State League Two Round 11 Review
Match of the Round
NEPEAN FC 75 V LUDDENHAM UNITED
Luddenham started the game in fine fashion, as the skilful Angelo Martino won his side a penalty inside the first 2? minutes of play. Chris Camilleri made no mistake from the spot to give Luddenham United an early 1-0 lead.
It was fairly quiet for the rest of the first stanza but Daniel Brooker restored parity for the home side in the midst of controversy, however the 1-1 score line didn?t last long as Luke Tomich put Luddenham back in front just a 2? minutes later.
The 3 points were all but secured after 60? minutes as Chris Vella slotted Luddenham?s third and final goal to wrap up proceedings 3-1, as Luddenham ensured there was no chance of a Nepean 3 goal comeback this time around.
Just as the spectators were warming into their seats, Luddenham were already up 1-0. Angelo Martino collected an precise long ball from JP Vella, who in turn darted past two defenders before being fouled in the area ? giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Spot kick specialist Chris Camilleri made no mistake as he buried the ball into the bottom left hand corner, giving Trussell no chance and his side a 1-0 early lead.
Nepean ?s Sebastian Camacho forced Luddenham?s custodian Bojan Radmilo into a good save after 6? minutes, snapping a half volley from 30 yards out after a mix up between Luddenham?s backline.
It was see-saw action early on and Luke Tomich for Luddenham created a chance out of nothing in the 8? minute, winning a header and directing towards Chris Vella who was sitting unmarked on the edge of the box, however the awkward height and bounce of the ball saw it carry through to Trussell.
Nepean were winning the corner count early on and almost scored an equaliser after 16? minutes, after a dangerous Luke Ryan in-swinging corner was cleared off the line by Luddenham.
Central defender Dujon Webster unwittingly gave the ball away in his own half in the 22? minute, but a 3-2 counter attack in Nepean?s favour was thwarted by Luddenham?s experienced defenders Ivan Bazina and Steve Andrews.
Luddenham were controlling the bulk of the ball with Nepean looking to hit United on the counter-attack, however the final ball was letting both sides down.
In the 40? minute, controversy struck as Nepean equalised after Luddenham?s defence all but let the ball roll into the back of the net after the whistle sounded for what many had thought to be a free kick in United?s favour. Despite the confusion, Daniel Brooker?s never gave up after picking up a pass on the edge of the area to shrug off two defenders before finishing the ball into the back of the net with his body to make it 1-1.
Luddenham fans didn?t have to wait too long for their side to hit the lead again though, as Luke Tomich pounced on the loose ball to restore United?s lead after a magnificent Ryan Trussell save. Chris Camilleri hit a technically perfect volley from the edge of the box that packed plenty of power, forcing Trussell to stretch down to his left to parry away, but Luddenham?s Tomich was the first to pounce and slot the ball into the net to ensure the away side lead 2-1 at the break.
Following the break, Nepean had the first real chance as some nice play between the home side?s midfield resulted in a free kick taken by Luke Ryan, which forced Radmilo to shuffle down low to make a good save.
Nepean had a great chance to go level in the 56? minute as Anthony Belardo sliced a shot from point blank range, after jumping onto an earlier miscued shot.
Nepean were really pushing their opponents in the early stages of the second-half and Sam Pintabona threaded a lovely ball to lively striker Sebastian Camacho, but the linesman?s flag halted the attack much to the dismay of the home fans.
Luddenham had their first real chance of the half as Chris Vella did well to steal the ball, running inwards on goal but pressure from Andrew Walker and Ryan Trussell caused the striker to lose his footing on the slippery surface before he could pull the trigger.
Less than a minute later, Chris Vella went 1-1 on with Trussell after receiving a brilliant pass from Camilleri, and the striker calmly slammed the ball into the back of net to put his side 3-1 up and in a commanding position.
Luddenham?s third goal gave the away side some much needed confidence as they took a real hold of the game with the bulk of possession, restricting Nepean to long distance efforts.
Luddenham had a great chance to add another goal to their tally as Angelo Martino hit a great ball to Adam Hartas, the substitute forward shimmied to shake his marker but his looping effort landed on the top of the net rather than in it.
Lively wide man Oscar Narvaez collected a neat pass from J.P Vella on the edge of the box, letting fly a shot that skimmed just wide of the post just moments later.
The last chance of the game fell to Nepean?s only goal scorer of the game Daniel Brooker, who blasted his shot that slammed off the crossbar and to safety, to basically sum up Nepean?s luck on the night.
Luddenham secured their first win in five attempts and were in control for most of the game, leading in total for 86? minutes. Nepean did have chances but were unable to replicate a 3 goal comeback as they did during their rescheduled round 1 fixture,
Best for Luddenham United were; Angelo Martino orchestrated Luddenham?s midfield, and was the go-to man between the defence and strikers, often setting up attacking raids on Nepean?s defence; Chris Camilleri caused problems for Nepean all night with his dangerous free-kicks, and if it wasn?t for a brilliant Ryan Trussell save ? you could say he could have grabbed a brace; Chris Vella had a strong game up front, and created a few chances due to his positional awareness and clinched the all important winner for United.
Best for Nepean FC were; Ryan Trussell limited the damage to only 3 goals, with the experienced consistent keeper playing a solid game between the sticks; Sebastian Camacho and Daniel Brooker were Nepean?s biggest threats going forward, with the latter scoring and hitting the post in a lively individual display.
Match Stats
Nepean FC 1 (D Brooker 40m)
Luddenham United 3 (C Camilleri 2m L Tomich 42m C Vella 61m)
Saturday June 9th, 2012
Cook Park, St Mary?s
Referee: J.Barnes
Assistant Referees: J.Park & M.Kimber
Nepean FC: 1.R.Trussell; 2.A.Deng, 3.A.Walker, 5.R.Colborne, 6.D.Miralles, 7.G.Opacic (10.M.Miladinski 81?), 8.D.Brooker, 9.L.Ryan, 11.S.Camacho, 12.S.Pintaborci, 4.A.Belardo (13.D.Grasso 68?)
Substitutes Not Used: RGK.R.O?Conner, 15.K.Ciappa, 16.J.Dodson
Yellow Cards: 7.G.Opacic 51?, 11.S.Camacho 58?
Red Cards: Nil
Luddenham United: GK.B.Radmilo; 2.S.Andrews (16.M.Mallia 38?), 9.D.Webster, 6.I.Bazina, 3.J.P.Vella, 15.C.Camilleri, 14.A.Martino, 11.L.Tomich (17.S.Belobrastic 81?), 7.O.Narvaez, 8.D. Urosevski, 13.C.Vella (19.A.Hartas 67?)
Substitutes Not Used: 18.S.Popovic
Yellow Cards: 8.D. Urosevski 19?, 15.C.Camilleri 27?, 3.J.P.Vella 46?
Red Cards: Nil
Division Two Review ? Round 12
Hawkesbury City 3 (H Celik 7m P Cooper 48m Z Watters 80m) Bathurst ?75 1 (M Rooke 11m)
Saturday, 9 June 2012 @ 7-00pm at Bensons Lane Field
Hawkesbury City scored two second-half goals to beat Bathurst 75? 3-1 at home to keep in hot pursuit of Hakoah at the top of the table.
The Hawk?s had a dream start with a 7? minute Hakan Celik goal but Bathurst 75? player/coach Mark Rooke restored parity with an 11? minute equaliser.
Following the break, it was the pairing strike force of Paul Cooper and Zac Watters that clinched victory for the home side with two second-half goals, as the Hawks ran out deserved 3-1 winners and in the process securing back to back wins.
Belmore United 1 (C Kartambis 36m) Prospect United 1 (P Curjak 29m)
Sunday, 10 June 2012 @ 5-00pm at William Lawson Reserve
A late fixture change to William Lawson Reserve didn?t make it any easier for Prospect as Belmore picked up a valuable point in their quest to lift themselves of the bottom of the table,
Paul Curjak put the home side in front in the 29? minute but Chris Kartambis pinned a goal back for Belmore not long after with both sides hitting the break 1-1.
It was a scoreless second stanza with the game tied 1-1 at full-time. Prospect will rue their missed opportunity to keep pace with Hakoah and Hawkesbury at the summit, while Belmore will be relishing every point as they secured only their 5th point of the season.
Hakoah vs Western Condors FC (See Football NSW for result)
Sunday, 10 June 2012 @ 7-00pm at Hensley Athletic Field
West City FC 3 (B Mitrovich 26m J Browne 43m D Middleton 88m) Mountains United 2 (P Henderson 25m A Waring 35m)
Sunday, 10 June 2012 @ 3-00pm at Chopin Park
West City secured back to back wins as they dismantled Mountains United in a tight tussle to move into the top 5.
Paul Henderson got the ball rolling with a 25? minute opener before Brendan Mitrovich restored parity just a minute later.
Mountains midfielder Andre Waring put his side back in front in the 35? minute but Jason Browne equalised again for West City just before half-time.
The game looked likely to end in a draw but West City who have made a knack of scoring late goals recently all but secured the win with an 88? minute Dane Middleton winner.
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs FC Gazy (WASHED OUT)
Sunday, 10 June 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Division Two Reserve Grade – Round 12 Overview
Luddenham secured three huge points as they defeated local rivals Nepean 2-0 to clinch third place in the top 5. Table Toppers Hawkesbury City was forced to share the spoils against a strong Bathurst side.
Prospect continued their climb up the ladder with a 4-0 demolishing of Belmore United while Mountains United kept in close pursuit of the leaders with an important win over West City.
Nepean FC ? Luddenham United ? 0-2
Hawkesbury City ? Bathurst 75 ? 2-2
Belmore United ? Prospect United ? 0-4
Hakoah ? Western Condors FC ? (See Football NSW for result)
West City FC ? Mountains United ? 1-2
Hurstville City Minotaurs ? FC Gazy ? (WASHED OUT)
-By Dean Southern
