State League Two Round 20 Review
Match of the Round
WEST CITY FC V NEPEAN FC
It was a game that seemed destined to end in a stalemate after 90? minutes and no goals, however with literally seconds left on the clock – Conor Montford scored with the last kick of the game to wrap up the points on offer for the home side.
It was a cruel finish for Nepean who battled bravely for the full 90? minutes, but in the end the show belonged to the men between the sticks as both sides had their chances throughout the match.
Nepean?s Garry Boardman was first to get a look on goal as the striker powered a shot while trying to keep his balance that untroubled West City custodian Peter Akers.
As both sides were easing their way into the contest, Nepean was up again next with Anthony Belardo snapping a half volley effort from some distance that lacked any real conviction.
West City almost found an opening after Ryan Trussell was dealt an unlucky bounce with his failed clearance falling into the lap of Yannick Misfud, but the midfielder was unable to capitalise with his long range effort sailing out for a goal kick.
Sam Pintabona made a threatening run down the left wing and cleverly cut inside his marker sliding the ball back towards the penalty spot ? but West City?s Daniel McMahon showed good anticipation to rush and clear the danger.
Brendan Mitrovich had a great chance in the 20? minute going one on one with Ryan Trussell after some great work by Daniel McMahon, but the keeper stood tall to make a brilliant save to keep the scores locked at 0-0.
The game was starting to come to life as Ajak Deng hooked a deep ball across goal that evaded Peter Akers less than a minute after West City almost took the lead, but as the home supporters held their breath ? the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
The first half had so far belonged to the men between the sticks, and Ryan Trussell showed class once again to pull off a terrific diving save from a well hit shot by Daniel Cornet.
Yannick Misfud dinked a sublime pass over Nepean?s defence for Brendan Mitrovich in the 24? minute, but the striker?s looped effort failed to hit the back of the net after beating Trussell.
The end to end action continued as Peter Akers was called into action just moments later, diving low and parrying the ball to safety after a well taken shot by Anthony Belardo.
Yannick Misfud swiftly stole the ball from his marker deep in Nepean?s half and delivered a pin point cross that landed at Brendan Mitrovich?s feet – but the striker had limited space to work with and could only manage a weak effort that was easy pickings for Trussell.
West City were starting to assert their dominance and a short corner on 30? minutes allowed Nicholas Ballard time to shoot, but the defender?s effort lacked accuracy and sailed over the goal.
Brendan Mitrovich was in the thick of things once again on 34? minutes, using his pace to get in between Nathaniel Harnett and Ryan Trussell, but the striker failed to get a hold of the ball properly as his sliced shot spiralled away from goal for what was the last chance of the half.
Following the break, Peter Akers was tested early in the piece as he tipped over a Sam Pintabona cross that had some help from the gusty wind that had picked up in intensity.
Nepean?s Daniel Miralles launched a half volley on the edge of the area after 53? minutes that failed to test Peter Akers as the visitors went in search for an opener.
Garry Boardman created some space for himself but couldn?t control his shot that flew over the cross bar just moments later.
Nepean were camping deep in West City?s quarters early on in the second stanza and a poor first touch that come off Whitechurch?s knee inside the area just a minute later was possibly a tell tale sign of things to come ? with both sides really struggling to make any headway in the front third.
West City had their best chance of the game to take the lead in the 58? minute after Brendan Mitrovich made his way on route towards goal and unselfishly set up Daniel Cornet who was free on the back post ? but the striker was unable to punish the visitors with his shot finishing wide of the open net after failing to contest with a difficult bounce.
With frustrations boiling over from both sides with the score locked at 0-0, some strong tackles and a short spurt of yellow cards set up a gripping final 10? minutes of play.
As the game was winding down and headed for a draw ? the unthinkable happened. Conor Montford received an excellent long ball that caught Nepean?s defence off-guard, and with the last kick of the game he calmly slotted the ball over the hapless Trussell to ensure West City collected maximum points with a gritty 1-0 win.
Match Stats
West City FC 0
Nepean FC 1 (C Montford 91?)
Sunday August 5th, 2012
Chopin Park, Plumpton
West City FC: GK.P.Akers; 2.N.Ballad, 10.Y.Misfud, 16.K.Carter, 17.C.Montford, 19.B.Mitrovich 23.M.Fitzpatrick (21.J.Creais 73?), 22.D.Cornet, 40.D.McMahon, 32.R.Nakwaski (20.L. Bennetts 74?), 18.S.Dalgliesh
Substitutes Not Used: RGK.D.Martins, 11.K.Moulds
Yellow Cards: 10.Y.Misfud 69?, 23.M.Fitzpatrick 69?
Red Cards: Nil
Nepean FC: GK.R.Trussell; 2.A.Deng, 7.N.Harnett, 3.A.Walker, 4.M.Karla, 6.D.Miralles (14.A.Liuio 56?), 8.G.Opacic (15.M.Yazbeck 77?), 9.A.Belardo, 12.S.Pintabona, 10.B.Whitechurch, 11.G.Boardman (16.L.micallef 74?), 10.M.Di Meglio
Substitutes Not Used: RGK.R.O?Connor, 13.E.Vuciri
Yellow Cards: 7.N.Harnett 69?, 11.G.Boardman 75?, 8.G.Opacic 77?
Red Cards: Nil
Division Two Review ? Round 20
Hawkesbury City SC 5 (D Smith 41? N Cooper 43? E Daglis 56/69? M McCrory 62?) Luddenham United 1 (G Odei 2?)
Saturday, 4 August 2012 @ 5-00pm at Bensons Lane Field
Hawkesbury City continued their push for a top two finish with a convincing 5-1 win over fellow final hopefuls Luddenham United.
Luddenham United made the best possible start after taking the lead in just the 2? minute through Grant Odei, but two late first half goals to Dane Smith and Nathan Cooper ensured the hosts hit the break 2-1 up.
Hawkesbury City came out firing all cylinders in the second half, with Hawks midfield magician Evan Daglis grabbing a brace while Michael McCrory also got amongst the scorers to wrap up a solid victory in front of their home supporters.
The win sees Hawkesbury City regain second spot (pending Hakoah v Mountains United result), while Luddenham on the other hand will most certainly miss the finals series for the first time in two seasons.
Belmore United 1 (C Bah 56?) Western Condors FC 1 (C Enwiya 40?)
Sunday, 5 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Blick Oval
Belmore United secured an important point which sees them move off the bottom of the table while the draw now makes it difficult for Western Condors to make the top five.
Western Condors took the lead just before the break via sharp shooter Carlos Enwiya, however the lead was short lived as Belmore salvaged a point with Bah scoring an equaliser inside 15? minutes of the restart, with the score finishing one a piece.
Gazy Lansvale 0 Prospect United 4 (L Freitas 29m M Hubbard 39m A Jennings 71m A Haddad 86m)
Sunday, 5 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Hartleys Oval
Prospect United got amongst the winners list with a comprehensive victory over FC Gazy to keep their spot in the top five.
Luis Freitas grabbed the lead for his side in the 29? minute before Matthew Hubbard doubled United?s advantage just before the break.
With FC Gazy missing a penalty and going down to 10 men in the first stanza, it seemed it wasn?t meant to be their day as Adrian Jennings and Anthony Haddad added to Prospect?s tally with the score finishing up 4-0.
The loss sees FC Gazy drop into the dreaded last spot with only two games left to save consecutive wooden spoons while the win will be just what Prospect needed with Hurstville and Bathurst hot on their heels.
Hurstville City Minotaurs 0 Bathurst ?75 4 (J Christie 12m L Sullivan 26m C Adair 73m B Osborne 86m)
Sunday, 5 August 2012 @ 3-00pm at Punchbowl Oval
Bathurst 75? have thrown a cat amongst the pigeons with a 4-0 drubbing over fellow final hopefuls Hurstville City which gives them a real fighting chance of making the top five.
Danger man James Christie got the ball rolling with a 12? minute opener before Luke Sullivan doubled the blues advantage inside 30? minutes.
Corey Adair made it 3-0 in the 73? minute before midfield lynchpin Brett Osborne made sure of the win with Bathurst?s fourth and final goal on 86? minutes.
The win sees Bathurst move just two points within Hurstville with a game in hand and a superior goal difference. Fate is now in Bathurst?s hands and if they can win their remaining games they will be sure of making the top five.
Hurstville on the other hand will rue a missed opportunity and will need to do all they can to secure six points from their remaining two fixtures to give themselves a chance of booking a finals berth.
Hakoah vs Mountains United (See Football NSW website for result)
Sunday, 5 August 2012 @ 7-00pm at Hensley Athletic Field
Division Two Reserve Grade – Round 20 Overview
West City FC vs Nepean FC ? 0-5
Hawkesbury City SC vs Luddenham United ? 4-1
Belmore United vs Western Condors FC ? 1-1
FC Gazy vs Prospect United ? 3-1
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Bathurst 75? ? 3-2
Hakoah vs Mountains United ? (See Football NSW website for result)
-By Dean Southern
