IGA NPLNSW Grade 20s Round 16 Review

APIA Leichhardt Tigers proved their potential with a resounding 3-0 win over Sydney United 58 FC in the Match of the Round.
Sutherland Sharks, Rockdale City Suns and South Coast Wolves also prevailed on a weekend that saw two matches washed out.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Sydney United 58 FC 0-3 APIA Leichhardt Tigers, at Sydney United Sports Centre
Emmanuel Shewan’s stunning opening goal was the highlight of APIA Leichhardt Tigers’s outstanding 3-0 win over Sydney United 58 FC.
There was just 7′ minutes left in the first half when Shewan broke the deadlock with his incredible volley and Micevski’s tap-in 15′ minutes from time was the icing on the cake.
A corner from the right was cleared off the line and when it fell to Shewan at the back post, he unleashed an unstoppable first time volley in off the crossbar and far post.
It was wonder-goal and it was evidence of Shewan’s new found penchant for being the hero, having saved a penalty as an emergency goalkeeper earlier this season.
In the second half, half-time substitute Marko Micevski tapped in after a poor piece of handling from Sydney United 58 goalkeeper, Jordan Jennings, before a rasping left foo volley from Daniel Vellonio saw APIA wrap up the three points.
Both sides fielded experience between the sticks, with Jennings playing in goal for Sydney United 58 FC and Simon Jaeger appearing for APIA. There was also an appearance for Mirijan Pavlovic up front and his profligacy also cost Sydney United 58 dearly.
Pavlovic’s know-how was evident and the first genuine opportunity of the game fell to his feet. A superb slide rule ball from Drazen Vucer put Pavlovic through one-on-one with Jaeger but Pavlovic’s finish lacked authority and Jaeger was able to block easily.
Pavlovic was the focal point of Sydney United 58’s attacks and in the 26′ minute he had another opportunity when David Semialjac found him with a cross from the right, but Pavlovic’s header lacked accuracy.
They were two chances that Sydney United 58 would be left to rue.
The first half was a good contest and both sides were up to the challenge, pressing high and forcing some loose periods of possession.
Both Ante Moric and Rod Williams spent the majority of the match prowling their respective technical areas.
The constant off the ball pressure in some niggling fouls that disrupted the flow of the game and Shewan and Nedim Basic both saw yellow in the opening 45′ minutes.
Aside from Shewan’s goal, there was a moment of magic from Ali Nasreddine that lit up the opening stanza. Nasreddine was set free on the left by Shewan and his jinking run beat four defenders, but his cross through the six yard box was just inches from being tapped in by Alan Kovacevic.
Micevski was introduced for Kovacevic at half time and what followed was a superb second half from APIA.
There was an early warning shot when Clayton Musumeci’s fierce drive was tipped over by Jennings in the 47′ minute and from that point onwards, it was all about the Tigers, save for one opportunity for Pavlovic again.
Jaeger showed good athleticism to prevent a cross looping in at the near post and when the ball fell loose to Pavlovic, he spooned over a very presentable opportunity.
Josh Basara came on for the excellent Matthew Castelnuovo and he had an immediate impact.
Basara’s cross from the left lured Jennings from his line, but the Sydney United 58 ‘keeper made a meal of his catch and the ball spilled straight to Micevski, who made no mistake, finishing easily.
Sydney United 58 were shattered and they had no response, as APIA made great use of the confidence that their performance had given them and there was no greater evidence of that than Vellonio’s 83’ minute goal.
A corner was headed away but Vellonio, running in from right-back, lashed a cracking volley with his left foot that flew through a crowd of players to find the bottom corner.
This result confirms APIA’s presence as the real deal at the top end of the competition, but it leaves plenty of questions that need answering for Sydney United 58 FC.
APIA Leichhardt coach Rod Williams was happy with the performance of his charges.
"It was a very good win," Williams said.
"We thought we could get the three points.
"Mirjan Pavlovic got in behind a few times in the first half but apart from that, I thought we were good.
"We made a change at half time that completely changed the game.
"We were good value," William said.
The APIA coach also paid tribute to his assistant, George Sidis.
"I couldn’t do it without him," Williams said.
"He takes a few sessions and he’s fantastic. The boys love him.
"He’s from APIA and he does an amazing job and I’d like to pay tribute to that," Williams concluded.
Sydney United 58 coach Ante Moric was disappointed with the outcome.
"We started well and I thought we’d dominate the game," Moric said.
"We’re in a bit of a rough patch at the moment.
"Only hard work will change everything, but congratulations to APIA, their win was well deserved," Moric concluded.
Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC 0

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 (Emmanuel Shewan 37′, Marko Micevski 75′, Daniel Vellonio 83′)
Sunday 30th June, 2013

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Matt Wright
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Craig Fisher
Sydney United 58 FC: 40.Jordan Jennings, 12.Tomislav Herceg, 13.David Stojic, 21.Theo Kofinas (33.Stephen Vukovic 60′), 24.Isaac Savor, 27.Marko Vukovic (37.Stefan Sacilotto 90′), 28.Nedim Basic, 30.David Semialjac (C), 34.Drazen Vucer (32.Chris Denkov 68′), 35.Lawrence Hanna, 36.Mirijan Pavlovic (25.Michajlo Jonjic 60′)
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Marko Bozic (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nedim Basic 44′, Theo Kofinas 52′, Michajlo Jonjic 75′
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Simon Jaeger, 17.Clayton Musumeci (29.Andreas Kartsioulis 84′), 20.Joshua Symons (37.David Chung 81′), 23.Emmanuel Shewan, 24.Paul Galimi, 26.Ali Nasreddine, 28.Sam Cornish (C), 31.Matthew Castelnuovo (42.Josh Basara 68′), 32.Blade Richards, 36.Daniel Vellonio (9.Matthew Cook 88′), 41.Alan Kovacevic (35.Marko Micevski 46′)
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: Emmanuel Shewan 24′, Joshua Symons 47′
Red Cards: Nil
ROUND 16 REVIEW
SATURDAY
Sutherland Sharks 2-1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at Seymour Shaw Park
Sutherland Sharks beat Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2-1 on Saturday evening at Seymour Shaw Park.
Nikola Todoroski gave Bonnyrigg the lead, but Stevan Ilic and Jordan Roberts hit back for the home side, who took all three points.
Blacktown Spartans 0-3 South Coast Wolves, at Blacktown Football Park
South Coast Wolves upset Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park, a result that could send Wolves right up the table.
Joshua Bingham scored twice and John Martanoski scored as Wolves ran riot against an insipid Spartans.
SUNDAY
Manly United FC 0-3 Rockdale City Suns, at Cromer Park
Manly United didn’t show their best form on Sunday afternoon, going down 3-0 at home to top of the table Rockdale City Suns.
New signing Nikola Taneski scored a double, whilst Tom Gollins also scored for the Suns.
– By Matthew Connellan