Men’s State League 1 Round 22 Review
The regular season has concluded in a tension-filled round of Men’s State League 1 to confirm our five finalists.
It took a late flurry of goals but Balmain Tigers triumphed in our final Match of the Round.
Match of the Round: Granville Rage 1 v Balmain Tigers 3
Balmain Tigers were made to work for it but eventually overpowered the Granville Rage at a wet Garside Park.
The first half matched the gloomy weather, as both teams tested each other out without clear cut chances. Balmain Tigers had to push on for a result to confirm finals football.
Hard working Tigers winger, Ahmed Chandab wasted the best chance of the half with his clever touch that gave him room before shooting high.
Charbel Haddad was presented the best chance for the home side on 37 minutes after he ran onto the ball but the shot fell safely into Balmain Tigers ‘keeper Anthony Costa’s hands.
Following a deadlocked first half – Joe Di Giulio rang the changes introducing Scott Tonkin, Will Donato and Domenico Di Mento in short order after the restart.
These changes brought some intensity into the contest as both teams searched for the opener. The unfancied Rage were closest with Zachary Watters’ spurned one-on-one chance on the hour mark.
Despite being out of finals contention, Granville dominated play after the break. Their pressure resulted in the opening goal of the contest – David Harding found room down the right for a cut-back to Haddad to tap home.
Like much of the season – conceding stung Balmain Tigers into action. A scramble around the box where Rage ‘keeper Carl McMahon repelled thrice was eventually finished by Tigers top scoring Irishman Jonathan Gowdy.
McMahon was peppered with chances late on, as Di Giulio urged his team on as a draw wasn’t enough for them. Tonkin almost got lucky with his shot in the 76th that rebounded off McMahon for a corner.
Two substitutes came together for the Tigers second goal. Donato’s pinpoint cross found the leap from Di Mento thrash it home.
Smelling blood Balmain Tigers continued to attack with Donato’s composed finish to confirm their finals position.
The bench gave a mighty roar after the conclusion of a frustrating and ultimately victorious 90 minutes of football.
Afterwards a relieved Joe Di Giulio praised the team’s resolve.
”I thought I was wet from the rain but it was the nerves. We got lucky today as Granville played very well,”
“The boys put it on. The last 10-15 minutes we did really well and now need to regroup before playing Dully.” He said.
The Granville coach lamented how the game reflected their season.
“It was tough, unfortunate. done from behind again, the story of our season,” he sighed.
“We had quite a few young guys in there but it hasn’t been the best season for us.”
MATCH STATS
Granville Rage 1 (Haddad ’70)
Balmain Tigers 3 (Gowdy ’73, Di Mento ’80 and Donato ‘87)
Granville Rage: McMahon, Ekehov (Marras ’66), Bottalico, Luc, Harding, Pannowitz, Haddad, Watters, Scalone, Casey (Razov ’79) and Miljkovic
Subs not used: Bortolazzo, Costantino and Wallace
Balmain Tigers: Hyde, Cook (Tonkin ’48), Gowdy, Casali, Chandab (D. Di Mento ’66), Kunst, G. Di Mento, Wenyon, Karpes, Costa and Broehl (Donato ’55)
Subs not used: Nakadai and Fiakos
Stanmore Hawks 3 vs Rydalmere Lions 1
Stanmore Hawks did their job but the results didn’t fall their way.
Heo Wookbum gave them the perfect start with his goal after 22 minutes.
Rydalmere equalised before halftime through John Fahmi to make it 1-1 at the break.
Wookbum and Christian Ekwerike added second half penalties to round off the display.
Inter Lions 3 v Nepean FC 1
Inter Lions signed off the season in style with a dominant win against Nepean.
Captain coach Lachlan Wright bagged two goals in another splendid display from the midfielder.
Michael Cimino added the third goal before Nepean clawed one back through Carlo Manna.
Hawkesbury City SC 3 v Gladesville Ryde Magic 1
The finals charge came too late for Hawkesbury City but they ended on a high note.
Todd Macrae popped up with a rare goal to give Hawkesbury City the lead.
They added further goals to Jason Browne and James Maewin in a free flowing game.
Chris Gaitatzis’ fourth of the season gave the Magic some solace at the end of an inconsistent season.
Western NSW Mariners 1 v North Shore Mariners 5
North Shore Mariners finished off the season clinically in a Mudgee rout.
Forward Marquin Smith found his shooting boots this week registering a hat-trick.
Young winger Alex Drake and Joshua Mbawke piled on the misery with their strikes.
Western NSW after early promise faded away this season to miss the finals.
Hills Brumbies 6 v Dulwich Hill FC 0
Mark Giovenali and his men are in ominous form heading into the finals.
The Brumbies struck early and often. Greg Giovenali notched a double within 15 minutes.
Liam Lawler made it 3-0 right on the half hour mark as Brumbies returned to mid-season form.
Christopher Bedzo took the headlines though with his wonderful chipped effort to top off his hat-trick.
Dully now face an elimination final against Balmain Tigers while Hills Brumbies take on Rydalmere Lions.
By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter.
