Round 18 Review – State League Men’s

St. George FA refuse to slow down as the State League Men’s surges towards the business end of the season.

Wagga City Wanderers vs. St. George FA: 0-5.

St. George FA tore apart the Wagga City Wanderers this Saturday, as they continue to storm towards the Premiership in style.

John Tsironis and Sam Messam were at the double for St. George, while captain Sam Mangelsdorf added a fifth.

St. George found most of their luck in the first half, where they dominated and led at the break by four goals. The Wanderers showed greater resilience in the second period, conceding only a single goal.

St. George coach Manny Spanoudakis was over the moon with his team’s performance, particularly following a long journey down to Cootamundra.

“The game plan was simple and we stuck to it perfectly… we played some excellent football and dominated the game from start to finish on a slippery pitch.”

Spanoudakis credits the Wanderers for never giving up, regardless of the scoreline, but believes his boys simply outclassed them.

“They caught us on one of those days where everything we have done on the practice pitch was applied to the game and it all worked to plan.

“Full credit to all my boys, they were exceptional!”

Wanderers coach Andrew Douglas says that his young squad enjoyed the challenge.

“It was good for our young players to get that type of exposure. St. George are a well rounded, clinical side.”’

Prospect United vs. Camden Tigers FC: 1-2.

The Camden Tigers continued their superb run of form with a tense come-from-behind victory against Prospect United.

The Tigers dominated play from kick off, and seemed well on top of the home side. Nevertheless, it was Prospect who opened the scoring thanks to a strike from Joel Bayubahe.

Prospect then had an opportunity to double their lead, after winning a penalty. However, the penalty was saved by Johnston and Camden were jolted into action.

Almost immediately, the Tigers equalised thanks to a strike from Sean Doherty. The Tigers then won a penalty in the second half, which was converted coolly by Callum Rogers.

Prospect coach John Caruana was upset with how the game finished, saying, “We played really well in the second half but Camden got a penalty which was never a penalty. Just the story of our season.”

Camden Tigers coach Dean Bradley didn’t think his boys played at their best, but was happy with the result.

“I was pleased with the win – the performance wasn’t our best though the guys worked hard in a tough game.”

“Prospect didn’t really trouble us though caught us on the counter for the first goal. I was happy with numerous players coming back from injury and sickness.”

SD Raiders FC vs. University of NSW: 6-1.

The SD Raiders were at their very best against UNSW this weekend, as they gear up for the dash towards Finals football.

Mitchell McLintock was the hat-trick hero for the Raiders, now having scored an unbelievable 27 goals from 17 appearances.

In-form Mark Symington continued his goal scoring streak while Daniel Martinez added his fourth of the season.

Nepean FC vs. Bankstown United FC: 0-3.

Bankstown United returned to winning ways this weekend, overcoming Nepean FC in a tense affair at Cook Park.

In a game that saw ten yellow cards and a red card to Bankstown United’s Mathew Harrison, the visitors claimed all three points thanks to a brace from Tom Markovski and a strike from Kodai Hayashi.

Bankstown United coach Petar Finka thought his team was very solid across the park, but was particularly happy to have kept a clean sheet.

Nepean FC coach Magdy Andrawes was disappointed with the result, feeling that it could have been very different if his boys had been more clinical.

“Its tough when you are 1-0 down at half time and you realise that if you take your chances early in teh second half than the game would completely flip around.”

“We had three good chances early in the second half and failed to take advantage of any of them… this loss could have ended our Finals chances but I’m proud of how far the squad has come and the way they are play football and dominating for large portions of matches.” 

Andrawes says that regardless of his side’s chances at Finals football, they will look to steadily improve over the final five games.

Hurstville FC vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs: 3-1.

Hurstville FC claimed an important victory over their local rivals this weekend, as they continue to stay in touch with St. George atop the table.

All four goals were scored in the first half, with the home side sitting comfortably on their lead in the second period.

The Minotaurs goal came by way of Felipe Ibar, who has now scored five times in his six appearances for the club this season.

Hurstville FC’s Dario Borovickic scored an impressive brace, complemented by a goal from Marko Banic to secure all three points.

Hurstville FC coach Alex Prophet was happy with his team’s performance and the goals scored.

“The Minotaurs worked hard but I felt comfortable with our ball movement and shape. We are slowly building towards the Finals.”

Hurstville City Minotaurs coach Peter Sarikakis feels his side could have won the game if they had taken their opportunities in front of goal. He was also not happy with his team’s defending.

“We created enough chances to win two games, but our strikers missed four to five one on ones with the goalkeeper.”

“On top of that, the usual childish mistakes in defence let the team down. It’s a shame to play good football and lose games.”

Western Condors FC vs. Gazy Auburn FC: 2-2.

The Western Condors FC will be hugely disappointed to have dropped points against Gazy Auburn FC this weekend, in a result that sees them stretch further away from the top five.

The Condors led at half-time, but an action packed second half saw Gazy Auburn equalise thanks to strikes from Ertan Uzel and André Sebastiani.

The Condors now sit six points behind Camden in fifth (albeit with a game in hand), while Gazy Auburn remain at the bottom of the ladder.

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