City 1
* Fairfield Bulls also claimed the grade-20 Premiership by finishing the season ahead of Wanderers by an impressive nine points. While the Bulls take the first week of the finals off, Wanderers will play Hurstville in the qualifying final and Belmore will meet Roosters in the elimination final.
Next week?s finals
State League division two begins the 2010 finals series with a terrific qualifying final match-up between Wanderers and Hurstville at Knight Park. Luddenham United then face Roosters FC in the elimination final at Luddenham Oval on Saturday.
Finding the back of the net
Overall, a staggering 406 goals were scored in the 132 games played throughout the 2010 State League division two regular season (at a healthy clip of just over a three a match or 18.5 goals every round). Altogether, the 12 clubs managed to produce 125 goalscorers in their midst this season, Roosters providing the bulk with 16 marksmen.
In terms of goal turnover, however, you have to go all the way back to round two to find a clear winner: 28 goals scored from the six fixtures set down for that weekend. Round nine (25), round 17 (24) and rounds six and 11 (21) were the next most fruitful weeks. At the other end of the scale, a dismal 13 goal return in the opening round remained the worst output for the year, closely followed by round 14 (14) and rounds five and eight (15).
Division two players who have scored five or more goals this year include :
18 goals: Michael Di Meglio (Hurstville),
14: Niram Kanoun (Fairfield),
13: Khaled Elkerhani (Fairfield),
11: Ercan Topal (Roosters), Michael Amed (Gazy),
10: Elias Navarrete (Wanderers), Huso Merdanovic (Gazy),
8: Bryan Campbell (Springwood), George Illiopoulos (Belmore), James Christie (Bathurst), Jarred Portegies (Bathurst),
7: Alaa Ali Khan (Fairfield), Michael Wood (Luddenham), Peter Henderson (Springwood), Paul Curjak (Prospect), Luis Freitas (Prospect),
6: Mauricio Sanchez (Wanderers), Angelo Vagenas (Hurstville), Rob Portelli (Prospect), Joliyan Berhko (Gazy), Edwin George (Hawkesbury), Josh Morgenstern (Hakoah),
5: Ahmed Khan (Wanderers), Ian Peti (Wanderers), Emmanuel Papageorgiou (Hurstville), Paul Paras (Belmore), Kelston George (Hawkesbury),
Number of scorers (goals scored):
Roosters 16 (43)
Belmore 12 (31)
Hawkesbury 12 (31)
Hurstville 11 (41)
Springwood 11 (28)
Gazy 11 (41)
Hakoah 11 (24)
Luddenham 10 (31)
Fairfield 9 (49)
Wanderers 9 (36)
Prospect 7 (28)
Bathurst 6 (22)
Home field advantage
Although Fairfield Bulls held firm and did not lose a game on home turf this season it was Wanderers that claimed the most competition points, gathering a very healthy 25 points from their 11 host matches. Wanderers were closely followed by Fairfield (22), Hurstville (22), Prospect (22), Luddenham (20) and Belmore (19).
Home record (pts, games, win, draw, loss):
Wanderers 25 (11) 8-1-2
Fairfield 22 (10) 6-4-0
Hurstville 22 (10) 7-1-2
Prospect 22 (11) 6-4-1
Luddenham 20 (11) 6-2-3
Belmore 19 (11) 5-4-2
Bathurst 18 (15) 5-3-7
Gazy 18 (10) 6-0-4
Roosters 17 (11) 5-2-4
Springwood 15 (10) 4-3-3
Hawkesbury 9 (11) 2-3-6
Hakoah 7 (11) 2-1-8
On the road again
It was just as interesting away from home, Wanderers and Luddenham losing the least number of away matches (3) but Fairfield claiming the best record with a stirring 20 competition points garnered from 12 fixtures on the road. The Bulls were followed by Luddenham (18), Springwood (18), Hurstville (17), Roosters (17) and Wanderers (16).
Away record (pts, games, win, draw, loss):
Fairfield 20 (12) 6-2-4
Luddenham 18 (11) 5-3-3
Springwood 18 (12) 6-0-6
Hurstville 17 (12) 5-2-5
Roosters 17 (11) 5-2-4
Wanderers 16 (11) 4-4-3
Belmore 12 (11) 3-3-5
Gazy 11 (12) 3-2-7
Prospect 8 (11) 2-2-7
Hawkesbury 8 (11) 2-2-7
Hakoah 5 (11) 0-5-6
Bathurst 4 (7) 1-1-5
Offence vs Defence
As you can imagine in a season as tight as this year?s division two romp, not much separated the clubs on a statistical scale either. But minor premiers Fairfield can claim to be the competition?s most proficient team in front of goal, scoring in all but three matches this year, while Wanderers boast the most frugal defence, holding their opposition scoreless a staggering nine times in the 22 games played.
Times held to nil (goals scored):
Fairfield 3 (49)
Wanderers 4 (36)
Hurstville 4 (41)
Roosters 4 (43)
Belmore 4 (31)
Luddenham 5 (31)
Gazy 5 (41)
Hawkesbury 6 (31)
Springwood 7 (28)
Hakoah 7 (25)
Prospect 8 (28)
Bathurst 9 (22)
Number of clean sheets (goals conceded):
Wanderers 9 (23)
Fairfield 7 (27)
Hurstville 7 (33)
Springwood 7 (23)
Luddenham 6 (32)
Roosters 5 (35)
Belmore 5 (26)
Gazy 5 (42)
Hakoah 5 (47)
Prospect 4 (33)
Bathurst 4 (39)
Hawkesbury 2 (46)
-By Daniel De Nardi
