NSW Super League Round 13 Review
It is the first time this season that the Lions have claimed top position, ending the eight week run of Northern Tigers, who were not in action this weekend.
Hills Brumbies v Bankstown City FC
Bankstown City FC eased their way to the top of Super League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hills Brumbies, in what was effectively a home game for the Lions following the change of venue to Jensen Park.
This result was never really in doubt as Bankstown took charge from the opening whistle, dominating the play and rarely giving the Brumbies a look in, at least early on.
The Lions almost took the lead after just two minutes, when Reuben Lagos had a header flash wide but as the game went on, one sensed a goal wouldn?t be long in coming. Bankstown were clearly in control and it was no surprise when Gosue Sama headed home, unchallenged, after twenty minutes.
It was the first of many chances for Sama, who could have had three before the half hour mark. A brilliant run by Robbie Mileski set Sama up for a second but the shot was just wide while Lagos also created a further chance for Sama, whose tap again went past the post.
Sandwiched between these close calls though was an equally fine opportunity for the Brumbies with Dragan Savic finding himself in plenty of space. Bearing down on Zlatko Joseski, Savic was thwarted by the Lions keeper, who did well to deny Brumbies an equaliser.
With thirty seven minutes on the clock, the Lions went 2-0 up. Lagos, who had seen an earlier chance tipped around by the Brumbies keeper Harrick Sinpraseuth, came out on top this time, chipping neatly over the keeper from outside the box.
It looked good for the Lions, who have definitely found their rhythm in Super League now, this being their seventh win in the past eight, only Northern Tigers last week preventing a clean sweep.
As half time drew closer, Russell Farrell beat the offside to give another chance to the Brumbies but, again, Joseski was equal to the task, denying Farrell twice, to ensure a two goal half time lead.
That lead soon became three when Nathan Ristevski headed home in the 47th minute. A Mileski cross was challenged by Sama, overcoming Sinpraseuth, leaving Ristevski with the easiest of finishes.
There was no way back for Hills now, and had it not been for Sinpraseuth, the Lions could have had one or two more. Sama was denied another by the Hills keeper, but Joseski was not entirely quiet either. Anthony Musumeci brought Joseski into action, while a header from Brad Robertson went against the bar.
Back in round two, this game had been a boisterous affair with three send offs, as the Lions came from 0-2 down, but it was a different game today, Bankstown now looking well on track for a strong and title-challenging season.
Hill Brumbies 0 v Bankstown City FC 3 (Gosue Sama 20?, Reuben Lagos 37?, Nathan Ristevski 47?)
Sunday 17 June 2012
at Jensen Park
Referee: Kevin Peddie
Assts: David Walshe and Jerry Bitas
Hills Brumbies: 1. Harrick Sinpraseuth 16. Chad Cowley (17. Jordan Caporale 62?) 3. Marc Gane 15. Brad Robertson 13. M Zantanterello 10. Eros Bergamin 4. Jovan Miladinovic 9. Dragan Savic (12. Michael Noro 44?) 11. Anthony Abi-Arrage 14. Anthony Musumeci (Justin Ciampa 73?) 5. Russell Farrell (c).
Subs not used: 7. W Giovenali Rgk A Machado
Yellow Cards: Marc Gane, Brad Robertson, Jordan Caporale
Coach: Mark Abi-Arrage
Bankstown City FC: 1. Zlatko Joseski 7. Steve Liavas 4. Peter Vassilis 5. Richard Luksic 41. Adem Kir (2. Matthew Presello 65?) 6. Reuben Lagos 22. Zac Vallorani (8. George Nohra 75?) 24 Domenic Hudap 14. Nathan Ristevski 10. Robbie Mileski 11. Gosue Sama.
Subs not used: 9. Shannon Burgin Rgk. Jordan Nikolovski 18. Nicolo Sama.
Yellow Cards: Peter Vassilis, Nathan Ristevski, Domenic Hudap.
Coach: George Nohra
Spirit FC v Sydney University
The only other game played this weekend saw Spirit FC clinch their fourth win of the season, overcoming Sydney University with a solitary first half goal by Akwasi Agyei.
With both clubs needing points to avoid a relegation battle, it was Spirit who came out on top, although the game was not one for the purists. The heavy pitch made life a little difficult for both sides although Uni?s cause was not helped by the second half sending off of defender Aaron Morley.
The win lifts Spirit two spots on the table to seventh, above both Uni and Fraser Park.
?It was not a classic game, that?s for sure?, said Uni?s John Calleja. ?It was scrappy and the goal came about by some indecision on our part?.
?We showed some glimpses of good football, in the first half, but we never really did much. And having ten men led us to have to do some desperate defending?.
Uni are having a tough period at the moment, but the recent return of striker Liam McConaghy can only help as the second half of the season progresses.
Spirit will be relishing the goals of their striker, Agyei, whose finish today was his fifth of the season.
Spirit FC 1 (Akwasi Agyei 12?) v Sydney University 0
Leading Goalscorers
10 – Gosue Sama (Bankstown City FC)
Dimitri Zakilas (Bankstown Berries)
8 – Almir Dizdaric (Granville Rage)
7 – Tom Spencer (Northern Tigers)
6 – Stefan Donevski (Macarthur Rams)
Max Glanville (Northern Tigers)
Shannon Hankin (Macarthur Rams)
5 – Akwasi Agyei (Spirit FC)
Fabio Ferreira (Dulwich Hill)
Wassim Hijazi (Fraser Park)
Midweek Fixtures
Round Five
19 June Fraser Park v Dulwich Hill
Round Eleven
20 June Mounties Wanderers v Granville Rage
Under 20s
Spirit FC increased their lead at the top of the table to a massive eight points following their 1-0 win over Sydney University.
With the inclement weather putting paid to four of the six fixtures, only the Hills Brumbies v Bankstown City FC game saw the light of day with the Lions, reduced to ten in the final minutes, hanging on for a 3-2 win.
Hills Brumbies 2 Bankstown City 3, Spirit FC 1 Sydney University 0
-By Peter Rowney
