NSW State League Two 2012 Grand Final Review
Grand Final
HAKOAH VS PROSPECT UNITED
The Grand Final between the top two League Two sides finished 1-0 to Hakoah in thrilling fashion which caps of quite a remarkable season by Mark Robertson?s men who in the end, deserved to be both Premiers and Champions of League Two 2012.
Hakoah started the brighter of the two and created more chances in the first stanza, with eventual man of match Deklan Gilmartin scoring the only goal of the match deep inside the first half to clinch ?the double? for Hakoah.
Prospect United weren?t without their chances following the restart, and were unlucky not to have sent the game into extra-time for what was a highly entertaining clash that was witnessed by a sizeable crowd at the lush Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday night.
Prospect United got the first shot away as Luis Freitas collected the ball near half way, running towards goal and skilfully cut inside his marker to unleash a grounded shot that was easy pickings for Terry Dal Broi in the 3? minute.
Dal Broi was called into action just moments later as Nathan Smith delivered a testing ball into the box, with the Hakoah custodian punching the ball to safety.
Deklan Gilmartin whipped in a near post cross on 10? minutes but Michael Steell was first to react and gathered the ball under no pressure.
Hakoah had a great chance after 11? minutes with Justin Kosmina threading a wonderful first time pass that beat two Prospect defenders finding Michael Katz, who sent in a dangerous cross finding danger man Neil Jablonski ? but his powerful header finished just a matter of inches wide of the post.
A stray pass out from Prospect?s defence gifted Jordan Mundell a chance on 16? minutes just outside the box, but the midfielder was unable to control his shot as it blasted over the target
In the 25? minute Daan Ranshuijsen pinged a pin point 40 yard ball which was masterfully chested down by Justin Kosmina for Joseph who unleashed a pile driving shot that again was just inches wide.
A number of free-kicks to both sides prevented a free flowing game, with neither side able to find any sort of the rhythm, however just before the break Jordan Mundell did extremely well to shrug off his marker to set up Deklan Gilmartin one on one with Steell, who gave Hakoah a deserving lead by thrashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Luis Freitas was causing Hakoah headaches in the final third and following the break he hit a flat ball into the box that Dal Broi fumbled under pressure, however Hakoah were able to clear their lines before Prospect could pounce.
Prospect looked like a different side in the second half with the lion share of possession, but were finding it difficult to break down a resilient Hakoah defence marshalled by Daan Ranshuijsen and Patrick Darvill with the final ball often going astray.
Troy Sullivan pulled the trigger on the edge of the area following a clever lay off from Maxwell in the 63? minute, but Hakoah shot-stopper Dal Broi made a brilliant low to the ground diving save.
Jordan Mundell weaved his way past two Prospect defenders to earn his side a corner after 71? minutes, but a mix up between Patrick Darvill and Deklan Gilmartin off the resultant corner put an end to the attack.
Luis Freitas showed great technique to cut inside his marker on 75? minutes, only for his shot to be blocked by Daan Ranshuijsen.
Prospect were left vulnerable at the back after pressing Hakoah in search for an equaliser, but Hakoah were struggling to string passes together in the final third as Nathan Schwartz made a solo run before the final ball got caught under Nathan Kosmina?s feet.
With less than a minute on the clock, Terry Dal Broi was booked for handling the ball outside the area after Gus Orcajo had dribbled in and out of the 18 yard box. Luis Freitas stepped up to take the free kick as the Prospect contingent of supporters held their breath, but his powerful effort was kept out by an excellent Dal Broi save.
In the end, the Grand Final was a game of two halves with Hakoah having the better chances in the first-half, while United fought back courageously and were unlucky not to have got on the score sheet in the second stanza.
The Grand Final win does cap off an amazing season by Hakoah who have been a real dominant force under the guidance of Mark Robertson, with the win now adding further silverware to the 2012 premiership and 2011 Grand Final win.
Match Stats
Hakoah 1 (D Gilmartin 38?)
Prospect United 0
Saturday September 15th, 2012
Hensley Athletic Field, Matraville
Referee: Jim Nicolaou
Assistant Referees: Michelle Allen and David Goldsmith
Fourth Official: Stephen Ellsmore
Hakoah: GK.T.Dalbroi; 2.P.Darvill, 3.D.Ranshuijsen, 6.N.Kosmina, 13.M.Katz, 8.J.Mundell, 9.N.Jablonski, 16.D.Blumberg (15.M.Randall 73?), 10.D.Gilmartin, 12.J.Kosmina, 29.A.Joseph (28.N.Schwartz 55?)
Substitutes Not Used: 30.D.Helfenbaum, 11.E.Rimmer, 4.M.Kacen
Yellow Cards: 9.N.Jablonski 64?, GK.T.Dalbroi 90?
Red Cards: Nil
Prospect United: GK.M.Steell; 2.L.Isbister, 3.M.Viera, 5.O.Omara, 6.A.Maxwell, 7.L.Freitas, 8.A.Jennings, 10.G.Orcajo, 12.T.Sullivan (11.N.Nikfarjam 82?), 4.N.Smith (18.J.Beslic 64?), 16.M.Hubbard
Substitutes Not Used: 9.A.Gaeta, 14.A.Gatt, 17.A,Diloreto
Yellow Cards: 6.A.Maxwell 31?, 7.L.Freitas 45?
Red Cards: Nil
Reserve Grade
Hawkesbury City SC 1 Luddenham United 2
Luddenham United have had a remarkable end to their season after being crowned 2012 champions with a tight 2-1 win over Premiers Hawkesbury City in the earlier fixture.
-By Dean Southern
