Allstars extend their winning way over the struggling Sydney City Eagles
With both teams decimated with injuries and absentees, the Eagles could not have hoped for a better opportunity to get closer to that all important 4th position.
Jamal Saliba had the games first shot which was well saved by Dom Badalato in the Allstar goal.Shayne Ardle then replied for the Allstars with a sharp turn and shot which Aaron Messina did well to save with his feet and it was Ardle again who combined with the super quick Daniel Fogarty for the Allstars next opportunity which glanced just wide of the goal.
Five minutes into the game the Ardle and Fogarty combination combined again when Ardle played a free kick to Fogarty to slammed home from close range after a ?2 touch? infringement from the Eagles to take an early lead.
Had it not been for Messina and a superb save Fogarty would?ve extended the lead only a minute later.
Sydney City equalised via a special Chris Hanly goal. Cutting in from the left Hanly skipped past two defenders and rifled a rocket like shot past Badolato to equalise.
The tide was changing and the Eagles were beginning to get on top with Hanly, Saliba and Candy testing the Allstar custodian with attempts on goal in close proximity.
The Allstars themselves then had two attempts on goal which struck the post first via the influential Ardle and then Chris Ristevski.
Five minutes remained in the first half when disaster struck for the Eagles when the influential Jamal Saliba lay on the ground withering in pain in what seemed to be a serious knee injury.
Allstars began the second half better with Fogarty denied by another good Messina save and then Cimino struck the post.
Allstars then re took the lead with a beautifully executed goal.Bruno Pivato won the ball mid court allowing the Allstars to attack on a 3 on 2 and they played the numbers game perfectly. Pivato drew his defender and found Cimino to his right who unselfishly squared the ball to a wide open Daniel Fogarty who easily tapped home and wolf whistled his delight all the way back to half way line awaiting the restart.
Three minutes later a delightful Ardle pass cut through the Eagles defense to find the unmarked Ristevski who tucked the ball past Messina to give the Allstars a 3-1 lead.
The Eagles obviously suffering from the loss of the influential Saliba were being saved time and time again by the post. Ardle twice, Fogarty, Cimino and Pivato all hit the post but with a minute to go their luck ran out.
A brilliant long throw by Goran Jovanovski found Fogarty who skipped past his defender then around the keeper and back heeled the ball to Pivato who drilled his shot in from point blank range to seal a comfortable 4-1 victory.
The Allstars are looking every bit the title favourites. Quick and deadly, the Allstars led by Fogarty and Ardle are still undefeated and are now 7 points clear on the top of the table.
The Eagles on the other hand are running out of games to g themselves into semi final reckoning. Still only 6 points outside the top 4 and with a game in hand the Eagles have too much experience and quality to be written off but the impending loss of Saliba will hurt.
TEAMS
SYDNEY CITY EAGLES ? Messina, Candy, Hanly, Saliba, Galliani ? SUBS – Vallonio, Brackenrig, Makrillos, Collantonio, Brown.
INNER WEST ALLSTARS ? Badolato, Fogarty, Ardle, Pivato, Ristevski ? SUBS ? Cimino, Zrno, Jovanovski
GOALS
Eagles ? Hanly
Allstars ? Fogarty 2, Ristevski, Pivato.
