IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Grade 20s Round 13 Review

MANLY United FC continue to top the table with Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC only two points behind, after playing out a nil-all draw in the Match of the Round on Saturday evening.

In other fixtures, APIA-Leichhardt Tigers claimed a victory to see them jump into third position and Sydney Olympic FC have moved into sixth after beating Blacktown Spartans FC 5-0.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0-0 Manly United FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

It was a game of half chances that neither second position, Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC nor table leaders, Manly United FC could capitalise on.

In the end, the points were shared, a fair result between two evenly matched sides.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC dominated possession early in the game and looked the more likely to grab the opening goal.   

Their best chance in the first half came in the 20’ minute when Harrison Feller’s pass into the box found Tarik Ercan. Ercan’s first touch shot was sent wide, shaving the right hand post.

Five minutes later the home side’s confident penalty shout was waved away by the referee.

Manly’s first real opportunity for the game came in the 33’ minute by attacking threat Dejan Pandurevic on the right. Even he was denied though with his shot comfortably saved by Prendergast at the near post.

But the home side’s constant runs down the left and superb passing continued to create pressure for Manly.

And this was just the case only minutes before half time when a left field cross gave hope for the home side, but the ball was sent wide of the post.

Bonnyrigg would have felt disappointed to come off for the break without the lead, as they continued to press for the all important opening goal.

It was Manly though that came out with guns blazing in the second half and it led to a shot on goal from outside the box in the 52’ minute, but it was an easy save for Prendergast.

Having lost their striker early in the first half, it was Bonnyrigg’s substitute Dolor Edosomwan who stepped up, proving to be a constant headache for the visiting side.

In the 64’ minute, Edosomwan was presented with the best opportunity in the game. Having beaten the Manly defence, his run on goal was stopped by keeper, Tonu Liiband whose speed off the line thwarted the Bonnyrigg striker.

Ten minutes later and it was now Manly’s chance when a cross from the right saw Sipan Berti’s shot on goal sent wide of the post.

In the final quarter of the game both teams pressed for the three points. Bonnyrigg looked threatening and in the 80’ minute Edosomwan’s deflected shot found Dillon Vorster, only for his shot to narrowly fly over the crossbar.

Moments later an exceptional tackle by Manly’s Aidan Hancock in the box saw the home side again denied a goal.

In the 88’ minute Manly’s two substitutes combined to create the visiting side’s final chance for victory. Oliver Green’s pass from the left found Christopher Arditti, whose shot from the byline was well saved by Prendergast on the near post.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC coach Mark Zecchin was content with the result.

“Once the game settled down, I think we controlled the game and had a couple of close chances”, said Zecchin.

“I thought we could put a goal or two in, but they were very dangerous on the counter attack.”

Likewise Manly United FC coach, Louis Dimitropoulos was happy with a draw and proud of his teams efforts. 

“It was a very even game and very cautious from both teams, because there was a lot at stake”, said Dimitropoulos.

‘Three of our back four are old enough to play 18s. Considering we had people come up from the 18s and we’ve been hit with injury, a draw was a good result.”

Match Stats

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0

Manly United FC 0

Saturday 7 June, 2014

Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg

Referee: Samuel Grosso

Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Mitchell Clark

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC: 24.Alexander Doyle, 26.Tarik Ercan, 27.Harrison Feller (31.Wade Giovenali 73’), 29.Brian Griffin-Colls, 15.Steven Ilic (32.Osadolor Edosomwan 10′), 17.Mitchell Osmond, 36.Braedan Robins, 38.Daniel Vellonio (39.Jayden Priest 70’), 34.Dillon Vorster, 33.George Yousif, 20.Tristan Prendergast

Substitutes Not Used: 23.Marco Gasparo, 37.Damian Jakimovski

Yellow Cards: Tarik Ercan 65’

Red Cards: Nil

Manly United FC: 37.Sipan Berti, 35.Hamish Galbraith, 25.Henry Gallagher, 26.Aidan Hancock, 20.Tonu Liiband, 29.Thomas Morrissey (32.Christopher Arditti 66’), 30.Dejan Pandurevic, 12.Dom Ferguson, 17.Nathan Sim, 22.Jack Green (27.Oliver Green 73’), 4.Mark McManus

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Nicholas Perry, 2.Joel Glassman, 10.Sheldon Tweedie

Yellow Cards: Hamish Galbraith 20’

Red Cards: Nil

 

ROUND REVIEW

SATURDAY

Blacktown Spartans FC 0-5 Sydney Olympic FC, 5:30pm at Blacktown Football Park

Sydney Olympic FC hammered Blacktown Spartans FC 5-0 at Blacktown Football Park.

Josh Tanner scored one and James Andrew and Luca Falcone each scored two for the visiting side.

Marconi Stallions FC 2-3 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC, 5:30pm at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions FC lost to APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC on Saturday evening.

Noah Chinase scored both goals for the home side.

APIA scorers were Jamie Lobb, new signing Luke Clifford and a penalty by Michael Cimino.

SUNDAY

Blacktown City FC 1-2 St George FC, 1pm at Lilys Football Centre

Blacktown City FC lost to St George FC on Sunday afternoon.

Joel Hardwick scored for the home side.

Sydney United 58 FC 1-1 Rockdale City Suns FC, 1pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 FC drew 1-1 with Rockdale City Suns FC at home.

Sydney United scorer was Matthew Bilic.

Hriston Tanoski scored for the visiting side. 

South Coast Wolves FC 4-3 Sutherland Sharks FC, 1pm at WIN Stadium

South Coast Wolves beat Sutherland Sharks in a high scoring fixture.

Brett Wilson scored a hat trick and Ben Zucco scored one for the home side.

Daniel Loe scored two and Jeremy Cox scored one for the visiting side.

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