IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 6 Review

Four matches were played in Round 6, the highlight undoubtedly being the thrilling Match of the Round on Sunday afternoon.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles upset Rockdale City Suns in a match that in terms of entertainment value, will struggle to be topped this season.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS 1-2 BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES
Despite the loss of two goalkeepers, an unbelievable display of guts and determination saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles prevail 2-1 over Rockdale City Suns.
First choice goalkeeper Vincent Veneri was substituted in the first half after dislocating his shoulder, whilst his replacement Liam Gobbo was sent off early in the second half.
Reserve left back Thomas Howell stepped in and produced the performance of a life time, including one outstanding late save, to see his side home.
Rockdale City were level at the top of the table going in to the match, but Bonnyrigg’s start belied their lowly position on the table as they took an 8′ minute lead, a lead which they had doubled by the 20′ minute mark.
In the 8′ minute, Christopher Hatfield pealed off into the inside left channel and was afforded far too much space by the slow starting Rockdale City defence.
Once Hatfield was found it was merely a question of whether he had the composure to finish past Aaron Liddell, which he did with ease.
The home side has begun sluggishly and were struggling to create any momentum against a Bonnyrigg side that was well and truly up for the contest.
Rockdale’s defence was again at fault when they conceded a second in the 20′ minute.
Themba Muata-Marlow’s attempt at bringing the ball down on the edge of the area was well intentioned, but his touch was poor.
Kagisho Pitso pounced, nicking the ball and drawing Liddell off his line before squaring to the well-placed Nikola Todoroski, who added another goal to his ever increasing tally.
The concession of the second seemed to spark Rockdale City, who awoke from their slumber and began to attack with more verve and incision.
That momentum was disrupted by a nasty looking injury to Bonnyrigg keeper Veneri. He appeared to dislocate his right shoulder in the process of punching clear a corner and he was replaced by Gobbo.
The Rockdale City comeback started with Toufic Alameddine’s goal in the 48′ minute and it was an error by Gobbo that presented him the opportunity.
A free kick from the right drew Gobbo off his line, but he made a meal of claiming the ball and Alameddine was on hand to slot home.
That error paled in comparison with the next though, as Bonnyrigg were yet again reduced to ten men.
Gobbo raced off his line and brought down Michael Toscano on the edge of the area and referee Ben Abrahams had no hesitation in sending Gobbo off.
Chaos ensued on the touchline as outfield player Thomas Howell was hurriedly sent on for Masa Tanaka, Howell donning the gloves and distinguishing himself with his first touch; an ungainly parry sending Huseyin Jasli’s free kick over the bar.
The match took on a farcical hue, as Rockdale City peppered Howell’s goal, but he responded to every challenge.
Rockdale themselves were reduced to ten men in the 79′ minute when Toscano suffered an unforgivable brain explosion.
With his side a man up and playing against an outfield goalkeeper, Toscano lost the plot. Howell had fumbled a high ball, but had regathered it on the floor.
The Rockdale City striker stupidly kicked out at the ball and was sent off for his moment of madness.
Rockdale City sent on Prince Gyamfi as they chased the game, Bonnyrigg responded by replacing Todoroski  with Aleksandar Todorovic.
There was but thirty seconds left on the clock when Bruno Pivato found himself on the end of a cross ten yards from goal. It was as clear cut an opportunity as one could wish for and Pivato didn’t do a lot wrong.
Howell, though, was the hero. He sprung to his left to somehow turn the shot away, earning the adulation of his teammates and the crowd at the full time whistle. 
"It was pure guts and glory," Bonnyrigg coach Paul De Lucca said.
"Considering we didn’t have any first grade players, you couldn’t ask for a better effort.
"We fought and fought and now we’re in sixth position.
"(When Gobbo was sent off) I thought ‘here we go,’ but I had all faith in ‘Red’ (Howell); he’s only 17 years old and he did brilliantly.
"I thought it was a goal (Pivato’s chance) but we held on and in the end it just goes to show you that sometimes when you’ve got backs against the wall and you’ve got kids with ticker – that’s what it’s all about."
Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 1 (Toufic Alameddine 48′)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Christopher Hatfield 8′, Nikola Todoroski 20′)
Sunday 21st April, 2013

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Ben Abraham
Assistant Referees: Mitch Clark and Thomas Lee
Rockdale City Suns: 24.Aaron Liddell, 34.Toufic Alameddine (30.Sotiri Kagaras 59′), 26.Michael Cimino (37.Tony Lo 75′), 36.Keifer Dotti, 35.Husein Jasli, 32.Themba Muata-Marlow, 28.Bruno Pivato, 45.Michael Toscano, 27.Idriss El Hafiane, 25.Tom Gollins, 29.Giorgio Speranza (33.Prince Gyamfi 86′)
Substitutes Not Used: 31.Vincent Giannini, 38.Paul Ragonese
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Michael Toscano 79′
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 22.Vincent Veneri (25.Liam Gobbo 33′), 46.Cameron Clifford, 43.Harrison Feller, 44.David Han, 39.Christopher Hatfield, 42.Nineb Homeh, 49.Kagisho Pitso (35.Andrew Neophytou 63′), 48.Damian Smith, 12.Nikola Todoroski (51.Aleksandar Todorovic 84′), 45.Marko Miljkovic, 3.Masa Tanaka (36.Thomas Howell 52′)
Substitutes Not Used: 38.Jacob Giovenco
Yellow Cards: Christopher Hatfield 52′
Red Cards: Liam Gobbo 52′
ROUND 6 REVIEW
SATURDAY
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0-1 Marconi Stallions, at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers’s unbeaten record came to an end as they were beaten 1-0 at home on Saturday night.
Marconi were good value for their win and the only goal of the game was scored by Jake McGing.
Manly United 6-0 South Coast Wolves, at Cromer Park
Manly United’s season kicked into gear, as they scored their first win of the season.
It wasn’t any ordinary victory though, as they put six goals past South Coast Wolves. Jack Green scored a double, whilst Tom Morrisey, Grant Brown, Rhys Williams and Dom Ferguson helped themselves to goals as well.
Luke Boersma and Josh Bingham were sent off for Wolves, who finished the game with nine men.
Blacktown Spartans 1-2 Sydney Olympic FC, at Blacktown Football Park
Sydney Olympic FC scored their second consecutive win of the season, thanks to a double from James Demetriou.
Demetriou’s goal put Olympic in front, before a penalty from Mitchell Osman drew Spartans level. Demetriou’s second just two minutes later proved to be the winner.
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs Sydney United 58 FC and Blacktown City FC vs Sutherland Sharks were postponed on Saturday evening, due to inclement weather.

– By Matthew Connellan