Waratah Cup 2011 Final Preview (Full Stats)
Teams from across the state, featured in the NSW Premier League, NSW Super League, League One, League Two and Association teams commenced the Cup journey back in March, with the two most entertaining sides from the competition deservedly in Sunday?s grand-final.
Manly United FC enter the clash as overwhelming favourites, representing the NSW Premier League, though Craig Midgley?s men will need to avoid any complacency against a giant killing Mounties side that has already disposed of the likes of West Sydney Berries, Sydney Olympic and Blacktown Spartans.
Mounties coach Aiden Desmond will look to his experienced campaigners to lead the younger chargers in the decider, with captain Daniel McCann in exceptional form at present. Featuring a number of experienced former Premier League players, Mounties can count on the likes of Ali Akbal in goal, Mark D?Alessandro in defence and Daniel Willoughby out of midfield to pressure Manly United from the opening whistle.
On the opposite side of the coin, Manly United FC too enter this clash with much expectation surrounding a relatively new side following a mass exodus of players at the conclusion of last season. Coach Craig Midgley ? much like his counterpart Desmond – has assembled a very young group of players to get the side to the grand-final, though it will be the more experienced heads that will need to be on their game to set the tone on Sunday. Captain Marc Richards has performed admirably in his first season at the club, his all round reading of the game has been gold for the younger troops, as has the return to form of Robbie Cattanach in the attacking third. A former Football NSW Gold Medal winner, Cattanach has been in great touch this season, with his goals proving very important in the Cup competition.
In a final match where for the first time ever a State League One side is present, Mounties Wanderers will be out to make history on Sunday as they meet the might of Manly United FC. A very entertaining grand-final is anticipated at Bonnyrigg Sports Ground with both sides more than capable of playing good attacking football. The team to overcome any grand-final jitters first will go a long way in claiming the trophy on Sunday.
Waratah Cup 2011 Final
Sunday 10th July, 2011
Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Kick-off 3pm
Manly United (NSW Premier League) v Mounties Wanderers (State League One)
There will also be two Metropolitan Representative League fixtures prior to the Cup Final with Southern Districts Association taking on Macarthur Association at 12:30pm while Manly Association taking on Central Coast Association at 1:30pm.
Road to semi-finals
Manly United FC
R3 ? 3-2 win v Dandaloo FC
R4 ? 3-0 win v Fraser Park
QF ? 2-1 win over Hills Brumbies
SF ? 4-1 win v South Coast Wolves
Manly United FC survived a slight scare in their opening Waratah Cup match at Seymour Shaw against Dandaloo FC. Trailing the Illawarra Premier League side 1-0 at the break, Manly United flexed their muscle in the second-half to snatch a 3-2 win, goals courtesy of Robbie Cattanach and a brace to Justin Hayward.
A relatively inexperienced Manly United line-up, featuring youngsters Daniel Grant, Will Mellor and Jordan Edwards from the opening whistle, proved Craig Midgely?s gamble on youth was spot on against Fraser Park in Round 4 action.
Scott Balderson had Manly United ahead shortly before the interval with a well taken header before Robbie Cattanach came off the bench in the second-half to score twice. The striker?s second effort was pure class, a cracking volley that left the Fraser Park goalkeeper helpless as Cattanach again proved his worth.
In the quarter-final showdown against Hills Brumbies, Manly United FC were made to sweat it out in front of their home supporters. After controlling the greater part of the 90? minutes and squandering a number of chances, the home side finally found the opener 2? minutes from the end. Scott Balderson was the goal scorer, though just as Craig Midgley?s men thought they had the match won, Hills Brumbies scored an equaliser via Eros Bergamin to send the match into extra-time. With penalties looming, and a delay after the flood lights went off, experienced striker Robbie Cattanach again salvaged his side with a fierce finish 4? minutes from the end to send his side into the semi-final.
In what seemed to be the most difficult of opponents on paper, Manly United FC made light work of semi-final opponent South Coast Wolves. Despite the stresses of travelling down to the South Coast in peak hour traffic, the Manly United players showed no signs of fatigue or frustration from the opening whistle. Colin Iley gave Manly United the lead in the 2? minute of play, heading home Scott Balderson?s set-piece delivery. Despite the Wolves equalising midway through the first-half, Iley restored his side?s lead prior to the interval with another strong finish. Michael Daly and Robbie Cattanach put the icing on the cake in the second-half with a goal each to secure Manly United FC a spot in the Cup decider on Sunday.
Mounties Wanderers
R2 ? 7-0 win v Como West Janali
R3 ? 2-0 win v FC Gazy Lansvale
R4 ? 3-1 win v West Sydney Berries
QF ? 3-2 win v Sydney Olympic
SF ? 4-1 win v Blacktown Spartans
Mounties Wanderers have enjoyed a wonderful run into the Waratah Cup grand-final with some strong performances matching the results obtained thus far. Goals to experienced campaigners Daniel McCann, Daniel Willoughby and Greg Baldock have proven vital as the side has managed without a problem whatsoever to bring their good League form into the Cup competition.
The Wanderers? Cup campaign commenced in great style as the side romped home 7-0 in their Round 2 fixture against Como West Janali before handing out another lesson in the 2-0 defeat of FC Gazy Lansvale in Round 3.
The first real test for the State League One side arrived in Round four as West Sydney Berries stood in the side?s way of a quarter-final berth. After falling behind to a John Tsironis goal for the Berries, Mounties lifted the tempo and found an equaliser in the 39? minute courtesy of Matty Viera. A tantalising lob from outside the penalty-area by Viera ensured the Mounties would give their more fancied opponent a real challenge, and the State League One side certainly did punish the Berries in extra-time. Josh Ciabatti put the Mounties ahead in the 5? minute of extra-time with a strong effort that took a deflection before finishing in the back of the net. The goal spurred the side on further as Daniel Willoughby added a third 2? minutes later, comfortably converting from close-range to secure his side?s passage into the next round.
Mounties biggest scalp en-route to the final arrived at the quarter-final stage as the side overcame NSW Premier League table-toppers, Sydney Olympic. Leading the Blues 2-0 courtesy of goals from Peter Day in the 24? minute and Eli Squillacioti in the 51?. Despite comfortably administering proceedings at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic clawed their way back into the match in the final 10? minutes, scoring two goals to send the match into extra-time. Just as all present at the venue were expecting the Mounties to self-destruct in extra-time, the State League One League leaders snatched a sensational winner via the boot of Daniel Willoughby.
After eliminating Sydney Olympic the Wanderers certainly believed in themselves heading into the semi-final clash against Blacktown Spartans, and their supporters were not to be disappointed. Reece Iredale converted a half-volley from close-range to kick-start Mounties after only 3? minutes, before Greg Baldock drove home Iredale?s cross shortly after the interval to double Mounties? lead. The result was put beyond Blacktown Spartans reach in the 67? minute as Daniel McCann showed skill and composure before driving home a well-hit effort for a 3-0 lead. Despite the Spartans fighting back with two very late goals, Mounties kept their nerve to setup a shot against Manly United FC in the grand-final.
Key player match-ups
Manly United FC ?
Robbie Cattanach ? An experienced goal scorer, goal creator and all round leader on the football field, Cattanach will play a vital role in Manly United?s bid to win some silverware this season. A player who has been at the club for a number of years now, Cattanach is very familiar with his role of leader in a team featuring a number of very young players. The striker has an exceptional ability to find the back of the net, though has been equally impressive in the role of ?assist man?, providing his teammates with a number of goals in the both the Cup and League this season.
Marc Richards ? Club captain Marc Richards will also carry the important role of leading this relatively inexperienced group of players into the grand-final. Richards has been a stand out performer for coach Craig Midgley, and his experience and ability to read the game so well will play a huge part in Manly United?s chances of success in the Cup final.
Colin Iley ? Iley has enjoyed his move to Australia, settling in nicely at Manly United with some very good performances, and goals, to-date. Iley has the ability to not only score goals, but set them up too, and possessing Cup experience abroad, will be one of the danger men in the final on Sunday.
Mounties Wanderers ?
Daniel McCann ? Captain Daniel McCann has been in exceptional touch for his side in both the League and Cup competitions. McCann has pitched in with some very nice goals en-route to the grand-final, playing a massive part in the creation of many of his side?s other goals thus far. With a fine eye and dead accuracy off his right boot, McCann will be one of the men Manly United FC need to contain out of midfield if the Mounties are to be shut down in the final.
Greg Baldock ? Baldock?s goalscoring ability is another point the Wanderers will be hoping to confirm on Sunday with the Mounites lively veteran playing a big part in the club?s successes thus far. A fine eye for the back of the net, and an equally impressive touch on the ball will have the Manly United defenders on alert throughout the final.
Ali Akbal ? Following a spell at Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Ali Akbal adds some real security behind the Mounties defensive line. A goalkeeper who is very vocal in marshalling his defenders, Akbal possesses a fabulous ability to read the game and produce match winning saves. Having already impressed in the quarter-final and semi-final against Sydney Olympic and Blacktown Spartans, Akbal will need to again show his talents to help Mounties secure a fairytale win on Sunday.
Comments from the Coaches
Craig Midgley (Manly United FC) ? ?It has been a great run for the squad and I am very pleased with the boys efforts so far. We are a club with a great youth setup and we look to continually develop players to reach their full potential. From last season, we lost a large number of players and that obviously meant that we needed to get our younger boys to step up and be counted, and this they have done so very well.
?In our win against South Coast Wolves, we had nine of the squad players were Manly United juniors, and we are very proud of this.
?We?ve been a bit up and down this season, though again that comes down to the fact that we lost so many players last season, and that we are trying to build the squad with so many youngsters. Our older heads Marc Richards and Robbie Cattanach have been exceptional in leading the young boys, and I am pleased to say that we have certainly moved in the right direction.
?A win in the Cup final would be tremendous for the boys and for the club. Our intention is to give the final everything. Our goal is to win the Cup final, then aim to finish the League season in style. Although it may be tough to challenge for the League title, we are taking one game at a time, so the Cup is our next objective. Following the Cup though, we will be working as hard as possible to finish in the Top-Five and push on from there.?
Aiden Desmond (Mounties Wanderers) ? ?It is an honour for this club to be playing in the Final of the Waratah Cup. Our run has been tremendous in the tournament, and to think that we have made it to the final two clubs in a competition that has featured so many clubs from across the State ? the majority playing in a higher League than us ? is testament to the efforts of this group of players.
?The expectation of the team on Sunday is exactly the same as what it has been throughout this competition. We want the players to go out there and give it their best shot. We will work on a game plan heading into the match, and we?ll hope to execute it as well as we possibly can. If we can manage this, then we are certainly in with a chance.
?The beauty of this club is the ambition the players have shown. We?ve had some huge influence from our more experienced boys, though we have also made a point of giving the younger boys a go in the first team, and they have performed wonderfully well.
?We have had fabulous results to-date, despite losing the League match against Schofields Scorpions last weekend. I?m not too fussed with that loss as the boys did give a good account of themselves, despite the heavy fixture list of the past two months.
?As we have done to date, we?ll be out to give this Cup final a real shot on Sunday, no doubt.?
Comments from the Players
Marc Richards (Manly United FC) ? ?We are really looking forward to this match, we have a really tight group with every player giving their all for one another and for the team.
?Our run in the Cup has been great, we?ve played some good football with a very young playing squad ? Craig (Midgley) and Richie Williams (Assistant Coach) have given the younger boys a go, and the results speak for themselves, we?re in a Cup final and we are challenging for the League title also.
?Our opponents are somewhat an unknown quantity to us, though their results have been magnificent, and we do know they are a talented group with some experienced heads in the side.
?I would definitely sign for a Cup win on Sunday, though I will be expecting all the boys to keep their heads up beyond that and play our hearts out for the remainder of the season and try to win the League as well. This is my first season at the club, though I won?t settle only for the Cup, I won?t both trophies.
?Regardless, we?ll take one match at a time and look to seal the Cup on Sunday.?
Daniel McCann (Mounties Wanderers) ? ?We are very excited about the final as the boys have played some really good football this season, and we are a good group that gets along very well. The beauty of facing Manly United (a Premier League team) is that we have nothing at all to lose. They are in the Premier Leagues so they are definitely a great side and the pressure will be on them to win.
?We will give our best as we have done all season, and the group of players we have are more than capable of pulling it off. We possess a number of players with Premier League experience, from Mark D?Alessandro, Ali Akbal, Daniel Willouhgby to name a few. The boys have had a great run this season, and we will be looking to add the Cup to our list as this club hasn?t won this cup ? it would be a huge honour for us players and a great achievement for this club if we could pull it off.?
Squad Lists
Mounties Wanderers
1 Ali Akbal
2 Eli Squillacioti
3 Tim Salvaggio
4 Greg Baldock
5 Joel Rodden-Ward
6 Troy McColl
7 Paul Crisp
8 Joseph Andriano
9 Mathew Viera
10 Daniel Willoughby
11 Peter Day
14 Mark Symington
16 Scott Goodwin
17 Daniel McCann
18 Mark D’Alessandro
19 Ian McAndrew
20 Reece Iredale
RGK Gareth Jamieson
Coaches Aidan Desmond – Glenn Lockhart
Manager Cliff Ballhouse
Fitness Coach John Ambrose
Manly United
1 Kang Ho Lee
2 Jimmy Oates
3 Shaun Bowden
4 Graeme Forbes
5 Marc Richards
6 Michael Daly
7 Scot Balderson
8 David Dodd
9 Robbie Cattanach
10 Adam Foti
11 Justin Hayward
12 Mitch Macedo
14 Seung Soo Lee
15 Samuel Jacob
16 Thibault Marchal
17 Matthew Sim
18 Colin Iley
19 Johnny Hall
20 Nick Swart
21 Joey Gibbs
23 Craig Midgley
Coach Craig Midgley
Assistant Coach Richie Williams
Manager Col May
The Round 12 NSW Premier League fixture between A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers and Rockdale City Suns will be played this Saturday afternoon following the rescheduling of the clash due to Sydney?s wet weather last month.
A must win for the Tigers on Sunday if the side is going to make any last dash towards the finals series, meanwhile for the Suns, new coach Wally Savor will be looking for his side to take confidence from the last-ditch victory at Marconi Stadium last weekend.
The Tigers have endured a difficult run in June, though positives did come out of the second-half performance against Blacktown City FC, where the side very nearly overturned a 0-3 deficit. A return to the playing field, and the goal scorer?s sheet, for Robbie Younis is a definite bonus, as is Nick Rizzo?s latest showing.
For the Suns, Peter Apolevski will again be available for selection following his suspension, and the Suns captain will certainly add further grit and determination to his side?s showing.
The Suns sit four-points ahead of the Tigers on the League ladder, and a win for the side will keep the team in the hunt for what perhaps seemed an unlikely finals series earlier in the season.
NSW Premier League
Round 12 washed out fixture
Saturday 9th of July, 2011
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers v Rockdale City Suns, Lambert Park, 3:00 pm
-By Joseph Carlucci
