Round 1 Finals Series Preview – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
Hills Brumbies SC have the ‘luxury’ of a week off this weekend, courtesy of winning the Premiership, and will sit back to see whether it is Rydalmere Lions or Dunbar Rovers that they will meet in the Semi Final the following week for a spot in this year’s Grand Final.
ELIMINATION FINAL
Stanmore Hawks FC – Sydney University SFC Saturday, September 3 Arlington Oval @ 5-00pm
The first of the Finals matches will take place at Arlington Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the Stanmore Hawks taking on Sydney University at 5-00pm.
The Hawks have earned home ground advantage courtesy of their 4th place finish, whilst Sydney University shrugged off the challenge of Gladesville Ryde Magic in the final weeks of the campaign to take out 5th spot.
It was a surprising finish to the competition for the Hawks, who held 2nd spot on the ladder leading in to the final round, and only needed a draw against Hills Brumbies to secure a ‘second chance’ semi-final.
A 1-3 reverse however put paid to that, and to rub further salt in to the wounds, Stanmore will have to contest the Finals Series without their inspirational captain, Steve Liavas, who suffered a season ending ACL injury during that match.
Much has been said about Stanmore’s resolute defence, with James Webb outstanding between the sticks, conceding the fewest goals in the league at 29. Yorgi Mavrou has been an ever present in central defence, and his partnership with Sergio Tarazona has helped keep opposition strikers at bay.
The elusive Heo Wookbum (12), big Sam Awad (9), and promising youngster Michael Toscano (8) have shared most of the goals between them, and have proven a deadly trio in the attacking third.
Sydney University enter the Finals campaign somewhat under the radar, moreso for the best part of the second round. At one point, the ‘students’ looked like they had fallen quite a few points behind the top four sides on the competition ladder, and they also had a break on the teams below them, until Magic gave them a little scare with a few rounds to play.
Their first season in the NPL 3 was interrupted mid-stream with the departure of coach, Brian Dene, and experienced goalkeeper, Daniel Conway.
John Haynes stepped up from the assistant coaching role to continue the good work that had been started on the training paddock, whilst Carl McMahon transferred in from Granville Rage to take over between the posts.
The team continued to adapt well, especially given the amount of new players that joined the club in the summer, and have been admirably lead by their ever reliable captain, Tommy Hyde.
In attack Sydney University can dismantle any defence, given the weaponry on show. Scott Tonkin and Rosario Occhipinti have managed 17 and 9 goals this season respectively, and their joint penalty box prowess is a real strength for the side. Strikers cannot score without the right service, and the ‘students’ have two of the best flankers in the competition in Domenic Di Mento and Johnny Gowdy, both quick on their feet, and very effective with their crosses.
Stanmore Hawks only lost 4 matches all season, but two of those were to Sydney University, the only club to complete the double over the Hawks.
Back on April 9th in Round Two, Sydney University won 2-1 with goals from Occhipinti and Gowdy, whilst Awad replied for Stanmore Hawks. Sydney University replicated that result on June 25 in Round 13, with Valentin Broehl and Domenic Di Mento netting for the ‘students’, whilst Heo Wookbum replied for Stanmore.
Can Sydney University make it a clean sweep on Saturday with their 3rd win in as many games against Stanmore, or can the Hawks defy the stats in front of their own fans at Arlington and end the ‘students’ season? All questions will be answered come Saturday night.
QUALIFYING FINAL
Rydalmere Lions SC – Dunbar Rovers Sunday, September 4 Valentine Sports Park No.2 @ 5-30pm
The Qualifying Final will take place at Football NSW headquarters on Sunday evening, with Rydalmere Lions meeting Dunbar Rovers at Valentine Sports Park No.2.
Both clubs finished the regular season on 48 points, with Rydalmere Lions taking 2nd place and Dunbar Rovers 3rd spot courtesy of their goal differential.
Rydalmere Lions started the season like a house on fire, winning games and scoring goals for fun. A few reverses mid-season meant they fell away from winning the Premiership, but a strong finish has seen them not only take the runner-up place on the ladder, but built some momentum coming in to the Finals Series.
Rydalmere have looked devastating at times during the campaign, with so many attack minded players breaking quickly and taking advantage of any gaps in the opposition defensive line.
Amaury Gauthier, Zac Elrich and Yoel Silvestre present a very speedy front line, whilst the burly figure of Lloyd Owusu has proven very effective in recent weeks off the bench. Matthew Mayora has switched from the front line to the back line with great effect, and just his presence gives the team a steely look across the back.
2016 was the first in the NPL 3 competition for the promoted Dunbar Rovers, and they have adapted extremely well to finish their maiden season in 3rd spot.
The Rovers present a stubborn and well-structured outfit, a team that always gives 100% and will never give up.
Stephen Deasy has been difficult to beat in goal, Clive Delaney has lead a brick-wall like defence, whilst the hard working midfield has provided many an opportunity for the strikers.
Skipper Robbie Deasy has lead by example with a high workrate, and has 10 goals to boot in 2016, whilst David Desmond has been in the right place at the right time, 18 times in fact, to finish 3rd on the competition’s scorers charts.
The first time these teams met was back on June 12th in Round 11, when Dunbar Rovers prevailed 3-0 at Hensley Athletic Field. Robbie Deasy, Malcolm Miller and David Desmond got the goals for the Rovers that night.
The return fixture was as recent as last week in Round 22, when the two teams finished locked at 1-1. Both goals came from set pieces – Robbie Deasy opening the scoring for Dunbar on 5 minutes, whilst Matthew Mayora drove in the equaliser before half time.
This match promises to be a real arm wrestle, and it could even take extra time to sort it out – the loser will have another chance by taking on the winner of the Stanmore-Sydney University Elimination Final, whilst the victor will march on to meet Hills Brumbies for a spot in the 2016 Grand Final.
