Round 13 Review – State League Men’s

As the state descended into bitter coldness, the State League Men’s only heated up this weekend – with all top four teams claiming vital victories.
Match of the Round – Nepean FC vs. St. George FA: 0-1.

St. George FA continue to win game after game, but did not find things easy against a strong Nepean FC this Saturday.
A bitterly cold Cook Park hosted two teams who have made positive starts to the second half of the season, with St. George continuing to hold first place and Nepean experiencing rebirth under new coach Magdy Andrawes.
The visitors picked up where they left off last weekend, commanding the pace of the game in the first half and creating numerous chances. Nepean, however, continued to press a high line and did not back away from the challenge.
Both sides seemed to cancel each other out as the half progressed, each defending resolutely and cautious when pushing players forward. The atmosphere was tense, with the feeling that a single goal could break things wide open – however, none came in the opening period.
The second half saw St. George start to turn the gears, as they pushed harder to find a goal. They found particular luck down the flanks with quick transition football.
The visitors came close to taking the lead when Sean Richardson had his shot cannon of the upright, after beating his fullback on the inside along the right flank.
St. George finally broke through in the seventy fifth minute, thanks to another goal from talented youngster James Spanoudakis. Sam Messam broke quickly down the left flank, beating his fullback and cutting the ball back to Spanoudakis to finish.
In the final fifteen minutes, Nepean threw everything they had at the home side but could not break down the league’s best defensive unit. St. George sat slightly deeper, continuing to hit on the counter attack.
Ultimately, neither team could find another goal and the game concluded with only the narrowest of margins separating them.
St. George coach Manny Spanoudakis is happy with his side’s performance, which he describes as “very positive and well deserved”.
“This is a very different Nepean to the one we played in Round 2. Full credit to their coach, they are a very good team who will push for the top four.”
Spanoudakis highlights the performances of Umlil, Webster and Vass whose experience within a relatively young squad shone throughout the game.
“I’m also happy that Sean Thomas and Bill Taanidis have made a successful return from long term injuries.”
Nepan coach Magdy Andrawes is also pleased with his team’s performance, despite the result – which he contrasts to their 7-1 loss in Round 2.
“It was a close game and I’m very proud of the boys. I feel we deserved to get something out of the game – in any case, it was a massive improvement and I’m confident if we are to replicate that performance and effort next week, our lads will get rewarded well.”
“Credit to St. George, as they remained tight and proved why they have the best defence in the league.”
Match Stats

Nepean FC                                           0

St. George FA                                      1 (J. Spanoudakis 75’)
Saturday, 25 June

Cook Park, St. Mary’s
Nepean FC: 18. A. Agyei, 4. S. Bingham, 22. J. Egberts, 27. M. Elongo, 3. C. Enwiya, 19. M. Fakiye, 6. B. Grant, 2. W. Jajaw, 20. D. Kanaley, 12. S. Ly, 8. B. Owusu, 5. K. Pitso, 1. J. Senior, 7. C. Waoci.
Yellow Cards: S. Ly, C. Waoci
Red Cards: N/A 
St. George FA: 31. M. Bozic, 15. D. Dascal, 8. M. Fsadni, 10. C. Lawson, 19. S. Messam, 7. S. Richardson, 2. J. Spanoudakis, 17. S. Thomas, 9. F. Umlil, 16. M. Vass, 6. A. Webster.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Round Summaries

Prospect United vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs: 2-0.

Prospect United have finally broken their unlucky string of defeats with a well deserved victory against the Hurstville City Minotaurs.
Showing great determination to push forward in spite of a hugely disheartening month for the squad, Prospect earned all three points thanks to goals from Reece Iredale and Joey Bayubahe.
Coach John Caruana says that he is happy with a solid performance from his boys, believing they were challenged by the Minotaurs.
“The Minotaurs played well, but defensively and structurally as a unit we were better. We just need to back up next week.”
Bankstown United FC vs. University of NSW: 2-0.

Bankstown United have returned to winning ways, dispatching the University of NSW fairly comfortably this Saturday.
Bankstown coach Petar Finka says that he is happy with the result, but the performance wasn’t entirely convincing.
“The game was a bit of a tale of two halves. Our first forty five minutes were some of the best football we’ve played all season, but the second was a bit of a rough and tough affair.”
Indeed, the home side went down to ten men and were lucky not to concede after giving away a penalty. This was compounded by a series of injuries that forced United down to nine men for the final ten minutes.
“All in all happy as we held on for the win and gutsed it out – but our physio is going to have a very busy week!”
Tommy Markovski was the hero for Bankstown once more, with a brace in the first half.
Gazy Auburn FC vs. Hurstville FC: 0-2.

Hurstville FC continue to keep up with St. George atop the table, sweeping aside Gazy Auburn in a relatively routine victory for the visitors.
Two first half goals from Denis Cutura and Paul Gagro were all they needed, in a performance coach Alex Prophet describes as “top class”.
“We kept a clean sheet, scored great goals – it was a great all round performance.”
Prophet highlights the performance of defender (sometimes striker) Marko Banic, who contributed greatly to a vital victory for Hurstville.
Western Condors vs. SD Raiders FC: 1-2.

The Western Condors will feel bitterly unlucky to have fallen to defeat this week against title contenders Southern Districts.
The home side fought extremely strongly in front of their home crowd this Sunday, but were ultimately ousted by goals from Symington and Fahmi for the Raiders.
Southern Districts maintain their position behind the top two, and will be looking to win every game from here on in if they’re to overcome the six point deficit.
The Condors will take plenty of positives out of the performance and still remain well in touch with the top four.
Wagga City Wanderers vs. Camden Tigers FC – WASHED OUT

-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter