State League One 2012 Grand Final Review
Magic run for Gladesville in 2012 State League One season
Mt Druitt Town Rangers ? Gladesville Ryde Magic 0-2
Arriving at Cook Park, Mt Pritchard, late on Saturday afternoon, for the 2012 Grand Final extravaganza, the pundits in attendance sensed it was going to be Mt Druitt Town?s night.
On the back of a somewhat convincing 3-0 score line over Gladesville Ryde Magic only a fortnight ago, unbeaten against the Magic in three combats during 2012, and having the luxury of a week?s rest, you could see why the late money was heavily steered towards a Rangers triumph.
But Gladesville Ryde Magic are the current Champions, and they produced a sterling performance pretty much from start to finish, out working, out smarting, and out enthusing Mt Druitt Town Rangers to take home the silverware, winning 2-0 on the night in front of their boisterous fans.
The line ups reflected the surprise exclusion of Daniel Fogarty ? the league?s equal top goal scorer taking his spot on the Mt Druitt bench ? with Michael Todd and Justin Kirby both missing for the Rangers through collarbone injuries.
The Magic, however, not only had their full quota of playing artillery, they also had the valuable experience of a Grand Final loss just twelve short months ago ? on the same ground no less ? and that would hold them in good stead this time around.
Mt Druitt had the slightly better of the early exchanges, unable to penetrate, but going as close as hitting the woodwork as they tested the Magic rearguard.
Todd Macrae ? half of the dynamic duo that is the Mt Druitt attack ? created the first opportunity of the match after 14 minutes, dribbling down the left flank, before cutting inside and hitting a far post shot that was gobbled up by Kyriakos Tohouroglou, the Gladesville custodian.
Within a minute and the Rangers went even closer, Shayne Ardle this time timing his run perfectly as he connected to a Carl McNaughton cross, the ball rebounding to safety off Tohouroglou?s near post.
On 19 minutes and Tohouroglou was at it again, the Magic keeper diverting Glenn McPherson?s drive for a corner after Shayne Ardle had found him with a short corner just outside the box.
But Gladesville slowly started to come into the match more and more, spreading the Rangers wide across the pitch by hugging the flanks.
Alistair McKie was making space for himself on the left wing, and the Gladesville players were getting the ball to their number 10 as quickly as possible so he could conjure up an opportunity or two.
On 24 minutes McKie swerved in one of his many dangerous crosses, with Stephen Lloyd forcing a save from Mt Druitt?s Jarrod Marsh with his flick header.
A few minutes later and it was Andrew McKie who aimlessly chased down a long punt towards the corner of the field, the big Gladesville striker somehow managing to win the ball from a defender, before cutting back onto his right peg and unleashing a drive that flew inches over the cross bar.
Alistair McKie kept swinging in the crosses with the breeze at his back, and one such ball from a corner in the 44th minute found team mate Alan Ryan?s head, the ball rising just over the bar as the Magic kept Mt Druitt on the back foot until the half time break.
Kyriakos Tohouroglou, the Gladesville goalkeeper, even had a cheeky pot shot at goal, his free kick from just inside his own half sailing towards the Mt Druitt goal before his counterpart, Jarrod Marsh, clawed away the danger.
A fortnight ago, the Magic dominated the first half of their semi final against Mt Druitt Town, only to go into the sheds with nothing to show for it. History now shows the Rangers scored three second half goals to clinch victory and a spot in the Grand Final.
Gladesville Ryde Magic obviously learnt from this previous experience, and this time there was to be no repeat occurrence, as they came out after the break and stepped up a gear, determined not to let the opportunity slip.
Even the early introduction of Daniel Fogarty ? at the expense of the injured Macrae ? could not spark Mt Druitt Town, and the Magic took a deserved lead with a brilliant goal in the 59th minute, no doubt created yesteryear in the McKie backyard.
Alistair McKie found himself on the right flank, and swung over a superb outswinging cross, the ball evading everyone as it reached brother, Andrew, at the far post, and the big man slotted home into the top corner to send the Gladesville contingent into a frenzy.
But before the fans could take their seats, James Howard could?ve equalized within a minute for Mt Druitt Town, his low right footed drive from the edge of box flashing wide of Tohouroglou?s post.
Gladesville had their ends up, and made it 2-0 in the 69th minute with almost a replica of the first goal.
Once again it was Alistair McKie who weaved his wizardry on the right flank, and once again he sent over a dangerous swerving cross towards the penalty spot.
Striker Stephen Lloyd ducked beneath the bouncing ball, allowing unmarked team mate, Peter O ?Doherty, to slam the ball past Jarrod Marsh and double Gladesville?s lead.
Just as they did the first time, Mt Druitt caught Gladesville napping immediately after they had scored, and this time it was Nathan Ralph who snapped a vicious shot from the edge of the box that Tohouroglou did ever so well to parry to safety.
Mt Druitt had no option but to throw numbers forward, and the Magic had a few opportunities to put the nail in the coffin, almost scoring a third on a number of occasions during the final moments.
The tall and versatile Scott Tonkin came on for Andrew McKie, and was in the thick of the action instantly, beating Jarrod Marsh with a 79th minute downward header that was cleared off the line by Rangers? defender, Michael Aragone.
Tonkin then had an 89th minute turn-and-shot diverted wide of the upright after some brilliant work along the goal line by Alan Ryan.
Club captain and fans? favourite, Tommy Nastoulis, hit an audacious 30 yard volley a couple of minutes before the end that flew just past Marsh?s upright, before Tonkin and O?Doherty both had last gasp injury time pot shots to close off the match, Tonkin?s effort cleared off the line whilst O?Doherty?s was saved by a relieved Marsh.
But it was to be Gladesville Ryde Magic?s day, and the referee?s whistle shrieked to signal the end of the Grand Final, with the Championship trophy safely in the Magic?s hands.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have definitely been one of the competition?s most entertaining teams in 2012, and deserved their place on Grand Final day. But they couldn?t muster the necessary effort to over power the Magic, and despite the work rate of Ryan O?Shea and Nathan Ralph, it wasn?t to be their day this time around.
Gladesville Ryde Magic on the other hand produced a clever performance, grinding out a lead and then threatening to run away with it as they gaps opened up near the end.
Alistair McKie had an influential game wide in midfield, earning his man-of-the-match plaudits by assisting with both his side?s goals, as well as creating danger whenever he had the ball at his feet.
But very close behind him were Gladesville?s back three ? Alex Morris, Brett Townley-Jones, and Lachlan Harte ? who were simply impregnable during the match, combining ever so well to restrict the competition?s top goalscoring team to a minimum of opportunities.
Congratulations to the Gladesville Ryde Magic club, from their coaching staff (George Ganiatsas and John McKie), the players, the hard working officials to their vociferous fans ? the 2012 State League One Premership and Championship winners.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
Gladesville Ryde Magic 2 (Andrew McKie 59?, Peter O?Doherty 69?)
Saturday September 15, 2012
Cook Park, Mt Pritchard
Referee: Mr M Weiner
Assistant Referees : Mr J Bitas and Mr T Diakos
4th Official : Mr R Klein
Bench: J. Woods, Z. Elrich, W. Angel, V. Rigoli, I. Johnson.MT DRUITT TOWN RANGERS: 1.Jarrod Marsh, 11.Glenn McPherson (16.Alex Murrell 81?), 5.Ryan O?Shea (capt), 14.Chris Prothero, 9.Carl McNaughton, 8.Nathan Ralph, 2.Michael Aragone, 12.Leigh Brown, 7.Shayne Ardle, 18.Todd Macrae (4.Daniel Fogarty 56?), 3.James Howard (6.Daniel Penfold 78?).
Substitutes Not Used: 1.T.West, 15.N.Walker.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC: 1.Kyriakos Tohouroglou (capt), 11.Brett Townley-Jones, 4.Lachlan Harte, 2.Alex Morris, 13.Cristian Care, 6.Alan Ryan, 14.Peter O?Doherty, 10.Alistair McKie (5. Timothy Woodhouse 86?),8.Johnny Martinez, 15.Andrew McKie (9.Scott Tonkin 73?), 16.Stephen Lloyd (7.Tommy Nastoulis 80?).
Substitutes Not Used: 12.Thierry Huet,1.Pat Ferrara.
Yellow Cards: 10.Alistair McKie 53?.
Red Cards: Nil
Inter Lions crowned 2012 Grade 20 Champions
Inter Lions ? Schofields Scorpions 2-0
Saturday, September 15, @ Cook Park, Mt Pritchard
Inter Lions won the 2012 U20s Championship at Cook Park on Saturday afternoon, defeating Schofields Scorpions 2-0 in the Grand Final.
The victory means that Inter Lions claim the Premiership-Championship ?double? in what has been a remarkable season for the inner west club, and no one can argue their credentials.
Inter edged in front of Schofields when Hagh netted a minute before the break, giving them control of the match when they returned to the pitch. The Lions then toiled away at the Scorpions during a controlled second half performance, clinching the match when Anthony Foti slipped the ball past Schofields custodian, Robert Fleming, to send the Inter contingent into a frenzy.
Schofields Scorpions came from the sudden death elimination semi final to win consecutive games on their way to the Grand Final, and should be congratulated for a super effort in 2012.
Inter Lions coach, Matteo Maiorana, produced a real juggling act during the season, with players coming and going between 1st grade and Under 20s, depending on which team needed what, and in the end was able to make sure his troops retained their structure and discipline on their way to the title.
Congratulations to both sides for putting on a real contest in the Grand Final, but there can only be one winner, and this year it?s ?hats off? to Inter Lions for claiming the spoils.
