Men’s State League 1 Round 20 Review
North Shore Mariners were finally defeated in a wonderful weekend of football in the Men’s State League 1.
Dulwich Hill left it late to defeat Rydalmere Lions in our Match of the Round.
Match of the Round: Rydalmere Lions 1 v Dulwich Hill 2
A fine free-kick from Christopher Pinto set Dulwich Hill on course for a 2-1 win at Valentine Sports Park Saturday night.
Seventeen year-old Aaron Avery scored the match winner last weekend and almost opened the scoring tonight. The forward was played in but sent his shot straight at Mario Farias.
Dulwich Hill responded in the sixth minute as a corner earned by Sam Messam, was rocketed against both the crossbar and the post to keep the game locked up at nil-all.
Avery once again featured in a move, combining with Zakeriya Elrich to crash an effort against the crossbar.
For all the bluster Rydalmere continued an issue that has plagued their season, the inability to turn their chances into goals.
Despite the lack of possession, Dully almost opened the scoring right on half-time when Alex Yin rose highest but could only glance his header wide.
Elrich was in the thick of the action after half-time with a shot that flashed across the six yard box and wide.
Rydalmere Lions’ task grew harder after being reduced to ten menwhen Liam Delaney was shown a red card for a rash challenge.
Basha’s men responded well as they took the lead in the 70th minute. Amaury Gauthier broke into the box, rounded Farias and slid the ball into the net.
Gauthier almost had a double two minutes later as he combined with a deeper lying Elrich to force a save from Farias.
Dulwich Hill needed a spark and Christopher Pinto provided it. The substitute curled his free-kick past Harrick Sinpraseuth for 1-1.
Sensing the opportunity to grab all three points – Norm Tome urged his troops to press forward and who else but Messam, found the winner for Dulwich Hill.
The striker drew the ‘keeper out and slotted home for a 2-1 lead.
Rydalmere Lions threw themselves forward for an equaliser but bar a sliced clearance that almost was an own goal, Dulwich Hill saw out the final few minutes to stay three points out of second.
Afterwards Rydalmere coach Tony Basha lamented another lost game.
“We were the much better team and should’ve had five in the first half but that’s football,” he said.
“It’s tough to continually try to battle with ten men each week.”
Dulwich Hill coach Norm Tome praised his side’s resilience tonight.
“It was an entertaining game and it was a much improved performance from the last three weeks,” beamed Tome.
On Christopher Pinto’s free-kick.
“It was a cracking free-kick and [Christopher Pinto] is known for that and it was good to see him score.”
MATCH STATS
Rydalmere Lions 1 (Gauthier ’70)
Dulwich Hill FC 2 (Pinto ’78, Messam ’82)
Rydalmere Lions: Sinpraseuth, Cheong, Elrich, Sayan, Conde, Delaney, Allybokus, Avery (Fahmi ’65), Gauthier (Hayashi ’83), Ankumah-Sey and Vickers
Yellow cards: Delaney, Allybokus and Gauthier
Red card: Delaney
Dulwich Hill FC: Maruca, Morrison, Hrysanthos (Parr ’81), Cross, Johnston, Tirovski, Agyei(Pinto ’75), Yin, Iannacito (Martinez ’92), Farias and Messam
Subs not used: North and Calcagno
Yellow cards: Morrison, Hrysanthos, Johnston, Martinez and Messam
Hawkesbury City SC 2 v Nepean FC 1
Hawkesbury moved within striking distance of the finals with a 2-1 win over Nepean FC.
Paul Cooper scored a brace for the battling Hawks in a tough contest.
Nepean FC proved stubborn and kept themselves in the contest with a goal to Christopher Goday-Bascur.
Hawkesbury City coach Dean Bertenshaw was delighted with three points despite being understrength.
Hills Brumbies 4 v Western NSW Mariners 0
Hills Brumbies piled on more misery on the faded Mariners Saturday night.
The Brumbies put the woes of the last few weeks behind them to plunder Western NSW Mariners.
Liam Lawler was the chief destroyer with his two goals helping Brumbies to a 3-nil half-time lead.
Andrew McCracken scored the other goal in a performance that would’ve delighted Mark Giovenali.
Stanmore Hawks 3 v Gladesville Ryde Magic 0
It is almost becoming routine to write Stanmore Hawks 3-nil but they did it again this afternoon.
The dominant performance was highlighted by the masterful midfield display from Steve Liavas.
Neil Philippou’s penalty started the scoring as Costa Bakoulis and Sam Awad rounded out the scoreline.
Coach Soteri Mavrou enjoyed the dominant performance that lead to a fourth straight win.
North Shore Mariners 0 v Granville Rage 2
Granville Rage has produced the upset of the season ending the Mariners undefeated streak.
Many teams had visited Northbridge Oval and returned with a loss but the Granville Rage bucked the trend.
Zachary Watters and Terry Pannowitz produced the goals for the underdogs to stun the home crowd.
The win lifts Granville Rage off the bottom of the ladder into 11th position.
Balmain Tigers 1 v Inter Lions 1
Balmain were held to a draw by a battle hardened Inter Lions at Wentworth Park.
The home side opened the scoring through English striker Jonathan Gowdy to put Tuesday night behind them.
Inter continued to fight and equalised from a Domenic Arcella half volley to earn a point.
Balmain coach Joe Di Giulio praised his troops effort and the skills of Inter ‘keeper Daniel Plowright.
By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 Reporter.
