Men’s State League 1 Round 12 Review
Hawkesbury City FC provided the shock of the round as they hit five goals past Western NSW Mariners while the match of the round saw the North Shore Mariners continue its flawless form with a five goal defeat of Rydalmere FC.
Match of the Round: North Shore 5 v Rydalmere 1
The Mariners have thrown down a marker in their 5-1 dismantling of rudderless Rydalmere thanks to a brace from Lee Jones.
Joe Haywood and his men did their homework on the impressive Rydalmere, halting their six game winning streak with a late flurry of goals.
North Shore prised open the Lions in the fifth minute when Tadhg Purcell chested down a switch and squared it to Nicholas Chapman to sweep home.
Where their first goal was technically proficient, the second was audacious. Lee Jones spied Harrick Sinpraseuth off his line and lobbed the stranded keeper from his own half to make it 2-nil.
After the shock of the two goals, Rydalmere worked their way back into the contest.
Their new strikeforce of Lloyd Owusu and Zakeriya Elrich fed on scraps for most of the half with Elrich’s 20th minute effort his best.
Despite the attacking chances from Rydalmere, North Shore shut down most of them in part to their pressing learned from the 2-2 draw earlier this season.
Following a rev-up from Tony Basha at the break – Rydalmere got back into their rhythm and it brought reward. Zakeriya Elrich nestled his effort just inside the post to claw one back in the 56th minute.
Errors and pressing though were their downfall once again. A lost ball in the midfield gave Jones space once again to daisy cutter his second and North Shore’s third.
It all fell apart for the visitors after that. A long ball aimed for Smith forced Sinpraseuth to clean him up and be judged a penalty plus send off. Hulking striker Lloyd Owusu went in goals but couldn’t stop Smith’s spot kick.
Joe Haywood urged his men to keep up their work rate and effort which brought on their fifth goal. Smith tormented the Rydalmere defense all afternoon and ripped an effort into the roof of the net for 5-1.
Owusu in-goal had his moments as he beat away substitute Kevin Baker’s 83rd minute strike.
Coach Joe Haywood was pleased his side carried out their game plan.
“We had a game plan to try and press them and that game plan worked 100%.”
Lee Jones was still bemused by his lobbed effort.
“It was all a blur, I just looked up, everyone was a bit static and thought why not.”
MATCH STATS
North Shore Mariners 5 (Chapman ‘5, Jones ‘7 ’65 and Smith ’69, ’83)
Rydalmere Lions 1 (Elrich ’56)
North Shore Mariners: Zetchinati, Grant, Wynter, Woodward, Cole, Lensink(Walker ’70), Chapman(Collins ’79), Smith, Lindsay(Baker ’79), Jones and Purcell
Subs not used: Lahiri and Hardy
Yellow card: Purcell
Rydalmere Lions: Sinpraseuth, Kamel(Allybokus ’67), Cheong, Hassani(Fahmi ’67), Aguirre, Elrich, Sayan, Conde, Owusu, Camilleri(Smith ’60) and Gauthier
Subs not used: Frangie and Jalilibaleh (RGK)
Yellow cards: Aguirre
Red card: Harrick Sinpraseuth
Gladesville Ryde Magic 0 v Balmain Tigers FC 0
Neither team could be separated in a tough game at Magdala Park Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers missing striker Jonathan Gowdy from suspension couldn’t break down a well drilled Magic ouftit.
Both teams were creating chances in the first half but missed their shooting boots.
Joe Di Giulo will rue the missed chances that have defined the Tigers season thus far.
Western NSW Mariners 1 v Hawkesbury City SC 5
Hawkesbury has produced the upset of the round, thumping the Mariners in Mudgee.
The home side got off to a bright start from a Mitchell Rooke goal in the first half hour.
Evan Daglis turned in a man of the match performance after that to plunder four goals to capture all three points.
James Mawein completed the rout for David Bertenshaw’s men in a fast and open game.
Hills Brumbies 3 v Stanmore Hawks 2
It was back to winning ways for Mark Giovenali and the Brumbies in a five-goal contest at Lily’s Football Centre.
Brumbies found their shooting boots once again – Chris Bedzo opened the scoring in the first half with Greg and William Giovenali making it three goals to the good.
The Hawks made sure it was an open game with Christian Ekwerike scoring his fourth of the season in the first half.
The striker was sent off for a second yellow in the second after Yorgi Mavrou clawed one back.
Dulwich Hill 1 v Nepean FC 0
Once again it was Sam ‘the man’ Messam to the rescue late for a vital three points.
A resurgent Dully were looking to move into the top five with a victory after Western NSW’s loss on Saturday.
They were greeted with a tense affair, as Nepean turned up looking to upset the apple cart.
It was heartache for the improving Nepean though, as Messam popped up for the winner late on.
Inter Lions 2 v Granville Rage 1
A second half onslaught has helped Inter to their first win since the opening round.
Granville scored early in the first half to dent the Lions.
The home side responded well though, as Gustavo Maya Valiente scored from a Lachlan Wright corner.
Inter peppered the woodwork in the second half but took till the 88th minute for Michael Cimino to claim all three points.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
