Round 6 Review: SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2
Mounties Wanderers have leapt back to the top of the Men’s 2 competition with a resounding 3-1 win over previous leaders Northern Tigers. Sydney University take their first victory of the season and draw specialists Bankstown Berries share the points for the fifth time this year.
Mounties Wanderers v Northern Tigers
The kudos in the big one went the way of the Mounties after a strong 3-1 win over Northern Tigers sent the Wanderers back to the top of the table.
After a start which saw the home side go two up after a quarter of an hour, the Mounties looked the goods and it will take a very tough side to bring them undone. With a squad strengthened preseason with the likes of David Gardner, Daniel Severino and the impressive right back Alvin Singh, the Mounties are going to be a tough nut to crack, especially at Cook Park.
The Tigers looked somewhat shellshocked after going 2-0 down so early. They were 1-0 down after just five minutes when Scott Goodwin rose highest to head home a deep freekick, lobbed high into the area. The Mounties had certainly started the brightest, Greg Baldock having a good chance even earlier.
Baldock made amends though just after the quarter hour, a great goal from out wide deceiving Stuart Page. The Tigers could scarcely believe that they were two down so early but it could have even have been worse after Daniel Willoughby flashed a shot just past the upright after nineteen minutes.
The Mounties were on fire with Willoughby and Singh making regular forays down the right, causing plenty of concern, their pace and speed on the break opening up Northern Tigers. The Tigers, by comparison, struggled to make headway against the tight Mounties defence, the final ball lacking.
But when Liam McConaghy did have a chance, he certainly made it count. The goal was started and finished by McConaghy whose pass to Peter Hubbard found him in space on the right and a low cross into the box fell back to the striker, who turned well and shot low into the corner. With the deficit brought back to just the one, the Tigers then started to play as they can, the goal the lift they needed. The best part of the half for the Tigers was the final ten minutes and it was almost brought back to parity when Matt Collins shot just across the face of goal from a tight angle.
Just after the break, there was an even better chance for the Tigers, only a brilliant save by Ali Akbal, diving low to palm away a Brendan Salameh header, keeping the Mounties in front. That looked likely to be 2-2 and it was probably the Tigers’ best chance. McConaghy’s departure from the field early in the second half only added to the visitor’s injury woes, although it did give Stefan de Jesus the chance to make his reappearance after injury. Maybe earlier than expected but his influence looked to bring the Tigers back into it.
However, it was at the other end where the clearest chances were had. Eli Squillacioti had the best of them, but just failed to nail them, and a Goodwin header bounced over the bar. Singh made a charge upfield, working well with Mark Symington but shot wide, the run probably deserving more.
Finally, with three minutes to go, the win was sealed. Good teamwork down the right again, saw Klime Sekutkoski receive the low cross, and looked likely to score before the ball fell to the unmarked Daniel McCann who knocked in from close range.
The win moves Mounties back into first with a game in hand. Interesting times indeed.
Mounties Wanderers 3 (Scott Goodwin 5’, Greg Baldock 16’, Daniel McCann 87’) v Northern Tigers 1 (Liam McConaghy 36’)
Saturday 27 April 2013
at Cook Park, Mount Pritchard
Referee: Scott Edeling
Assts: John Lalic and Tristan Harris
Mounties Wanderers: 22. Ali Akbal 25. Alvin Singh 16. Scott Goodwin 18. Mark D’Alessandro 29. Jake Ingle 10. Daniel Willoughby 17. Daniel McCann 27. Daniel Severino (9. Matt Vieira 85’) 8. David Gardner 2. Eli Squillacioti (23. Klime Sekutkoski 72’) 4. Greg Baldock (14. Mark Symington 65’).
Subs not used: Rgk Gareth Jamieson 5. Peter Day.
Yellow cards: Daniel Willoughby, Klime Sekutkoski.
Coaches: Aiden Desmond/Glen Lockhart.
Northern Tigers: 1. Stuart Page 17. Peter Hubbard 4. Michael Rolston 2. Travis Oughtred 3. Nicholas McInerney 7. David McMurray (16. Steven Baveas 57’) 14. Brendan Salameh (8. Jordan Mbakwe 85’) 24. Tom Spencer 11. Aram Tayebi 10. Matt Collins 9. Liam McConaghy (12. Stefan de Jesus 50’).
Subs not used: 20. Jarrod Unicomb 15. Braden Cheng.
Yellow Cards: Tom Spencer.
Coach: Jason Eagar
Bankstown Berries v Hills Brumbies
A last minute goal to Nick Paras secured a point for Bankstown Berries in a 2-2 draw against Hills Brumbies, the point the fifth time this season that the Berries have shared the honours.
A goal a minute before half time from Liam McKenna gave the Berries the lead at the break but a Jeffrey Issa strike brought the Brumbies level. Hills then took the lead following smart thinking from Dragan Savic, whose quick freekick was pounced upon by Eros Bergamin, his left foot drive putting the Brumbies 2-1 in front.
But Paras’ equaliser, a boomer from outside the box, made sure that the Berries took something from the game while breaking the Brumbies hearts in the process. Hills had barely time to kick off before the referee blew for time.
Bankstown Berries 2 (Liam McKenna 44’,Nick Paras 94’) v Hills Brumbies 2 (Jeffrey Issa, Eros Bergamin)
Bankstown City v Fraser Park
There was almost a boilover at Jensen Park on Saturday after Fraser Park went two goals ahead against Bankstown City, but true to form, the Lions rallied to take a late 3-2 lead, seemingly having the game won. But a goal in the final minutes to Hassan Akil ensured that Fraser Park took at least a point, the result an impressive one for the side from Sydenham.
Carlo Musumeci had given Fraser a first half lead before Thomas Taylor doubled the score just before the hour. A famous victory looked likely but then three goals in quick succession turned the tables. Nicolo Sama brought a goal back for Bankstown before a Saso Petrovksi header drew the two teams level.
Petrovski then converted a penalty to put the Lions in front for the first time, in the 83rd minute, but Akil’s late equaliser ensured that the Lions endured their third 3-3 drew in a row, an amazingly sequence.
Bankstown City 3 (Saso Petrovski 2, 1 pen, Nicolo Sama) v Fraser Park 3 (Carlo Musumeci 35’, Thomas Taylor 55’, Hassan Akil 89’)
Macarthur Rams v Parramatta FC
Macarthur Rams left it late against Parramatta but came away with the three points thanks to Almir Dizdaric, with his second goal of the season. Dizdaric’s touch, deflecting off a Daniel Ramirez strike with just minutes to go, made amends for an earlier disallowed goal, headed home by Adam Wither just a minute before, but which was cancelled out by the linesman’s offside flag.
The win, Macarthur’s third of the season, lifts the Rams to fourth spot while the Eagles remain midtable, with just the one win to their name so far.
Macarthur Rams 1 (Almir Dizdaric) v Parramatta FC 0
Sydney University v Mount Druitt Town Rangers
Sydney University gained their first win of the season, overcoming Mount Druitt Town Rangers 3-1, to move clear of their opponents at the bottom of the ladder.
A goal in the first half put Uni in front before Christian Cevenini got on the scoresheet to draw Mount Druitt level, prior to the break.
A second to Uni, after a controversial throw in decision, caught the Rangers off guard, and despite some late efforts by the visitors, Peter Crevani was able to seal the result, netting Uni’s third in injury time.
Sydney University 3 (Peter Crevani 1) v Mount Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Christian Cevenini)
St George v Spirit FC
Spirit FC maintained their good record against St George taking away a point in a 0-0 draw at St George Stadium.
It was the first time this season that the Saints have been kept scoreless, but despite the draw, St George remain in fourth spot on the table, ahead of the Rams on goal difference, while Spirit drop to tenth.
St George 0 v Spirit FC 0
Under 20s
Northern Tigers came away from Cook Park with a valuable win thanks to Braden Cheng, who recovered from seeing his first half penalty saved, to put away the keeper’s parry.
A single goal from Reuben Agyei-Danso was also enough at Lynwood Park, as the Rams overcame Parramatta FC. There were more goals at the Crest though where the Berries and Brumbies shared four. There were also four goals shared at Hensley Field where Sydney Uni and Mount Druitt Town took a point each.
St George remained top of the table though, after an own goal and a Steve Grbevski goal helped the Saints to a 2-1 win over Spirit FC.
Results: Mounties Wanderers 0 v Northern Tigers 1, Sydney University 2 v Mount Druitt Town Rangers 2, Macarthur Rams 1 v Parramatta 0, Bankstown Berries 2 v Hills Brumbies 2, St George 2 v Spirit FC 1, Bankstown City 2 v Fraser Park 1
Top Goalscorers
8 – Saso Petrovski (Bankstown City)
5 – Juan Chavez (St George)
Liam McConaghy (Northern Tigers)
4 – Peter Crevani (Sydney University)
Sam Messam (St George)
-By Peter Rowney
