IGA NPL NSW MENS 1 Grade 20s Round 5 Review
Round five of the Grade 20s competition saw Manly United FC defeat Blacktown City FC at Cromer Park in the Match of the Round.
The weekend also saw Marconi Stallions FC and Sydney Olympic FC battle it out in a high scoring draw and APIA-Leichhardt Tigers claim their first win for the season.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
It was the home side’s second half performance and a composed header from Leigh Egger that saw Manly United FC claim victory 1-0 on their home ground, defeating Blacktown City FC.
Both sides started slowly, as the slippery and variable conditions proved to be a challenge. It wasn’t until the 22’ minute that saw Blacktown City have their first real opportunity on goal.
A brilliant long ball from keeper, Blake Tuxford received by Lewis Beumie opened up space for Blacktown City in the attacking half. A quick one two between Daniel Araujo and Beumie, saw the latter have a shot from outside the box only for it go into the hands of Manly’s keeper, Tonu Liiband.
The visiting side were unable to secure the goal opportunities they had in the first 45’ minutes.
The second half saw Manly United regroup, whilst Blacktown City FC were put under further pressure.
A header from Thomas Morrissey in the 58’ minute was an opportunity for the home side, but it was sent over the crossbar.
Blacktown City’s only other big chance came in the 53’ minute.
Substitute Jon Grozdanovski from the left corner of the box, shot low, but sent it wide of the far post.
Poor defence from Blacktown City saw the home side have a succession of opportunities on goal.
In the 61’ minute, Sipan Berti created a run down the left, beautifully crossing the ball, but it swept across goal without a single touch.
Four minutes later, Manly had another chance.
A clumsy back pass from Blacktown City saw Kagisho Pitso run into open area taking a shot that failed to trouble Blake Tuxford.
A clumsy tackle in the 69’ minute saw Sam Perre collect his second yellow card, leaving the uninspiring Blacktown City with ten men for the remaining 21′ minutes.
It was the 77’ minute from a home side corner that saw Manly United take the lead and claim the only goal of the match.
Leigh Egger was unmarked and planted a header past Tuxford from a corner kick, to claim the score the match’s decisive goal.
In the 81’ minute Blacktown City were again under attack, with Christopher Arditti on the right run down the line before shooting wide of the post.
The second half was a game of many chances for Manly United and they were unlucky not to further their lead.
Blacktown City FC coach, David O’Keefe was almost lost for words at his team’s performance.
‘The first half we were okay, we just wasted a lot of opportunities. The second we were just atrocious," he said.
“We didn’t put pressure on them in the second half, we probably deserved to lose.”
Manly United Coach, Louis Dimitropoulos was not surprised with the win based on the performance of his team.
“I think we were the better team in the second half and we deserved to win," he said.
“We stopped them from playing their best.”
And the goal came as no surprise either.
“It came at a time when we were definitely dominating and had constant opportunities one after the other," Dimitropoulos said.
Manly United FC 1 (Leigh Egger 77’)
Blacktown City FC 0
Sunday 13th April, 2014
Cromer Park, Cromer
Referee: Daniel Stack
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling and Lance Greenshields
Manly United FC: 20.Tonu Liiband; 32.Christopher Arditti, 37.Sipan Berti, 23.Daniel Drakopoulos, 25.Henry Gallagher (Harry Sweeney 78’), 29.Thomas Morrissey, 30.Dejan Pandurevic, 31.Dylan Whitlock (33.Kagisho Pitso), 24.Marcus Zarantonello, 21.Patrick Weir, 3.Leigh Egger, 14.Damir Prodanovic (27.Oliver Green 74’)
Yellow Cards: Daniel Drakopoulos 79’, Henry Gallagher 66’, Thomas Morissey 28’
Red Cards: Nil
Subs Not Used: 35.Hamish Galbraith
Blacktown City FC: 13.Blake Tuxford; 30.Lewis Beumie (21.Sam Perre 63’), 20.Giuseppe Camera (26.Milorad Cubrilo 63’), 25.Adam Gorrie, 33.Brian Jamba, 27.Nicola Kuleski, 24.Eoin Montford, 17.Kieren Paull, 22.Peter Pelekanos, 32.Keenan Gibson (29.Alex Torville), 34.Daniel Araujo (23.Jon Grozdanovski)
Yellow Cards: Sam Perre 68’, Alex Torville 90’
Red Cards: Sam Perre 69’
Subs Not Used: Nil
ROUND FIVE REVIEW
SATURDAY
Blacktown Spartans FC 0-0 Sydney United 58 FC at Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans FC played out a scoreless draw with Sydney United 58 FC at Blacktown Football Park.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 1-0 Sutherland Sharks FC at Lambert Park
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC defeated Sutherland Sharks FC to claim their first win for the season.
David Chung scored the winning goal.
Marconi Stallions FC 3-3 Sydney Olympic FC at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions FC played out a high scoring draw with Sydney Olympic FC.
Harry Brown scored twice to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
Sydney Olympic came from behind and Alexander Kelly, Luka Falcone and Chris Boscur scored.
After losing their lead, Noah Chinase scored for Marconi to score a welcome equaliser.
SUNDAY
St George FC 0-1 Rockdale City Suns FC at Seymour Shaw Park
Rockdale City Suns beat St George FC at Seymour Shaw Park on Sunday afternoon.
Cameron Solevski scored the only goal of the match.
South Coast Wolves FC 1-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC at WIN Stadium
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC beat South Coast Wolves at WIN Stadium in the closing match of the weekend.
Jordan Murray scored the only goal for the home side.
Dillon Vorster scored in the first half and Stevan Illic scored the winning goal in the second for the visiting side.
– By Anneliese Scenna, NPL NSW Grade 20s Reporter
