Round 9 Review – State League Men’s
Round 9 of the State League Men’s was headlined by Nepean FC’s upset victory over Hurstville FC, allowing St. George FA to finish the weekend atop the table.
In our Match of the Round, the Western Condors overcame the University of NSW in a five goal thriller.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
With an important three points on the line, the University of NSW hosted the Western Condors this Saturday at David Phillips Complex.
The home side secured a vital win last weekend and, despite a narrow midweek loss to Hurstville FC, came into this fixture with a lot of ambition and confidence.
This showed in the opening fifteen minutes, where they dominated the midfield battle and found particular joy down the flanks, with overlapping fullbacks forcing the Condors back.
However, the Lions couldn’t capitalise on their early pressure and were made to rue their lack of clinicality thanks to a blistering counter attack from the visitors. Winning back possession, a direct ball forward found the feet of Condors’ target man Mauricio Navarette, who beat his defender before slotting home with superb composure.
Showing great fortitude, the University of NSW fought back immediately. Continuing to find latitude down the flank, fullback Sam Zouroudis burst in behind the Condors defence and cut the ball back to Hezio Silva Neto to finish with ease.
The hosts came firing out of the blocks in the second half, taking a well deserved lead. Uncharacteristically this season, the Condors defence were caught sleeping, allowing Sean Miller space down the wing to cross into the path of a willing Sam Wrublewski. Wrublewski coolly finished, scoring on his return from injury.
The Lions looked like they would run away with the game over the next twenty minutes, ultimately squandering multiple chances to extend their lead. The demoralised Condors defence opened up further, as the team pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and their football was sloppy.
With just under twenty minutes to go, the visitors were given a lifeline thanks to some more individual brilliance from Navarette, who rocketed an incredible freekick into the top right corner, which would in hindsight prove a massive turning point.
The Condors looked renewed with confidence after this goal, while the home side began to doubt themselves. Both teams played attacking football as the game moved from end to end.
Eventually, the Western Condors struck a bitter blow into the heart of the UNSW squad, scoring a late decider. A dangerously whipped cross resulted in a shot that was blocked by UNSW goalkeeper Marcus Gabriel, but not enough to prevent it from rolling agonizingly into the net.
The Lions will find it tough to bounce back from a game they feel they should have won, while the Condors’ delight could not be hidden after the full time whistle.
Match Stats
University of NSW 2
Western Condors FC 3
Saturday, 28 April, 2016
David Phillips Complex, Daceyville
University of NSW: 4. M. Balazs,16. F. Binakaj, 9. L. Lobo, 3. H. Maki, 7. S. Miller, 11. M. Newton, 13. L. Petterson, M. Porch, 20. D. Richardson, 10. H. Silva Neto, 14. S. Wrublewski, 6. D. Zouroudis, 2. S. Zouroudis.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Western Condors FC: 17. A. Appiah, 11. F. Awuku, 4. J. Borgiani, 7. A. De La Cuadra, 12. A. Fernandez, 9. N. Filips, 30. R. Galiano, 39. E. Homan, 14. B. Knobel, 13. S. Maric, 19. G. Maya Valiente, 10. M. Navarrete, 27. C. Pauja, 8. R. Sanchez, 15. N. Valenzuela, 1. A. Vrinat, 5. G. Zampogna.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Hurstville FC vs. Nepean FC: 1-2.
The term “upset” goes little towards describing the magnitude of last placed Nepean FC’s achievement this weekend, toppling a first placed and previously undefeated Hurstville FC away from home.
A new look Nepean FC, bolstered by recently appointed coach Magdy Andrawes and fresh recruits, announced themselves in dramatic fashion.
It was Hurstville who took the lead into halftime, thanks to a strike from Denis Cutura. Nepean equalised straight after the break and then scored the winner late in the second period, with both goals coming by way of Clement Waoci.
Hurstville surrender their position atop the table to St. George, while Nepean shoot above three teams into ninth place.
Hurstville coach Alex Prophet was full of praise for Nepean FC, saying the best team won on the day. He was disappointed with his team’s finishing, and will be looking on improving that area throughout the week.
Bankstown United FC vs. Prospect United: 2-2.
Bankstown United were held to a draw this weekend by an impressive Prospect United outfit; a result sure to be seen by the homeside as two points lost.
Prospect had a pep in their step after their commanding Round 8 victory, and took the game to Bankstown. The home side were under immense pressure, but nevertheless opened the scoring thanks to a goal from Luke Jones. Prospect levelled things by half time after a superb strike from David Chung.
Reece Iredale then went on to put Prospect into the lead shortly after the break. Bankstown equalised controversially, after a quickly taken free kick allowed Jones to score his second; Prospect claiming the referee had commanded players to wait, and therefore they were not ready.
Prospect coach John Caruana says his side played extremely well and asserts that Bankstown’s goalkeeper “kept them in the game with three great saves”.
“It was a good point away. It could have been more, but solid.”
Bankstown coach Petar Finka isn’t happy with his boys’ performance, stating, “To be honest, I was a bit disappointed in the way my team played because I know we are better than that.”
“In the end, I think the result was a fair indication of the game and both sides had chances to take it out.”
St. George FA vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs: 4-0.
St. George FA reclaimed first place with a clinical 4-0 victory over local rivals, the Hurstville City Minotaurs.
Goals to Napoli, Lawson, Spanoudakis and Umlil saw St. George finish the round having scored the most goals (30) and conceded the least (5) in the competition.
Nevertheless, coach Manny Spanoudakis wasn’t entirely pleased with how things proceeded, “I’m very happy with the result, but not so the performance. Plenty of room for improvement.”
“Full credit to the Minotaurs who fought hard to the end even after they went a man down.”
Spanoudakis gives special mention to Mark Kamara and Kallie Bangura who stepped up from the Under 20s, filling in at fullback.
“James Spanoudakis had two assists and also scored a goal that came on the end of a nice team move too. These boys are all under twenty years old and doing very well.”
“In saying that, all our boys worked hard and our experienced players like Vass, Webster and Lawson were very solid.”
The Minotaurs’ struggled to compete with the rampant league leaders, and ultimately finished a man down after the sending off of James Kay.
Coach Peter Sarikakis laments his squad’s lack of depth, stating, “We had too many players out, including both central defenders Vagenas and Wong.”
“St. George were a good team, very strong and fast.”
Sarikakis questions the legitimacy of a penalty given against his side, which he alleges was outside of the box, but does not see this as an excuse.
Gazy Auburn FC vs. Camden Tigers FC: 1-3.
Camden Tigers returned to winning ways with a relatively comfortable victory away to Gazy Auburn FC, in a result that sees them push in to the top six.
First half goals from Daniel Semaan and John McPhillips were added to by a strike from Jayden Russell in the second period. Camden were delighted to emerge victorious from a physical battle, awarding Jake Watson their player of the match.
Gazy Auburn remain rooted to the bottom of the table, having won only one of their last eight games.
Wagga City Wanderers vs. SD Raiders FC – WASHED OUT
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
