State League Two Round 1 Review

Expect a bit of everything if State League 2 plays out anything like the round one outcomes – a washout, forfeit and three very different wins in sunshine, thunder and lightning marking an eclectic first bout of matches.
While Fairfield City Lions sat out with the bye, the Saturday game between UNSW and Enfield Rovers was called off due to a soggy David Phillips Field, Schofields Scorpions had to forfeit their match against Southern Bulls, Southern Branch kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Western Condors, Hurstville City Minotaurs romped to a 3-1 win away to old foes Stanmore Hawks, and Belmore United left it late in a 2-1 win against Hurstville FC.
First Grade
Southern Branch 1 Western Condors 0
Hurstville FC 1 Belmore United 2
Stanmore Hawks 1 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
UNSW vs Enfield Rovers (washed out)
Southern Bulls 3 Schofields Scorpions 0 (forfeit)
Grade 20
Southern Branch 2 Western Condors 2
Hurstville FC 3 Belmore United 2
Stanmore Hawks 1 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
UNSW vs Enfield Rovers (washed out)
Southern Bulls 3 Schofields Scorpions 0 (forfeit)
Southern Branch pip Condors
Southern Branch got the ball rolling in their state league foray with an impressive 1-0 win over old hats Western Condors at Ison Park on Sunday afternoon, a Scott Regent sizzler midway through the first half enough to get them over the line.
Both sides were up for a good contest and it was the southerners who drew first blood, a short corner flick-on setting Regent up nicely for what turned out to be the game’s deciding goal.
Branch can certainly thank custodian Adam Arnotts for keeping their side ahead, the number one producing some outstanding saves and his general dominance inside and outside the box denied many Condors attacks, although he was beaten by a 30m scorcher from Mauricio Sanchez midway through the second half only for the crossbar to come to his rescue.
Coach Brod Crighton was delighted with the home result but probably happier his team can still improve.
“I thought we had the better of it early on and was a bit disappointed we couldn’t score more to build a bigger lead. The second half was a bit of a battle and the last 25 [minutes] we were under the pump, so it was a gutsy effort to come out with the three points in the end,” he said.
“Adam [Arnotts] was incredible for us today. He pulled in a lot of high balls, punched out well, came out when he needed to and dominated the box. There were a bit of nerves from the youngsters… but a win can only be good for their confidence.”
Condors coach Barry Zambrano praised his opponents’ tenacity and thought the loss might be a good tonic for his side.
“The loss is a little disappointing as I thought we deserved something from the game,” he said. “We hit the post, missed a few chances from right in front and full benefit to them for holding on – their keeper pulled off some absolute rippers and just an early mistake from a corner cost us a silly goal. The second half the boys started to put the pressure right on them and on another day we could’ve pinched a draw or win.”
“It’s just a matter of a few more weeks before they click; the goals will come as they created a lot of opportunities. I’m quietly happy. Even though the players’ heads were down after the match I could tell they were already looking forward to the next game.”
And that’s only a few days away with a Waratah Cup clash against Port Kembla at Knight Park on Wednesday night.
First Grade: Southern Branch 1 Western Condors 0
Grade 20: Southern Branch 2 Western Condors 2
Belmore pick Hurstville FC pockets
A last-minute Pablo Cordoza freekick lifted Belmore United to a 2-1 win over Hurstville FC at Hurstville Oval on Sunday afternoon in a terrific encounter between the two rivals.
Hurstville led 1-0 on the quarter-hour when they slotted in a nice goal following good lead-up down the right only for Paul Paras to level it up five minutes before the break, Belmore stopper Anthony Lazarou playing a great ball across to an unmarked Paras who beat one defender and buried it at the near post to lock the halftime scores at 1-1.
Belmore coach George Lazarou changed his defensive formation from four defenders to a diamond with a defensive midfielder and that opened up the middle of the park, United dictating play and creating numerous chances on goal.
With fulltime looming, Cordoza combined well with Nick Mouzorakis, a defender handballing outside area to set up Cordoza’s winning freekick; the former Socceroo guiding his shot inside the far post to steal a late win for Belmore.
Lazarou was pleased to gain the maximum outcome from a tight tussle. “It was very evenly matched in the first half, Hurstville were very organised and created the same amount of chances as us, but I thought we dictated the second half and had attack after attack after attack,” he said. “We were very patient, we had to be.”
“James Cross was very good for us today and John Skufris came off the bench and had 2-3 good headers. In the end, I’m very happy. It wasn’t a pretty game from us as we could’ve played a lot better, but we got a result and that’s what counts. We need to learn to hang onto the ball better, so there’s plenty still to work on at training.”
First Grade: Hurstville FC 1 Belmore United 2
Grade 20: Hurstville FC 3 Belmore United 2
Minotaurs gouge Hawks
Hurstville City Minotaurs were singing in the rain following their emphatic victory against fellow former Super League gladiators Stanmore Hawks at Arlington Oval on Sunday afternoon, coming from a goal down to turn a 2-1 halftime lead into a dominant 3-1 win.
Hundreds gathered at beautiful Arlington to watch what was expected to be an absolute cracker. Instead, Hurstville dished out a football lesson to Stanmore, who’s only positive might be they lost to a better side while offering a sub-standard performance in return.
Things looked bright for the home side early on when they pounced on a mistake from Hurstville’s sweeper to grab the opening goal after 20 minutes, but their joy was shortlived after nifty Haissan Morhi took on the Hawks defence and got a nudge from Ashley Harvey inside the box, the referee pointing immediately to the spot. Morhi picked himself up, dusted off the turf and coolly slotted home the penalty to restore parity on the scoreboard.
The Minotaurs then grabbed the game by both horns when Angelo Vagenas unleashed a 35m thunderbolt, his lightning left-footer cracking into the back of the net to push the visitors 2-1 in front at halftime.
Hurstville offered more of the same in the second half, hitting the post a couple of times and setting up several one-on-ones before they made sure of the points with another missile, this time from just outside the box with 20 minutes to go. Stanmore finally found some rhythm and came home with a wet sail, creating plenty of opportunities, but the 3-1 scoreline remained unchanged at fulltime.
Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis was at his colourful best after the match. “I’m with the boys right now, celebrating. Where were you at five o’clock? [Ed: ‘Getting thrashed in my over-35s knockout game’] Did you hear us singing?” he asked, the usual gleam in his not-so-subtle remarks.
“I thought we were the better team. I’m happy with 3-1 but we could’ve had at least 4-5 more. We closed them out, our keeper didn’t have to do much until the last 15 minutes, and we had chance after chance… we just missed so much to make the most from the match.
“Stanmore finished just outside the semis last year, we thought they’d be the team to beat this year and we beat them 3-1 at their home ground… and we only used 75% of our ability; there’s still more to come!”
“Being serious, I’m just very happy with all the boys today. It was a very good atmosphere at a lovely Arlington ground and good to see so many familiar faces at the ground. It made winning in front of them even better.”
The Minotaurs can keep the good times rolling against Cooma in their Wednesday night Waratah Cup clash at Hartley’s Oval, while Stanmore coach George Paradisis cleans up a tattered Hawks nest.
“I’m shocked. It was absolutely disgusting and I’m not happy at all with the effort from my team. Hurstville were hungrier than us and we just totally put our heads down after they got their penalty. We tried to get back into the game, but once they got in front they had numbers behind the ball,” he said.
“We had possession, we just didn’t create much with it, and they scored their third goal while we were pushing forward looking for an equaliser. They deserved to win; they played the game a lot better than us, and the whole team in general was woeful – Lachlan Wright was the only player that stood up for us today.
“I expected to win but sometimes it’s not like that, is it? We played a lot of trial games against super league clubs and I’m starting to think it might not have been the right thing to do as we really struggled to win. But I know the boys are better than that, we just didn’t turn up on the day. Thankfully there’s still a long way to go.”
First Grade: Stanmore Hawks 1 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
Grade 20: Stanmore Hawks 1 Hurstville City Minotaurs 3
Scorpions forfeit to Bulls
Southern Bulls collected the easiest three points ever when Schofields Scorpions forfeited their Sunday afternoon match at Ernie Smith Reserve due to insufficient player numbers. A player registration issue left it too close to deadline but Schofields football general manager Alex Soncini said his club’s players were ready and rearing to go.
“We just weren’t ready in time for round one… but we’re more than pumped for round two,” he said. “There is no doubt about Schofields fielding a team for the rest of the season. We accepted it would be tight to be ready for the start of the season; our players are ready, our coaches are committed for two years, and our planning is long-term.”
Next week’s matches
University of NSW will have to wait another week before they kick a ball as they have the round two bye, but everyone else plays on Sunday (April 14), first grade kickoffs at 3pm. Enfield Rovers face Stanmore Hawks at Pratten Park, Hurstville City Minotaurs play Southern Bulls at Punchbowl Oval, Belmore United host Southern Branch at Blick Oval, Schofield Scorpions take on Hurstville FC at the CSI Ground, while Western Condors are at home to Fairfield City Lions.
-By Daniel De Nardi