Manly United knocked out by ruthless Bonnyrigg
Bonnyrigg White Eagles sent Manly United crashing out of title contention with a comprehensive 5-0 victory in a remarkable PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Minor Semi-Final at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday evening.
It capped off a better end to the weekend for the White Eagles who only days ago were knocked out of the Westfield FFA Cup after going down 3-0 at the hands of Blacktown City on Wednesday evening.
Two goals apiece by Aaron Peterson and Robbie Younis; and one by Sam Gallaway, destroyed a Manly side which was overwhelmed by a relentless and clinical opponent.
Bonnyrigg’s goals came in a brilliant seven-minute period in the second half, where everything they touched turned to gold.
But the game didn’t start that way, as Manly dominated most of the first half and mesmerised the White Eagles with pace, skill and industry.
Scott Balderson’s high work rate combined with the skills provided by Richie Cardozo and Brendan Cholakian tormented the Bonnyrigg defenders, who seemed unable to settle into any sort of rhythm.
Indeed, it came as no surprise that the first real opportunity of the match fell to Balderson in the 11th minute, his header from a pinpoint Cardozo freekick sailing over the bar.
Manly continued to move forward and looked the more likely team to score but couldn’t hit the target. They rushed and harried the Bonnyrigg defence, pulling them this way and that, but as much as his backline struggled, White Eagles goalkeeper James Chronopoulos rose to the challenge and proved to be the rock that his side so desperately needed.
Bonnyrigg’s first chance came from a swift counter-attack in the 24th minute, when that man Chronopoulos foiled a dangerous Manly corner, before distributing the ball swiftly downfield. Younis ultimately found the ball at his fet on the right side but his shot screamd over the crossbar.
By the half hour mark, Bonnyrigg began to play with more conviction, with James McKenzie heading wide from a penetrating free kick, while Younis started to come out of his shell, setting off on an individual run and shooting wide, before leaving two Manly defenders sprawled on the ground, before sending an inch-perfect low cross to Peterson, whose first-time effort ricocheted off the post.
Peterson then laid on a terrific pass for Gregory Kondek, who couldn’t find the target, while Younis had Manly keeper Dylan Mitchell at full stretch from the goal line.
Manly had their moments too, but they were becoming few and far between. Cholakian and Kieran Paull taunted the Bonnyrigg defence with some solid interplay, but couldn’t find the target, while Paull and Rhys Williams peppered the Bonnyrigg goal, but to no avail.
In the 40th minute Peterson again went close, this time he glanced his header wide.
Both sides had opportunities to score in the first half, but neither side had the firepower or accuracy to finish. Bonnyrigg striker Robbie Younis was a constant thorn in Manly’s side, so too goalkeeper James Chronopoulos, who handled everything United could throw his way. For Manly, Richie Cardozo and Scott Balderson impressed with their skill and high work rate respectively.
But as good as Manly were in the opening half, Bonnyrigg completely owned the second 45 minutes. Aaron Peterson opened the floodgates when he gave his side the lead in the 48th minute, unleashing a left-footed rocket that beat Mitchell and smashed into the top of the net.
The White Eagles continued to torment the boys from the Northern Beaches, and in a magical seven-minute period, Manly’s Championship aspirations were completely blown away.
Sam Gallaway gave his side a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute; Younis grabbed two, one from the penalty spot and the other a brilliant individual effort; while Peterson nabbed his second to give the White Eagles an unbelievable and simply astounding 5-0 lead. The crowd was left shell-shocked. The players were in search of an explanation. Indeed, whoever Bonnyrigg faces next will be exceedingly wary of a sleeping giant that seems to have awakened from its slumber.
As expected, Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown was delighted with his side’s performance.
“We struggled in the first half but the second half was a complete performance,” he said. “I think it was a complete team performance but I think our front two (Younis and Peterson) and goalkeeper James Chronopoulos, were excellent.
“We scored five goals against a quality team, which is a real positive going into the next game. And whoever we play next, they will be a very, very tough opponent.”
Meanwhile, Manly coach Paul Dee was bitterly disappointed that such a fine season had come to such an uncompromising end.
“What can I say?” he asked. “I feel like we dominated the first half and went into halftime feeling upbeat and confident. But the momentum swung completely when Peterson scored the first goal. We just couldn’t handle the onslaught and next thing they scored five goals in a matter of minutes. It was disappointing that we couldn’t deal with the onslaught.”
On a positive note, Dee said that his side was still evolving and the selection of winger Adam Parkhouse in the Wellington Phoenix’s A-League squad was a major highlight in what has been a fine season.
“Adam has been with us for two years and his selection in the A-League is a great achievement,” Dee said. “We wish him all the best.”
Match Stats
Manly United 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 (Peterson 48’, 68′ Gallaway 64’, Younis (penalty) 66’, 71′
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Saturday, August 27 2016
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Nick Backo & Janush Adabjou
Fourth Official: Tim Danaskos
Manly United: 1. Dylan MITCHELL (GK), 2. Kieran PAULL, 3. Jamie LOBB, 4. Travis OUGHTRED, 5. Rhys WILLIAMS, 6. Sam GALLAGHER, 9. Richard CARDOZO, 10. Brendan CHOLAKIAN, 11. Adam PARKHOUSE (7. Travis COOPER 77’), 13. Scott BALDERSON (16. Sipan BERTI 67’), 21. Joseph FOX (18. Daniel BRAGG 77’).
Substitutes not used: 17. Shane CANSDELL-SHERIFF, 20. Mackenzie SVRON
Yellow Cards: 6. Sam GALLAGHER 74’, 10. Brendan CHOLAKIAN 87’
Red Cards: N/A
Coach: Paul Dee
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. James CHRONOPOULOS (GK), 3. David VRANKOVIC, 6. Nikola ZONJIC, 7. Gregory KONDEK (18. Asmir KADRIC 50’), 9. Robert YOUNIS, 13. James MCKENZIE, 15. Raymond MILLER (21. Bo Hyun CHUN), 16. Samuel GALLAWAY, 17. Gil MUN-SOO, 19. Aaron PETERSON (10. Yuta KOKADO 73’), 31. Martin LO,
Substitutes not used: 20. Stevan SAVICIC
Coach: Brian Brown
Yellow Cards: David Vrankovic 16’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 Robbie Younis (BWE)
2 Aaron Peterson (BWE)
1 James Chronopoulos (BWE)
-By Derek Royal, PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s reporter.
