Pandurevic at the double as Manly conquer the Shire

A Dejan Pandurevic double has helped Manly United to a 3-1 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory against Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

A strike in each half from Pandurevic, combined with a third minute goal to Richie Cardozo gifted all three points to Paul Dee’s men despite a spirited performance from the Sharks.

Callum Fitzpatrick’s 56th minute goal was merely consolation for the home side in a match dominated by Manly.

Sutherland started the match well and in the 2nd minute Stevie Hayes played the ball through with just a little too much pace for Jordan Figon.

Manly bounced back instantly when Richie Cardozo hit the back of the net a mere 60-seconds later with a sublime finish after a breakaway down the left hand corridor. 

Sutherland hit back well through Tomohiro Kajiyama whose jinking run and shot was well saved by Manly shot stopper Dylan Mitchell

Cardozo was a handful up top but was well mustered by Perry Moustakis and Nick Littler.

Despite Sutherland’s improving defence it was Manly who found the net for the second time after 24 minutes.

Dejan Pandurevic who headed home with aplomb met an exquisite centre from Adam Parkhouse on the left.

Josh Da Silva fired one into the side netting from the right in the 34’ minute with Sutherland determined not to sit back.

Luke Giverin hit the upright with a free kick from the edge of the area that rebounded to safety in the 42nd minute.

With no addition to the score the teams headed to the break with the visitors sitting somewhat comfortably on a two-goal lead.

Daniel Bragg replaced Rhys Williams after the interval for Manly after taking a knock toward the end of the first-half, Sutherland switched to three at the back to outnumber the visitors in the middle of the pitch.

Manly extended the lead further still when Brendan Cholakian played a through ball for Parkhouse down the left, who beat the offside trap, and his cross was met powerfully by Pandurevic to net his second header of the night in a sweeping counter attacking move.

Sutherland responded immediately when a Kajiyama effort was blocked by the Manly defence but fell into the path of Callum Fitzpatrick to stride through and slot home.

Matt Gordon came on for the impressive Hayes, who had covered almost every inch of the pitch, and took up a position on the left side of midfield for Sutherland.

Paul Dee was delighted with the result.

“The final pass from the wide areas tonight had a lot more purpose and intent than in previous games this season and it certainly paid dividends,” he said.

“The other telling factor was the commitments shown by the boys through the midfield in winning possession was really solid.

“Adam Parkhouse was outstanding. He won his individual battle on the flank and had a hand in all three goals while Dejan (Pandurevic) did the same down his side.

“Very happy with the points tonight and with the way we played.”

Sharks coach Carlos Villazon blamed his sides ability to handle pressure for the loss.

“The problem tonight was with the way the opposition was able to put the pressure on us,” he said.

“Every time we tried to play football Manly was able to interrupt our transition. My players took a lot of time to release the ball and we straight away under pressure.

“Sometimes you have to hold your hand up and say we were beaten by a better team.”

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks 1 (Fitzpatrick 56’)

Manly United  (Cardozo 3’, Pandurevic 24’, 50’)

Saturday, 28th May 2016

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda

Referee: Michael Weiner

Assistant Referees: Mitch Clark & Patrick Teleki

Fourth Official: Nathan McOrist

Sutherland Sharks: 1. DENHAM Nathan ©, 3. MURAYAMA Takuya, 4. KAYES Steven, 5. LITTLER Nick, 9. FIGON Jordan, 10. DA SILVA Joshua (12. STERGIOU Lukas 78’), 15. MOUSTAKAS Perry, 19. FITZPATRICK Callum (8. McSTAY Chris 87’), 20. FARMER Mitchell, 23. HAYES Steve (6. GORDON Matthew 63’), 35. KAJIYAMA Tomohiro

Substitutes Not Used: 17. ANDREW James, 21. LOE Nikolas

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Manly United: 1. MITCHELL Dylan, 2. PAULL Kieran, 4. OUGHTRED Travis, 5. WILLIAMS Rhys (18. BRAGG Daniel 46’), 6. GALLAGHER Sam, 8. FERGUSON Dom (28. ROOKE Mitchell 84’), 9. CARDOZO Richie (36. SEPAROVIC Nathan 75’), 10. CHOLAKIAN Brendan ©, 11. PARKHOUSE Adam, 14. PANDUREVIC Dejan, 22. GIVERIN Luke

Substitutes Not Used: 20. SYRON Mackenzie, 30. BALNEAVES Tod

Yellow Cards: Gallagher 7’, Paull 68’

Red Cards:

Player Ratings

3 – Adam Parkhouse MU

2 – Dejan Pandurevic MU

1 – Steve Hayes SS

-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Micky Brock