State League Two Round 8 Review
Match of the Round
HAWKESBURY CITY SC V WESTERN CONDORS
The Hawks would have expected all 3 points leading into this match prior to kick-off after demolishing Mountains United on the same ground 7-0 on Thursday night. Two injuries within the first half hour of play to Sharma and Celik, however made for a bizarrely uncomfortable night for the home side.
Western Condors will also feel most disenchanted after failing to take advantage of the extra man in the latter stages of the game, as the Hawks defended astutely to keep a clean sheet after being forced to play out the remaining 20? minutes of the match with 10 men.
It took quite a while for both sides to find any sort of rhythm on a chilling night out at Bensons lane, Richmond but it was the quick and agile Zac Watters who was presented with a great chance early in the proceedings, as he collected the ball from out wide with a nice first touch, but his shot was hit straight at Western Condors shot stopper Galiano.
Burly Hawkesbury defender, Ethan Simone carved out the next chance of the game as he watched his header cleared off the line by a Western Condor defender after a deep corner in from the right side.
Nathan Cooper showed great finesse and skipped past his marker in the 22? minute, backing up his great work with an accurate back post cross, but Zac Watters was pulled up for a foul which ended any chance of an early lead for the Hawks.
Down the other end, Nathan Cooper was in the thick of things again as his stray pass was swiftly collected by Condors striker Enwiya who played in Maceol Hurtado, but Cooper made immediate amends with a timely tackle to disposes Hurtado deep in his own half.
A few moments later saw the see-saw action continue, this time Johnny McCrea picked out Zac Watters from distance, and with still much work to do Watters used his strength to shrug off Condors defender Daniel Hardiman, but his dipped shot was hit straight into the arms of Condors shot stopper Galiano.
Both defences were running the show early on and in the 37? minute, Roberton Sanchez struck a powerful drive from at least 40 yards out that only just brisked over the crossbar.
Moment?s later, lively Hawks midfielder Nathan Cooper cleverly picked out Wilson, but his witty run was pulled up by the linesman?s flag.
Hawkesbury were pushing Western Condors hard in the dying stages of the first interval in search for an opener and in the 39? minute, it was Cooper again who played a tantalising one-two pass with Wilson, but the layoff ball fell on his weaker as his effort lacked power and accuracy ? straying out for a goal kick.
Hawkesbury?s midfield mustered an attacking raid in the 41? minute as George, Cooper and Carle were all involved in a nice passage of play that resulted in Carle?s cross being frustratingly intercepted.
The Hawks carved out another great move just moments later as George hit a lovely ball down the flank for a nice over lapping run by Ethan Simone, whose well-worked cut back was met by a thunderous Watters boot, however Galiano was equal to it as he made a great save to keep the sides level pegging.
On 43? minutes, Roberto Sanchez picked an opening and blasted a shot that sailed over the cross bar from 35 yards out ? trying his luck from distance again.
Moments later Western Condors had the last chance of the first half to take the lead as the ever-alert Enwiya picked up the loose ball on the edge of the 18 yard box, snapping a shot that dangerously bobbled across goal and out for a goal kick.
Early in the second half, hard-working Hawks midfield director Carle sent a careful through ball into space for Johnny McCrea, who did very well to run inwards on goal, letting flying a shot that packed some power that Galiano excellently parried to safety.
Carle was at it again not long after, this time in his own half as he cunningly timed his tackle to perfection, dispossessing Western Condors midfield general Maceol Hurtado of the ball to thwart a Western Condors counter-attack.
Western Condors midfielder Roberto Sanchez must have been feeling lucky as he tried another effort from distance in the 55? minute, but unsurprisingly he was too far out to trouble Hawks custodian Shane Jonhson.
Hawks strikers Johnny McCrea and Zac Watters linked up in the 61? minute but Watters was off-balance as he pulled the trigger as the ball swivelled out closer to the car park than the goal.
Hawkesbury City defender Alchin played a pass out from the back that split Western Condor?s defence to find the speedy Johnny McCrea, who beat Condors defender Dunajcik to the ball only for his first touch to let him down.
A few moments later saw plenty of controversy as calls for a handball in the box by the home supporters were ignored as the referee waved play on. Dunajcik gave the ball away deep in his own half and Johnny McCrea delivered a cross into the box that came off a Western Condors defender into the path of Watters. The nimble striker who was caught off-guard was unable to control the bouncing ball as his lobbed effort landed on top of the netting.
Just a minute on from all the action, Johnny McCrea hit a venomous cross, picking out Zac Watters but the awkward height made it difficult to tame as he headed wide of the target.
Western Condors were next to attack but Vaughn Porfilio exercised extreme caution as he perfectly timed a lunging tackle on the edge of the 18 yard box to win the ball from Condors striker Enwiya to foil the danger.
Hawkesbury were dealt a major blow in the 71? minute as Johnny McCrea received his second yellow card of the match for a miss-timed tackle which saw the home side forced to play out the remaining minutes with 10 men.
Despite being a man down, the Hawks continued to press the Condors deep in their own half but as both sides tired, it became a scrappy affair.
An additional 6 minutes of injury time played was awarded, but neither side could find a way to break down their opponents defences with the game finishing 0-0.
Best for Hawkesbury were; Nathan Cooper was thrown into the match early on and settled well, playing an important midfield anchor role – providing plenty of support to both his defenders and attackers; Veteran state league central defender Vaughn Porfilio didn?t miss a beat as he lead his side from the back, valiant in all aspects of his game to ensure his side kept a clean sheet; Zac Watters showed plenty of promise up front, showcasing his bag of tricks and was unlucky not to have got more out of a solid individual performance.
Best for Western Condors FC were; Dunajcik defended admirably to keep the usually high scoring Hawks quiet, Galiano had a great game between the sticks and did his part to ensure Condors came away with a clean sheet; Roberto Sanchez probably had more shots than anyone else on the park and his attacking intent and vision really helped to keep the Condors in the match.
Match Stats
HAKWESBURY CITY 0
WESTERN CONDORS FC 0
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Bensons Lane Field, Richmond
Kick-off: 5pm
HAWKESBURY CITY: 30. S.Johnson, 18. E.Simone, 33. V.Porfilio, 25. K.Kerr, 14. R.Alchin, 37. R.Carle, 8. R.Wilson, 15. P.Sharma (26. E.George 30?) (13. P.Cooper 86?), 11. J.McCrea, 29. H.Celik (7. N.Cooper 7?), 34. Z.Watters.
Subs not used ? 4. A.Stevenson.
Yellow Cards ? 37. R.Carle 51?, 18. E.Simone 77?.
Red Cards ? 11. J.McCrea 70?.
WESTERN CONDORS FC: GK. R. Galiano, 15. I.Sanhueza, 4. R.Schuman (3. A.Hezari 30?) (20. R.Borg 92?), 2. D.Hardiman, 5. J.Dunajcik, 14. A.Lajin (11. J.Juarez), 6. D.Kanoun, 8. R.Sanchez, 10. G.Roy, 7. M.Hurtado (12. J.Youkhana 81)?, 9. L.Enwiya.
Subs not used ?RGK. A.Vrinat.
Yellow Cards ? 6. D.Kanoun 26?, 3. A.Hezari 50?, 15. I.Sanhueza 61′.
Red Cards ? NIL.
Division Two Review ? Round 8
Mountains United 1 (K Davies 76m) Luddenham United 2 (G Odei 69m H Merdanovic 85m)
Saturday, 12 May 2012 @ 7-00pm at Summerhayes Park
Luddenham secured their first win since round 4 with a hard fought 2-1 away victory at Summerhayes Park on a wintry Saturday night.
Grant Odei opening the scoring late in the 69? minute for Luddenham before veteran Mountains defender Kaan Davies equalised for the home side.
The game looked as though it would end all square but Huso Merdanovic ensured his side would take all 3 points home with a late winner in the 85? minute.
The win sees Luddenham jump West City into 7th spot while Mountains United drop down to fourth spot after missing out on a possible 6 points this week.
Hurstville City Minotaurs 1 (E Khzouz 15m) Prospect United 3 (L Freitas 22m A Jennings 48m M Viera 71m)
Sunday, 13 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Prospect jumped up to third place as they dismantled Hurstville City Minotaurs away from home with an impressive 3-1 away win on Sunday afternoon.
Elias Khzouz opening the scoring for the home side in the 15? minute but Prospect found an equaliser just 7? minutes later via in-form striker Luis Freitas.
Following the break, Jennings put Prospect in the lead while the experienced Viera added his sides third in the 71? minute to ensure Prospect claimed their third consecutive victory.
West City FC 2 (M Fitzpatrick 30m Y Mifsud 38m) Bathurst ?75 1 (N Riggs 10m pen)
Sunday, 13 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Chopin Park
West City returned to the winners circle with a tight 2-1 win against Bathurst on Sunday afternoon on their home turf.
Nicholas Riggs opened the scoring with a 10? minute penalty for Bathurst 75?s, however West City showed real character to fight their way back into the game as Mathew Fitzpatrick equalised for the home side in the 30? minute before midfield maestro Yannick Misfud scored his side?s second and final goal of the game.
The win sees West City gain ground on Bathurst as they retain 7th spot while Bathurst loses their fourth consecutive match to undo most of their early season good form.
Belmore United 0 Nepean FC 1 (K Ciappa 85m)
Sunday, 13 May 2012 @ 3-00pm at Blick Oval
Nepean finally got their season underway with a tight 1-0 victory over Belmore at Blick Oval on Sunday afternoon which sees them off the bottom of the bottom of the table.
In a tight tussle that looked destined for a draw, it was Nepean?s Karl Ciappa who had other ideas as he scored the only goal of the match to earn Nepean their first 3 points of the campaign with 5? minutes left on the clock.
The win sees Nepean trade places with Belmore as they jump into 10th spot with a few catch up games still up their sleeve.
FC Gazy Lansvale 0 Hakoah FC 5 (N Jablonski 17m J Watt 30m J Kosmina 57/64m A Joseph 83m)
Sunday, 13 May 2012 @ 7-00pm at Cherrybrook Park
Hakoah remain undefeated and retain their perfect start to the season with a 5-0 triumph against FC Gazy on Sunday night.
It was the usual suspects for Hakoah as Neil Jablonski added to his tally with Hakoah?s first goal in the 17? minute before Perth recruit Jamie Watt added Hakoah?s second before half-time.
Justin Kosmina put the game out of FC Gazy?s reach with a brace in the 57? and 64? minute before Joseph added his side?s fifth and final goal in the 83? minute.
The win sees Hakoah keep their unbelievable start to the campaign intact while FC Gazy retain 9th spot on the ladder.
Round 5 rescheduled Match
Hawkesbury City 7 (P Sharma 1m Z Watters 22/59/74m D Smith 55m P Cooper 69m J McCrea 79m) Mountains United 0
Thursday, 10 May 2012 @ 7-00pm at Bensons Lane Field, Richmond
Hawkesbury City brushed aside local rivals Mountain United in a 7-0 drubbing in their round 5 catch up game which saw Zac Watters bag a hat-trick.
Prash Sharma opened the scoring in the first minute of play before Zac Watters got his first and his side?s second after 22? minutes.
The Hawks continued on with the job in the second interval, showing no remorse as they banged in a further 5 goals.
Dane Smith scored in the 55? minute before Zac Watters scored his second just 4? minutes later. Paul Cooper got on the score sheet in the 69? minute before Zac Watters closed out his hat-trick after just 74? minutes. The Hawks weren?t done though as they added their seventh and final goal via Johnny McCrea in the 79? minute to secure all 3 points in a fantastic display.
RESERVE GRADE: Hawkesbury City 3 Mountains United 1.
Division Two Reserve Grade – Round 8 Overview
Hawkesbury City retain top spot with a solid 3-0 win against Western Condors who find themselves languishing in 9th position with just the one win. Mountains United beat the previously undefeated Luddenham United to jump into the top 5 while Luddenham retain 2nd spot.
Hurstville City bagged all 3 points as they defeated Prospect 3-2 while Bathurst 75 won away from home to move up into sixth spot on the table. Nepean defeated Belmore away from home 2-0 while Hakoah retain third spot after defeating last placed FC Gazy 3-1.
Hawkesbury City SC ? Western Condors FC ? 3-0
Mountains United ? Luddenham United ? 3-2
Hurstville City Minotaurs ? Prospect United ? 2-1
West City FC ? Bathurst 75 ? 2-3
Belmore United ? Nepean FC ? 0-2
FC Gazy ? Hakoah ? 1-3
-By Dean Southern
