Round 9 Review – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
The PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition continued on the weekend, with six matches in Round Nine producing plenty of action and just a few surprises.
League leaders, Hills Brumbies, dropped a couple of points against a gallant Hawkesbury City, the Western NSW Mariners climbed away from the foot of the ladder by beating Balmain Tigers in Bathurst, Granville Rage beat Inter Lions by the odd goal in seven, Rydalmere Lions got back to business with a solid win against Sydney University, and Dunbar Rovers triumphed against Dulwich Hill.
We visited Arlington Oval on Saturday night for our feature match between the high flying Stanmore Hawks and Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Match of the Round
Stanmore Hawks v Gladesville Ryde Magic
Stanmore Hawks produced a structured performance on Saturday night to beat Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-1 at Arlington Oval, in the process winning their fifth successive match in the
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition.
It was a crisp evening that welcomed the fans of both clubs to the iconic venue, with the home side missing Goran Ljuboja, as well as James Webb between the sticks, but welcomed back skipper, Steve Liavas from a week off through injury.
Magic almost had a full quota – the experienced Johnny Martinez was out – whilst in form captain, Chris Gaitatzis, played knowing he could be called away at any time as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child.
Both defences held firm in a first forty-five minutes that produced a dour struggle across the middle. Many long passes and through balls were surprisingly skidding out of play off the artificial surface as the players adjusted to the conditions.
The first opportunity of any note came when Stanmore’s Sam Awad headed back across the face of goal on 8 minutes, the ball eluding everyone as it went past the far upright.
Gladesville’s Chris Gaitatzis took matters in to his own hands in the 20th minute, electing to stop the short passing game and instead shoot from distance, his 25-yard effort clearing the Stanmore cross bar by a metre or so.
Gladesville’s experienced goal keeper, Kyriakos Tohouroglou, had very little to do in the first forty minutes or so. But he showed he was alert as ever with two brilliant reflex saves at the back end of the first half.
In the 37th minute, Sergio Tarazona connected with a Domenic Tripodi corner, his close range header well parried by Tohouroglou, and then the Magic goal keeper produced an even better stop to deflect a close range blast from Stanmore’s Michael Toscano, keeping his side in the game and sending the teams in to the break at 0-0.
The game was screaming for a goal to awaken it from its slumber, and it took only four minutes of the second half to break the deadlock.
Stanmore’s Steve Liavas retrieved a loose ball in the right channel of the Magic half, and looking up, he delivered a wicked cross in to the penalty area. Amid cries of foul from the visitors, Heo Wookbum won his duel in the air and punched a perfect header in to the top corner of the net to put the Hawks in to the lead.
Stanmore kept at it, and two minutes later centre back, Sergio Tarazona, looped a header off yet another Tripodi corner towards goal, with Tohouroglou scrambling backwards to tip the ball over the cross bar.
The very same protagonists were at it once more in the 55th minute. Another outswinging Tripodi corner, and Tarazona this time connected much more forcefully with yet another header. Tohouroglou was at his best to brilliantly parry the ball yet again, but, with the Magic defence static, Stanmore’s Sam Awad reacted quickest to head the ball in to the net from close range.
The Hawks were now in full swing, and Michael Toscano almost made it three in the 57th minute. The young striker eluded a defender on the left touchline on the halfway. He used his pace to glide down the left, cutting inside before cracking a low shot towards the bottom left corner of the net. Gladesville’s keeper, Tohouroglou, was brilliant once more in diving low to divert the ball away from goal.
Gladesville were stunned, having contributed to a stalemate in the first half, but all of a sudden two goals down and in dire need of a goal to drag themselves back in to contention.
They spurned a great chance in the 63rd minute, when the Hawks allowed Gladesville’s centre back, Lachlan Harte, an unchallenged point blank header from right in front – alas, the ball went over the bar.
But ten minutes later Gladesville did in fact reduce the deficit. A through ball deflected in to the path of Chris Tomaras in the centre of the Stanmore half, and amidst screams of offside, the experienced number ten remained calm, closing in on goal before slotting past Stanmore’s stand in keeper, James Adams, to make it 2-1.
It was just the tonic that Gladesville needed, and they came alive in the final quarter of an hour.
Tomaras produced some weaving magic in the 76th minute, beating players at will around the edge of the box before slipping the ball in to the path of Majid Eslami on the left hand side of the box. Eslami smacked a low ball across the face of goal, but it somehow eluded everyone, strikers and defenders alike.
Yellow cards and substitutions punctured the remaining ten minutes, and as much as Gladesville increased the tempo, they simply left it too late and couldn’t penetrate the Stanmore rear guard any further.
Gladesville Ryde Magic would be disappointed more so with their lack of intensity in the opening hour or so. If they had displayed the energy and desire they displayed in the final twenty minutes, they may well have taken something from this match. 44-year-old goal keeper, Kiriakos Tohouroglou, defied his years to show some incredible close range reflexes to keep Stanmore at bay, his desire evident throughout; Chris Tomaras looked dangerous every time he had the ball at his feet, beating players at will, and always involved in starting many a Magic attack.
It was yet another solid and well-structured performance by Stanmore Hawks which produced their fifth successive victory, catapulting them to 21 points and equal second place on the ladder. The Hawks snuffed out any Magic attack for the best part of the match, and once they scored to take the lead, they tried to suffocate the remainder of the game as they worked towards the three points. Domenic Tripodi was at the centre of most things, his set pieces – both corners and free kicks – producing many a desired result, and his role in intercepting the Magic attack and setting up his own team’s was influential on the night; captain Steve Liavas defied his 36 years, covering most blades of the artificial grass on Arlington Oval as he lead by example, chasing the opposition and winning many a ball in the midfield battle; Wookbum supported well in attack, providing options for the ball carrier whilst showing good feet and nice touches when in possession.
Match Stats
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Nine
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Arlington Oval
Referee – Daniel Stack
Assistant Referees – Darren Allatt and Daniel Zautsen
STANMORE HAWKS 2 (Wookbum 49’, Awad 55’)
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 1 (Tomaras 73’)
STANMORE HAWKS; 1.J.Adams, 11.S.Awad, 7.S.Liavas (capt), 6.Y.Mavrou, 3.B.Panta, 4.S.Tarazona, 23.P.Theodosi, 17.M.Toscano (5.F.Kamara 86’), 2.D.Tripodi, 10.H.Wookbum (27.C.Bottalico 90’+1), 14.P.Yannopoulos (9.N.Philippou 80’).
Substitutes Not Used – 8.C.Bakoulis, 41.T.Michelmann.
Yellow Cards – 23.P.Theodosi 86’.
Red Cards – Nil
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC; 33.K.Tohouroglou,16.Y.Billy, 17.J.Carter, 11.M.Eslami, 9.C.Gaitatzis (capt), 5.L.Harte, 13.B.Kerr, 19.A.Khan, 28.M.Manias, 10.C.Tomaras, 15.N.Tsioulos (18.R.Parry 90’).
Substitutes Not Used – 6.A.Cocaro, 7.T.Nastoulis, 1.M.Mangal.
Yellow Cards – 15.N.Tsioulos 68’.
Red Cards – Nil
HILLS BRUMBIES SC – HAWKESBURY CITY 2-2
Saturday, May 28
Lilys Football Centre @ 7-00pm
Hawkesbury City continued where they left off the previous week, settling for a draw after leading for most of the match against the competition leaders, Hills Brumbies.
The Hawks came in to the match minus four of their regular attackers – James Mawein, Michael McCrory, Ben Gough, and Jason Browne – yet took the match to their high flying opponents and were rewarded with two goals around the half hour mark.
A swift counter attack ended with Johnathon McCrea putting Rodney Cormack in to space, and his ball across the face of the goal reached Ben Gray at the far post who tapped in for a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later it was 2-0, Johnathon McCrea doing it all himself, cutting inside and lashing home at the near post to send the visiting fans in to a frenzy.
Hills responded just before half time, Peter Cejkaa slotting home a penalty for his 12th goal of the season after the referee’s assistant spotted an infringement in a goal mouth scramble.
Hawkesbury stood firm and repelled everything the Brumbies had to offer during a second half that became increasingly desperate for the home side. Substitute Dane Smith saw red minutes after entering the fray for dissent, putting the Hawks under more pressure to hold out.
Hills eventually drew level with minutes to spare, Greg Giovenali killing the spiders with a stunning 25 yard free kick that gave Hawks keeper, Daniel Schwarzer, no chance.
Despite their fourth point in two weeks, Hawkesbury City are back on the bottom, but are within three points of few teams in the quagmire at the foot of the ladder. Hills remain top of the pile, moving to 22 points, but their lead has been cut to one solitary point.
WESTERN NSW MARINERS – BALMAIN TIGERS FC 3-2
Saturday, May 28
Proctor Park @ 7-00pm
On a freezing night at Bathurst, the Western NSW Mariners kept their local fans warm with a 3-2 victory over the Balmain Tigers.
It took at least twenty minutes for the players to acclimatise to the low temperatures, before the home side opened proceedings on the score board with a nicely executed goal. Centre back, Matthew Corben, linked up with midfielder, Kenny McCall, continuing his run and receiving a return pass in to space before slotting past Balmain keeper, Gareth Jamieson.
Matthew Hobby extended the Mariners lead minutes before half time, seizing upon a bouncing ball over the defence to beat Jamieson in a 1-on-1 and make it 2-0 at the break.
Eduardo Berruezo made it 3-0 on the hour mark, slamming home off the underside of the cross bar after a goal mouth scramble following a corner.
Balmain Tigers made a fist of it with two goals, one a deflection moments from the end, but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the match.
The win and subsequent three points means that not only do the Western NSW Mariners climb of the bottom at the expense of Hawkesbury City, they also move ahead of the Balmain Tigers on goal difference and in to tenth spot on the competition ladder.
INTER LIONS – GRANVILLE RAGE 3-4
Sunday, May 29
Fraser Park @ 3-00pm
Granville Rage grabbed a welcome three points on Sunday afternoon by defeating Inter Lions in a seven goal thriller at Fraser Park.
Inter Lions dominated the opening half, but had nothing to show for it, hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions and missing a few gilt edged opportunities.
The teams went in to the break at 0-0, and on the hour, Inter were reduced to ten men when Mark Pinto received his second yellow card and was sent from the field.
Both teams then traded blows like two prize fighters – Granville took the lead three times, only for Inter Lions to fight back to equalise on all three occasions. Rage eventually grabbed a fourth goal late on to snatch all three points.
Granville’s goals came from Daniel Bittar, Jess Casey, Thomas Kasunic as well as an own goal, whilst Inter’s goals were scored by Domenic Arcella and Lachlan Wright, whilst they also benefitted from an own goal.
Neither club changes positions on the ladder despite the result – Inter remain 6th on 12 points, whilst Granville Rage climb to 11 points but remain in 8th spot.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY – RYDALMERE LIONS SC 0-3
Sunday, May 29
Sydney University Football Ground @ 3-00pm
Rydalmere Lions returned to the winners’ circle after a couple of losses by overcoming Sydney University 3-0 away from home at the University Football Ground.
Following a relatively even first stanza, both teams kept focussed as the defensive lines continued to dominate proceedings. But the Lions eventually broke the deadlock with about 20 minutes remaining, Matthew Mayora getting the final touch to a free kick that was whipped in to the box to give the visitors the lead.
Missing the experience of Daniel Conway in the sticks, and Scott Tonkin and Domenic Di Mento in attack, the ‘students’ tried valiantly to drag themselves back in to the match, but were stung by two well executed goals on the counter attack, both of which were scored by skipper and substitute on the day, Lloyd Owusu.
The loss sees Sydney University hang on to fifth spot on the ladder on 15 points, whilst Rydalmere climb ominously in to equal second position on 21 points, one point off the Brumbies at the summit.
DUNBAR ROVERS – DULWICH HILL 4-2
Sunday, May 29
Hensley Athletic Field @ 6-30pm
Dunbar Rovers were methodical and did what they had to do to record a 4-2 home victory over Dulwich Hill on Sunday evening.
As always, the Rovers came out of the blocks firing, scoring a couple of early goals within fifteen minutes via David Desmond and Andrew Green.
The match then became a stalemate of sorts as the home side controlled proceedings whilst Dulwich Hill tried valiantly to get back in to the game.
Dunbar captain, Robbie Deasy, extended their lead to 3-0 early in the second half, before Tom Bentham – who else – reduced the deficit for Dulwich Hill, cracking home the rebound after his initial shot was parried.
The visitors really had their work cut out when defender, Joseph Savor, received his second caution shortly after, reducing Dully to ten men.
Michael Sealy had been instrumental in Dunbar’s great start to the season before being injured. He returned to the fray with a goal to make it 4-1 to Dunbar.
Dulwich Hill grabbed a late consolation goal with minutes remaining when Anthony Musumeci set up James Townsend, but it was all she wrote, and Dunbar Rovers grabbed all three points.
