Round 21 Review – State League Men’s
An incredible performance from St. George FA sees the league newcomers claim a remarkable Premiership (and Club Championship) in their maiden season.
Match of the Round – St. George FA vs. Gazy Auburn FC: 12-0.
St. George FA were too hot to handle this Saturday night, crushing last placed Gazy Auburn FC in a stunning performance.
Young attacking midfielder James Spanoudakis was the star for St. George, scoring five goals in a dominant performance. Striker Sam Messam was a constant terror for Gazy’s defence, and scored twice in a similarly impressive outing.
Things kicked off in the seventh minute, with Spanoudakis receiving the ball in Gazy’s half and spreading wide to Freddy Umlil. Umlil beat his fullback and crossed the ball back into Spanoudakis who fired in to the top left corner.
Three minutes later, Umlil and Spanoudakis combined again to add St. George’s second. Umlil’s cross from inside the box was headed home with precision by Spanoudakis. Another moment later and the hosts had their third, with Spanoudakis playing the ball across goal to a willing Sean Richardson.
In the seventeenth minute, a mistake from Gazy goalkeeper Zac Brown gifted St. George their fourth. Misjudging the corner, Brown was able to get a hand to the incoming ball but only resulted in palming it to Christopher Lawson for the tap in.
Two minutes later and Lawson had his second for the game, nodding home a swung in corner from Spanoudakis at the near post.
A nice team effort gave St. George their fifth, with Adrian Webster spreading the ball wide to Richardson, who crossed towards the feet of Spanoudakis. The youngster made no mistake in burying home his hat trick.
Two minutes later and St. George were on the scoresheet again, after a smart one-two between Nick Napoli and Sam Messam allowed the Kiwi striker to register his first goal of the game.
Just before half time, a quick counter attack from St. George saw Sam Messam beat his last defender before unselfishly cutting back towards Spanoudakis for his fourth.
Two minutes later, Messam again demonstrated his menacing dribbling, stepping over and then darting left past his defender before shooting across goal. Zac Brown was able to parry the ball away, but only to the feet of Freddy Umlil who tapped it into the back of the net.
The second half was much slower than the first, with St. George understandably confident in their nine goal lead and Gazy Auburn downtrodden.
In the seventy eighth minute, Auburn’s Yusuf Orfali was dispossessed by Sam Messam. The St. George striker burst down the left wing and then picked out Spanoudakis at the far post, who sunk home his fifth goal of the game.
Hezio Silva-Neto joined the parade moments later, with a silky turn in the box allowing him to powerfully finish to the keeper’s left.
Messam finalised the scoring in the eighty eighth minute, bringing down a lofted ball over the top from Matthew Fsadni and finishing coolly into the bottom right corner.
Given results later in the Round, this dominant victory sees St. George FA claim the First Grade Premiership and the Club Championship.
Match Stats
St. George FA 12 (Spanoudakis x 5, Messam x 2, Lawson x 2, Umlil, Silva Neto, Richardson)
Gazy Auburn FC 0
St. George FA: 31. M. Bozic, 41. T. Dal Broi, 15. D. Dascal, 18. M. Fsadni, 5. J. Janic, 4. C. Lawson, 11. S. Messam, 8. N. Napoli, 7. S. Richardson, 12. H. Silva Neto, 10. J. Spanoudakis, 2. S. Thomas, 3. B. Tsanidis, 20. J. Tsironis, 9. F. Umlil, 6. A. Webster.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Gazy Auburn FC: 1. Z. Brown, 4. S. Dulleh, 8. E. Ibric, 15. S. Jappie, 3. M. Jirjnazi,14. J. Jones, 18. M. Kerr, 6. Y. Muchaypina Altamirano, 9. Y. Orfali, 7. A. Sebastiani, 5. D. Watson, 88. P. Meza, 17. E. Uzel.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Round Summaries
Bankstown United FC vs. Camden Tigers: 1-0.
Bankstown United will be delighted to have gotten the better of the Camden Tigers this week, in a result that will boost their morale as we head into the Finals.
In an intriguingly tight clash between third and fourth place, it was a goal from Tom Markovski that made the difference. The seemingly unstoppable striker has now scored seventeen goals in eighteen appearances this season.
Bankstown coach Petar Finka says that the win did not come easy, in trying conditions against a tough Camden outfit.
“We definitely had to tough that result out given the poor condition of the pitch and the physical nature of our opponent’s playing style.”
“In the end, I’m happy we got the three points and secured our spot in the Finals.”
Camden Tigers coach Dean Bradley recognised what was an exciting game of football, despite the result.
“It was a great game to watch with a lot of refereeing decisions going both ways… it was tough on the boys as they put in a great effort but weren’t clinical in front of goal when we needed to be.”
“Bankstown took their chances and made it count but all in all I wasn’t disappointed in my boys, as the effort and desire was there but our finishing let us down.”
Wagga City Wanderers vs. Nepean FC: 0-5.
Nepean FC are finishing their season strongly, putting on a show for the Wagga locals this Saturday in a commanding 5-0 victory.
Nepean’s fourth consecutive win was secured thanks to strikes from Clement Waoci (2), Kagisho Pitso, David Kanaley and Charles William.
Coach Magdy Andrawes says, “I’m very proud of the boys as they showed football maturity in the way they played.”
Andrawes gives special mention to Clement Waoci, who scored twice and assisted another in his first start up front for Nepean.
“This is our fourth win on the trot and our fourth consecutive clean sheet. We are building a solid base for next season and I’m pleased with the progress thus far.”
Prospect United vs. University of NSW: 6-0.
Prospect United put a weakened UNSW squad to the sword this weekend, scoring six goals in an impressive performance.
Prospect have now won three games in a row, scoring thirteen goals in the process. Joel Bayubahe continued his impressive form, scoring two more; while Nick Valjack, Matthew Gabriel, Reece Iredale and Troy Sullivan also registered.
Prospect coach John Caruana says that his squad played extremely well, regardless of how weakened their opposition were.
“We really played well, and were four goals up after seventeen minutes… in fairness to UNSW, they were down in troops but we can only play what’s in front of us.”
“I’m proud of the boys’ attitude and we know to concentrate on Hurstville [next week] and finish the season strongly.”
Hurstville City Minotaurs vs. SD Raiders FC: 1-1.
Hurstville City continue their incredible finish to the season, earning a well deserved point against third placed SD Raiders FC.
The Minotaurs seemed like they couldn’t buy themselves a win earlier in the season, but in the past month have beaten Bankstown United, Wagga City, Premiers St. George FA and now earned a point against the Raiders.
These results see Hurstville shoot all the way up into eighth place, which would be a very respectable finish considering their position midway through the season.
Coach Peter Sarikakis was impressed with his boys’ performance, against an extremely strong Raiders outfit.
“Surprisingly we created a lot of goal scoring chances… it’s a shame that the competition is finishing next week now that my players realised you don’t have to get the big money to play good football… tradition and pride go a long way.”
The Raiders will be disappointed to have dropped points – a roadbump in their momentum building towards the Finals. They were not able to score as freely against a physical Minotaurs as they have been able to in previous rounds.
Hurstville FC vs. Western Condors FC: 2-2.
Hurstville FC have relinquished their Premiership hopes this Sunday, dropping points to a determined Western Condors FC.
The Condors shocked Hurstville early on, taking a 2-0 lead; the hosts responded well and equalised thanks to strikes from Rachid and Kamleitner but could not get the winner.
The Condors will be disappointed to have failed to win despite such a strong start, missing an opportunity to gain points on the Camden Tigers. Their Finals hopes are now all but diminished, but could still come to fruition if they win their remaining two games and Camden lose theirs.
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter
