IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Grade 20s Final Series Week 2 Review
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC are through to the grand final after they beat Manly United FC on Sunday afternoon at Lambert Park.
Manly United will play Blacktown City FC next week for the other place, after Blacktown beat Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2-0.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0-2 Blacktown City FC at Lambert Park
Blacktown City FC pulled together a complete performance to end another team’s season in an Elimination Final on Saturday afternoon.
The White Eagles, who were a consistently strong team, fell behind Manly United FC in the run home to the regular season. Their recent drop in results continued as the side were well beaten by Blacktown City on Saturday afternoon in Week 2 of the Finals Series.
In the 23’ minute Jack Press opened the goal scoring for Blacktown City, initiated by Daniel Araujo’s run into the box, which was well covered by Bonnyrigg defender Taric Ercan. Just when it seemed like City had missed a glorious opportunity, the ball fell invitingly to the feet of Jack Press on the right who made no mistake in calmly blasting the ball into the far corner of the net.
Just moments later Blacktown City’s Jonathon Grozdanovski on the left sent a beautiful cross into the box, finding an unmarked Marco Travaglini who squandered a wonderful chance at an open goal.
With clear momentum Blacktown City dominated proceedings, this time from a corner, first brilliantly cleared by Bonnyrigg central defender Mitchell Osmond, which saw the ball kept alive. A host of chances should have seen a second goal denied only by Bonnyrigg defence and keeper, Liam Gobbo who was forced into a series of saves.
It took until the 41’ minute for Bonnyrigg to show their capabilities and they had an opportunity to equalise through Steven Illic who gained possession just outside the box, beating his man only to see his shot push wide of the far post.
But Bonnyrigg struggled to get out of their half for the most part and in the 44’ minute a long through ball found an unmarked City Grozdanovski in the box. With only the keeper to beat and with support play from teammate Press, his heavy pass wasted another golden opportunity.
As Bonnyrigg emerged for the second half they had a rare site on goal when just two minutes in, Illic had his second attempt, again shooting wide of the target.
Substitute Dolor Edosomwan took the field in the 58’ minute and his great run of form added a burst of energy to a team that uncharacteristically seemed to be absent. But despite his strong form in front of goals throughout the season, even he struggled to find an equaliser.
In the 62’ minute City’s Press managed to beat Bonnyrigg defender Osmond on the right, before finding Araujo in the box, but a beautiful fingertip save by the keeper denied him a goal.
They continued to push forward and Sam Perre was next with an opportunity, his shot unluckily striking the bar.
Blacktown City maintained constant defensive pressure and in the 78’ minute, Bonnyrigg’s Alexander Doyle inside the box was quickly closed down, sending his shot sailing over the bar.
There were flashes when it seemed like Bonnyrigg could snatch a goal, but their task became an impossible one when influential City forward Press found the back of the net for the second time of the match in the 83’ minute.
Grozdanovski’s cross from the right found an unmarked Press in the box whose point-blank shot found the keeper, Liam Gobbo. With the ball still alive Grozdanovski once again sent the ball to Jack Press, who this time perfectly chipped it into goal.
Just before the full time whistle, the man of the hour, Jack Press looked like he would grab a hattrick, but a solid tackle by Bonnyrigg defender George Yousif saw the opportunity lost.
Sitting in fourth position at the beginning of the Finals Series, Blacktown City will now face their third elimination final next weekend, this time with their sights on the 2014 Grand Final.
Blacktown City coach Ken Schembri was happy with his side’s performance.
“The first half was very good. There is always a danger of coming into the second half with a one-nil lead, but we played well,” Schembri said.
“Defensively we were strong and young Jack Press played very well.”
Bonnyrigg coach Mark Zecchin was proud of his team and their overall season performance.
“When it comes to the semi-finals it’s a completely different competition and I think the boys did well”, Zecchin said.
“Blacktown had a slight edge and defensively they played very well.”
“We’re not defined by the semi-finals and we performed well during the season and we comfortably finished second on the table.”
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0
Blacktown City FC (29.Jack Press 24’, 83’) 2
Saturday August 30, 2014
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Adam Vainauskas
Assistant Referees: Joon Park & Craig Fisher
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC: 24.Alexander Doyle, 26.Tarik Ercan, 27.Harrison Feller (30.Nikola Krljar 86’), 22.Liam Gobbo, 29.Brian Griffin-Colls, 15.Stevan Illic, 17.Mitchell Osmond, 39.Jayden Priest (32.Osadolor Edosomwan 58’), 36.Braedan Robins (25.Manuel Duarte 86’), 34.Dillon Vorster (38.Marko Filipovic 72’), 33.George Yousif
Substitutes Not Used: 28.Andrew Gioiosa
Yellow Cards: 27.Harrison Feller 11’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 35.Daniel Araujo (28.Ryan Peterson 75’), 30.Lewis Beumie, 23.Jonathon Grozdanovski (25.Patrick Flottmann 86’), 20.Joel Hardwick, 27.Nicola Kuleski, 24.Eoin Montford, 22.Peter Pelakanos, 21.Sam Perre (31.Matt Stewart 83’), 29.Jack Press, 15.Marco Travaglini, 13.Blake Tuxford
Substitutes Not Used: 32.Keenan Gibson, 40.Thomas Heward-Belle
Yellow Cards: 21.Sam Perre 37’, 29.Jack Press 67’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2-0 FC Manly United FC at Lambert Park
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC triumphed at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon, beating Premiership winners, Manly United FC.
Blade Richards found the opening goal early in the first half and Lachlan Scott doubled APIA’s lead in the 65’ minute.
Manly United had a player sent off just before half time, which hampered their efforts.
The result sees APIA through to the Grand Final for the second year in a row, whilst Manly United will now face Blacktown City next weekend for the final spot.
-By Anneliese Scenna
