Round 8 Review – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
Some closely fought encounters were the order of the day in Round Eight of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition, with movement at both ends meaning we have a new leader for the first time since the opening day of the season.
Dulwich Hill prevailed by a solitary goal in a seven goal thriller against Inter Lions, Granville Rage overcame the in-form Sydney University at Garside Park, Stanmore Hawks joined Rydalmere on 18 points by beating the Lions away from home, Dunbar Rovers grabbed the three points against Balmain Tigers at Wentorth Park, whilst Hills Brumbies are the new competition leaders, courtesy of their drubbing of Gladesville Ryde Magic at Magdala Park.
Our feature match of the round took place on Saturday afternoon at David Bertenshaw Field, with Hawkesbury City meeting Western NSW Mariners in a bottom of the ladder battle.
Hawkesbury City managed their first victory of the 2016 season on Saturday afternoon at David Bertenshaw Field, overcoming the Western NSW Mariners 3-0, and dragging themselves off the bottom of the ladder in the process at the expense of their match day opponents.
With one win between the two sides going in to this Round Eight clash, and occupying the bottom two rungs of the ladder, both teams were especially cagey in the opening half hour or so. Both defensive backlines stood their ground and kept the opposition forays to an absolute minimum with some no nonsense defending, including clearing the danger without too much thought.
The first real opportunity of any note arrived on 12 minutes, with Hawkesbury’s Andrew Stevenson volleying over the cross bar after connecting with an out swinging corner by James Mawein.
The Mariners responded in the 21st minute following a defence splitting pass by Ken McCall into the right channel. Matthew Hobby got in behind his defender, taking a touch as he entered the box before cracking an angled shot on goal. Hawkesbury keeper, Daniel Schwarzer, was ever alert to the danger to parry the ball away.
Hawkesbury upped the ante towards the back end of the first half, and left winger, Ben Gray, showed some intent by cutting inside his defender and blasting over from 20 yards in the 38th minute. Gray had shown some old fashioned wing play in the opening exchanges, sending over some teasing crosses from the left without the desired outcome.
Within sixty seconds Hawkesbury’s Stevenson got on the end of a Terry Pannowitz free kick at the back stick, only to head over, much to his own disappointment.
The experienced left back had shown more desire than anyone to get on the scoresheet in the first stanza, and he was duly rewarded with the opening goal in the 41st minute. A Mariners’ clearance found Jonathan Ekehov out on the right, and his cross was met on the edge of the penalty area by Stevenson, who looped his header over the retrieving Mariners’ keeper, Adam Brakenridge. Half time and the Hawks were in front, and in commanding position going in to the second stanza.
Hawkesbury’s Ben Gray started where he left off in the first half, weaving in and out of a couple of defenders five minutes after half time, ending his run with a sweetly struck shot that went straight in to the arms of Brakenridge in the Mariners goal, albeit it from a tight angle.
Hawkesbury City then doubled their advantage in the 57th minute with a neat piece of play.
Terry Pannowitz picked up a loose ball in the middle of the Mariners’ half, and running across field, managed to scoop his pass diagonally over the top of a flat Mariners’ backline. Jason Browne didn’t panic, allowing the ball to bounce inside the box before chipping it over the head of the stranded Brakenridge to make it 2-0 to Hawkesbury.
Western NSW Mariners increased their tempo almost immediately, desperate to pull a goal back and make a fist of the match. A dangerous ball squeezed in behind the Hawkesbury defence in the 67th minute, reaching skipper Adam Scimone at the far post. Scimone hit it first time, only for Schwarzer to scramble across and divert the shot for a corner.
Moments later and Mariners’ Nathan Davis did ever so well to weave past a couple of Hawks defenders inside the penalty area before shooting in to the side netting, ignoring the option to square the ball to a couple of drooling team mates screaming for the pass.
Both coaches rang the changes and brought on fresh legs, effecting all six substitutions within 25 minutes. Amongst those, the experienced Tim Harrington steadied the Hawkesbury ship with his entrance just after the hour, whilst Evan Daglis did likewise in the middle of the park. Ricky James Guihot came on for the Mariners and added some energy in the attacking third for the visitors.
Daglis in fact had an opportunity to score in the 78th minute, heading over from point blank after a flick on by Jason Browne.
With the Mariners pushing numbers forward, Daglis showed plenty of experience when he wrapped up proceedings in the 89th minute. Starting a counter attack, he then retrieved the ball on the corner of the penalty area, dribbling past a couple of would be Mariners’ defenders before leaving goal keeper, Adam Brakenridge, stranded, slotting low in to the bottom corner.
That was all she wrote, and the Hawks finally had an opportunity to sing their victory song.
For the visitors, they seemed to lack conviction in the final third. They had a sniff whilst the game remained scoreless, but once they fell behind, the Hawks simply didn’t budge and wouldn’t let the Mariners into the match. Eduardo Berruezo showed some silky skills in the centre of the park, beating players at will, and involved in setting up most of the Mariners attacks; whilst Adam Scimone ran and worked hard in trying to unsettle the Hawks backline, his effort going unrewarded for the best part.
After scoring four goals all season, Hawkesbury showed plenty of desire to almost double their tally in the one match. They were resolute, cautious, and gritty in their application, and were rewarded with the three points which sees them move off the bottom of the ladder. Coach Dean Bertenshaw has had to utilise 26 players in first grade this season, so consistency with his playing personnel will hopefully transfer to regular triumphs on the pitch.
Best for Hawkesbury included Terry Pannowitz, who worked tirelessly until his substitution (returning after missing the first part of the season), linking well with his defence and attack, and covered most of the ground with his effortless running; Ben Gray entertained with his ‘go to’ approach, always looking to take his man on, and sending over some telling crosses; Evan Daglis showed composure and technical prowess when on the ball, and was a perfect introduction and just what the Hawks needed when subbed on in the game just before the hour mark.
Match Stats
Saturday, May 21, 2016
David Bertenshaw Field
Referee – Katie Patterson
Assistant Referees – Patrick Teleki and Laken Ledden
HAWKESBURY CITY 3 (Stevenson 41’, Browne 57’, Daglis 89’)
WESTERN NSW MARINERS 0
HAWKESBURY CITY; 1.D.Schwarzer (capt), 5.R.Alchin, 9.J.Browne, 6.J.Ekehov, 11.C.EL-Hayek, 19.B.Gray (18.T.Macrae 82’), 7.J.Mawein, 16.M.Noro, 4.A.Stevenson, 17.J.Thurtell (2.T.Harrington 62’), 8.T.Pannowitz (22.E.Daglis 57’).
Substitutes Not Used – 13.J.McCrea, 15.R.Cormack.
Yellow Cards – 8.T.Pannowitz 15’ , 16.Noro 87’ .
Red Cards – Nil
WESTERN NSW MARINERS; 1.A.Brakenridge, 6.E.Berruezo, 4.M.Corben, 13.C.Couto-Calderan, 17.N.Davis, 5.J.Henry, 7.M.Hobby (23.J.Culbert 72’), 8.J.Judge, 18.K.McCall, 26.A.Scimone (capt) (3.N.Spike 82’), 19.L.Thomas (35.R.J.Guihot 79’).
Substitutes Not Used – 25.T.Duggan, 24.M.Wood.
Yellow Cards – 13.C.Couto-Calderan 43’.
Red Cards – Nil
DULWICH HILL FC – INTER LIONS SC 4-3
Saturday, May 21
Arlington Oval @ 7-00pm
Dulwich Hill recorded their first win in four weeks on Saturday evening, eventually overcoming a resurgent Inter Lions 4-3 in a feisty derby at Arlington Oval.
The win was always on the cards given Dully amicably parted ways during the week with coach and long-time club hero, Norman Tome, and we all know how teams usually respond after losing a coach. Incidentally, a new coach will be announced in coming weeks.
Dully came out firing and opened the scoring on 9 minutes via James Townsend, but Inter equalised five minutes later, Domenic Arcella taking advantage of some indecision in the Dully defence to pinch the ball and chip keeper, Michel Frost.
Nathan Lopino had made the switch during the week from Inter Lions to Dulwich Hill, and managed to put his new club in front on debut with a deflected shot just after the half hour mark.
Tom Bentham extended that lead to 3-1 a couple of minutes later with an exquisite piece of finishing, his fifth successive goal in his past five games.
Even though they were missing the speed of Daniel Fogarty, and needing to substitute Clayton Musumeci at half time because of a toe injury, Inter Lions regrouped at the break and came out firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the second half.
Ex-Dully stalwart, Chris Pinto delivered two corners in quick succession with maximum results. Firstly, Lachlan Wright connected with a near post header to reduce the deficit, before Daniel Fornito equalised for the visitors with a far post header, and it was game on at 3-3 with over half an hour to play.
But the home side were not to be denied, and Steve Hrysanthos converted a James Townsend cross in the 68th minute to give the home side a valuable home win.
GRANVILLE RAGE – SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SFC 2-1
Saturday, May 21
Garside Park @ 7-00pm
Granville Rage finally returned to the winner’s circle with a 2-1 triumph over Sydney University at Garside Park on Saturday evening.
Uni’s goal keeper, Daniel Conway, did ever so well to repel some early strikes from the home side, but was eventually beaten on 22 minutes. Granville striker, Luke Mesiti, beat Uni’s offside trap, and even though the ‘students’ keeper stopped his initial effort, Mesiti struck home the rebound to put the Rage in to the lead.
Even though Domenic Di Mento was forced off through injury right on half time, his replacement, Remi Chery, made an instant impact for Sydney University, whipping over a dangerous cross that Rosario Occhipinti converted to send the teams in at 1-1 at the break.
Granville’s keeper, Carl McMahon, did well to stop Uni taking the lead in the second half with some great saves as the visitors upped their effort.
It looked more and more like one more goal was going to decide the outcome, and much to the delight of the home fans, it was Granville who snatched it.
Luke Mesiti was at it again, this time leaving Conway in the Uni goal grasping at thin air in the 76th minute with a wonderful long range strike.
McMahon again came to the rescue for the Rage as Sydney University threw numbers forward, saving twice from Scott Tonkin amongst other great efforts.
In the end it was Granville Rage who prevailed, winning 2-1 and earning a valuable three points. The win sees Granville Rage jump a couple of spots, moving in to 8th spot on 8 points, whilst Sydney University are in 5th position.
RYDALMERE LIONS SC – STANMORE HAWKS FC 0-2
Saturday, May 21
Rydalmere Park @ 7-00pm
If they hadn’t done so before, Stanmore Hawks stamped themselves as serious challengers in the competition when they toppled league leaders, Rydalmere Lions, 2-0 in an accomplished display at Rydalmere Park on Saturday evening.
The win was achieved with a goal in each half, and was especially vital given they were without the services of their experienced skipper, Steve Liavas.
Stanmore had the better of the early exchanges, with Rydalmere keeper, Harrick Sinpraseuth, saving well from Michael Toscano after ten minutes, whilst Sergio Tarazona rattled the Rydalmere cross bar minutes later with a header.
The home side started to make in-roads closer to the break. Zac Elrich shot inches wide after half an hour, and ten minutes later provided a great cross for Matthew Mayora, who’s point blank effort was superbly saved by Stanmore custodian, James Webb.
The opening goal of the game eventually came right on half time, and it Stanmore’s Domenico Tripodi who put the Hawks in to the lead with a great free kick.
Rydalmere almost equalised on 70 minutes with a free kick of their own. Miguel Lopez struck it well, only for Stanmore keeper, James Webb, to parry the shot. Elrich’s follow up effort went over the cross bar, much to the angst of the home side’s fans.
A couple of minutes later and Stanmore made it 2-0 when Heo Wookbum sent over a cross to the far post for Peter Yannopoulos to volley home.
Rydalmere did not relent, but the 78th minute sending off of Matthew Pritchard made it all the more difficult for the home side, and despite throwing everything in attack, they couldn’t get past Hawks keeper, James Webb, and Stanmore held on for a valuable victory.
The three points means Stanmore Hawks now join Rydalmere Lions on 18 points in equal second spot with Dunbar Rovers, all three teams three points off the top of the competition.
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC – HILLS BRUMBIES SC 1-5
Sunday, May 22
Magdala Park @ 3-00pm
Hills Brumbies made light work of Gladesville Magic on Sunday afternoon, dominating the match to produce a 5-1 away victory.
It was a fairly tight first half, with Magic goal keeper, Kyriakos Tohouroglou producing a few sharp saves to keep his side in the match.
Bradley Robertson eventually beat Tohouroglou, scoring direct from a free kick just before half time to put the visitors in front.
Sean Mitchell and Peter Cejkaa extended the Brumbies’ lead with goals early in the second half, before Gladesville captain, Chris Gaitatzis, reduced the deficit to 1-3 in the 66th minute, chipping Hills keeper, Kane Wallace, in the process.
Hills then stepped it up a gear and grabbed a further two goals before the final whistle, with Glen Kelshaw and Peter Cejkaa netting, that latter finishing the match with a brace to go top of the division’s scoring charts.
Gladesville Ryde Magic remain in 7th position on the ladder, whilst Hills Brumbies have taken over top spot on in their own right, moving to 21 points and holding a three-point lead over a group of three clubs on 18 points.
BALMAIN TIGERS FC – DUNBAR ROVERS FC 0-2
Sunday, May 22
Wentworth Park @ 3-00pm
A quick fire early brace of goals were enough for Dunbar Rovers who defeated Balmain Tigers 2-0 at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon.
Robbie Ezekiel opened proceedings in the 10th minute, and before the visiting fans had stopped celebrating, David Desmond found the net a couple of minutes later to give the Rovers a commanding lead.
Despite an improved showing by the home side, the Rovers held on to record another three points.
Balmain Tigers drop to 10th spot on the ladder following this loss, whilst Dunbar Rovers move to 18 points and equal second with Rydalmere Lions and Stanmore Hawks, all three teams sitting just three points from Hills Brumbies at the summit.
