IGA NPL NSW Grade 20 Round 4 Review
Round 4 of the Grade 20s competition saw 18 goals scored in the round, with Marconi’s 5-1 win over South Coast Wolves the stand out result.
In the Match of the Round, top of the table Sydney United 58 FC beat Sydney Olympic FC 1-0 in a physical and at times spiteful encounter, at Lily Homes Stadium.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Sydney United 58 FC 1-0 Sydney Olympic FC, at Lily Homes Stadium
Sydney United 58 FC showed why they are top of the table as they put in a strong second half performance to beat Sydney Olympic FC 1-0.
For the second week in a row it was an Ante Tomic goal that separated Sydney United 58 from their opponents, but Olympic will be ruing a late miss from James Demetriou, who could only find the side netting after rounding Sydney United’s keeper Marko Bozic.
Sydney Olympic had decent early possession and looked comfortable on the ball, but neither side was willing to risk too much too early.
Much of the first half was spent with the ball in midfield as both sides struggle to break the other down, to no avail.
Save for headers from Martin Vass for Olympic and Stephen Vukovic for United, there was precious little by way of goal mouth action in the opening stanza.
Sydney United 58 came out with renewed purpose at the start of the second half, with their attacks focused down the right hand side.
In that respect, David Semialjac was impressing, constantly running at the Sydney Olympic left back, James Morrison. Unfortunately for Semialjac, his delivery was often lacking and good attacking opportunities were wasted.
Sydney United were starting to look like a top of the table outfit and the pressure tolled when Ante Tomic gave them a 58′ minute lead.
A threatening ball from the right hand side evaded everyone bar the tall striker, who was on hand to head the ball home at the back post.
Conceding a soft goal seemed to kick start Sydney Olympic and in fairness to them, they didn’t look at all like a bottom of the table side.
The experience of Vass meant that Olympic had an outlet in their midfield and it was the Olympic number 6 who missed a glorious opportunity in the 62′ minute, heading over at the back post from point blank range.
That miss though, paled in comparison to that of Demetriou, with a shade over 10′ minutes to play.
Demetriou was played through one-on-one with Bozic, who was out of position, but once Demetriou did the hard work of rounding the goalkeeper, he slotted wide of the open goal.
There was a moment of controversy in the final minute that marred the match. Jakov Radas was taken out by a vicious challenge from Vass, who only saw yellow. The referee blew for full time which sparked a melee out on the pitch whilst Radas received treatment.
Sydney Olympic coach Chris Karatzis said that he was pleased with the way his side is developing their passing game and that he thought they were the better side.
"Look, it was hard," Karatzis said.
"They’re top of the table and at the moment we’re bottom but we competed very well and I thought today we were the better side.
"We knew it would be hard but I’ve been around for 30 season and I want this guys to play a passing game and work on their technique and they’re doing that.
"I can’t say I’m unhappy and I thought we were the better side," Karatzis said.
Sydney United 58 coach Ante Moric was disappointed at the standard of football that was played, but was nonetheless pleased to have bagged the three points.
"It was a typical derby game," Moric said. "It was more about passion that playing football, which is disappointing.
"I’m really excited about my team and the way they’re building together.
"They were tough and they woke us up; it was a very physical game.
"They’re young and they have to understand these things.
"I’ve always said I’m not worried about the result, but if my team plays well and plays football, they’ll get a result.
"Today wasn’t really a football match. I’m happy to take the points, but not in that way," Moric said.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Ante Tomic 58′)
Sydney Olympic FC 0
Sunday 7th April, 2013
Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Nathan Roberts
Sydney United 58 FC: 1.Marko Bozic, 36.Jacob Badur, 26.Tomislav Herceg, 25.Michajlo Jonic (35.Marko Banic 80′), 28.Jakov Radas, 24.Isaac Savor, 30.David Semialjac, 38.David Stojic (34.Drazen Vucer 60′), 37.Ante Tomic, 33.Stephen Vukovic (32.Chris Denkov 68′),17.Chris Zuvela (27.Marko Vukovic 64′)
Substitutes Not Used: 31.Kane Wallace
Yellow Cards: 28.Jakov Radas 65′
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney Olympic FC: 20.Anthony Bouzanis, 30.Rocco Domine (37.Constandinos Whitehead 85′) 39.Samuel Jowett, 26.James Morrison, 29.Brayden Sorge, 38.Petros Stefadouros (35.Luca Falcone 63′)), 41.Anthony Zulj, 21.James Demetriou, 6.Martin Vass, 19.Christopher Godoy-Bacsur (33.Jason Madonis 33′), 27.Dylan Stivala (34.Stephen Stavropoulos 31′ (36.Dean Bereveskos 67′))
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: 27.Dylan Stivala 26′, 26.James Morrison 88′, Martin Vass 90′
Red Cards: Nil
ROUND REVIEW
FRIDAY
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1-1 Blacktown City FC, at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt drew 1-1 at home to Blacktown City on Friday evening.
Matthew Castelnuova scored in the 29th minute but Delor Edosomwan equalised for Blacktown City.
APIA had a string of chances but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, though Anthony Costa saved another penalty. APIA coach Rod Williams was disappointed that his side didn’t convert more of their opportunities.
SATURDAY
Blacktown Spartans 1-3 Rockdale City Suns, at Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans led 1-0 at half time in their match against Rockdale City, only to go down 3-1.
Martin Vazquez scored for the home side, but a penalty from Huss Jasli and a brace from Michael Toscano gave Rockdale breathing space in what was a well contested and open match.
Manly United FC 1-4 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at Cromer Park
Bonnyrigg White Eagles showed their potential with an outstanding 4-1 win on the road at Manly United.
Nicola Todoroski gave the visitors the lead before Tommy Morrisey equalised for Manly.
From there it was all one way traffic though, as Todoroski added his second and Aaron Peterson scored a double to round out a comprehensive victory.
Sutherland Sharks 0-1 Central Coast Mariners Academy, at Seymour Shaw Park
CCM Academy got up away from home on Saturday evening, winning 1-0 thanks to a penalty from former Blacktown City man, Dylan Vorster.
Sutherland were in charge of possession but didn’t take their chances and conceding a penalty in the 85′ minute put paid to their chances.
Sutherland coach Nass Martino paid tribute to the CCM Academy side, crediting them for their application in defence in the face of Sutherland’s attacking pressure.
SUNDAY
Marconi Stallions 5-1 South Coast Wolves, at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions scored a hugely impressive 5-1 win at home to South Coast Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Although two of the goals were own goals, Marconi were still far too good for their South Coast opposition, scoring a result that will turn heads throughout the competition.
– By Matthew Connellan