Round 11 Review – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
Five matches went ahead in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition over the weekend, with the Western NSW Mariners-Dulwich Hill game falling foul of the rain in Bathurst.
In the other games, Inter Lions and Gladesville Ryde Magic shared six goals at Fraser Park, Sydney University were edged out by Hawkesbury City by the odd goal at home, Balmain Tigers also lost by the odd goal at home to Granville Rage, whilst Dunbar Rovers accounted for Rydalmere Lions on Sunday night.
Our feature match of Round Eleven pitted fourth placed Stanmore Hawks against league leaders, Hills Brumbies, and the encounter dished up entertainment plus on a cold Saturday night.
Stanmore Hawks produced an incredible comeback on Saturday night at Arlington Oval against the league leaders, Hills Brumbies, clawing themselves back to snatch an injury time 3-3 draw after being down 0-3 at the hour mark.
To their own admission, the Hawks chased shadows for the first hour, with the Brumbies dominating proceedings from the opening whistle.
A lightning counter attack from Hills Brumbies after seven minutes sent Jordan Parfait into space down the left side. The flanker looked up before cutting the ball back for Sean Mitchell just inside the box, and the attacking midfielder side footed his shot first time into goal off the underside of the cross bar, putting the visitors in front.
Hills’ striker, Peter Cejkaa, allowed a throw in to bounce past him in the 18th minute, turning sharply and cracking a left foot volley past Stanmore keeper, James Webb, only to see the ball ricochet off the upright before it was cleared for a corner.
Sean Mitchell took the corner, curling an outswinger towards the edge of the box, where Glen Kelshaw hit a first time volley that just missed the far upright.
Stanmore were reeling at this stage, and absorbed a couple of yellow cards in a vain attempt to stem the Brumbies onslaught.
But it was 2-0 to Hills on 26 minutes.
Greg Giovenali split the Stanmore defence with one of many brilliant passes he executed on the night, finding Dongyong Heo some 25 yards from goal. Heo took a touch before lobbing the advancing Stanmore keeper, James Webb, from distance, the ball bouncing once on its way in to the unguarded net.
Peter Cejkaa almost grabbed a third two minutes later, seizing on to a pass in to the box, cutting back inside a defender before shooting with his left peg. Hawks’ keeper James Webb got down low to brilliantly divert the shot for a corner.
Stanmore had their first real opportunity just before the half hour mark. Michael Toscano made some in roads down the right wing, eventually finding Peter Yannopoulos on the edge of the box. Yannopoulos controlled on his chest before swivelling and snapping a low shot just wide of the Hills upright.
In fact Yannopoulos was at it again for Stanmore just before the break, shooting wide from a better position inside the box after some great work by Domenico Tripodi.
Half time came at a good time for the home side, because Stanmore had spent most of the first period on the ropes, needing to regroup and reshuffle if they were to get anything out of this match.
Michael Toscano nearly pulled a goal back on 52 minutes for Stanmore, his left foot angled blast well parried by Hills keeper, Kane Wallace.
Hills put together one of the moves of the match in the 58th minute, a series of crisp sweeping passes ending with a 25 yard drive from Greg Giovenali that threatening to knock down a couple of trees behind the Stanmore goal, flying a metre or so over the cross bar.
The Brumbies were not to be denied, and they made it 3-0 in the 59th minute.
Giovenali found the feet of Peter Cejkaa with his back to goal on the edge of the box. The league’s top marksman turned sharply before snapping a low drive past James Webb in the Stanmore goal, the ball ending up in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
At this point, most neutrals, as well as Brumbies fans, were comfortable enough to believe they were taking home the three points, not only because of the lead, but such was the way in which they had dominated thus far.
But the never-say-die Hawks had other ideas.
Michael Toscano intercepted a stray pass out of defence in the 63rd minute, finding Heo Wookbum a couple of metres outside the penalty area. Quick as a flash, Wookbum turned and rifled in a rocket that flew past Hills keeper, Wallace, and in to the roof of the net, to reduce the arrears.
Within sixty seconds, Toscano broke free of his shackles and shot high from a tight angle, and the Hawks had finally started to believe.
Skipper Steve Liavas was instrumental in the Hawks second goal, after intercepting yet another stray pass. Liavas clipped the ball over the last man, before striking as he was challenged from another defender. Hills keeper, Kane Wallace, did well to block the effort, but the ball ricocheted straight up in to air.
Stanmore striker, Sam Awad, reacted quickest, climbing high to direct his header in to an empty goal, making it 2-3, still in favour of Hills.
But the Brumbies were starting to panic all of a sudden, although they did have a great chance in the 83rd to put the game to bed. Substitute, Daniel Morsillo, beat a couple of defenders with great skill and speed as he entered the left hand side of the penalty area, before squaring across goal.
The predatory Peter Cejkaa pounced, directing his effort towards goal, only for Stanmore’s Domenico Tripodi to scramble the shot off the line.
The Stanmore equaliser eventually came in injury time. A free kick in the right channel was floated into the penalty area by Domenico Tripodi. For a moment it seemed like everyone and everything was frozen, except for the imposing figure of Sam Awad, who rose above the crowd to guide his header down and inside the side netting, sending the Stanmore contingency in to delirium.
The final whistle came moments later, bringing to an end a night of superb entertainment for the fans.
For Stanmore, there was much to be delighted about given they spent the best part of the first hour overwhelmed by the opposition. Being down for the count at the hour mark, and the scoreboard showing 0-3, all seemed lost, but the Hawks showed tremendous character to find a way back in to the match and grab a point at the death.
Best for Stanmore included; Sam Awad, who toiled all day in the attacking third, his height and persistence eventually netting him two goals at crucial times of the game; Domenico Tripodi had another influential match in the centre of the park, tough in defence, and starting many of his side’s attacks, he seems to be the link across the field.
Hills Brumbies I’m sure cannot believe how they let this one slip. They were brilliant in the opening hour, displaying some swift passing and clinical counter attacking movement, moving forward in droves once they grabbed possession. The more congested the area, the better the passing by the Brumbies, who thrive on one touch football and providing options for the ball carrier. But they became too comfortable and let two vital points slip.
Best for Hills were; Greg Giovenali was a commanding presence in the centre of the field, often starting many of the passing counter attacking movements, forceful in defence, and setting up two goals and other opportunities; Glen Kelshaw was effective firstly at left back, then at right back, quick to offer options to the ball carrier and swift and accurate in his release; Daine Merrin held firm in the centre of midfield, especially when his team mates raced forward on counter attacks, and was quick to win possession and release early.
Match Stats
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Eleven
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Arlington Oval
Referee – Owen Ferguson
Assistant Referees – Andrew Beckett and Declan Broderick
STANMORE HAWKS 3 (Wookbum 63’, Awad 72’ / 90’ + 1’)
HILLS BRUMBIES 3 (Mitchell 7’, Heo 26’, Cejkaa 59’)
STANMORE HAWKS; 26.J.Webb, 11.S.Awad, 7.S.Liavas (capt), 21.G.Ljuboja (5.F.Kamara 65’), 6.Y.Mavrou, 4.S.Tarazona, 23.P.Theodosi, 17.M.Toscano (9.N.Philippou 80’), 2.D.Tripodi, 10.H.Wookbum 14.P.Yannopoulos (27.C.Bottalico 65’).
Substitutes Not Used – 8.C.Bakoulis, 1.J.Adams.
Yellow Cards – 2.D.Tripodi 5’, 7.S.Liavas 10’,10.H.Wookbum 50’, 23.P.Theodosi 51’.
Red Cards – Nil
HILLS BRUMBIES; 1.K.Wallace, 18.P.Cejkaa, 4.R.Faulkner (56.M.Zarantonello 20’), 16.G.Giovenali, 58.D.Heo (10.D.Morsillo 68’), 17.B.Hoyer, 19.G.Kelshaw, 9.S.Mitchell (2.P.Down 87’), 11.D.Merrin (capt), 53.J.Parfait, 6.B.Robertson.
Substitutes Not Used – 12.J.Stancic, 13.J.Maguire.
Yellow Cards – 58.D.Heo 15’,19.G.Kelshaw 30’, 6.B.Robertson 35’.
Red Cards – Nil
MIDWEEK CATCH UP
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC – SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2-3
Wednesday, June 8 at Magdala Park @ 7-00pm
Three days after originally being unable to go ahead due to rain, Magic met Sydney Uni at Magdala Park in a hastily arranged Round Ten clash.
The home side did not have to wait long to open proceedings, with an unmarked Majid Eslami slotting home from close range after collecting an inch perfect pass from Chris Tomaras in the 13th minute.
The ‘students’ responded just seven minutes later, with Domenic Di Mento’s effort eluding the outstretched arms of Magic keeper, Kyriakos Tohouroglou, restoring parity in the process.
Rosario Occhipinti almost put the visitors in front on two separate occasions, shooting at Tohouroglou in the 34th minute, and heading over the bar on 41 minutes after some great work down the left flank by Johnny Gowdy.
Gladesville threatened to take the lead almost on the stroke of half time, with Chris Gaitatzis’ free kick expertly diverted wide of the goal by Sydney Uni’s new goalkeeper, Carl McMahon, signed midweek from Granville Rage.
Occhipinti was not to be denied and put Sydney Uni in to the lead five minutes in to the second half, pouncing on a Tohouroglou parry to net from close range.
Gladesville Ryde Magic drew level shortly after in the 54th minute, when a long rage speculator from Chris Tomaras took a slight deflection on its way past McMahon in the Sydney Uni goal.
2-2 and if it wasn’t for Carl McMahon, making a real impact on his debut for the ‘students’, the home side would’ve been in front. Firstly he tipped a Gaitatzis shot around the post in the 61st minute, before saving from Nathan Tsoulis in the 74th when the Magic midfielder let fly from distance.
Those saves were all the more important for Sydney University when they grabbed what proved to be the winning goal on 78 minutes.
Daniel Mifsud sent over a cross that eluded everyone before nestling in the far corner of the Gladesville net, giving the visitors a 3-2 win, and more so, a valuable three points, which sees the students open up a six point gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
WESTERN NSW MARINERS FC – DULWICH HILL (WASHED OUT)
Saturday, June 11
Wade Park, Orange @ 6-00pm
There was a late switch to the match between the Mariners and Dully from Wade Park to Proctor Park in Orange, but a deluge in Orange meant the game could not go ahead.
Stay tuned to the Football NSW website for details of the rescheduling.
INTER LIONS – GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 3-3
Sunday, June 12
Fraser Park@ 3-00pm
Inter Lions and Gladesville Ryde Magic put on an exciting clash at Fraser Park, sharing six goals in a thriller.
Magic started proceedings on just 5 minutes, Joel Carter slotting home with a left foot shot after being put in to space by a Chris Tomaras pass.
Inter Lions restored parity only three minutes later, with Dom Arcella equalising from inside the penalty area with a clinical strike.
Daniel Fogarty then put the home side in front on 20 minutes, only for Magic to equalise just before the half hour mark. Johnny Martinez broke down the right hand side before crossing in to the penalty area, where Majid Eslami netted with a diving header.
Gladesville had their ends up at this stage, and edged in front in the 36th minute. Skipper Chris Gaitatzis raced down the left flank, before entering the box and driving across the penalty area for Johnny Martinez to score.
Inter Lions were not to be denied, and eventually equalised in the 81st minute, Eric Tomesek netting after collecting an initial shot which had rebounded off the upright.
Both teams remain in mid table on 13 points as a result of the draw, Inter Lions in 6th spot only on goal difference.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY – HAWKESBURY CITY 0-1
Sunday, June 12
Sydney University Football Ground @ 3-00pm
Hawkesbury City dragged themselves off the bottom of the ladder when they overcame Sydney University by the lone goal away from home.
Michael Noro was the hero for the visitors, converting after a defensive mix up midway through the first half.
The ‘students’ had a number of chances to square the ledger, but were unable to get past Daniel Schwarzer, the Hawks keeper pulling off a few excellent saves on his way to a clean sheet.
Sydney University are on 18 points in 5th spot, having picked up three points in a midweek defeat of Gladesville, whilst Hawkesbury City climb to 8 points and 10 spot courtesy of the win and subsequent three points.
BALMAIN TIGERS – GRANVILLE RAGE 0-1
Sunday, June 12
Leichhardt Oval @ 7-00pm
Balmain Tigers and Granville Rage fought out a real arm wrestle at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night, with the Rage prevailing by a solitary goal.
The Tigers started the brighter, and had a couple of early opportunities to break the deadlock but could only find the side netting on both occasions.
Granville scored what proved to be the only goal of the game in the 39th minute. Jess Casey got on the end of a free kick to volley home from the six yard box, much to the delight of the travelling fans.
Balmain came out all guns blazing after the break, but could not muster a goal, succumbing in the end to a narrow defeat.
DUNBAR ROVERS – RYDALMERE LIONS 3-0
Sunday, June 12
Hensley Athletic Field @ 7-00pm
Two of the competition’s heavyweights met at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday evening, with Dunbar Rovers taking home the spoils with a 3-0 victory over Rydalmere Lions.
The visiting Lions had the better of the opening quarter of an hour or so, but Dunbar took the lead on 20 minutes when skipper Robbie Deasy struck with a low free kick.
Rydalmere had a couple of good opportunities before the break, but could not find a way past Stephen Deasy in the Dunbar goal.
At the other end of the park, Dunbar’s Malcolm Miller had two efforts at the Lions goal but cleared the cross bar on both occasions.
But Miller was not to be denied, netting with a magnificent diving header on 61 minutes from a Michael Sealy cross.
David Desmond wrapped up proceedings for Dunbar in the 88th minute, half volleying in to the roof of the net to close the scoreboard off at 3-0 for the Rovers.
The three points sees Dunbar move to 24 points and 2nd spot on the ladder, just two points behind leaders, Hills Brumbies. The loss means Rydalmere drop to 4th position, remaining on 21 points.
