Mens State League 1 Round 6 Review
Competition pace setters Hakoah and Granville Rage maintained equal top spot in the Men’s State League Division 1 ladder.
Hakoah overcame Northbridge while Granville Rage defeated a gutsy Stanmore Hawks.
There was a mixed bag of results in the other games as we reach the quarter mark of the season.
Balmain FC v Nepean FC
The week 6 match of the round saw Nepean FC put in a spirited display to overcome Balmain FC 3-1 at Cook Park.
In a cagey opening, Nepean FC were fast out of the blocks and were the sharper of the two sides.
The first real chance of the game fell to Nepean, with striker Ben Gough making a good run down the wing and delivering a fine cross into the box for Terry Pannowitz, but the Balmain defence scrambled the ball clear just as Pannowitz took a touch and looked like opening the scoring.
Nepean threatened again midway through the first half, this time off a set piece. A corner from the right hand side was met by Michael Noro, who rose highest in the box but saw his thumping header crash off the cross bar and cleared to safety.
Ben Gough then went close for Nepean after being put through on goal by midfielder Colbome, the striker took a good first touch but saw his left foot drive just flash wide of the goal. Gough had proved a real hand full up to this point, continually troubling the Balmain defence with his clever movement and well-timed runs.
Nepean had control of the game at this stage with the midfield looking particularly strong. Michael Long and Colbome provided a great platform in the centre of the park, while the more creative midfielders Pannowitz and Jajaw were creating chances at will.
Balmain looked out of sorts, with the side struggling to get any real attack going and not able find their usually fluent passing game.
The breakthrough arrived for Nepean FC after 33 minutes with Terry Pannowitz getting his side off the mark. Striker Gough held up the ball well and played it wide to winger Jajaw, who whipped in a good ball into the centre of box. The cross was met well by Pannowitz, who hit a first time side foot finish into the back of the net and gave Nepean a deserved 1-0 lead.
Balmain looked to respond after the goal but it was Nepean who had more goal scoring chances, with both midfielder Mikel Awad and Gough going close to doubling the lead.
The second goal did arrive for Nepean shortly before the half time break and it was an absolute cracker from Wiltar Jajaw. The lively right midfielder skipped past a Balmain defender and played a one-two with Awad on the edge of box, and with time to look up, Jajaw unleashed an unstoppable shot which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line to make the score 2-0 for Nepean.
Half time bought some changes for Balmain as Coach Di Guilio looked for a response from his troops. Tonkin and Leonardo Di Guilio were replaced by Kritikos, who took the right wing spot, and Donato, who slotted into left midfield. The reshuffle also saw Domenic Di Mento pushed into the forward line.
The opening stages of the second half saw more intense play by Balmain as they looked to get into the match. The Tigers were pressuring the ball higher up the pitch and using the wings as they created some early chances on goal.
Nepean still looked menacing when given a chance to counter attack with striker Gough providing a great outlet for the side.
Balmain got themselves back into the contest in the 60th minute when Domenic Di Mento hit the back of the net. The play was started on the left hand side when Jacob Di Mento sent in a curling cross into the Nepean box, with the ball met by Domenic Di Mento, who ghosted in front of his defender and headed the ball into the bottom left hand corner to make the score 2-1.
It was definitely game on, but just as Balmain looked like they could mount a comeback, Nepean struck a real dagger by responding a minute later. A free kick on the edge of the Balmain box saw Nikola Pozder hit a left foot shot, which went over the Balmain wall and curled into the back of the net. It was a great goal from the Nepean left back and made the score 3-1 in favour of Nepean.
The next stage of the game turned into a real arm wrestle as both teams battled away and refused to give an inch. Balmain substitute Kritikos linked up well with Captain Hyde down the right hand side, but the Nepean defence held firm.
As the game wore on there was late chances for both teams, with Joel Cook going close for Balmain, but his shot from distance was tipped over the bar. Nepean midfielder Pannowitz also had a great chance in the dying stages but saw his shot well saved by Balmain keeper Kerr.
The full time whistle blew and Nepean had claimed a hard earned victory with a very assured display in front of their home fans. Balmain will be particularly disappointed with their first half showing and continue an inconsistent season 2014.
Best in a beaten side for Balmain were Domenic Di Mento, who got the goal for his side. The attacker looked particularly energetic in the second half as he tried to push his side forward to mount a comeback. Second half substitute Kritikos also looked lively and made a real impact when introduced into the game, the midfielder continually threatened down the right hand side and gave the team an avenue to goal with his good play. Captain Tom Hyde was full of running for the 90 minutes and had a fine game at right-back.
Balmain Coach Joe Di Guilio was very disappointed with the result, “The boys just didn’t turn up to play today. I was disappointed with the first half, the second half was a bit better but it’s just not good enough. We’ve been hot and cold so far this season”.
For Nepean it was real team performance and the side looked very impressive across all lines, with the team showing good structure and being well organised by the likes of Noro and Long in the spine. The midfield was very well balanced with Terry Pannowitz making the team tick, and his touch and vision caused problems for Balmain throughout the game. Ben Gough, who led from the front, was also a handful on the night.
Coach Adam Malouf was pleased with the win, “I’m happy with the result, I think we controlled the game and it was only our finishing that let us down. We controlled the game in the middle of the park and our ball movement was good. We were able to find easy passing lanes which was important and our defensive structure was much better this week”.
Match Stats
Balmain FC 1 (D. Di Mento)
Nepean FC 3 (T.Pannowitz, W.Jajaw, N.Pozder)
Saturday, 3rd of May, 2014
Cook Park, St Mary’s
Referee: James Barnes
Assistant Referees: Mark Alderman, Ray Osboorne
Balmain FC: 17.Liam Cole, 27. Domenic Di Mento, 10.Jacob Di Mento, 22. Leonardo Digiulio(11.William Donato), 30.Samuel Falanga, 2.Thomas Hyde, 16.Josh Karpes, 14.Lachlan Kerr, 9.Scott Tonkin(20.Yianni Kritikos), 4.Jeppe Madsen, 7.Rosario Occhipinti
Substitutes Not Used: 23.Domenic Arcella, 8.Joel Cook, 1.Craig Whitehouse
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Nepean FC: 10.M Awad(7.Dylan Fasan), 15.Nicholas Cholerton, 12.Ryan Colbome, 5.Marc Gane, 14.Benjamin Gough(6.Nathaniel Harnett), 17.Wiltar Jajaw, 4.Jack Long, 11.Michael Noro, 8.Terry Pannowitz, 13.Nikola Pozder(18.Rafid Hermiz),1.Ryan Trussell
Substitutes Not Used: 25. Adam Biernat, 2.Mitchell Sonter
Yellow Cards: J.Long, T.Pannowitz
Red Cards: Nil
Granville Rage v Stanmore Hawks
Granville Rage maintained their position at the top of the ladder with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Stanmore Hawkes on Saturday afternoon.
David Harding opened the scoring for the home side as the Rage took a 1-0 nil lead into half time.
The Rage doubled the lead at the beginning of the second half with in form striker Nenos Bobo getting his name on the scoresheet. Stanmore were by no means out of the game and managed to pull a goal back through veteran defender Evangelos Petratos to make the score 2-1.
Rage were reduced to ten men late in the second half and Stanmore piled on the pressure in search of an equalisers but the Rage held on to take all three points.
Hawkesbury City v Dulwich Hill
Dulwich Hill recorded a 2-1 victory over Hawkesbury City at Benson Lane on Saturday evening.
The home side opened the scoring when Michael McCrory struck twenty minutes into the game. Dulwich Hill were able to respond and Mark Pinto grabbed the equaliser which saw the score remain 1-1 at half time.
The match winning goal came from midfielder James Morrison in the second half as Dulwich Hill made it two wins in a row.
This was to be Coach Wally Savor’s last game in charge as head coach of Dulwich Hill, with the ex Socceroo taking a position in the SUPA IGA NPL NSW Men’s competition. Assistant Coach and club stalwart Norman Tome will take over as head coach in the interim.
Coach Savor wishes the players all the best for the rest of the season and the Dulwich Hill Football Club good luck in all future endeavours.
Western NSW Mariners v Camden Tigers
An entertaining 2-2 draw was played out at Proctor Park between Western NSW Mariners and Camden Tigers on Saturday night.
The Mariners took the lead when Stuart Bromley found the back of the net for the home side, but Camden was able to respond just before break when Blake Armstrong hit a half volley from just outside the box.
The second half saw the Mariners retake the lead courtesy of Blake Collins, but with the match in the dying stages Camden struck a late equaliser when Stephen Tomasich struck a header from a Camden corner.
Gladesville Ryde Magic v Inter Lions
Gladesville were 2-0 winners over Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon. With the scores locked up at half time, Gladesville made the breakthrough in the second half with goals to John Martinez and Majid Eslami giving the home side the three points. The win sees Gladesville push back into the top five.
The Lions can’t seem to catch a break at the moment as they conceded a penalty at 0-0 and then had a man sent off to reduce them to ten. The chances are being created for Inter, but the side is unable to find the back of the net at the moment.
Hakoah Sydney City East v Northbridge FC
The last game of the round saw Hakoah claim another big win by overcoming Northbridge 3-2 on Sunday evening.
Hakoah were 2-0 up by half time with Jordan Mundell grabbing the first goal for the home side and Justin Kosmina doubling the lead.
Hakoah made it 3-0 after the break when Deklan Gilmartin found the back of the net, but the game would turn on its head when a Hakoah player was shown a red card and a penalty was awarded to Northbridge which Lee Jones converted.
Northbridge then made it 3-2 when Michael Cole scored, setting up a nervous finish to the game, but Hakoah held on for another crucial 3 points.
-By Diego Munoz
