State League One Round 6 Review
We review all six matches, with a special focus on the UNSW vs Stanmore Hawks clash.
Match of the Round
UNSW vs Stanmore Hawks
In a pulsating contest at David Phillips Field on Saturday night, UNSW weathered a late Stanmore Hawks second half storm to snatch a brilliant late winner, and in the process clinch all three points at hand.
Both clubs came into the clash occupying the bottom two rungs of the ladder, keen to commence their ascent up the ladder given their 2012 aspirations.
The brand new complex at David Phillips Field is ?state of the art? in many ways, however, the playing surface could?ve done with a trimming, the players boots sinking into the long grass, and making it difficult to play a swift succinct brand of football.
But the players of both clubs were up for it, and the tackles were flying in as each side tried to take an early strong hold on the match.
The ?students? had the better of play in the early stages, Seb Bendall blasting over on 6 minutes from right in front when a right wing cross reached him on the penalty spot.
Dennis Cutura was desperately unlucky for UNSW in the 17th, his flick header from a free kick played into the box being cleared off the line amidst boisterous calls from the home fans.
But UNSW didn?t have to wait to long to break the deadlock, taking the lead in the 21st minute.
Seb Bendall received the ball near the left hand corner of the box, and steadied before hitting a diagonal grass cutter that cannoned off the far post.
Lanky Gerard ?JJ? Oufoue was quickest to respond for UNSW, tapping into an unguarded net and racing off into the wilderness to celebrate.
Referee, Mr Paul Faithfull, had his hand constantly in his pocket at this stage, handing out three cautions as the tackles began to bite on a trying and slippery pitch.
Stanmore regrouped and finished the half the much stronger of the two sides, as UNSW soaked it up and resorted to trying to hit the Hawks on the break.
The Hawks were unlucky not to equalize on 29 minutes, when Nick Paradisis slid into the right hand side of the box and hit a beauty across his body, the ball leaving UNSW keeper, John Duggan, stranded, as it cracked against the inside of the far post before being cleared.
Paradisis was first the reach the ensuing corner, his header inches wide, and he was at it again a few minutes later, this time his far post header bouncing off the top of the cross bar after a great cross by George Skoulos.
Stanmore definitely had their tails up, and went close yet again on 40 minutes.
Big central defender, Bill Tsanidis, left three UNSW players in his wake in a weaving run down the middle, unleashing a shot that hit the post, before ricocheting off UNSW keeper, Duggan, and rolling inches past the post for a corner.
The half time whistle shrieked shortly after, giving both sets of players a much needed rest in what was shaping up as a real do-or-die second half.
The midfield battle was especially enjoyable to watch, with Stanmore skipper, David James, and UNSW?s Huss Rachid, especially fierce in the protection of their territory.
James was covering all blades of grass, box to box, always lending support defensively, and a real ?heart-on-the-sleeve? leader ? a player you always want on your side in the trenches.
UNSW?s Rachid did not take a step backwards all day, either, and got physical when he had to, ending up with the winning goal as his just rewards ? more about that later.
Stanmore had added the experience of Rafale Bove to their playing roster last week, and he was his usual puppeteering self in a defensive midfield role, linking well with all around him as he tried valiantly to get his side on the move.
UNSW?s Dennis Cutura had the first real opportunity of the second period on the hour mark, rounding Stanmore custodian, Sammy Emmanouil, and slicing his shot wide of the mark.
Cutura was at it again ten minutes later, racing down the left before cutting inside and hitting a far post speculator that had the home faithful out of their chairs as it whistled past the upright.
Stanmore suffered a major setback on 74 minutes, with captain David James receiving his second caution, and it all looked doom and gloom for the Hawks at this point.
For those that have been around some time in this wonderful sport of ours, they would have seen 10 men often upset the apple cart against 11, and the Hawks changed formation, threw caution to the wind, and put the UNSW side on their backs for the best part of the next 10 minutes or so, creating a number of opportunities.
Papadopoulos made a great run down the right flank on 75 minutes, cutting the ball across the face of goal for Paradisis, who?s snap shot rolled centimetres wide of Duggan?s right hand post.
A minute later and Tsanidis slid a beautiful through ball into the path of Steve Biviano ? on for Philipou in the 54th ? on the right hand side just outside the box, and the experienced striker took a touch before smashing his angled shot off the post.
The Hawks definitely had their ends up, and within a minute they had a penalty ? young striker, Kosta Gioulis, who?s energy up front kept the UNSW defence on their toes throughout, was bundled over in the box.
Biviano stepped up to take the pressure kick, and his low strike to his left was brilliantly parried by UNSW keeper, John Duggan, but Biviano regathered the rebound and slotted it past the keeper to put Stanmore on level terms.
In fact the Hawks almost took the lead on 79 minutes, a loose clearance from the UNSW defence rolling to Bill Tsanidis, and the defender, who was having a whale of a game, hit an absolute scorching drive from fully 25 yards that would?ve taken the net off the posts had it been inches inside the post instead of outside.
Paradisis played a delightful through ball in the 84th minute over the UNSW defensive line into the path of Steve Biviano, and it caused mayhem as defenders and keeper alike descended on the bouncing ball. Biviano toe poked it out of the congestion and stabbed his shot goalward from the left hand corner of the box ? only to watch the leather roll agonizingly wide of the far upright.
UNSW not only rode their luck inside the last quarter of an hour, they killed the Hawks off by scoring on 85 minutes to take all three points.
Huss Rachid gathered a loose ball some 25 metres out and right in front, took a touch towards goal and unleashed a drive that simply rocketed into the net adjacent to Emmanouil?s right hand post, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
The drama wasn?t quite over, as Stanmore missed one last opportunity in the 87th minute.
Youngster Kosta Gioulis went through on goal, but hurried, and hit his shot straight into the arms of relieved UNSW keeper, Duggan.
For UNSW it was a welcome victory, in a game where they soaked up the pressure at times, but scored at either end of the game to grab the spoils. They even accounted for late injuries to Patty Lloyd and Michael Karagiannis ? the latter coming after all subs had been made ? and have probably played better in recent weeks for no reward, so I?m sure they?ll take the points this time.
Stanmore just can?t seem to take a trick at the moment ? when your luck is down nothing seems to go for you. The Hawks are creating plenty of opportunities, and have had very close games each week without reward, but they have too much talent at their disposal to be sitting where they are, and it will be a matter of time before they start to climb away from the base of the ladder.
UNSW 2 (Oufoue 21?, Rachid 85?)
STANMORE HAWKS 1 (Biviano 77?)
at David Phillips Field, Daceyville on Saturday, April 28th, 2012
Referee ? Mr Paul Faithfull
Referee?s Assistants ? Mr Terry Goodhew and Mr Loriano Villarroel
UNSW: 16.J.Duggan, 6.A.Harb (capt), 4.R.Lloyd (21.C.Claridge 67?), 19.T.Vidovic, 2.A.Jones (7.H.O?Kelly 55?), 5.M.Bryan, 9.H.Rachid, 13.M.Karagiannis, 15.G.Oufoue, 18.D.Cutura, 12.S.Bendall (8.J.K.Morris 64?).
Substitutes not used ? 22.R.Luca, 23.G.Diakos.
Yellow Cards ? 6.A.Harb 11?, 9.H.Rachid 25?.
Red Cards ? Nil
STANMORE HAWKS: 1.S.Emmanouil, 10.R.Bove,3.A.Heath, 20.D.James (capt), 15.A.Papadopoulos, 19.N.Paradisis, 9.N.Philippou (8.S.Biviano 54?), 7.J.Rimmer, 4.G.Skoulos, 29.K.Gioulis, 5.B.Tsanidis.
Substitutes not used ? 12.A.Harvey, 6.Y.Mavrou, 21.G.Murphey.
Yellow Cards ? 20.D.James 20? & 74?, 7.J.Rimmer 54?,19.N.Paradisis 90? + 5.
Red Cards ? 20.D.James 74?.
Round Six Review
Camden Tigers vs Southern Bulls 1-3
Southern Bulls grabbed a valuable three away points with a 3-1 triumph over Camden Tigers on Saturday night at Ron Dine Reserve.
Baturay Akin put the Bulls ahead on the half hour, and it stayed that way until the 51st minute when Callum Rogers equalized for the Tigers.
Parity lasted less than a minute when Ercan Topal scored to put the Bulls ahead, and Alaa Ali Khan closed off proceedings with a third goal for the visitors on 81 minutes.
The loss leaves Camden stranded on 4 points and one position off the bottom of the league, whilst Southern Bulls are now in third spot on nine points.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Balmain SC 3-0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers retained second position on the State League One ladder by inflicting Balmain?s first defeat of the season at Popondetta Park, winning 3-0 on Saturday night.
Daniel Fogarty grabbed a first half brace to put the Rangers well in control, scoring as early as the 5th minute and doubling his side?s advantage just after the half hour.
Todd Macrae?s 65th goal completed the afternoon?s work for the home side, who now sit on 12 points and are keeping an eye on Gladesville Ryde?s lead at the top.
It?s not all doom and gloom for Balmain following their first loss of 2012 – they are in 5th spot on 8 points, but do have a game in hand on most sides who sit around them.
Fairfield City Lions vs Schofields Scorpions 2-4
Schofields Scorpions toppled the previously unbeaten Fairfield City Lions with a comprehensive 4-2 away victory at Norford Park No 2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Scorpions flew out of the blocks and were 4-0 up at half time, and even though the Lions pulled a couple of goals back after the break, the win was never in doubt.
Dean Stivala helped himself to an early brace of goals, scoring in the 6th and 13th minutes, the second from the penalty spot.
Pearson made it three on the half hour, and Tim Simpson remarkably made it 4-0 to the visitors when he converted a penalty in the 39th minute.
The shell shocked Lions had not tasted defeat this season as yet, and were unaccustomed to being so far behind on the scoreboard, especially in front of their home fans.
Ali Al Waeli managed to pull a goal back on the hour for Fairfield, before a second goal in the 70th minute by Friday Jeremiah gave the scoreline some respect.
But it was the Scorpions day, who move to 7th spot on six points, one point above the Lions, however, both clubs have games in hand on others around them.
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Hurstville ZFC 3-1
Competition leaders, Gladesville Ryde Magic, continued their perfect start to the 2012 season with their sixth successive victory from as many matches, following their 3-1 triumph over Hurstville ZFC at Magdala Park on Sunday afternoon.
As early as the second minute Ali McKie played a long, curling through-ball from the halfway line to his brother, Andrew, who did well to time his run perfectly into the box, controlling with his first touch before slipping the ball under the advancing keeper to put Magic on the scoreboard early in the match.
Gladesvlle Ryde?s second goal came after a corner was only partially cleared by Hurstville ZFC. Magic?s Johnny Martinez?s first-time ball back into the box found team mates, Lachlan Harte and Alex Morris, lurking with intent about seven metres from goal. A quick touch from Harte found an unmarked Morris with just the keeper to beat, and the tall defender did well to turn and chip the ball to inside the far post.
In the closing moments of the half, Gladesville Ryde were, perhaps, looking to get back into the sheds for a half-time drink, instead of dealing with the Hurstville ZFC challenge right up until the half time whistle.
Vlado Zoric was accredited with a goal where the ball skewed and spun across the face of goal following a low corner along the goal line, the leather ballooning well-over the head of goalkeeper Kyriakos Tohouroglou and just inside the far post, and it was game on.
Scott Tonkin relieved the tension of the home fans by grabbing Gladesville?s third in the 53rd minute to give the Magic some breathing space.
The influential Ali McKie moved down the right flank before switching play with a sixty metre pass to midfielder, Scott Tonkin.
Upon receiving the ball Tonkin cut inside to play a neat one-two with Johnny Martinez, moving inside the penalty area before scoring past an advancing Hurstville goal keeper.
The scoreboard remained as is for the remainder of the match, sending the Magic fans home happy in relatively swirling and cold conditions.
The three points puts Gladesville on 18 points, with a six point break on second placed Mt Druitt, whilst Hurstville remain on 7 points in sixth spot.
Inter Lions vs Northbridge FC 2-2
Inter Lions and Northbridge shared four goals in an entertaining 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval.
Domenic Di Mento opened proceedings on the day, putting Inter Lions into the lead on 24 minutes with his fourth goal of the campaign.
The lead lasted sixty seconds however, Ry Hardy equalizing for Northbridge, before the visitors went one better, taking the lead right on half time with a goal by Aaron Taylor.
Inter Lions worked their way back into the match, eventually pulling level at 2-2 with a goal by Miguel Martinez, and that?s they way it stayed until full time.
The draw puts Inter on 8 points in 4th spot, whilst Northbridge are in 10th spot on 4 points.
-By Frank Speranza
