IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Grade 20s Round 4 Review
Round 4 of the Grade 20s competition saw Sutherland Sharks FC and Marconi Stallions FC battle it out at Seymour Shaw Park in what was the highlight Match of the Round so far in the season.
The weekend also saw another convincing win for Blacktown City FC who have gone from strength to strength so far in the season, while South Coast Wolves also claimed a big win.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Sutherland Sharks 2-2 Marconi Stallions, at Seymour Shaw Park
Marconi Stallions were 2-0 up away against Sutherland Sharks at the end of the first half.
But the league leaders bounced back to score two goals and take a share of the points in what was a riveting and fast paced 90′ minutes at Seymour Shaw Park.
The first half was a battle of two evenly matched sides, with both having chances on goal.
It was poor mistakes by the home side that gave Marconi the lead, as they went ahead in the 11′ minute.
Harry Brown made a run from the left towards goal, rounding Sutherland keeper Andrew Depta and slotting home the opening goal.
It was another defensive error by Sutherland that saw Marconi double their lead in the 26’ minute.
Brown crossed the ball from the right, and when Depta failed to hold on, the perfectly positioned Jack Fulton drilled the ball into an empty net.
Sutherland Sharks best opportunity came two minutes before half time.
Lachlan Hughes created a run up the centre passing off to Nikola Todoroski who took a shot on goal, but it was an easy save for Marconi’s goalkeeper, Alex Frost.
A run up the left wing by Fulton followed by a clever cross to Noah Chianese who shot at goal first time, was another opportunity for the visiting side to further their lead just before half time, but the ball was sent wide of the post.
The second half showed renewed vigour for the Sutherland Sharks, as they created more attacking opportunities, putting Marconi on the back foot.
The very nature of the second half showing just why a two-nil lead is the most dangerous score in football.
A penalty from the visiting side in the 59’ minute, got Sutherland onto the scoreboard and back into the match.
Todoroski took the penalty, beating an outstretched Frost, with the ball finding the bottom left corner.
To the excitement of the home fans, Sutherland managed to grab the all-important second goal, rubbing out Marconi’s half time lead.
Substitute Cameron Belle raced onto a long pass from Todoroski and scored with a composed finish into the left corner of the goal.
The opportunities for Sutherland Sharks continued and they almost claimed their third goal in the 77’.
Jordan Roberts took a shot from outside the box on the right, but it hit the cross bar, much to the disappointment of the home side supporters.
In the final ten minutes Marconi turned the pressure up and the match was once again up for grabs.
Despite this, both teams failed to take advantage of any last minute opportunities and the spoils were shared.
Sutherland Sharks FC coach, Giancarlo Masiano was proud of his team in claiming a draw after being 2-0 down.
"We made two mistakes, which led to those two goals in the first half," he said.
"But we bounced back, we made good subs and had a lot of fight in the second.
"It looked as if we could win, but credit to them, they bounced back too."
Marconi Stallions FC coach Pat Marando was disappointed to lose their half time lead, but believes his team are making good progress.
"We should’ve had a few more goals in the first half," he said.
"We’re starting to show signs of coming together as a team. I think the first half was the best they’ve played so far in the season."
Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (Nikola Todoroski 62’, Cameron Belle 69’)
Marconi Stallions FC 2 (Harry Brown 11’, Jack Fulton 26’)
Saturday 5th April, 2014
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Referee: Karl Davies
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Clark and Thomas Lee
Sutherland Sharks FC: 22.Andrew Depta; 27.Richard Blanco, 38.Jeremy Cox, 29.Mitchell Farmer, 34.Vincent Giannini, 32.Jordan Hughes, 35.Lachlan Hughes (30.Spiridion Kakavelis 52’), 18.Jayden Koulizakis, 36.Christopher McStay (33.Cameron Belle 65’), 17.Jordan Roberts, 39.Nikola Todoroski (41.Kostandinos Nikas 76’)
Subs not used: 44.Marco Petrovski, 26. Jarrod Benham
Yellow Cards: Mitchell Farmer 88’, Jordan Roberts 75’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions FC: 40.Alex Frost; 38.Bruno Antelmi, 39.Noah Chianese, 27.Nicolas Colantonio (32.Anthony Francl), 17.Steven Drewery, 34.Claudio Fabiano, 30.Jack Fulton, 8.Lochlan Reus, 11.Jakob Williams, 5.Brenton Rhodes, 12.Harrison Brown (36.Callum Fitzpatrick) (31.Raimond Coletta)
Subs not used: 35.Spiro Aporis, 1.Alex Bandiera
Yellow Cards: Steven Drewery 60’, Lachlan Reus 82’
Red Cards: Nil
ROUND FOUR REVIEW
SATURDAY
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2-0 Blacktown Spartans FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC defeated Blacktown Spartans FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre.
Steven Ilic and Dolor Edoswan scored for the home side.
SUNDAY
Rockdale City Suns FC 0-3 South Coast Wolves at Ilinden Sports Centre
South Coast Wolves beat Rockdale City on Sunday afternoon.
Jordan Murray was in top form, scoring all three goals for the home side as they ran away with the three points.
Blacktown City FC 5-0 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC at Lilys Football Centre
Blacktown City FC thrashed APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 5-0 in their first home game for the season at the new Lilys Football Centre.
Joel Hardwick scored two and Eoin Montford, Nicola Kulevski and Giuseppe Camera each scored for the home side, who were rampant against a hapless APIA.
Sydney United 58 FC 1-0 Manly United FC at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 FC defeated Manly United FC 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The deadly Mark Cindric scored the only goal of the game.
Sydney Olympic FC 1-1 St George FC at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC played out a draw with St George FC in the closing match for Round 4.
Mark Risoski scored the penalty for St George.
Sydney Olympic had countless opportunities on goal, but were unable to follow it through with James Andrew scoring the only goal for the home side.
– By Anneliese Scenna
