IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 19 Review

Sydney United 58 FC further impressed with another fine victory this weekend, this time adding the scalp of Blacktown City FC.
The win sees Mark Rudan’s side close the gap on Sutherland Sharks after the side went down to a very impressive Marconi Stallions, meanwhile Bonnyrigg White Eagles returned to winning ways against the Wolves.
At the bottom end of the table, Central Coast Mariners Academy moved from the foot with a 2-1 win over Blacktown Spartans. APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, who snatched a last-ditch point at Manly United FC now occupy bottom-spot with a nervy few weeks to come for each of the teams battling relegation.
Sydney United 58 FC 4 Blacktown City FC 1
Sydney United 58 FC continued its marvellous run of form with a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Blacktown City FC.
It was the visitors that started the match so very positively, though the Reds ran riot in the second period.
Ryuji Miyazawa opened the scoring with a tremendous goal on 29’ minutes. Following a swift counterattack by the visitors, Miyazawa cleverly turned inside the penalty-area before curling a left-foot effort past Liam Reddy for the opening goal.
In-form midfielder, Glen Trifiro drew the Reds level 2’ minutes later with yet another fine finish. The classy midfielder drilled a powerful effort on goal, leaving goalkeeper Brody Crane helpless in the process.
Disaster for the Reds when Chris Triantis was stretchered off the pitch after a collision in the middle of the park – our thoughts are with the midfielder and we do wish him a speedy recovery – as Mark Rudan threw on Luka Glavas.
The talismanic striker, still returning to full fitness following a long layoff due to injury, had the Reds ahead on 52’ minutes, tapping home from close-range following some swift ball movement from the home side.
Glavas had his second 14’ minutes later when he rose highest to head home from a corner to give his side some breathing room.
The romp was complete on 89’ minutes as Glavas claimed his hat-trick with another well-taken header. The result sees the Reds firmly holding third-spot, though with a match still in hand, the side could mathematically be ahead of second-placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Sutherland Sharks 2 Marconi Stallions 3
A highly entertaining encounter at Seymour Shaw saw Marconi Stallions return home with all three-points after twice coming from behind to defeat the Sharks.
Sutherland hit the lead midway through the opening half via the head of Perry Moustakas who sent his glancing header, from a Panni Nikas corner on the left, past James Chronopoulos.
The Stallions response was instant, and Jean-Paul De Marigny’s men levelled proceedings with Milorad Simonovic driving an effort from 25-metres into the back of the net.
Nikas and Moustakas combined again, this time from a free-kick, for the defender to head home his second of the night, though again Marconi drew level before the break, this time with Tadgh Purcell drilling a low, diagonal effort past Nathan Denham.
The Stallions very nearly took the lead before the break with some clear-cut scoring chances, something they did manage to do after the interval. Purcell won the Stallions a penalty and he confidently drilled home the ball to put the Stallions ahead.
Sutherland had a glamorous chance to clinch a share of the spoils when Nikas won his side a penalty. The Sharks number 23 stepped up to the spot though blasted his attempt well-over the crossbar.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 South Coast Wolves 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles returned to winning ways with a 1-0 defeat of South Coast Wolves on Saturday evening.
The side, low on confidence after some poor results, totally dominated proceedings, though failed to convert more than one of the many chances created over the 90’ minutes.
In the end, the ever reliable Robbie Younis proved the difference with a 69’ minute goal. Younis found himself at the back post to divert home from Aleksander Canak’s centre, much to the relief of the home supporters.
The win is certainly important for the side, as it prepares for next weekend’s trip to perennial rival, Sydney United 58 FC.
Manly United FC 2 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers left it very late, though the side salvaged a point to keep its fight against relegation alive.
Manly United FC totally dominated the opening half, and deservedly the side went into the break two goals up. Scott Balderson netted the first on 20’ minutes, coolly slotting past Andrew Bazi after being sent through one-on-one on goal.
2’ minutes later, Michael West fouled Colin Iley inside the penalty-area and Matt Sim converted from the spot to add some breathing room.
The Tigers were a totally different outfit in the second-half and the team from Leichhardt set-out to salvage not only the match, but the entire season.
Aaron Clapham drilled a sweetly hit attempt into the back of the net on 73’ minutes to pull a goal back before Jason Oswell and Franco Parisi both went close to finding an equaliser.
In injury-time, Stephen Kayes’ fine centre into the penalty-area picked out David D’Apuzzo who, from six-yards, made no mistake to ensure the Tigers took a point home from the trip north.
Rockdale City Suns 0 Sydney Olympic 0
At Ilinden Sports Centre, the Suns and Blues battled against a very bumpy surface with neither side capable of finding a break through. The final 0-0 result does little for both sides in their respective bids for finals football, with the Suns one-point behind fifth-placed Blacktown City FC.
Richard Cardozo and Paul Kohler combined for the former to get a flicked attempt on goal midway through the opening half, though there was no way past Paul Henderson. Likewise at the other end, a Luke Grima attempt was well parried by Diego Barcena.
Paul Reid went closest in the second period for the Suns, though there would be no goals for either side on the day.
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2 Blacktown Spartans 1
Central Coast Mariners Academy scored its second home win of the season, defeating Blacktown Spartans to move off the foot of the table.
A swift counterattacking move following a Spartans corner midway through the first-half saw Bradley McDonald open the scoring.
Despite the Spartans best efforts, it was the Mariners Academy that doubled its lead following a scramble inside the penalty-area.
Blacktown Spartans re-opened the contest via Corey Biczo with a fabulous finish. Late-on, the Spartans had chances to net an equaliser, though it was not to be as Tyson Rhodes’ lunging effort finished wide of goal.
-By Joseph Carlucci