Men’s State League 2 Round 12 Review
Camden Tigers have picked up their fourth win in a row when they defeated University of NSW (UNSW) 4-0, with goals going to Jayden Russell, Daniel Martinez, Daniel Semaan and Adam Smutek.
The match began nervously from the visitors after an early mistake by Camden’s Stephen Tomasic put UNSW in striking range.
They thrived off this confidence and continued to create opportunities through Michal Lalik and Carl Bishop.
Despite this, Camden showed pride in their defence and repelled what UNSW had thrown at them through strong tackles by Mitchell Green
A terrific ball from UNSW’s Gavin O’Donovan found captain, Samuel Zouroudis in space, which created the first scoring chance of the game in the fifth minute.
Zouroudis took a touch away from goal and onto his favoured right boot before scuffing the shot wide for a goal kick.
Camden built pressure of their own and did not take long to register their first shot on target, when Daniel Martinez hit the woodwork from outside of the box.
However, a lapse in concentration from Camden in the 12th minute saw goalkeeper, Matthew Johnston pick up a yellow card. It resulted from a mistake at the back, which forced Johnston to leave the box and take the UNSW player down.
UNSW were certainly knocking on the door for a goal, when that attacking free kick by Michael Lalik hit the post and unfortunately bounced away.
The match continued back-and-forth until Camden managed to break the deadlock in the 25th minute through Jayden Russell, who picked up his 10th goal of the season.
A great ball by Grant Mackechnie pierced the UNSW back-four and found Daniel Martinez, who then laid it off for Jackson Russell.
Russell then took a touch and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner with a quality finish.
Camden almost made it 2-0 ten minutes later when a counter attack by Bailey Simpson, linked with Grant Mackechnie, who again found Jayden Russell.
Moments later, a Camden counter attack saw UNSW goalkeeper Nic Nelson having to commit to Mackechnie, just before he passed the ball to Russell who had an open net. He then unfortunately skied the ball by rushing his shot.
The score remained at 1-0 to the visitors at half time.
The second half began with plenty of controversy when Camden were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute, after Grant Mackechnie was fouled from behind in the process of shooting in the box.
Things went from bad to worse for UNSW when Julien Tellier picked up his second yellow card for dissent just moments before Daniel Martinez buried the penalty kick into the side netting, which extended Camden’s lead to two goals.
Camden smelt blood and attempted to ‘run-away’ with the match when Jayden Russell’s 30-metre attempt struck the right post.
UNSW still rallied hard despite the circumstances and never gave up, which was led by the Zouroudis brothers in Dean and Samuel, who combined effectively in the middle and right side of the pitch.
While UNSW kept their shift movements relatively contained, Camden found success on the edges through Bailey Simpson, whose positional change from right-midfield to left, proved effective.
As a result, Camden were staring down the barrel of a third goal when a tremendous build-up play involving most of the squad resulted in a narrow, half-volley miss from Daniel Semaan.
Semaan made no mistakes with his next chance, when he was able to trickle in a ricochet from a Mackechnie attempt on goal which brought the score to 3-0, with under half an hour of play remaining.
UNSW resorted to long-range attempts in the hope of scoring a speculator because Camden’s defence was impenetrable for the majority of the second half.
Marcelo Turdera provided spark for UNSW off the bench, but failed to capitalise on the rare chances on goal that presented itself.
Adam Smutek sealed the win for the visitors in the 86th minute courtesy of a Bailey Simpson cross into the box, which was calmly put away on the second attempt.
The downhill half continued for UNSW when they played with nine men for the last few minutes of the match, after Alexander Zouroudis left the field with a suspected broken wrist.
The match ended with the score of 4-0 to the visiting, Camden Tigers in a match that was truly a tale of two halves.
Match Stats
Camden Tigers 2
University of NSW 0
David Phillips Athletics Field
Referee: Mr. Stephen Ellsmore
Assistant Referees: Mr. Kim Seek and Mr. Jim Weng Kuan
Dunbar Rovers: 12. Sean Doherty, 15. Mitchell Green, 20. Matthew Johnston, 11. Grant Mackechnie, 10. Daniel Martinez, 16. Jayden Russell, 7. Daniel Semaan, 31. Bailey Simpson, 6. Blake Szumski, 4. Stephen Tomasich, 3. Jake Watson
Substitutions: 14. Adam Smutek, 9. Blake Armstrong, 13. Martin Kerr, 21. Abel Queipo
Yellow Cards: 20. Matthew Johnston (12’), 12. Sean Doherty (55’), 31. Bailey Simpson (70’)
Red Cards: nil
University of NSW: 1. Nic Nelson, 12. Male Balazs, 11. Carl Bishop, 8. Simon Hinde, 17. Michal Lalik, 5. Gavin O’Donovan, 14. Julien Tellier, 15. Ruben Viglino, 13. Alexander Zouroudis, 10. Dean Zouroudis, 7. Sam Zouroudis
Substitutes: 18. Victor Cares, 2. Tom Cook, 6. Thomas Inglis, 16. Daniel Kennedy, 9. Marcelo Turdera
Yellow Cards: 17. Michal Lalik (66’), 5. Gavin O’Donovan (69’), 15. Ruben Viglino (71’)
Red Cards: 14. Julien Tellier (49’)
Wagga City Wanderers 3-3 Southern Districts, Saturaday 27 June, Gissing Oval
The Wagga City Wanderers have picked up their first ever points as a club after drawing 3-3 with second-placed, Southern Districts.
Southern Districts led at half-time one-nil when Nathan Niski tucked one away courtesy of a Milan Atlagic cross.
Wagga City hit back however, with two goals, one of which was a penalty.
The Visitors replied with a couple more goals of their own through a Reuben Agyei Danso double, including a screamer that found the top left corner from outside of the box.
Despite the late surge by Districts, an injury time equaliser by Wagga City was just enough for them to sneak away with a point and off the dreaded goose egg.
Hurstville FC 3-0 Prospect United, Saturday 27 June, William Lawson Park
Hurstville FC have put together an outstanding team performance after they downed Prospect United by a comfortable 3-0 margin on Saturday.
Hurstville FC head coach, Tom Vidovic, said it was their [Hurstville’s] “best performance of the year,” which is good timing for them, now that we are in the latter stage of the competition.
Nicholas Kougious opened the scoring when he shot from outside of the box to beat the goalkeeper in the 25th minute.
Denis Cutura’s double, including an outstanding volley from 30 metres out was the highlight of the match and sealed the win for Hurstville FC.
Western Condors 5-1 Hurstville City Minotaurs, Sunday 28 June, Calabria Sports Ground
The Western Condors have posted a convincing 5-1 victory over the Hurstville City Minotaurs.
Mauricio Navarrete had a hand in everything for the Condors and not only scored but also distributed quality ball to his strike-men.
Suspensions and injuries prevented the Minotaurs from being competitive in the match but the General, Peter Sarikakis is looking forward to the remaining matches in this season in order to salvage respectability.
Dunbar Rovers 3-0 FC Gazy Lansvale, Sunday 28 June, Progress Park
The Dunbar Rovers have continued their undefeated record this season after downing FC Gazy Lansvale 3-0 on Sunday.
Captain, Robbie Deasy starred for the visitors after scoring a double, while Malcolm Miller also managed to find himself on the scoresheet.
The Rovers controlled the game but could not penetrate the Gazy defence as well as they would have liked.
The Rovers remain at the top of the ladder and hold a comfortable three win victory from second placed Southern Districts.
-by Lars Roy, Men’s State League 2 Reporter
