Round 17 Review – State League Men’s

A rain affected weekend of the State League Men’s saw important victories for the SD Raiders FC, Hurstville FC, UNSW and the Camden Tigers FC in our Match of the Round.
Match of the Round – Camden Tigers FC vs. Western Condors FC: 1-0
The Camden Tigers FC tightened their grip on fifth place with a narrow win over the Western Condors FC, at a chilly Lynwood Park on Saturday night.
The Condors had two penalty appeals waved away on the night, but Tigers midfielder Dean Mugridge scored the game’s only goal with a header moments before halftime to secure all three points for Camden in a closely-fought and at times controversial game.
With the two teams evenly matched on competition table, it was no surprise that the opening 45 minutes were so closely fought between the two sides.
The Tigers had the better of the opening exchanges; a slick passing move through the Condors midfield culminating in Callum Rogers dragging his shot wide from just outside the penalty area inside the first ten minutes.
The Western Condors slowly found their rhythm in the match, but were mainly restricted to shooting from distance, with midfielders Jonathan Hurtado-Pacheco and Alan de la Cuadra both failing to test the Tigers’ stopper from long range.
The Condors found joy down the right side in attack; neat midfield passing by the visitors drew the Tigers wingbacks in from their sidelines, allowing Condors midfielder Hugo Coronel to fire raking passes to winger Roberto Sanchez. Sanchez’s attacking darts troubled Camden’s back four all game.
The goal would eventually come for Camden though, just after half time. Midfielder Alex Bullow stepped over a free kick, which sailed harmlessly over the waiting pack on the edge of the Condors’ penalty area; however, Tigers captain Rogers showed initiative to save the ball from the sideline, beat his defender and send a pinpoint cross in for Mugridge to head over an onrushing Condors goalkeeper.
Camden continued to pressure the Condors back four in possession high up the field, with Bailey Simpson and Mugridge continuing to force the opposition into rushed passes and long clearances out from the back.
The match could have turned in the 73rd minute, after Condors striker Mauricio Navarette was dragged down by defender Liam Hastie inside the penalty area. The referee waved away the visitors’ shouts for a spot kick.
The Condors continued to attack the Tigers’ stout defence deep into the second half, with Awuku and Navarette combining well in the Tigers penalty area four minutes from time, only for Navarette to scuff his chance and lose possession.
The visitors would have again felt hard done by as their second penalty shout was waved away in the 91st minute after substitute Akwasi Appiah was felled in the penalty area by Stephen Tomasich as he took his shot on goal.
Ultimately, as the full time whistle blew, the Tigers had earned the win with a solid defensive display and a keener eye in front of goal.
Coach Dean Bradley was delighted with his side’s performance, against stiff competition in the Condors.
“It was a great, tough game. The Condors were a solid unit, though in the end our lads stuck to the plan and got the points.”
“Again we had multiple chances which would have been nice to take, but I’m proud of another clean sheet and the fact that we are creating chances to score.”
Match Stats
Camden Tigers FC                               1 (D. Mugridge)
Western Condors FC                           0
Saturday, 23 July 2016
Lynwood Park
Camden Tigers FC: 29. A. Bullow, 12. S. Doherty, 15. M. Green, 26. L. Hastie, 20. M. Johnston, 1. J. Knight, 9. S. Lloyd, 10. D. Mugridge, 5. C. Rogers, 8. M. Serone, 31. B. Simpson, 6. B. Szumski, 4. S. Tomasich, 3. J. Watson.
Yellow Cards: 29. A. Bullow
Red Cards: N/A
Western Condors FC: 17. A. Appiah, 11. F. Awuku, 6. R. Carrizo, 63. H. Coronel, 7. A. De La Cuadra, 30. R. Galiano, 62. J. Hurtado-Pacheco, 14. B. Knobel, 19. G. Maya Valiente, 10. M. Navarrete, 2. C. Olivares, 20. J. Ruzic, 8. R. Sanchez, 15. N. Valenzuela, 64. P. Valle, 55. A. Vrinat.
Yellow Cards: 11. F. Awuku, 6. R. Carrizo, 62. J. Hurtado-Pacheco, 64. P. Valle.
Red Cards: N/A
 
Round Summaries
Bankstown United FC vs. SD Raiders FC: 1-2
In an extremely tough battle between third and fourth, the Southern District Raiders overcame Bankstown United to extend the gap between the two sides on the table.
It was heartbreak for the home side, who lost the game after conceding in the last thirty seconds. Southern Districts’ man in form Mark Symington again found the back of the net; complemented by a strike from Daniel Martinez.
Bankstown United FC coach Petar Finka says, “I was a lot happier with the performance compared to last week, but the finish was simply heartbreaking!”
“After losing a player in the warm up to injury, and having an almost completely new back four – I thought we deserved something out of the game!”
“We did play some great football on a pitch that could only be described as terrible.”
Eight points now separate third placed Southern Districts and fourth placed Bankstown United. The Raiders are in red hot form, while United are suffering their least successful stretch all season.
University of NSW vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs: 4-2
The Hurstville City Minotaurs have been brought back down to earth this weekend, succumbing 4-2 to an impressive UNSW outfit.
Hurstville City were looking to make it three wins in a row, but started slowly and conceded two early goals. Hurstville fought back bravely to equalise 2-2, but UNSW showed great nerve to score twice more and secure all three points.. 
Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis was disappointed in his team’s performance and the result.
“UNSW played very well and looked like they wanted the game more than us…. two mistakes cost us the match – our keeper has played better games.” 
“Overall it was a disappointing result for us… that’s football.”
The University of NSW now jump above Hurstville City on the table, moving into ninth place.
Hurstville FC vs. Wagga City Wanderers: 3-0
Hurstville FC have bounced back strongly from last week’s difficult to swallow loss against St. George, tearing apart the Wagga City Wanderers.
Young attacker Mudrek Abaid scored two goals and Michael Janov scored the other, in what was a dominant performance from the home side.
Hurstville FC coach Alex Prophet says, “It was a great reaction today, and the whole team contributed to a very dominant display.”
Wagga City Wanderers coach Andrew Douglas admits that Hurstville were extremely difficult to resist this Saturday.
“They were clinical and played a very high press which didn’t give us any time to settle. I thought we had a couple of chances that went begging, but in saying that our keeper pulled off some great saves to keep the score line what it was.”
St. George FA vs. Prospect United – WASHED OUT
Gazy Auburn FC vs. Nepean FC – WASHED OUT
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter