Men’s State League 1 Round 17 Review
Rain played havoc with two games this weekend but there was enough action in the remaining fixtures to make for an entertaining week of Men’s State League 1.
The cold front arrived in emphatic fashion to postpone our Match of the Round on Saturday night.
Match of the Round: Rydalmere 1 v Nepean FC 0 (Postponed)
Our Match of the Round was postponed during the half-time interval after a deluge of rain made Rydalmere Park unplayable. This was the action of the first half.
It was a robust opening in the fresh conditions that presented themselves in Sydney’s West as Nikola Pozder earned Nepean’s first caution of the match.
Nikola Pozder’s eighth minute foul lead to the opening goal of the contest. Zakeriya Elrich, who served his suspension mid-week swung in a delightful cross that found the head of the returning Lloyd Owusu to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Set pieces represented the best opportunity for both teams as Nepean threaded a free-kick in the 15th minute onto Pozder’s head but the big defender wasn’t able to convert.
Rydalmere almost made it two in the 17th minute. Ryunosuke Hayashi tore down the right with a solid shot but his effort was touched onto the bar by the Nepean defender.
As the conditions worsened with bouts of rain that slicked up the pitch once again Godoy-Bascur produced a wicked shot that Harrick Sinpraseuth in the Rydalmere goal, needed two grabs to save.
Both sides had some salvos from long range but neither forced a significant save from the ‘keepers as we headed to half-time.
The rain had arrived just before the break and continued throughout to render the field unplayable and postpone the game as referee Rob Nieuwenhuis.
Gladesville Ryde Magic 1 v Dulwich Hill FC 2
Dully got themselves some breathing room in fifth after downing Gladesville Ryde Magic on Saturday afternoon.
Two goals from Akwasi Agyei to open his account for the season gave them all three points.
Chris Gaitatzis made it two goals in as many weeks to claw one back for Gladesville Ryde Magic late on.
However it was the visitors who took all three points as Norm Tome’s men are starting to build momentum heading into the finals.
Hills Brumbies 1 v Inter Lions 2
The Inter revival continues with an impressive win over the Brumbies.
Lachlan Wright’s men were in control early after Domenic Arcella scored the opener.
Brumbies equalised through Keunike Maralit but their task was made tougher when Benjamin Rodriguez was sent off.
Michael Cimino sealed the clinical win from the visitors with his second half strike.
Stanmore Hawks 0 v Balmain Tigers 2
Balmain thrusted themselves into third position after beating Stanmore Hawks 2-0 away from home.
The Tigers scored their first through the pragmatic Ahmed Chandab from a free-kick after Hawks ‘keeper James Webb handled a back pass.
Joel Cook added the second when he was given too much space around the box to finish.
Joe Di Giulio was pleased with six points this week which clinched third position moving to round 18.
North Shore Mariners 4 v Hawkesbury City SC 0
The Mariners continue to roll on the year in a positive fashion with another three points.
Hawkesbury were brimming with confidence after their mid-week win over Rydalmere and were searching for another scalp.
It was a testament to the coaching of Joe Haywood, as his charges were clinical with their chances on what was a chilly Sunday afternoon.
They shared the scoring around with Nathan Chapman, Lee Jones, Marquin Smith and Lewis Walker found the net.
Joe Haywood was pleased with the professional performance but more so the clean sheet at the back.
Mid-week fixtures: Hawkesbury City SC 1 v Rydalmere Lions 0 and Balmain Tigers 3 v Western NSW Mariners 1
Washed out: Western NSW Mariners v Granville Rage
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
