Rovers Too Good for Vipers
Although the match started fairly even, it was Enfield who struck first after just five minutes through Foti who finished from close range.
Down 1-0, Viper?s Disalvo took matters into his own hands, firing a number of long range shots which consistently stung the palms of inform Rover?s goalkeeper, Col. As the visitors pressed, they were rewarded on the 23rd minute via a neat one two finished off powerfully by the skilful Mohebbee.
However, the visitors lead was short lived. With seconds left before half time, it was that man, Foti, who delivered once again. After receiving a long pass, the solid striker cleverly and quickly turned his defender before coolly finding the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
After the break, the match really opened up and the goal fest began. On the 28th minute, Issa stretched Rovers lead to 3-1 after a close range shot before Vipers? Di Mento reacted quicker to head in a scrappy goal.
With Viper?s momentum continuously growing, Disalvo made it 3-3 after a superb solo effort. Picking up the ball from halfway, Disalvo turned his defender before speeding past a second and firing a rocket into the bottom right hand corner.
Poised to be an even match from then on, the Rover?s ensured that wouldn?t be the case as they pressed forward with skill and speed and reaped the rewards. First Di Mento got on the scoresheet for the second time after playing a neat one two with Foti. Only minutes later, Di Mento sealed his hat trick with what was undoubtedly the goal of the match as he placed the ball in the top corner from an impossible angle to beat the advancing Viper?s goalkeeper.
The Rover?s were made to pay just moments later as Issa got his double after a sharp turn and finish to make it 5-4 before Enfield?s Simpson fired a low hard shot just inside of half way to make it 6-4.
As the home side continued their forward momentum, they were unlucky not to stretch their lead after hitting the upright on two separate occasions before Adeli made it 7-4 after tapping in from close range.
With five minutes to go, Enfield put the game out of contention as Wright got in the scoresheet after steering the ball home thanks to a pin point pass from Di Mento .
Location: Bankstown Basketball Stadium
Enfield Rovers: Col, Mascarello, Maniscalo, Simpson, R.Foti, Di Mento , J.Foti, Wright, Ngeluafe, Adeli, Karim
Scorers: Simpson (37?), Mente (27?, 24?, 31?), Wright (44?), J.Foti (3?, 24?), Adeli (43?)
Mascot Vipers: Georgaliopolis, Issa, Merkhavari, Mohebbee, Disalvo, Hanna, Cua, Pappas, Radulovic, Euripido
Scorers: Issa (28?, 35?), Mohebbee (23?), Disalvo (30?)
Yellow Cards: J. Foti (Rovers)
Referees: Darren Allatt, Scott Kidson
Western Raiders Down Quake
Western raiders bounced back from last week?s loss with a well earned 7-6 victory over Campbelltown Quake. Quake were unlucky not to even it up as a goal line scramble could have cost the Raider?s the three points with just seconds to go. Danny Martinez showed class and skill to notch up two top corner goals while Mark Lancaster scored the goal of the game with a superb Volley. The Raiders showed good speed throughout the court and pressed high. Raymond Miller and youngster Reyze Kelley had a fantastic match.
Warriors and All Stars Share the Points
Dural Warriors may have led twice throughout the match; however the Inner West All Stars showed persistence to level it up 2-2 to share the points. With both teams missing some key regular players, the match was a very close tussle. Just when Dural thought they had the match, a 10 metre penalty kick allowed the All Stars to even it up with just four minutes on the clock. A fast and skilful match, Dural admitted that they certainly did better than the previous week despite not securing the three points.
Late Benfica Goals Sink Eagle Hearts
Sydney Benfica FC scored two late goals to snatch a 5-3 victory over a determined Sydney City Eagles outfit. With the average age at just 20 for the hosts, Benfica?s youngsters stepped up, marking a much better display than last week. Although the game was quite physical at times, both teams played some great football with Benfica?s defence marking the difference throughout the match.
– Caetano Lima
