Round 1 Review – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
The PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition exploded out of the blocks on the weekend, producing all the thrills and spills we would expect from an opening round, including a mammoth 27 goals as attacking play dominated proceedings.
Hills Brumbies and Rydalmere Lions had solid first up victories at home, Stanmore edged out Western NSW Mariners at Arlington Oval, Inter Lions won on the road at Hawkesbury, whilst Granville Rage and Dulwich Hill shared the points in a six goal extravaganza at Garside Park.
Our Match of the Round took us to Magdala Park in North Ryde for the battle between Gladesville Ryde Magic and Dunbar Rovers on Sunday afternoon.
Dunbar Rovers made it a first day to remember in the 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition when they accounted for Gladesville Ryde Magic by 4-0 at Magdala Park on the opening day of the season.
Magdala Park had a real buzz in the air, with a flat surface and cool breeze providing perfect conditions for the much anticipated Round One clash, and the locals were out in force to witness the action.
Gladesville Ryde Magic had the usual faces back for another term, with Kyriakou Tohouroglou once again between the sticks, Chris Gaitatzis bestowed with the armband, and Johhny Martinez in at right back. Chris Tomaras is their biggest coup, the playmaker signing on from Blacktown City in the off season.
Dunbar Rovers are new to this division, on the back of a resounding (previously known as) State League 2 championship victory in 2015, and with a mixture of new recruits and retained players, were very much looking forward to testing themselves in a higher league.
It only took a mere 45 seconds for Dunbar to register the first effort of the match, Sean Burke arriving at speed in to the box before slicing his shot over following a great run and cross by Robert Ezekiel.
Magic responded a couple of minutes later, a swift passing movement finding Joel Carter in space on the left hand side of the box, with the striker shooting over the cross bar.
Dunbar had the better of the early exchanges, with the Rovers full of energy and quick to close down their opponents.
Magic goalkeeper, Kyriakou Tohouroglou, was at his acrobatic best on 20 minutes, flinging himself to his left to deny Michael Sealy who had headed down an Andrew Doddy free kick.
Gladesville Ryde then put together one of the best moves of the first half, a swift passing movement involving Tomaras and Gaitatzis again finding Joel Carter on the left of the penalty area. Carter fired in a cross shot that eluded everyone, team mate and opponent alike, as it sped past the far post.
Andrew Doddy was covering every blade of grass during a busy first half, and looked likely to be the go to man for Rovers. Doddy took the game by the scruff in the 37th minute, picking up the ball some 30 yards out, before encroaching forward and letting fly with a dipping swerving shot. Magic keeper, Tohouroglou, was alert to the danger and tipped the ball over the cross bar.
Doddy was not to be denied, however. He raced over and demanded the ball via a short corner, and before the Gladesville defence could react, he swung over a vicious far post cross that was met by skipper, Adam Smith at the far post. Smith simply could not miss as he slammed his header in to the roof of the net from under the crossbar to give Dunbar Rovers the lead.
Whilst Gladesville looked down for the count and hoping for the halftime bell to sound, Dunbar could smell blood and moved in for the kill. Ezekiel made inroads down the left, and cut the ball square to Sealy, who let rip with a low grass cutter from outside the box that flashed centimetres past Tohouroglou’s left hand upright.
Unfortunately Gladesville did not heed the warning, and Ezekiel made yet another run down the left, this time weaving inside before whipping over a cross in to the penalty area.
The ball went through a sea of players, landing at the feet of Sealy once more, who took a touch before slamming his close range volley in to the roof of the net to double Dunbar’s advantage.
Gladesville Ryde Magic knew they had to come out of the sheds with added vigour if they were to salvage anything from the match. The Magic were not utilsing Chris Tomaras’ technical ability in the first period, and needed to up the ante to match Dunbar’s energy.
Skipper Chris Gaitatzis was a busy figure across the midfield, and it was he who almost pulled a goal back for Magic in the 55th minute. Gaitatzis was first to a Carter corner, his glancing header towards the inside of the far post headed to safety by Andrew Doddy who was guarding his upright.
But Gladesville’s frustration began to tell, as the Magic picked up four cautions within the space of 17 minutes either side of the hour mark. Two of those were second yellows for needless fouls in the centre of the park – first Yaw Billy, and then Nathan Tsioulos, seeing red and headed for early showers within three minutes of each other.
At this point there was still over 20 minutes to play, and the game was over as a contest.
Dunbar were patient as they tried to spread Gladesville’s nine men, and it paid dividends as they eventually added two more goals late on.
Striker Andrew Green received the ball with his back to goal inside the penalty area, took a touch and with a brilliant turn, fired in to the roof of the net to make it 3-0 after 82 minutes.
Two minutes in to injury time it was 4-0, courtesy of a slalom run and tidy finish from Dunbar’s left back, Stephen Liu.
For Dunbar Rovers, it was a dream first match in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition. The Rovers were enthusiastic from the start, pressed well across the pitch, and were relentless in their application to the job at hand.
Best for Dunbar in a truly thorough team performance were Michael Sealy, who ran at the Magic defenders all day, both with and without the leather, and grabbed a well deserved goal just before half time; skipper Adam Smith controlled everything that came his way in the centre of defence, anticipating the movement of the Magic attack, and chimed in with the opening goal; and Andrew Doddy, arguably the best on ground, linking well with his defence and attack alike, and involved in most of Dunbar’s attacking moves.
It was painful afternoon for Gladesville Ryde Magic, losing at home and finishing with nine men. For the Magic, the good news is that this is only one game, they would do better to put this behind them, regroup and focus on the next job at hand.
For Magic, captain Chris Gaitatzis toiled tirelessly and never gave up in a beaten side; Chris Tomaras showed glimpses of his excellent skills but lacked the support to make a bigger impact; and Kyriakou Tohouroglou was his usual alert and vocal self in the Magic goals, and was the difference between conceding an even heavier defeat.
Match Stats
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round One
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Magdala Park
Referee – Rob Nieuahuis
Assistant Referees – Michael Herro and Greg Roberts
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 0
DUNBAR ROVERS 4 ( Smith 38’, Sealy 45’ + 2’, Green 82’, Liu 90’ + 2)
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC; 33.K.Tohouroglou, 2.T.Nelson, 8.J.Martinez, 9.C.Gaitatzis (capt), 10.C.Tomaras (11.M.Eslami 88’), 14.L.Currie, 15.N.Tsioulos, 16.Y.Billy, 17.J.Carter (4.A.Morris 87’), 18.R.Parry, 19.T.Green (13.B.Kerr 67’).
Substitutes Not Used – 1.M.Mangal, 6.A.Cocaro.
Yellow Cards – 16.Y.Billy 23’ & 64’, 15.N.Tsioulos 59’ & 67’, 10.C.Tomaras 50’.
Red Cards – 16.Y.Billy 64’, 15.N.Tsioulos 67’.
DUNBAR ROVERS: 1.S.Deasy, 2.A.Smith (capt), 3.S.Liu, 4.A.Simpson, 6.R.Ezekiel (18.A.Nicolosi 65’), 8.A.Doddy, 11.M.Miller (20.M.Naoum 72’), 12.M.Sealy, 13.S.Burke (16.D.Desmond 82’), 14.A.Euripidou, 21.A.Green.
Substitutes Not Used – 17.D.Adamo, 7.J.Hems.
Yellow Cards – 12.M.Sealy 60’.
Red Cards – Nil
HAWKESBURY CITY SC – INTER LIONS SC 0-1
Saturday, April 2
David Bertenshaw Field @ 5-00pm
Inter Lions made the trek out to the Hawkesbury on Saturday afternoon and came away with all three points courtesy of a narrow 1-0 triumph over the hosts, Hawkesbury City SC.
Daniel Fornito grabbed the all-important winner for the Lions in a hearty battle that saw five cautions issued by the referee, as well as a late red card to Hawkesbury’s substitute, Ben Gough, towards end of game.
The match was a contrast of footballing styles, with Hawkesbury’s fitness and physical presence combatting Inter’s technical prowess.
Inter Lions failed to take advantage of a few opportunities in the first forty five minutes, and as a result the Hawks kept their foot on the pedal trying to grab a break through.
Before Gough’s dismissal, the Hawks had to go to the bench twice in response to two injuries, but coach Dean Bertenshaw restructured accordingly, and the home side almost broke the deadlock on a couple of occasions themselves.
Midway through the second half Inter grabbed the goal that would eventually decide the match. Young Daniel Fornito was left unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, and he swept home a corner with a sweetly struck left foot volley that gave Hawks’ keeper, Daniel Schwarzer, no chance.
Nathan Mastroianni had a whale of a game for the visitors in central defence, whilst Dom Arcella covered every blade of grass in a workmanlike display in midfield. Inter’s goalkeeper, Roberto Maiorana, kept the home side scoreless with a string of great saves, highlighted by two brilliant one-on-one blocks when the Hawks were most threatening.
STANMORE HAWKS FC – WESTERN NSW MARINERS 2-1
Saturday, April 2
Arlington Oval @ 7-00pm
Stanmore Hawks overcame a stubborn Western NSW Mariners on Saturday night to record a narrow 2-1 victory at Arlington Oval.
It was bitter sweet homecoming for Adam Scimone, having left Stanmore a few seasons ago and now returning as captain for the Western NSW Mariners. Alas for Scimone, his team were to leave Arlington empty handed.
Stanmore’s Goran Ljuboja opened the scoring on 25 minutes, connecting with a corner to head the Hawks in to the lead.
Minutes later and it was another headed goal from a corner, but this time it was Matthew Corben who was clinical in finding the net, restoring parity for the Western NSW Mariners and sending both teams in at the break at 1-1.
Stanmore had enjoyed the best part of possession, but couldn’t turn that in to goals on the scoreboard as the Mariners dug deep to stay in the match, much of it on the back of some brilliant saves from their goal keeper, Adam Brakenridge.
The Mariners then were thrown a lifeline on the hour when they were awarded a spot kick.
Youngster Kenny McCall showed courage to step up to the mark, striking his penalty firmly and high, but Stanmore keeper, Adams, did well to parry the shot.
Mariners Jeremy Judge was first to react, but his effort from the rebound was also saved by Adams, much to the angst of the travelling contingent.
As is often the case, Stanmore took advantage of the reprieve in the maximum fashion. A counter attack resulted in a cutback from Costa Bakoulis being inadvertently diverted in to his own goal by the Mariners’ Matt Wood.
The three points is exactly what the doctor ordered for Stanmore Hawks, whilst the Western NSW Mariners will go home to reconvene for next week’s visit of Granville Rage.
GRANVILLE RAGE – DULWICH HILL FC 3-3
Saturday, April 2
Garside Park @ 7-00pm
Granville Rage and Dulwich Hill opened the season on Saturday night with a real bang at Garside Park, sharing the spoils in a six goal thriller.
Dully lead 2-1 at the break, and even 3-1 late on, before succumbing to a late Rage tidal wave that resulted in a splitting of the points.
The visitors took the lead after a couple of minutes when Kodai Hayashi scrambled home from a corner, but Granville restored parity shortly afterwards with an unfortunate own goal by Jacob Maruca.
David Burbidge snuck Dully back in front when he connected with a corner at the back post. sending the visitors into the sheds deservedly 2-1 up.
Dully’s experienced goal keeper, Michael Frost, came to the aid of the visitors after the break when he expertly saved a penalty from Jess Casey, even managing to parry the rebound.
With the wind in their sails, Dully grabbed a third goal in the 84th minute when Hayden Pronin nodded home after a lightning quick counter attack, and subsequent cross by Adam Johnston.
But the Rage weren’t finished just yet, and managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat. Dylan Stivala and Jess Casey scored last gasp goals to give the home fans something to cheer about.
It was a fantastic night of football for the neutral, with six goals and plenty of goal mouth action from two teams with attacking flair to burn.
Granville Rage would be happy to snare a point given they were facing defeat with minutes to spare, whilst Dulwich Hill would have left Garside a little disappointed, having dominated in large passages of play, and having lead 3-1 late in the match.
RYDALMERE LIONS SC – BALMAIN TIGERS FC 8-0
Saturday, April 2
Rydalmere Park @ 7-00pm
Rydalmere Lions well and truly flexed their muscles at Rydalmere Park on Saturday night, dismantling Balmain Tigers to the tune of 8-0, and in the process stamping their title credentials for all to see.
There were hatricks to skipper, Lloyd Owusu, as well as Joey Steenbergen, whilst Miguel Lopez and veteran striker, Chris Camilleri also got on the scoresheet.
The Lions lead 4-0 at the break, and replicated the score in the second half in what was a comprehensive display of attacking football.
Miguel Lopez started proceedings direct from a free kick in the opening minute of the match, before the burly figure of Lloyd Owusu helped himself to a quick fire brace with two well taken goals. Joey Steenbergen rounded off the first half action with his side’s fourth goal before the break.
Rydalmere kept their foot on the throat of the Tigers in the second half, with skipper Owusu notching his hatrick by converting a 50th minute penalty.
Chris Camilleri entered the fray for Owusu shortly after, and the skilful striker found the net with a peach of a goal, receiving the ball on his chest before swivelling to rifle a volley into the Balmain net.
Steenbergen was not to be outdone, the Rydalmere attacker snatching a late brace to complete the 8-0 rout.
The hapless Tigers had no answer on the night, and will need to put this result behind them very quickly, as they face Picton Rangers on Thursday night in the Westfield FFA Cup fourth round, before facing Gladesville Ryde Magic in Round Two of the league next Sunday.
Rydalmere Lions have well and truly announced themselves with this performance, and will take some confidence from this win into their midweek Westfield FFA Cup clash with APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
HILLS BRUMBIES SC – SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SFC 4-1
Saturday, April 2
Lilys Football Centre @ 8-30pm
Hills Brumbies overcame a nervous start to beat Sydney University 4-1 at Lilys Football Centre on Saturday night.
But it was Uni who jumped the starter gun, perennial sharpshooter Rosario Occhipinti scoring just 5 minutes in to the new season with a sharp right footed finish from a Daniel Mifsud cross.
It didn’t take Hills long to restore parity, equalising only minutes later when Mifsud fouled Dongyong Heo in the box, and Sean Mitchell tucked away the spot kick.
It quickly became 2-1 to the Brumbies when Uni’s Jay Wynter inadvertently diverted a Daniel Morsillo cross into his own net. Just before the 30 minute mark Hills extended their lead to 3-1 when Peter Cejkaa reacted quickest to tap into the empty net after his initial header was saved by Sydney Uni custodian, Daniel Conway.
The ‘students’ regained their composure, and came back in to the match with a couple of great opportunities to reduce the deficit before oranges.
A desperate goal line clear clearance denied the tricky Domenic Di Mento a goal, and then Adrian Porcu struck the woodwork as Sydney Uni came back into their own.
The second half was a much tighter affair, with Occhipinti almost pulling a goal back for Sydney University on two occasions.
Brumbies’ striker, Peter Cejkaa, then grabbed his brace and closed off the match when he seized upon a Sydney Uni back pass to slide the ball past a stranded Conway, stretching the score out to 4-1 on 70 minutes.
Hills Brumbies then saw out proceedings to record a solid first up victory. Sydney University were good for the battle, creating quite a few chances and on another day may have grabbed something from the game, but Hills were sharp with the ball at their feet and deserved their victory on the night.
