State League Two Round 2 Review

Match of the Round
WEST CITY v HAWKESBURY CITY
On a hot Sunday afternoon at Chopin Park it was Hawkesbury City who came away with all 3 points, holding onto a 2-1 win and depriving a gallant West City side any share of the spoils.
It was a magnificent spectacle from both clubs it what can only be described as hot and humid conditions that none of us have become accustomed to over the last few months.
West City went ahead through Browne as early as the 20^th minute but the Hawks equalised through Cooper in the 27^th minute.
Hawkesbury learnt from the loss last week and took the lead in the 82^nd minute via Arnaout and were good enough to hold on for the win.
Hawkesbury went on the attack as early as the 1^st minute with Cooper stabbing a shot on target which was easy pickings for the West City custodian Akers.
A minute later West City set up their first attacking assault. A nice one-two pass between Mitrovich and Davey set up Misfud who could only manage a shot just wide of the target.
It was Hawkesbury?s turn next and in the 7^th minute Simone played a nice ball through to Cooper who chipped a shot that sailed over the crossbar for what was the first real chance of the game.
West City had a scare in the 10^th minute when Akers sliced a clearance into the path of Celik, but he was unable to get any type of shot away.
2 minutes later Simone picked up the ball near the half way line and sent it into the 18 yard box. West City were unable to clear their lines as Wilson picked up the loose ball and volleyed a decent effort right into the arms of Akers.
Some nice foot work from Daglis a minute later saw him create some space down the left flank, sending a deep cross over Dickinson?s head for Cooper who could only direct his header wide of the post.
In the 14^th minute Ferraro tested Stevenson for the first time with a straight 30 yard drive that was dealt with comfortably.
The next chance fell to Hawkesbury?s George as a through ball put him one on one with Akers but a bad bounce put an end to the trigger being pulled.
West City was now starting to settle into the game with some good movement and possession. Ferraro picked up the ball close to half way and passed to Misfud who hit a superb through ball down the right flank onto the running Montford who accurately found Browne?s head for the first goal of the game. 
Hawkesbury had a great chance to square things up just a minute later. Cooper found some space out wide and crossed a decent low ball into the box with both George and Carle at full stretch unable to connect.
In the 27^th minute Celik had his cross intercepted but Cooper won the ball back close to the 18 yard box, and skipped past two West City defenders to slot the ball past Akers for the equaliser.
It was a very even contest with both sides trading attacking assaults but there was nothing between the sides at the half way mark.
After some much needed refreshments at the half-time break, both sides came out firing and in the 46^th minute Cooper found himself 1-1 with Akers and his rebounded shot fell to Wilson whose effort was cleared off the line.
In the 49^th minute, Davey for West City looked lively and picked up the ball on half way, making a great run into the heart of Hawkesbury?s defence only to be stopped by a solid tackle by Charles.
In the 56^th minute Stevenson gave away the ball to the on-running Davey who drove a decent crack from 35 yards out on target forcing Stevenson to tip over the bar for a corner.
Some nice work by George and Wilson just a minute later saw Celik pick up the ball to send a decent cross into the box, but Akers was first to the ball against a determined Daglis.
In the 62^nd minute West City?s Ferraro found himself around the 18 yard box but his effort went well wide of the target.
In the 64^th minute West City were making some ground with Misfud winning the ball deep in Hawkesbury?s half only to be fouled. The resultant free kick from the side line swung into the box but it was easy pickings for Stevenson.
Hawkesbury had great chance to take the lead a minute later as Daglis directed his header from a pin-point Cooper cross onto the cross bar.
In the 69^th minute substitute Smith made a great run down the right side, swinging in a low drive for Cooper whose shot was brilliantly saved by Akers.
The game was turning into an arm wrestle as the heat started to take its toll on the players. In the 73^rd minute the see-saw action continued with West City?s Browne hitting an outside of the foot ball to Montford, whose cross from the right was punched to safety by Hawkesbury?s shot stopper.
It was the same West City combination 5 minutes later as Browne sent Montford down the line who hit a swirling back post cross which was put out for a corner by Mckay.
In the 78^th minute, Browne tried to spark his side with an unsuccessful bicycle attempt that went wide.
In the 85th minute, Arnaout charged down the left flank, shimmied inside and took a low shot towards the right hand side of the goal which Smith dummied over to block Akers view for Hawkesbury?s second goal and a deserved 2-1 lead.
In the remaining stages of the match, West City was unable to muster any successful attacks and the Hawks were too strong to hold on for a gritty 2-1 win.
Best for Hawkesbury were; Daglis came to life in the second half and was Hawkesbury?s midfield engine proving to be the catalyst for most of the Hawk?s attacking plays; Substitute Smith came on with 25 minutes to go and his fresh legs caused problems for the West City defence; Profilo provided leadership for the Hawks and his organisation helped keep the West City strikers at bay.
Best for West City were; Misfud who had some good touches on the ball and his speed and skill were cause for concern for Hawkesbury?s defenders; Akers was his ever reliable self, making countless important saves to keep West City in the match; Browne scored West City?s first goal of the campaign and looked dangerous in the front third.
Match Stats
WEST CITY      1 (J Browne 20m)
HAWKESBURY CITY    2 (P Cooper 29m H Arnaout 85m)
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Chopin Park, Plumpton
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee ? Mr Jamie Gavin
Assistant Referees ? Mr Michael Kumbet & JamesFord
WEST CITY: 1. P.Akers, 3. A.Davey, 6. D.Middleton, 8. E.Azzopardi, 9. J.Browne, 10. Y.Misfud, 12.B.Dickinson, 15. M.Pritchard, 17. C.Montford, 19. B.Mitrovich, 30. J.Ferraro.
Substitutes ? 14. N.Haramis, 21. J.Creais, 23. M.Fitzpatrick, 28. A.Froio, 2. N.Ballard.
Yellow Cards ? 8. E.Azzopardi, 10. Y.Misfud.
Red Cards ? NIL.
HAWKESBURY CITY: 20. A.Stevenson, 14. R.Alchin, 30. B.Charles, 18. E.Simone, 8. R.Wilson, 33. V.Profilio, 37. R.Carle, 28. E.Daglis, 29. H.Celik, 9. K.George, 13. P.Cooper.
Substitutes ? 16. H.Arnaout, 3. D.Smith, 24. D.Mckay  
Yellow Cards ? 8. R.Wilson, 18. E.Simone, 29. H.Celik.
Red Cards ? NIL.
Division Two Review ? Round 2
Prospect United ? Western Condors FC ? 2-2
5-00pm, Saturday, 24 March @ William Lawson Reserve
Prospect played their first ?out of jail card? on Saturday night, scoring two late goals in the last 10 minutes to earn a point at home.
Western Condors took the lead in the 53^rd minute through Juarez and added another via Sanchez in the 72nd minute.
Prospect are made of sterner stuff this year and pulled back a goal through Curjak in the 81^st minute and 3 minutes later equalised through Gatt to keep their undefeated home record intact.
Nepean FC ? Gazy Lansvale (WASHED OUT)
7-00pm, Saturday, 24 March @ Cook Park (St Mary?s)
Bathurst 75 ? Belmore United ? 4-1
7-00pm, Saturday, 24 March @ Alec Lamberton Field
Bathurst consolidated their place in the top 5 with an emphatic 4-1 display against Belmore at home to break their back to back home win hoodoo.
Bathurst took control of the game early on taking the lead through Christine after 11 minutes. A minute later Riggs made it 2-0 before Adair added a third in the 37th minute to make it 3-0 at half time.
Bathurst weren?t finished and Christie with his second and Bathurst?s 4th goal on 62 minutes put the game beyond Belmore?s reach. Belmore did get a consolation goal back through Kartambis in the 70th minute but Bathurst ran out 4-1 winners.
Mountains United ? Hurstville City Minotaurs ? 1-2
3-00pm, Sunday, 25 March @ Glenbrook Oval
Mountains United came unstuck at their makeshift home ground against a determined Hurstville side on Sunday afternoon.
Hurstville took the lead through Khzouz in the 64th minute and added a second goal in the 72^nd minute via Di Melgio.
Mountains United are known for their fighting qualities and Waring made in 2-1 in the 75th minute, however it wasn?t enough as Hurstville held out the home side to seize all 3 points.
Hakoah 4 ? Luddenham United 1
7-00pm, Sunday, 25 March @ Hensley Athletic Field
A hat-trick to the 2011 golden boot winner, Neil Jablonski ensured Hakoah took all 3 points in a dominant 4-1 win against Luddenham United on Sunday night.
Justin Kosmina put the home side ahead in the 20^th minute before 2011 golden boot winner Neil Jablonski added a second on 35 minutes.
Neil Jablonski got his second and Hakoah?s third goal just before half-time before Huso Merdanovic pulled one back for the visitors in the 51^st minute.
It was that man again, Neil Jablonski who scored on the hour mark to complete a remarkable hat-trick, allowing the 2011 Grand Final winners to claim their first home win in 2012.