IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 20 Review
Sutherland Sharks FC continued on from their win last weekend, grabbing another 2-0 victory, this time to Rockdale City Suns FC in the Match of the Round but the weekend belonged to Manly United who were crowned Premiership winners after its 1-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic.
The victory sees Sutherland Sharks close the gap on Blacktown City FC after they drew with Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC on Saturday evening.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Rockdale City Suns FC 0-2 Sutherland Sharks FC at Ilinden Sports Centre
It was a game that neither side could afford to lose in the race to the finals, but it was Sutherland Sharks FC who came out on top, grabbing a 2-0 victory against Rockdale City Suns FC.
The game began with both teams trying to get a hold of possession in the middle of the park and neither side able to test each other’s defence in the opening ten minutes.
However it was Sutherland Sharks who opened the goal scoring chances, when in the 13’ minute Christopher Mcstay’s shot from the top of the box sailed over the crossbar.
And in the 25’ minute the visiting side capitalised on a defensive mistake to grab the crucial lead.
Jeremy Cox raced clear down the right, but a communication error between Rockdale City Suns defender, Anthony Atanosov and keeper David Bradasevic saw them both collide, leaving Cox to casually chip the ball into an open goal.
Ten minutes later, the home side lost an important opportunity to equalise off a corner, when Stefan Dubocanin’s header in the box was sent inches over the crossbar.
Rockdale’s Andrija Petkovic looked to level the scores just before half time from a free kick, but his shot from outside the box found Sutherland keeper, Andrew Depta well positioned on the right post.
With a slender lead, the visiting side came out strong in the second half as they searched for their second goal. And minutes later, Sutherland’s Christopher Mcstay’s right pass found Jordan Roberts whose shot on goal was met by keeper, Bradasevic on the near post.
Sutherland Sharks continued to press and in the 53’ minute, Vincent Giannini’s brilliant run up the centre found unmarked Cox inside the box, only for his shot to be picked up by Bradasevic.
But they wouldn’t be denied a goal for much longer and in the 61’ minute they doubled their lead.
Rockdale lost possession, with Brendan Curtis on the left brilliantly picking up the ball on the counter attack and running at the defence. Curtis found unmarked Daniel Loe who composed himself, before sending his shot into the back of the net.
It was almost too easy, as Rockdale were left as mere spectators to the visiting sides second goal.
In the 63’ minute, Loe looked to double his tally for the afternoon, but a fine save by Bradasevic denied him the opportunity.
It took a while for Rockdale to find their stride, but they made their way into the Sutherland half and had a decent chance in the 67’ minute.
Substitute Mohamed Dauda on the left threaded the ball to Caleb Russell in the box who ran towards goal, but he was stopped by Sutherland’s Spiridion Kakavelis who cleared the danger.
Caleb Russell continued to test the Sutherland defence in the 75’ minute with a clear run down the line, but he could not find a teammate with his imposing cross into the box.
The home side’s best opportunity of the game came just a minute later off a free kick, but despite his best efforts, Ben Cornish’s curling shot was denied by Andrew Depta who pulled off a brilliant finger-tip save.
Sutherland Sharks FC’s victory means they are now even closer to the top five, whilst Rockdale City Suns FC will need something of a miracle to push them into the finals.
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns FC 0
Sutherland Sharks 2 (38.Jeremy Cox 25’, 37.Daniel Loe 61’)
Sunday 3 August
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Daniel Stack
Assistant Referee: Thomas Lee & Leigh Pigram
Rockdale City Suns FC: 38.Anthony Atansov (44.Jeremy Boden), 24.David Bradasevic, 13.Ben Cornish, 31.Aaron Davis, 34.Stefan Dubocanin, 36.Tony Lo, 2.Andrija Petkovic, 25.Nicholas Petrillo (39.Mohamed Dauda), 42.Caleb Russell, 29.Cameron Solevski (37.Marlo Garcia), Seung Woo
Substitutes Not Used: 41.Lachlan Jacques
Yellow Cards: 34.Stefan Dubocanin 11’, 25.Nicholas Petrillio 12’, 39.Mohamed Dauda 70’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 26.Jarrod Benham, 38.Jeremy Cox (31.Jayden Mcleod), 50.Brendan Curtis, 22.Andrew Depta, 34.Vincent Giannini (42.Nathan Blake), 32.Jordan Hughes (41.Kostandinos Nikas), 35.Lachlan Hughes (53.James Combes), 30.Spiridion Kakavelis, 37.Daniel Loe, 36.Christopher Mcstay, 17.Jordan Roberts
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: 36.Christopher Mcstay 76’
Red Cards: Nil
ROUND REVIEW
SATURDAY
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2-2 Blacktown City FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC drew 2-2 with Blacktown City FC on Saturday evening.
Jayden Priest and Mitchell Osman scored for the home side.
SUNDAY
South Coast Wolves FC 2-3 St George FC at WIN Stadium
South Coast Wolves FC lost to St George FC at home.
Dean Pender and Shannon Fielding scored for the home side while for the winners James Spanoudakis, Adriano Negri and Jordan Guerreiro bagged all the goals for the Saints in their hard fought victory away from home.
Sydney Olympic FC 0-1 Manly United FC at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC lost 0-1 to Manly United FC at home.
Sam Conway scored for the visiting side.
Blacktown Spartans FC 0-2 Marconi Stallions FC at Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans FC lost to Marconi Stallions FC on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi scorers were Claudio Fabiano and Callum Fitzpatrick.
Sydney United 58 FC 0-2 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 FC lost to APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC at home.
George Blackwood and Luke Clifford scored for the visiting side.
-By Anneliese Scenna
