Northern Tigers crowned PS4 NPL Men’s 2 Champions
Northern Tigers have claimed the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 Championship after a close 2-1 win over Bankstown City, a double to Man of the Match Shervin Adeli sending the Tigers on the road to victory.
It is the third Men’s 2 Grand Final win in six years for Northern Tigers as the northern suburbs based club claimed a late win over the Lions, a goal six minutes from time securing the victory.
While recent finals games in the Championship has seen a plethora of goals, this was not the case on Saturday evening but that was not due to any failings of the respective attacks but rather, excellent defensive displays by both the Lions and the Tigers.
It was a tight first half which saw few clear chances. The best for Bankstown came midway through the half when excellent play between Grant Lynch and Huseyin Jasli saw Chris Gomez clear into the box but his shot just went wide. The Tigers’ closest opportunity in the opening period came when they had a chance cleared off the line, after an inswinging corner.
But the game opened up somewhat in the second half, and none more so than when Northern Tigers took the lead.
And what a goal it was.
An in-swinging corner taken by Paul Davies almost curled straight in at the far post, before being headed away off the line. But the full clearance was only partially made, and Adeli, a good twenty minutes out, struck the sweetest volley into the roof of the net.
The goal sent the Tigers players and bench into delirium, a goal worthy of any Grand Final. It was a wonder strike for sure and from one of the more unsung players in the Tigers line-up.
But perhaps the goal made the Tigers a little nervous from there on, as Bankstown certainly didn’t take too kindly to being a goal down. They immediately took control, and gained the upper hand as they looked to recover. And it didn’t take long to get back on an even footing. As with last week, it was Michael Beauchamp who again connected inside the box to draw the Lions level. A tantalising corner and there was Beauchamp, unmarked to head home for 1-1.
The portents were good. Bankstown continued to exert pressure, and Jasli tried a snapshot which just went over. A goal seemed certain when Brima Kamara did well in getting into the box and his deftly hit left footer was going in for all money, except for a diving Matt Nemes getting a hand on the ball.
The Lions were on top and the Tigers were under pressure.
But that was until Adeli gained his second.
Just six minutes to go, and a cross from Jamie Craig that could hardly have been more perfectly delivered. From out on the left, the ball was weighted to a tee and Adeli volleyed from close range to push the winner past Dion Shaw.
It was a cruel blow to Bankstown City who had looked the more likely to get the decider, but nothing should be taken away from Northern Tigers who defended stoutly all game, and while their trio of marksmen may have been kept off the scoresheet in the big one, there is no denying the quality of the goals that came from Adeli. Goals worthy of winning a Grand Final.
“It took a huge effort to get here”, stated Northern Tigers captain Michael Rolston, “and I am as proud as punch”.
“It is a fantastic group of players and not all were able to play tonight. But we have a big squad and that is the key reason why we are here. It is thanks to every one of them”.
“And Bankstown, they are a class outfit, and we knew that they would be here tonight. And I am sure they will dust themselves off and be back again for next year”, Rolston declared.
As expected, it was a disappointed Bankstown captain in Michael Beauchamp.
“It is disappointing but that it is a part of football. It is a transition for us this year as a club and I am sure that next year will be even bigger for us”.
Match Stats
Northern Tigers 2 (Shervin Adeli 53’, 84’) v Bankstown City 1 (Michael Beauchamp 59’)
Saturday 19 September 2015
at Sydney United Sports Centre Edensor Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assts: Joon Park and Andriej Giev
4th official: Chris Young
Northern Tigers: 1. Matthew Nemes 3. Lucas Dawson 4. Michael Rolston (c) 6. Paul Davies 7. Matthew West 9. Liam McConaghy 10. Shervin Adeli 12. Russell Farrell 13. Jamie Craig 16. Steven Baveas (23. Julian Lim 78’) 18. Tai Smith (17. Braden Cheng 88’)
Subs not used: 21. Harrison Devenish-Meares 2. Samuel Ryder 11. Mitchell Smith
Yellow Cards: Liam McConaghy 38’, Tai Smith 67’, Steven Baveas 70’, Jamie Craig 90+3’
Coach: Steve Hurd
Bankstown City: 1. Dion Shaw 2. Todd Halloran 3. Grant Lynch (12. Steven Veleski 85’) 5. Michael Beauchamp (c) 7. Brima Kamara 8. Dean Heffernan 9. Chris Gomez (4. Aaron D’Mello 72’) 10. Domenic Hudap 11. Huseyin Jasli 17. Gerard Ouffoue 22. Ko Kimura (6. Reuben Lagos 85’).
Subs not used: 30 Nicholas Carosi 20. Alvaro Malmierca
Yellow Cards: Huseyin Jasli 23’, Dean Heffernan 37’, Reuben Lagos 90’
Coach: Leo Carle
-by Peter Rowney, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2 Reporter
