White Eagles swoop over Sharks
The Bonnyrigg White Eagles team song was echoing around the sheds at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre after a 3-1 win against Sutherland Sharks when the two sides faced off in PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s action on Saturday.
The home side came from behind as goals to Aaron Peterson, Greg Kondek and Yuta Kokado, cancelled out the opener from Sutherland’s Josh Da Silva.
The result was a return to winning ways for Bonnyrigg after victory was snatched from its clutches after the White Eagles conceded two goals in the final four minutes of the match.
It took only two minutes for Bonnyrigg to test Nikki Loe in the Sutherland goal when Adam Jenner unleashed a rasping shot into the bottom corner but the keeper was able to palm it wide.
Only Jordan Figon knows how he didn’t score in the fifth minute when the marksman spurned a sure opportunity.
Figon received a ‘gift’ from Jimmy Chronopoulos as the White Eagles custodian had a brain snap and played the ball direct into Figon’s legs only a few metres out from goal.
A confused Figon wasn’t sure what to do with the unexpected ball and hit his shot wide of the target as Chronopoulos recovered well.
In the 24th minute, the White Eagles thought they had the lead.
A pin point cross from Jenner found an on rushing Aaron Peterson who volleyed home, only for the goal to be chalked off for a high foot.
Only a couple minutes later and the White Eagles were at it again.
What seemed a wasted cross from Yuta Kokado on the left found the head of Jenner at the far post who forced Loe to tip the ball away.
Nicholas Littler then had a great opportunity in the 28th minute but his header from a fantastic Stephen Hayes ball was headed wide.
Kokado then had a pop from distance and almost caught out Loe.
Out of nothing, the away side took the lead.
A swift counter attack allowed Josh Da Silva to break through the White Eagles defence and calmly tuck the ball past Chonopoulos.
Sadly for the travelling Sutherland faithful the lead would only last three minutes.
Kokado stepped up to a set piece on the right wing and whipped a dangerous ball into the penalty area before Peterson edged the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Chronopoulos made an incredible save well with his feet in the 61st minute to deny Figon once again as Sutherland worked hard for a second goal.
But despite the efforts of the Sharks it was the White Eagles who would take the lead.
A fantastic ball into the penalty area from Sam Gallaway found the head of substitute Greg Kondek who guided the ball into the back of the net.
The White Eagles then wrapped up all three points when Kokado finished a sublime bit of play from Mun-Soo Gil who had stolen the ball inside his own half.
Sutherland Sharks mentor Carlos Villazon was disappointed with the end result but not his team’s play.
“I’m happy with our performance but not the score,” he said.
“We created so many chances. We had a great chance at the start but missed and then some more chances later on but couldn’t score.
“I’m really happy with how we played but we need to control the game when the opposition has us under pressure.”
David Vrankovic wore the armband for the first time today for his childhood club and was delighted to be going home with all three points.
“It’s a dream come true.
“There is no better feeling. I’ve loved the club since day dot and now to be captain is brilliant,” he said
“At no point in the game did I think we were going to lose. Even when we conceded I knew we were going to win.”
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Peterson 55’, Kondek 64’, Kokado 90+1)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Da Silva 52’)
Saturday, 16th April, 2016
Bonnyrigg Sports Ground
Referee: A. Arndt
Assistant Referees: L. Greenshields & N. Wotton
Fourth Official: J. McFarlane
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. Chronopoulos, 2. Mansueto (13. McKenzie), 3. Vrankovic, 5. Jenner, 6. Zonjic, 10. Kokado, 14. McDonald ((7. Kondek)8. Tucker), 16. Gallaway, 17. Gil, 19. Peterson, 21. Chun.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Savicic, 31. Lo.
Yellow Cards: Gil 67’
Sutherland Sharks: 3. Murayama, 4. Kayes, 5. Littler, 6. Gordon, 7. Press 9. Figon, 10. Da Silva, 11. Jovovic (17. Andrew), 21. Loe, 25. Hayes, 35. Kajiyama.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Denham, 8. McStay, 14. O’Shea.
Yellow Cards: Gordon 90’, Jovovic 48’, Kayes 57’
Player Ratings
3 – Mun-Soo Gil (BWE)
2 – David Vrankovic (BWE)
1 – Adam Jenner (BWE)
