Men’s State League 1 Round 16 Review
The North Shore Mariners continue to break away from the pack while Nepean FC have made it two in a row in another weekend of pulsating action.
Inter upset Rydalmere with an expert defensive display in our Match of the Round.
Match of the Round – Inter Lions 1 v Rydalmere FC 0
Inter Lions produced a brilliant defensive display capped off by a Rosario Occhipinti goal to grab all three points against Rydalmere on a beautiful Winter’s afternoon on Sunday.
The pattern of the game was set early, as Rydalmere fired their first shot in the fifth minute when John Fahmi burst into the box and fired a tame shot at Futsalroo keeper Roberto Maiorana in-goal.
Maiorana was called into action quite a lot in the first half, needing to fend away Zakeriya Elrich’s effort with the follow up unable to be kept down by Fahmi.
It took player manager Lachlan Wright to register Inter’s first effort. After a free-kick the midfielder tried to bend the set piece toward goal but only found Rydalmere’s keeper.
Much of the play was between the two boxes – as Rydalmere frustrated by the defensive shape of the home side tried peppering the goal from range.
Their best chance came from some broken play as Fahmi was played through once again to be cleaned up by Maiorana outside the area. A trademark Chris Camilleri’s free-kick followed and Maiorana was there to deflect it away again.
Harrison Brown almost doubled his season tally from an Inter corner as Michael Cimino’s initial effort was saved into his path but Brown couldn’t prod the ball home.
Following the break, Rosario Occhipinti almost broke the deadlock with a circus effort. The striker had his back to goal and hooked it onto the post inches away from a stunning goal.
Rydalmere’s frustration mounted and bubbled to the surface as Elrich was shown a red card reducing them to ten men.
Inter took immediate advantage in the 64th minute. The ball broke to the home side in the box, with Harrick Sinpraseuth caught out allowing Occhipinti to squirm his effort underneath him for a 1-0 lead.
Tony Basha rang the changes following the dismissal and almost produced an impact. Ryunosuke Hayashi’s cross created mayhem in the box but Damien Smith was the last to try and beat Maiorana but was denied.
Smith had a final chance in stoppage time to try and steal a point when he was played through but Maiorana, like all afternoon, stood tall and secured an important win for Inter Lions.
Lachlan Wright was pleased with the discipline.
“We were smart with the ball and won the game.” He said.
“We know that they will hold possession and move, that’s fine possession doesn’t win you games, goals do.”
Conversely Tony Basha was frustrated with the missed chances.
“I am tired of it.
“Get in front of goal and can’t score. We miss seven or eight [chances] a game,” said the Rydalmere boss.
“They defended well and were hungrier that’s football. Thankfully Lloyd [Owusu] should be back next weekend.”
MATCH STATS
Inter Lions 1 (Occhipinti ’64)
Rydalmere Lions 0
Inter Lions: Maiorana, Ciano, De Kelly, Cimino(Funari ’74), Brown, Occhipinti, Arcella, Maya Valiente(Turner ’68), Sidoti, Wright and Roda
Subs not used: Fabbro and Plowright
Yellow cards: Maiorana
Rydalmere Lions: Sinpraseuth, Kamel, Cheong, Aguirre(Akca ’84), Elrich, Sayan, Fahmi(Smith ’67), Allybokus, Avery, Camilleri(Hayashi ’67)and Vickers
Subs not used: Conde and Gauthier
Yellow card:
Red card: Elrich
Hawkesbury City SC 0 v Stanmore Hawks 1
Stanmore produced a gritty display to get over Hawkesbury City SC Saturday night.
The visiting Hawks scored the lone goal of the game when Dean Mudridge weaved past three to score.
Soteri Mavrou was proud of his team’s effort and heart to win after their disappointment last weekend.
Both teams had their chances and the game could’ve easily had more goals.
Western NSW Mariners 3 v Nepean FC 5
Nepean FC have clawed their way off the bottom of the league ladder in an eight goal thriller at Glen Willow Stadium.
Kane Hughes continued his recent purple patch with a hat-trick for Western NSW including the opener.
Former NPL player Christopher Goday Bascur equalised twice for Nepean in his own hat-trick performance topped off by a magnificent free-kick.
The second half was all Nepean after Kodai Hayashi scored early in the second half. Chris Hanly flicked in a back heel to complete their scoring in what was a timely boost for the boys from Nepean who continue to impress after a shocking start to the year.
Dulwich Hill 1 v North Shore Mariners 2
North Shore were tested but kept their cool for their twelfth win of the season.
Marquin Smith gave the Mariners a perfect start scoring within two minutes of kick-off.
Dully made it 1-1 from an own goal after some good work from Steven Hrysanthos.
North Shore persisted and their positive intent paid off as Mitchell Lensink popped up for the winner.
Granville Rage 1 v Gladesville Ryde Magic 2
Gladesville consolidated their top five spot on Sunday afternoon with a win away at Garside.
Chris Gaitatzis and Stephen Lloyd netted for the home team.
Callum Hedge clawed a goal back for the Rage but remain tenth after this loss.
Balmain Tigers FC 3 v Hills Brumbies 1
Buoyed by their Westfield FFA Cup tie with Melbourne Victory, Balmain produced a fine display to see off the Brumbies 3-1.
Joe Di Giulio was pleased with his charges taking apart one of the stronger teams in Men’s State League 1.
The Tigers had the Di Mento brothers to thank as Giacomo and Domenico scoring while Ahmed Chandab rounded off what was a perfect display.
Mark Giovenali will need to regroup with his players after a tough few weeks. Liam Lawler scored their lone goal.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
