IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 7 Review

Round seven of the Grade 20s competition saw Sydney Olympic FC beat Blacktown City FC 3-2 at Lilys Football Centre in the Match of the Round.

The round also saw APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC claim their third consecutive win and Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC continue their table lead after 2-0 win to Marconi Stallions FC.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Blacktown City FC 2-3 Sydney Olympic FC at Lilys Football Centre

Blacktown City FC went down to a well-organised Sydney Olympic FC 3-2 at the new Lilys Football Centre in an exciting open-ended match.

Only a minute into the game and the home team were already picking up the ball from the back of the net with Sydney Olympic one nil up.

From the edge of the box, Alexander Kelly’s shot at goal beat Blacktown City’s keeper Blake Tuxford, catching him and everyone else off guard.

It was a disappointing start from Blacktown City and not one they wished for on their home turf.

After a slow start, it wasn’t too long before the home side began to create some real chances, leading to their first goal.

Blacktown City’s Jonathon Grozdanovski run up the right wing led to a shot on goal which Sydney Olympic keeper, Kresimir Kardum, was only able to push wide. This allowed Joel Hardwick to pounce on the ball, slotting it in for the home teams deserved equaliser.

Grozdanovski was back in the limelight shortly after, almost grabbing the all-important lead in the 22’ minute.

A pass from Milorad Cubrilo saw Grozdanovski receive it at full speed, impressively sprinting down the field and shooting for goal, only for it to hit the right post.

Two minutes later and they had another opportunity.

From the right corner of the box, Hardwick was perfectly placed to simply chip the ball into goal, but with not enough composure, sent it flying wide of the far post.

Poor defence by Blacktown City saw Olympic grab their second goal and reclaim the lead in the 38’ minute, Luca Falcone simply slotting the ball in past the keeper.

A sequence of shots almost saw a third goal for Sydney Olympic in the 55’ minute.

Jason Madonis receiving the ball from Andrew’s shot at goal from the centre of the box, but a great athleticism from Tuxford saw him parry it away from danger.

However with the ball still alive, Andrew’s near post attempt led to a brilliant save with the shoulder by Tuxford. He may not have known much about it but he was well positioned and that’s all that mattered.

Moments later and Sydney Olympic had claimed their third deserving goal and in the process gave themselves a two goal buffer. This time a pass by Madonis into the penalty box saw substitute, Mohammad Qasimi perfectly situated to tap the ball in the keeper.

But Grozdanovski provided the home team with a glimmer of hope, grabbing City’s second goal in the 69’ minute.

With only the Olympic gloveman to beat, Grozdanovski expertly chipped the ball into goal, before colliding with the keeper. This was to be Grozdanovski’s last kick as he was helped off the field injured.

Having used up a number of substitutes, Blacktown City were playing short until under 18’s keeper, Thomas Heward-Belle stepped up and ran around up front for the remainder of the game.

Sydney Olympic had another chance in the 77’ minute, when Madonis received a cutback, whose shot was again saved by Tuxford.

In the final ten minutes Blacktown City went in pursuit of an equaliser but struggled to match Sydney Olympic’s energy.

With two minutes on the clock, City’s Hardwick had a brilliant effort on goal, an overhead volley in the box only to find the keeper well positioned.

Sydney Olympic FC coach, Michael Urukalo was proud of his side today.

“We’ve been playing some good football and I don’t think past results have been an indication of that.”

“So it was a nice win for us, we were very well-disciplined today and were the deserved team to win, we had a good overall team performance”, he said.

Blacktown City FC 2 (Joel Hardwick 13’, Jonathan Grozdanovski 69’)

Sydney Olympic FC 3 (Alexander Kelly 1’, Luca Falcone 38’, Mohammad Qasimi 58’)

Sunday April 27, 2014

Lilys Football Centre, Seven Hills

Referee: Roberto Matae

Assistant Referee: Craig Fisher and Andre Giev

Blacktown City FC: 20.Giuseppe Camera, 26.Milorad Cubrilo (33.Brian Jamba), 25.Adam Gorrie (21.Sam Perre), 23.Jonathon Grozdanovski (35.Thomas Heward-Belle), 12.Joel Hardwick, 27.Nicola Kuleski, 24.Eoin Montford, 22.Peter Pelekanos, 31.Matthew Stewart, 13.Blake Tuxford, 28.Ryan Peterson (30. Lewis Beumie)

Subs Not Used: Ni

Yellow Cards: Eoin Montford 80’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic FC: 17.James Andrew, 26.Jonathan Aspropotamitis, 25.Luca Falcone, 12.Kresimir Kardum, 35.Alexander Kelly, 30.Jason Madonis, 23.Joshua Spina (34.Mohammad Qasimi), 20.Joshua Tanner, 6.Marton Vass (31.John Sotiropoulos), 8.Chris Gooly Bascur (29.James Togias), 38.Chris Kolistasis

Subs Not Used: 27.Sotiri Kagaras, 11.Michael Trajgovski

Yellow Cards: Mohammad Qasimi 87’, Marton Vass 72’

Red Cards: Nil

 

ROUND REVIEW

SATURDAY

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2-0 Marconi Stallions FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC beat Marconi Stallions FC at home on Saturday evening.

Stevan Ilic scored in the 10’ minute and another in the 75’ minute.

 

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 1-0 Rockdale City Suns FC at Lambert Park

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC defeated Rockdale City Suns FC.

Blade Richards scored the only goal of the game.

 

SUNDAY

Manly United FC 2-0 Sutherland Sharks FC at Cromer Park

Manly United FC beat Sutherland Sharks FC at Cromer Park.

Christopher Arditti and Dejan Pandurevic scored for the home side.

 

St George FC 2-2 Sydney United 58 FC at WIN Jubilee Oval

St George FC played out a 2-2 draw with Sydney United 58 FC at WIN Jubilee Oval.

Andreas Vais scored and Keifer Dotti scored a penalty for the home side.

Nikolas Dimitriadis and Jack Press scored for the visiting side.

 

South Coast Wolves FC 2-4 Blacktown Spartans FC at WIN Stadium

Blacktown Spartans FC beat South Coast Wolves FC on Sunday afternoon.

Domenico Dileo, Blake Fischer, Alex Goodwin and Connor Evans scored for the visiting side.

Justin Ivanovic and Jordan Murray scored for the home side.

– By Anneliese Scenna, National Premier Leagues NSW Grade 20s Reporter