Waratah Cup Round 4 Update Review
Round 4 of the coveted Waratah Cup commenced this week with a plethora of matches that took centre stage across football pitches in NSW.
Sydney United 58 FC 4 v Spirit FC 0
Goals to Stejpan Paric, Mark Cindric, Luka Glavas and youngster Jacob Esposito all but assured that the 2013 NPL Champions secured passage into the next stage of the Cup defeating SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 outfit Spirit FC at Sydney United Sports Centre.
It was a commanding display of football by Mark Rudan’s men who showed why they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Cup’s latter stages.
Central Coast Mariners Academy v Sydney Olympic
IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side Sydney Olympic needed to go to penalties to earn a spot in the round of 16 after defeating the Central Coast Mariners Academy 3-2 on spot kicks.
The game headed into extra time but it was the Mariners Academy that took the early lead before Dimitri Hatzimouratis equalised for the Blues.
It was a nervy end at Pluim Park but it was Blues young keeper Kresimir Kardum that pulled off two fantastic saves in the shootout that gifted Olympic a gritty victory.
Bankstown Berries 0 v St George FC 1
IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side St George took until the final minutes of extra time to eventually overcome SUPA IGA NSW Mens 2 side Bankstown Berries 1-0 at The Crest.
After dominating much of the play, and having by far the clearer chances, the Saints should really have had the game wrapped up in normal time. But a lack of clinical finishing and some good goalkeeping by Berries keeper Nestor Tsioustas, saw the game loom towards a penalty shootout.
But with just two minutes of extra time remaining, substitute Jason Naidovski, who had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, did exceptionally well in controlling a cross from Costa Andricopoulos, before turning and slamming the winner into the roof of the net from close range.
South Coast Wolves 6 v Hurstville FC 0
IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side South Coast Wolves flexed its muscles with a smashing 6-0 victory over State League Two outfit Hurstville FC.
With new Wolves coach Nahuel Arrarte watching on, the Wolves showed their class with prolific striker Ricky Zucco scoring four goals while Joey Lavelle and Matthew Bailey adding the other two.
Sutherland Sharks 3 v Hawkesbury City FC 1
Seymour Shaw saw IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side and 2013 Waratah Cup finalists Sutherland Sharks defeat State League One outfit Hawkesbury City FC 3-1.
Cypriot born defender Adamos Pierettis bagged a double while Matt Gordon also got on the scoresheet to assure Robbie Stanton’s men a clash against fellow IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side South Coast Wolves in Wollongong.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 v Manly United 2
2013 Waratah Cup winners APIA Leichhardt Tigers were dumped out of this year’s tournament falling 2-0 to Manly United at Lambert Park.
Currently winless in the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 competition the Tigers could not capitalise at home. Paul Dee’s men had just enough tonic to get the Northern Beaches side across the line with goals from young gun Daniel Saric and hot-shot striker Chris Payne.
Macarthur Rams 3 v Doonside Hawks 1
Blacktown Association side Doonside Hawks’ fairytale run in the Cup came to an end going down 3-1 to SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 side Macarthur Rams.
Shannon Hankin, David McMurray and Neftali Gonzalez scored for the home side while Hawks striker Craig O ’Donohue grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors.
Hills Pumas 0 v Sans Souci 1
St George Association’s Sans Souci won itself a spot in the next stage of the Waratah Cup Round of 16 with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Gladesville Hornsby Football Association’s Hills Pumas at Peakhurst Park.
The solitary goal came in the second half with Nick Baresic the hero which all but sealed their tie with SUPA IGA NSW Mens 2 side Northern Tigers in the next round.
Blacktown Spartans 1 v Northern Tigers 4
In what was the shock of Cup results for round 4, current IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 unbeaten league leaders Blacktown Spartans suffered a devastating 4-1 loss at the hands of crafty SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 side Northern Tigers at Blacktown Football Park.
With as many as seven regular first team members out of the Spartans squad, the young Blacktown brigade were outdone by the tenacious Tigers as Aram Tayebi, Matthew West, Daniel Stuart got on the scoresheet for the away side while Connor Evans scored a consolation for the Spartans.
Hakoah Sydney City FC 2 v Sydney University 1
State League One outfit Hakoah Sydney City FC caused a boil over at Hensley Athletic Centre when they defeated SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 side Sydney University 2-1.
Former Adelaide United striker Lloyd Owusu and Kevin Lopes notched goals for the State League one side which all that cancelled out Peter Crevani’s goal.
Granville Rage 3 v Mounties Wanderers 2
State League One side Granville Rage recorded a well-earned 3-2 victory over SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 side Mounties Wanderers.
The Rage went ahead via an own goal before Dave Harding and Zac Watters added the rest while for the Wanderers Matthew Viera bagged a brace.
Waverley Old Boys 1 Fraser Park 4
Carlo Musumeci, Rob Di Meglio, Hussein Akil and Wassim Hijazi were the heroes for Fraser Park as the SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 outfit defeated Eastern Suburbs Association side Waverley Old Boys 4-1 who had Gerard Beckerleg as the sole scorer for the visitors.
Marconi Stallions 2 Dapto Dandaloo Fury 1
IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side Marconi Stallions needed extra time to defeat Illawarra Premier League giants Dapto Dandaloo Fury 2-1.
Sam Conway got the home side in front before Ryan Suttle equalised for the visitors.
It was a heartbreaking last minute extra time goal that all but killed off hopes of one of the shocks of round 4.
Match of the Round
Blacktown City FC 5
Bankstown City 0
Blacktown City have moved into the Waratah Cup round of 16 courtesy of a domineering 5-0 win over SUPA IGA NSW NPL Mens 2 outfit Bankstown City at Lily’s Football Centre on Thursday night.
Both sides have been impressive in their respective leagues thus far this season but it was the hosts who moved a step closer to a berth in the FFA Cup and set up a clash with either Marconi Stallions or Dapto Dandaloo.
In a true sign of the stakes of this competition, there were near full strength lineups on both sides of the park, minus a few players with minor injuries.
Bankstown burst out of the blocks and looked to make their mark early, with Grant Lynch’s volley from a corner forcing a fingertip save from Blacktown ‘keeper Blake Tuxford.
Keen not to let the visitors feel dominant, Blacktown broke from the resulting goalkick and moved the ball from left to right, with Yianni Fragogiannis whipping in a deep cross which was met on the volley by Travis Major, but the skipper’s effort was just wide of the mark.
The two sides went tit for tat as far as chances were concerned for the next five minutes, with Bankstown directing much of their play down the left hand side of Adam Biddle as the pacey winger proved problematic for the opposition defenders.
Blacktown picked up on Bankstown’s playing style and immediately began to press, looking to force simple errors from the backline… to some success.
But the breakthrough came against the run of play when Blacktown’s Daniel Araujo was brought down inside the box by a clumsy Billy Darwich challenge. Major coolly converted from the spot with a powerful shot into the right side of the goal, leaving Matt Nemes with no chance.
Despite fielding a near full-strength lineup, Bankstown were having a difficult time dealing with Blacktown’s speedy attack and the home side had the lion share of possession.
Their next chance fell to Ryuji Miyazawa, who picked up a pinpoint Danny Choi cross on the left flank with plenty of time to shoot, but he skewed his effort wide.
They had another prime opportunity to double the lead when Jacob Poscoliero’s early throw in on the left side caught the Lions defence off guard and put Major through clear on goal. The attacker opted for power over placement and Nemes easily got a hand to the ball.
Blacktown’s creative players continued to create a clear path on goal and Miyazawa was next to get one away as he sold a dummy on the edge of the box but scuffed shot wide of the goal.
Bankstown took the distance route in an attempt to pull one back, with Adam Biddle and Ivo Bosnar both trying their luck from outside the box, to no avail.
Whatever George Nohra and Bill Pilovski said at half-time appeared to have sunk in with the visitors as they again came out firing from the sheds.
Todd Halloran fired a message of warning when he connected with Huseyin Jasli’s corner on the head and the Lions pressed furiously for an equaliser.
Their efforts at goal threatened to also prove their undoing, though, and Blacktown could have doubled their lead within 10 minutes of the restart. Travis Major picked up the ball on the right wing and drove to the byline, with his cutback finding Miyazawa, but the Japanese midfielder was denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Matt Nemes.
Bankstown did their best to ensure Blacktown were uncomfortable and would have been demoralised when they went 2-0 down on the 61st minute via a crafty piece of play.
Following some patient play by Blacktown in the opposition half, Jacob Poscoliero found Yianni Fragogiannis outside the box and the defender played a sublime first time ball to put Miyazawa through, with the no. 9 making no mistake this time, rounding Nemes and tapping into an empty net.
Nemes was again called into action in the 75th minute as Major was played through and drove his shot low at the near post, only for the goalkeeper to block it well with his feet.
There was nothing the Bankstown No. 1 could do just minutes later as Sasa Macura split the defence to send Danny Choi into open space. The Korean showed great composure to dribble around Nemes and tuck the ball away to all but seal the match.
Blacktown weren’t done there, though and proved what could have been if they were more prolific in front of goal in the first 45. Substitute Jono Grozdanovski pounced on a loose ball from a Bankstown mistake and prodded the ball home from a tight angle. 4-0 Blacktown.
Captain Travis Major sent his side emphatically into the next round, grabbing his brace and Blacktown’s fifth in the 90th minute, smashing home Georgio Speranza’s cross.
Blacktown march on full of confidence and within reach of an FFA Cup spot. Coach Mark Crittenden fielded a near full strength lineup, with a few omissions through injury, and admits he approached the game with caution given the quality of Bankstown.
“We always knew they were going to come here and it was going to be tough for us,” Crittenden said. “I thought we could have led by a couple more in the first half and the fact it was only 1-0, we left them in the game a bit. We knew if we stuck at it and kept the ball moving at pace we might be able to tire them out a little bit.
“We see it as an important competition and one we would like to go as far as we can in and we had total respect for that side because we have known so many of those boys for so long.
“It is positive to be able to create that many (chances) but I thought our finishing in the first half was a bit average. But I can’t complain about five (goals) so I’m not too worried.
“We want to go as far as we can so we will always play a reasonably strong squad and go out to win.”
Meanwhile, Bankstown coach George Nohra was left to reflect on a performance that was encouraging in patches. Despite the result perhaps not doing the Lions justice, he credited the work rate of a classy Blacktown.
“They deserved it, maybe not five, but they definitely looked sharper and stronger,” Nohra said. They’re well drilled and very sharp going forward.
“I thought we looked better in the second half but we copped four goals. That’s just how football is, they came with a structure and a plan and they’re looking good.
“After they scored a goal, the team put their head down a bit and played negative.
“I thought we looked alright for the first 15 of the second half. But merit to Blacktown. It’s certainly a different level (to Mens 2), they were a lot sharper and fitter and always making angles on the ball, there is always two or three options.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City 5 (Travis Major 11’ 90’, Ryuji Miyazawa 61’, Danny Choi 77’, Jono Grozdanovski 80’)
Bankstown City Lions 0
Thursday 24 April, 2014
Lily’s Football Centre
Blacktown City: 13. Blake Tuxford, 4. Yianni Fragogiannis (14. Eion Montford 82’), 5. Jacob Poscoliero, 8. Sasa Macura, 6. Matthew Lewis (3. Georgio Speranza), 7. Travis Major, 9. Ryuji Miyazawa (12. Joel Hardwick 74’), 10. Shayne D’Cunha, 11. Danny Choi (16. Jono Grozdanovski 77’), 18. Daniel Araujo, 15. Marco Travaglini
Substitutes not used: 1. Nenad Vekic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Bankstown City: 1. Matt Nemes, 2. Todd Halloran, 9. Brad Boardman (21. Brad Robertson 45’), 19. Huseyin Jasli, 7. Ivo Bosnar, 8. Dominic Hudap (6. Ruben Lagos 68’), 11. Adam Biddle, 23. Grant Lynch, 17. James O’Rourke, 3. Shane Webb, 5. Billy Darwich (4. Peter Vassilis 58’)
Substitutes not used: 15. Aaron D’Mello, 16. Anthony Schmidt
Yellow Cards: 17. James O’Rourke 78’
Red Cards: Nil
-By Mitchell Grima
Dulwich Hill 0 – Parramatta FC 2 (Suad Ameti 18′, Shayne Ardle 43′)
Parramatta FC are through to the Waratah Cup round of 16 courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win over Dulwich Hill.
The SUPA IGA NSW NPL Mens 2 side kicked off in first gear and didn’t take their foot off the pedal for the remainder of the first half.
The first warning signs for Dulwich Hill came in the 9th minute when Eagles wideman Shayne Ardle whipped in a cross behind the defence, with Smith’s effort from close range flying over the crossbar.
Parramatta kept the pressure on and had another good chance just three minutes later, with Lord Darkoh playing a tidy one-two with Suad Ameti and running clear on goal, only to have his shot blocked by the feet of Dulwich Hill keeper Matt Kasbarjan.
Darkoh was again put through shortly after, running at goal with speed to burn but this time being halted by an impressive cover tackle from James Cross.
It didn’t take long for the Eagles to capitalise on their chances and it was a well worked passage that saw Ameti fire in the opener. Mat Clowes found Ardle, who touched it back to Ameti and the no.11 made no mistake, slotting his effort in the bottom corner.
Parra had asserted their dominance and cranked it up a notch in search of some breathing room on the scoreboard, which they achieved just before the break in spectacular fashion.
Casey ran down the right flank and cut a ball back in the air to Ardle, who was waiting on the edge of the box and looped his header into the top left corner.
Dulwich Hill’s plucky midfielder James Morrison provided some danger in the second half but Frank Cosentino’s Parramatta were in cruise control as they set up a mouthwatering clash with fellow Mens 2 high fliers Macarthur Rams in the next round.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
