State League One Round 17 Review

Feature Match
Inter Lions v Schofields Scorpions
Given what is at stake near the bottom of the ladder, it was almost a predictable result that eventuated at The Crest on Saturday night, with Inter Lions and Schofields Scorpions playing out a tense 1-1 draw.
Inter Lions came into the match propping up the competition, but just five points behind Schofields, hoping a positive result would allow them to stay in touch with their opponent on the night, as well as other sides near the base.
The Scorpions have quietly moved away from the last position they occupied recently, with some valuable points the outcome of some solid performances.
It was Schofields that almost opened proceedings after just three minutes, with James Howard?s mazy run taking him past a couple of Inter defenders, forcing Inter?s custodian, Carl McMahon, to get down low to save his low angled shot.
Inter Lions then commenced to hold possession and spread the Scorpions across the pitch, playing some delightful one and two touch football in the process.
One of these passages nearly brought the desired result on 9 minutes, with Anthony Foti swiveling and shooting just past the upright following a move upfield that included at least half a dozen passes.
The home side seemed to have an extra spring in their step, and their build up play was swift and effective as they tried to prise open the Scorpion defence.
The game needed a goal, and it was Inter who grabbed it, after a high ball was played in behind the Schofields? defence on 26 minutes.
Scorpion captain, Tim Harrington, and young Inter striker, Anthony Foti, wrestled to reach the bouncing ball first, their combative attempt resulting in the ball lobbing over Schofields keeper, Nishad, and into the unguarded net.
Referee, Mr James Barnes, accredited the goal to the Inter striker, so Foti was off the mark, and Inter were in front.
Schofields responded just two minutes later with a 25 yard blast from Tim Aitken, the ball rising fast as it left his boot before clearing the bar comfortably.
It was a sign of things to come, as Schofields restored parity on 32 minutes with a clinically executed set piece.
Hayton swung over a perfect corner with force, and Daine Merrin met the leather at the near post to guide his header downwards and into the net.
The Scorpions had their tails up, and Aitken almost put them in front on 42 minutes after a one-two with Hayton, his angled blast well parried by Carl McMahon in the Inter goal.
Moments before the half time break, Inter?s captain, Ben Ellis, burrowed his way past a couple of Schofields defenders before snapping his shot inches wide of the corner of the frame of the goal.
The evergreen man-in-the-middle, Mr James Barnes, then gave the teams a well earned rest by shrieking his whistle right on cue.
Inter flew out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period, with Jacob Dimento going ever so close with a cross shot that flew inches wide of the far post after he had ghosted in behind the visitors? defence.
A few minutes later they went even closer, when Daniele Chiandotto sent a pass out to Rafael Bove on the right flank.
The experienced campaigner took a touch, before skipping inside a defender and blasting an angled shot at goal. Alas, Tim Aitken performed a minor miracle, somehow managing to clear under pressure from a couple of Inter attackers.
The action went straight down the other end of the park, Tom Simpson got down the right wing before crossing, and substitute, Lancaster, met it first time on the volley, the ball wide of the mark.
Inter?s Nick Ruoco was missing from the home side?s lineup due to illness, whilst Domenic Dimento had succumbed to injury, but the absence of the speedy flankers was subsidized by teenager Anthony Foti, who was proving real nuisance value for Schofields.
On 76 minutes, Foti picked up a long diagonal ball, before steadying, cutting inside a defender and blasting a shot that was gathered by Schofields keeper, Nishad, at the second attempt.
Foti was at it again in the 84^th minute, stealing the ball from Tim Aitken near the halfway, racing away down the right side of the pitch, before angling in and blasting a shot that went inches wide of the far upright.
There was still time for one last opportunity, and it came once again at the feet of Inter Lions and Foti.
A cross was whipped into the Schofields penalty area and skipper, Tim Harrington, only succeeded in half clearing the ball as he fell to the ground.
The ball literally fell into Foti?s lap on the edge of the six yard box, but his snapshot was tipped around the post by Nishad, Schofields? ever alert keeper.
And with that, the full time whistle blew, and was met with sighs from the home crowd, and relief from the visitors, a 1-1 draw giving the teams a share of the spoils.
If Inter Lions continue to play football like they did tonight, it will only be a matter of time before they start to pick up points and move out of the Division One danger zone.
The Lions showed some real urgency in their play, but didn?t sacrifice the quality of their football, and would be disappointed to come away with a solitary point given the opportunities they created.
Best for Inter Lions were ; skipper Ben Ellis was a busy man in the centre of the park, his work rate an example to his team mates as he tried valiantly to lift his side ; teenager, Anthony Foti, was a real pest for the Scorpions? defence all night, his speed and self confidence causing the visitors numerous problems, and he was unlucky not to get a couple more goals for his efforts ; Perri was once again a solid barrier in the centre of defence, reading the play well to intercept many of Schofields? attacks and set his team on their way.
Schofields would be happier with the result than the performance, I dare say, the draw and subsequent point keeping that five point buffer between them and their opponent on the night.
Best for the Scorpions were ; Tim Aitken was influential in a much deeper role in the backline, fierce in his application to the task as he kept Inter at bay time and time again ;midfielder, Daine Merrin, had a strong game in central midfield, always present when there was a ball to be won, and scoring a great header as reward for his efforts.
Match Stats
INTER LIONS                          (1) 1 (Foti 26?)
STANMORE HAWKS                 (1) 1 (Merrin 32?)
Saturday, July 16, at The Crest Complex
Referee ? Mr James Barnes
Assistant Referees ? Mr Alex Long  & Mr Steve Babamovski
INTER LIONS: 1.C.McMahon, 2.A.Vizzari, 3.R.Kaawi, 4.S.Perri,  5.R.Bove, 6.G.Dimento, 7.B.Ellis (capt), 8.D.Huseyin, 9.A.Ucchino, 10.D.Chiandotto, 11.A.Foti.
Subs not used ? 13.A.Chiandotto,15.N.Mouzourakis,21.R.Maiorano.
Yellow Cards- 3.R.Kaawi 51?.
Red Cards- NIL.
SCHOFIELDS SCORPIONS: 1.A.Nishad, 14.P.Toner, 12.T.Harrington (capt), 7.T.Aitken, 23.A.Pearson (9.D.Stivala 33?), 10.J.Kirby, 21.D.Merrin, 8.C.Hayton (101.J.Sceresini 84?), 5.T.Simpson, 18.J.Howard (2.M.Lancaster  58?), 6.S.Jakovljevic.
Subs not used-  11.C.Ianni.
Yellow Cards- NIL.
Red Cards- NIL.
Division One Review ? Round Seventeen
Camden Tigers v Fairfield City Lions   1-3
6-00pm, Saturday, July 16 @ Ron Dine Reserve
Fairfield City Lions picked up four points against Camden Tigers over four days to catapult themselves into second position on the ladder.
A midweek rescheduled Round 6 clash between the two sides ended all square at 1-1, but the Lions were quicker out of the blocks on Saturday evening, silencing the home fans by opening the scoring after 13 minutes through Mirwiss Amiri.
Fairfield kept at it and were rewarded with a second goal just before the break, Deniz Pinar giving them a handy 2-0 lead at half time. When Ben Cronk grabbed goal number three on the hour mark ? his 9^th of the campaign ? the match was all over bar the shouting.
Ben Fuller?s 78^th minute goal for Camden was mere consolation for the home side, who dropped to fourth spot on the ladder as a consequence of the loss.
Mounties Wanderers ? Balmain SC   3-0
7-00pm, Saturday, July 16 @ Cook Park
 Mounties Wanderers returned to league action in style on Saturday evening, accounting for Balmain by 3-0 at Cook Park. 
After their Waratah Cup Final loss to Manly United last weekend, Mounties were back in action in front of their home fans, and went in front as early as the 15^th minute via a goal by their skipper, Daniel McCann.
The visitors kept the Wanderers out for almost an hour after that, before succumbing to two goals in four minutes to round off the match.
Mark Symington made it 2-0 on 74 minutes, and Reece Iredale continued his good form to make it 3-0 in the 78^th.
The loss leaves Balmain in second last place on 13 points, and they have Inter Lions breathing down their neck just one point behind.
The Mounties have now moved to 43 points at the top, a massive 16 points ahead of both Fairfield clubs who are on 27 each.
Stanmore Hawks ? Hurstville ZFC  3-0
3-00pm, Sunday, July 17 @ Arlington Oval
Stanmore Hawks dented the semi final hopes of Hurstville ZFC on Sunday afternoon at Arlington Oval, winning 3-0 to continue their own rise up the Division One ladder.
Nick Paradisis became the Division?s outright top goalscorer on 16 with a brace of goals, scoring a goal early in each half to give Stanmore a commanding lead.
Chris Theodosiou wrapped up the points for the home side with a third goal in the 68^th minute, the win putting Stanmore on 19 points in 9^th position on the ladder.
The loss leaves Hurstville on 24 points in 7^th spot, but given the weekend?s results, they are merely three points behind 2^nd placed Fairfield City Lions, and have a game in hand against Mounties still to play.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers ? Fairfield Bulls  1-1
3-00pm, Sunday, July 17 @ Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Fairfield Bulls shared the spoils at Popondetta Park, with a late frenzy of activity produced two goals in a tense ending to a tight match.
After a scoreless first half, it was the Rangers that edged in front when young in form striker, Hosyar Cakal, put the home side into the lead on 82 minutes.
But Fairfield Bulls have made a reputation this year of being the team that never quite knows when to give in, and they did it again this time.
With the match into injury time, the Bulls were awarded a penalty, and Rafid Hirmi kept his nerve to convert and give his side a valuable point.
UNSW ? Gladesville Ryde Magic  0-0
3-00pm, Sunday, July 17 @ Wentworth Park
UNSW and Gladesville Ryde Magic battled hard to share the points in a scoreless draw at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon.
The ?students? are now in 5^th place on 26 points, with the Magic one point and one spot below them.
With just five rounds remaining, both sides are part of no less than six teams which are separated by a mere three points, the congestion adding to what promises to be an exciting last five rounds of competition.
-By Frank Speranza