Round 2 Finals Series Preview – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
And then there were four!
Stanmore Hawks last weekend became the first team to be bundled out in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s 2016 Finals Series, leaving four clubs to continue their journey.
SEMI FINAL 1
Dunbar Rovers FC – Sydney University SFC Saturday, September 10 Valentine Sports Park No.2 @ 6-00pm
In the weekend’s first semi-final, Dunbar Rovers will tackle Sydney University in an elimination battle, with the season all over for the loser.
Dunbar Rovers finished third in the competition proper, and find themselves in this semi-final due to a 3-5 reverse last week against Rydalmere Lions in the Qualifying Final.
After being 0-2 down at the break, the Rovers displayed the grit and determination they are well known for to drag themselves back in to the encounter, courtesy of two Robbie Deasy goals, but on the day they simply couldn’t hold out the rampaging Lions and tasted defeat.
Sydney University on the other hand were good value for their 2-1 triumph over Stanmore Hawks, Scott Tonkin and Johnny Gowdy finding the net for the ‘students’ in a game where Uni could’ve won by a few more.
This particular fixture will be very intriguing indeed given the strengths of both sides are fairly evenly matched.
Both teams play a very structured game, starting from a well-balanced defensive line.
Expect the artificial surface to be worn away somewhat across the centre with midfielders such as Doddy, Swartz and Sealy (Dunbar), plus Wenyon and Mifsud (Sydney Uni), all high on work rate and tenacity.
In attack both sides boast twin protagonists, with the duel between Dunbar’s David Desmond / Robbie Deasy (30 goals) and Scott Tonkin / Rosario Occhipinti (27 goals) keen to outdo each other on centre stage.
The two games between the sides this season have both resulted in victories for Sydney University.
Back in Round 5 on Sunday, May 1 at Heffron Synthetic Field, Sydney University were superb in a 4-2 triumph, in a match that was hastily changed at the last moment due to a waterlogged pitch at Sydney Uni.
Karpes, Occhipinti, Gowdy and Tonkin scored the goals for the ‘students’, whilst Robbie Deasy and Andrew Doddy replied for the Rovers, in a match where Dunbar finished with ten men due to Stephen Liu’s 77th minute sending off.
The return clash was in Round 16 on Sunday, July 17 at Hensley Athletic Field, and it was a lot closer this time, with Sydney University prevailing 1-0, Domenic Di Mento the lone scorer that day.
Expect a real arm wrestle in this match, and possibly even extra time and more, as both sides fight tooth and nail to extend their season for at least another week.
SEMI FINAL 2
Hills Brumbies FC – Rydalmere Lions SC Sunday, September 11 Lilys Football Centre @ 5-00pm
Semi Final 2 pits together two of the competition heavyweights at Lilys Football Centre, with Premiers, Hills Brumbies, welcoming league runners-up, Rydalmere Lions.
Hills Brumbies had the weekend off courtesy of their Premiership title, and come in to this game rested and raring to go.
89 goals in 22 games at an average of over four goals per game is a statistic that will put fear in to any opposition defence, with league top scorer, Peter Cejkaa, and attacking midfielder, Sean Mitchell, two of the Brumbies’ key weapons.
Hills will however be without the Giovenali brothers, Greg and Wade – both on Futsalroo duty – but do have enough quality in their squad to fill those gaps and minimise the impact of the absences.
When they are in full stride, Rydalmere Lions can look a very ominous sight indeed.
Fierce defensively, and with speed to burn in attack, they resemble a herd of hungry lions when they counter attack with collective intent.
Rydalmere flexed their muscles last weekend in a deserved 5-3 victory over Dunbar, leading 2-0 in the first half and 5-2 half an hour in to the second in an accomplished performance.
Amaury Gauthier and Zac Elrich were at the centre of the Lions attack, the ruthless partnership scoring a brace each and involved in most of the forays in the final third.
The two matches between the two sides during the season proper saw a remarkable 16 goals scored, with Hills Brumbies victorious on both occasions.
Back in Round 7 at Lily Football Centre on May 14 – same venue as this weekend’s match – saw Hills Brumbies triumph 6-3 in a goal fest. Sean Mitchell and Peter Cejka grabbed a brace apiece in a brilliant display of attacking football from both sides, although Rydalmere had Farres Aoun sent off minutes in to the second half and simply couldn’t peg Hills back on the night with ten men.
The return fixture was in Round 18 on July 30, and was also on a Saturday evening, with Hills Brumbies winning 4-3 in yet another goal fest.
Amaury Gauthier scored twice for the Lions, but so did Peter Cejkaa for Hills in a game that went a long way to helping secure the Premiership for the Brumbies.
The loser of this match will live to fight another day, and take on the winner of the Dunbar Rovers – Sydney University semi-final, whilst the victor will move straight in to this season’s Grand Final in a fortnight’s time.
With this in mind, expect some tension come Sunday, as well as plenty of goals, if the two league games between these sides are any indication.
