State League 1 – Round 22 Review
Northbridge FC – 2013 State League One Premiership winners
What a final day of football in the 2013 State League One competition, with Northbridge taking advantage of Dully’s slip up at Bensons Lane to snatch the Premiership via a last gasp injury time winner at Gladesville.
Elsewhere, Hakoah Sydney City East and Granville Rage both consolidated their semi final positions with comfortable home victories over Nepean and Camden respectively, Inter Lions jumped to 8th spot with a win over Prospect at Concord Oval, whilst WNSW Mariners avoided the dreaded wooden spoon courtesy of their 3-1 triumph over Balmain Tigers.
Our focus this week was at Magdala Park where both Gladesville Ryde Magic and Northbridge had plenty to play for, the attention also spreading across the State as all Round 22 and final matches of the season were being played simultaneously.
Gladesville Ryde Magic – Northbridge FC 2-3
Northbridge FC scored an injury time winner at Magdala Park against Gladesville Ryde Magic to hurdle previous league leaders, Dulwich Hill, and snatch the 2013 State League One Premiership in a remarkable final day of the season.
A warm and sunny afternoon greeted both teams to Magdala Park, the match crucial for the home side who were in need of a win foremost, and then hoping for two other results in other games to go their way in a bid to sneak into the semi-finals and extend their season by at least one more week.
The visitors, similarly, needed a win and prayed for results in two other games to go against both Dulwich Hill and Balmain FC in a bid to snatch the ultimate Premiership prize on the last day of the season proper.
As the results of other games filtered through, coach Joe Hayward made some telling late tactical changes to give Northbridge added direction, and his charges delivered the knockout blow and win the title.
However, it was Gladesville that started the better in the opening minutes with captain Johnny Martinez forcing Northbridge keeper, Sean Mulhern, to touch a dipping free kick over the bar after Majid Eslami was fouled during a twisting run into the penalty box.
Magic were at it again in the 9th minute with striker, Mitchell Smith, racing through the defence and squeezing off a shot from 8 metres that Mulhern just managed to push around the near post.
For their part Northbridge were looking to utilize the undoubted abilities of their target man up front, Tom Bentham, with balls to feet and support options in the form of hard-working Ry Hardy, Michael Cole and Paul Orgad. It took until the 25th minute for Northbridge to expose the Gladesville defence and it took an incisive through ball from Bentham in midfield to release Hardy down the left channel. The speedy winger expertly rounded his defender but blasted his shot well over the bar from 8 metres much to the dismay of the travelling fans.
However, it was only minutes later that Northbridge struck their first goal of the afternoon when energetic fullback, Lee Jones, ripped in a curling cross to a crowded penalty area. Michael Cole got the slightest of touches with his head on the near post and the ball flew into the 6-yard box where a charging Bentham side-footed the ball into the net, 1-0 Northbridge.
Neither side were able to create any further opportunities in the first half, and referee, the experienced Tom Diakos, blew for drinks right on cue as scores started to come in front around the grounds.
Both sides started the second half with purpose on the ball and passion in the tackle. Courage and desperation was on show for all to see in the 56th minute when Northbridge’s Lee Jones hit a piledriver of a shot from 35 metres that Gladesville captain Johnny Martinez blocked with his head on the edge of the penalty area. The ball flew into touch as Martinez received attention from the medic and applause for his bravery from the assembled crowd.
Later in the half Sean Mulhern, the Northbridge keeper, also required attention for a head wound after colliding with the upright as he desperately dove backwards to clear the ball after a dangerous cross.
Jones was in the thick of the action again in the 60th minute when he beat his man out wide during a customary overlapping run, delivering the ball to the feet of Bentham in the 6-yard box. The big striker turned his marker and tapped the ball goal bound but was denied by the feet of Gladesville keeper Kiriakos Tohouroglo as he spread himself to divert the ball to safety.
Opportunities were traded equally in the ensuing minutes with Gladesville looking almost certain to score in the 65th minute when Smith and Yavuz Ekinci combined to set Eslami through on goal. The elusive striker lobbed the ball past an outstretched Mulhern only to see it cleared off the line by the retreating defence.
Northbridge were next to threaten on 67 minutes when Jones pushed a curling free kick beyond the wall and the goal from the edge of the area after Hardy had been fouled on the edge of the box.
Magic almost stole an equaliser shortly afterwards, when some casual passing in defence by Northbridge saw substitute Peter Yannopolous intercept the ball just 12 metres from goal. The young striker moved at pace toward goal but keeper Mulhern did well to close the space and get down low to block the eventual shot.
Gladesville eventually levelled the scores in the 69th minute when Cameron Newton launched a tantalizing freekick from the right side of the Northbridge penalty area that beat everyone except Eslami who charged in from the far post to bundle the ball over the line from 2 metres. Northbridge were stunned but were not about to let this game slip from their grasp.
From the kick-off and without Gladesville touching the ball a series of quick one-two’s released captain Ricky Woodward on the edge of the area. The hard-working midfielder calmly rounded an on-rushing Tohouroglou to regain the lead for his team with a side foot into the empty net.
As legs became tired and challenges more desperate chances at both ends fired up the assembled crowd over the last 10 minutes. Firstly Ekinci launched a teasing cross that bounced off the far upright in the 80th minute, whilst almost immediately, Hardy for Northbridge at the other end sped into the box, drew the cover defence before squaring the ball to an unmarked Bentham who mishit his first time, left foot effort, allowing Tohouroglou to nullify the opportunity.
Gladesville’s Yannopolous had been creating some havoc for the Northbridge defence since coming on as substitute. In the 87th minute Smith released him down the right channel where he sped into the box, drilling a low hard shot across the face of goal that beat Mulhern before hitting the inside of the far post and re-bounding into play.
However, it was in the 90th minute that Gladesville would eventually conjure another equalizer for the match. Northbridge’s substitute Mitchell Lensink caused an unnecessary and hotly disputed foul on the edge of the box that allowed Ekinci to launch another freekick towards the Northbridge goal. The flight of the ball deceived all players before hitting the inside of the post, rebounding across the goal line and being hammered home by Eslami.
In the dying minutes it was Gladesville who threw caution to the wind as they were determined to finish the season on a high. Pushing forward at a tired Northbridge defence it was Gladesville’s Smith who closed in on goal and drove from 12 metres. Northbridge were glad to have a keeper of Mulhern’s quality when it counts and the custodian managed to launch himself at full stretch to push the ball away to safety and deny Smith a possible winner.
However, Northbridge were not to denied, and with whispers of a possible Premiership title within reach as scores filtered through from other grounds, it was that man Lensink who emerged as a saviour for his club. Three minutes earlier it was Lensink who had fouled to give Gladesville the opportunity to equalize. Villain one minute, hero the next, as now, in the 93rd minute, he was released down the rightside channel where he sped into the box and slammed a drive from 9 metres into the net, delivering a Premiership title to his club in the process.
For the home side, Gladesville Ryde Magic relinquish their 2012 title with their heads held high. A poor start by their own standards, Magic recovered to slowly climb the ladder, point by point, rung by rung, where they kept the top five honest by still being in with a chance for finals football until the final moments of the final day of the season.
Northbridge FC can duly celebrate, having themselves recovered from an average start to 2013, turning their season around with some committed displays as they arm wrestled for the Premiership over the final weeks with both Dulwich Hill and Balmain.
Hats off to Joe Hayward and his merry men from Northbridge, they take out the first piece of silverware in State League One, and now have the first week of the finals to put their feet up and rest as the top five commence their assault on the Grand Final trophy.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ryde Magic 2 (Eslami 69’ , 85’)
Northbridge FC 3 (Bentham 31’ , Woodward 70’ , Lensink 88’)
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Magdala Park, North Ryde
Referee: Mr T Diakos
Assistant Referees: Mr T Goodhew and Mr R Klein
Gladesville Ryde Magic : 33.Kiriakos Tohouroglou, 6.Alaa Ali Khan (15.Peter Yannopoulos), 7.Majid Eslami, 13.Benjamin Kerr, 4.Aaron Khan, 8.Johnny Martinez (capt), 12.Cameron Newton, 11.Mitchell Smith, 3.Stephen Speirs, 9.Scott Tonkin (10.Yavuz Ekinci), 5.Timothy Woodhouse.
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Andrew Guirgis, 2.Thierry Huet,
Yellow Cards: 3.Stephen Speirs 53’.
Red Cards: Nil
Northbridge FC : 99.Sean Mulhern, 4.Kevin Baker, 16.Thomas Bentham, 8.Michael Cole, 14.James Collins(13.Jay Wynter), 3.Sean Eardley, 31.Jack Grant, 9.Ry Hardy (22.Keiran Hall), 36.Lee Jones, 23.Paul Orgad, 6.Ricky Woodward (capt) (10.Mitchell Lensink).
Substitutes Not Used: 24.Andrew McGrouther, 19.Phillip Myall.
Yellow Cards: 9.Ry Hardy 65’, 6.Ricky Woodward 75’, 36.Lee Jones 85’.
Red Cards: Nil
Round Twenty Two Review
Hawkesbury City – Dulwich Hill SC 4-0
Dulwich Hill let the 2013 Premiership trophy slip from their grasp at Bensons Lane on Sunday afternoon, eventually succumbing 0-4 to a rampant Hawkesbury City.
Sitting top of the league ladder going into the final round, Dully only have themselves to blame for missing the opportunity to claim the title, with Northbridge FC hurdling them into first spot given their win at Magdala Park.
The warning signs were there for all to read in my Previews over the past few weeks, with all the big guns back for the Hawks, and Dean Bertenshaw’s men were true to form by incredibly knocking over both league leaders in the last two weeks of the competition proper, scoring no less than ten goals in the process.
A scoreless first half was soon forgotten when Ethan Simone claimed the opening goal early after the break, his floated chip towards the back post eluding everyone and finding the net.
Jonathon Mccrea grabbed a brace, and Prasheel Sharma chimed in with a goal of his own to give the Hawks a brilliant last day triumph, but alas for them, both Granville and Hakoah – above them on the ladder – won their final day matches to keep Hawkesbury agonisingly just outside the top five.
Inconsistency on the back of injuries meant Hawkesbury will be watching the finals in 2013, much to the relief no doubt of the top five teams, but it gives the men from Bensons Lane plenty to work with as they prepare for another assault next season, whilst Dully look forward to a semi final showdown next week against Balmain.
Western NSW Mariners – Balmain Tigers 3-1
In their debut season in senior football, the Western NSW Mariners have avoided the wooden spoon with a last day victory over the Balmain Tigers at Glen Willow Stadium.
Back to back wins in the final two weeks have seen the Mariners climb to 19 points, finishing in 11th spot and one point ahead of last placed Camden Tigers.
Following a fairly even opening 25 minutes, the game came alive when Balmain were awarded a penalty. The league’s top marksman, Rosario Occhipinti, struck the spot kick well, but young Mariners keeper, Nick Barber, parried the effort to keep the match scoreless.
Great build up work by James Christie saw Stuart Bromley open proceedings on the hour, but knowing that Dulwich Hill were losing at Hawkesbury, Balmain poured bodies forward and equalised with 15 minutes remaining through Occhipinti.
The visitors kept at it but were caught on the break, Adam Scimone netting after a great square ball by Nick Rutherford, before Stuart Bromley did likewise with five minutes remaining, completing a pleasing win for the home side.
The Tigers have finished the season with two consecutive losses, but retained third spot on the ladder, and will now regroup and look forward to semi final football next weekend.
Andrew Fearnley must be congratulated for his season in charge of the Mariners, overcoming a wealth of hurdles to finish off the bottom, and unearthing some promising footballers in the process.
Inter Lions – Prospect United 2-1
To imagine Inter Lions were at one stage propping up the State League One ladder is surprising given what has transpired over the past couple of months.
Five victories in their last seven matches has seen the Lions snatch 8th spot on the ladder, a quite remarkable turnaround culminating in their final day 2-1 triumph over a luckless Prospect United.
Burly central striker, Kachi Enyi, was Inter’s chief destroyer, netting a brace to take his tally to 13 goals for the campaign. Enyi joined the club as a central defender, but Inter coach Matteo Maiorana saw his potential in the front third, tweaking his game to great effect as Enyi ended up as the second highest scorer in the league.
Enyi opened the scoring for Inter at Concord Oval on 28 minutes, and it stayed at 1-0 until Ben Lam restored parity in the 73rd minute for Prospect.
But Inter were determined to win their third match back to back, and Enyi grabbed the winner on 78 minutes to give the home fans a delightful finish to the season.
The loss sees Prospect remain on 24 points and disappointingly drop to 10th spot on the ladder, whilst Inter Lions could be well proud of a resurrection of sorts, seeing the Inner West club end up on 26 points in 8th spot, with plenty to work with in preparation for the 2014 season.
Granville Rage – Camden Tigers 4-1
Granville Rage survived the sending off of their captain, Dave Harding, to record a 4-1 victory over Camden Tigers at Garside Park on Sunday afternoon, confirming their 5th spot on the ladder and semi final football in the process.
It was Camden who actually opened the scoring early on through Daniel King, but Kushaba Kushaba equalised for the Rage prior to the break.
Kushaba grabbed his and his side’s second after half time, before a header from Manut Yel extended the lead to 3-1 for Granville.
Moments later the referee deemed Harding to have committed foul play after the Rage skipper became involved in an untidy tangle, but the Rage didn’t let up, with Daniel Martinez netting late on to finish off proceedings.
Granville will now proceed to next week’s Elimination semi final having consolidated 5th position on the ladder, whilst Camden Tigers pick up the wooden spoon given WNSW Mariners victory and subsequent three points in Mudgee.
Hakoah Sydney City East – Nepean 3-0
Hakoah Sydney City East overcame Nepean at Hensley Athletic Field to consolidate fourth position on the competition ladder, and with that, they can look forward to semi final football in the process.
Early on, however, it was Nepean who had a great chance to score when Jason Browne fired over after a great run and cross by overlapping defender, Nikola Pozder.
The opening goal came just before the break, with a free kick rebounding to the feet of Michael Katz, and he duly opened Hakoah’s account with a volley from the edge of the box.
Even though Deklan Gilmartin was red carded for foul play, Hakoah struck again through Mark McAlpine, his shot from outside the box finding its way into the net, before McAlpine grabbed his brace with another well struck effort from 8 yards.
Despite the efforts of Terry Pannowitz and Nathaniel Harnett, Nepean couldn’t trouble the scoreboard, the loss seeing them remain on 26 points but dropping to 9th on the ladder, whilst Hakoah’s season continues on for another week at the very least.
