Manly United win in thriller over Sydney FC

MANLY United’s unbeaten status after four rounds remains intact following Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition win over Sydney FC at Cromer Park.

In what was a high tempo encounter, a second half goal from evergreen striker Dylan Macallister proved to be the difference.

Scott Balderson gave the hosts a dream start when he fired home after just 2 minutes.

Latching on to a cross from Macallister, Balderson volleyed past Sky Blues shot stopper Thomas Heward-Belle.

On 10 minutes it was 2-0 and it was Balderson who again found the back of the net.

Picking up a loose ball after a corner, the attacking dynamo fired towards goal from 20 yards.

A hefty deflection helped his cause, but Balderson didn’t care after claiming the spoils.

Sydney FC eventually woke from their slumber and pegged one back with 13 minutes on the clock.

Chris Zuvela’s missile from the edge of the area never looked like missing, with Manly custodian Dylan Mitchell rooted to the spot.

With 18 minutes gone Sydney’s Alusine Fofanah should have made it 2-2.

He picked his spot from the edge of the area but was unable to direct it goal wards, bending it over the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Macallister almost made it 3-1 for United.

The evergreen striker shrugged off his would be marker and fired towards goal.

Heward-Belle leapt across and was relieved when Macallister’s effort bounced out to safety after crashing into the post.

Leading into the break Manly soon took control, with Sydney FC not pressing to win back the ball when defending.

Sky Blues coach Robbie Stanton no doubt delivered a rocket to his young side after the break as they were sharper early in the second half.

Cristian Gonzalez, who was introduced into the fray at oranges, didn’t take long to leave an impression on the pitch.

On 47 minutes he squared proceedings after volleying home a loose ball.

United didn’t panic and with 54 minutes played took the lead.

A pinpoint diagonal ball from skipper Jamie Lobb released Nikola Taneski.

The off-season recruit found Macallister with a teasing ball, and the Avalon junior nodded home to restore United’s one goal lead.

Sydney FC then almost made it 3-3 on 69 minutes.

Replacement Bai Antoniou charged towards goal and produced a rocket which Mitchell brilliantly tipped wide of the goal.

The visitors half a half chance in time added on to nab a point, but the home side held firm to record their third win from four games.

Speaking outside the sheds, Manly United coach Warren Grieve conceded his team made life difficult for themselves at times.

"A goal in pre-season was to make Cromer Park a fortress, so two wins here is a good start,” he said.

"We need to defend better from set pieces, we are giving away soft goals.

"We want to make ourselves hard to beat but at the same time playing attacking football.

"Momentum is key for us, we will keep working hard."

His opposite Robbie Stanton pointed to inexperience from the baby Sky Blues at crucial moments.

"Three games in eight days took its toll,” he said.

"We didn’t handle the pressure at times, mentally we were not switched on and that was crucial.

"Manly are also a very good team, with plenty of experienced players.

"Our guys are developing, I am sure we will hold our own across the course of the year."

Match Stats

Manly United 3 (Scott Balderson 2′, 10′, Dylan Macallister 54′)

Sydney FC 2 (Chris Zuvela 13′, Cristian Gonzalez 47′)

Cromer Park

Sunday April 2, 2017

Referee: T.Danaskos

Assistant referees: T.Lee, V.Bertuccioli

Fourth official: A. Lyndon

Manly United: 1.MITCHELL Dylan, 2.PAULL Kieren, 3.LOBB Jamie, 4.OUGHTRED Travis, 8.MACURA Sasa,(6.FERGUSON Dom 68′) 9.MACALLISTER Dylan,(14.PANDUREVIC Dejan 55′) 10.CHOLAKIAN Brendan, 11.TANESKI Nikola, 13.BALDERSON Scott,(16.BERTI Sipan 58′) 17.WILSON Sam, 21.FOX Joey

Substitutes not used: 20.CATLIN Shaun, 12.EGGER Leigh

Yellow cards: Balderson 10′, Macura 57′, Lobb 90′

Red cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 20.HEWARD-BELLE Thomas, 21. AGAMEMNONOS Andreas, 11.ARDITTI CHRIS, (14.GONZALEZ Crisitan 46′) 2.CURITS Brendan, 3.FLOTTMANN Patrick, 18.FOFANAH Alusine, (9.ANTONIOU Bai 63′),  6.KULESKI Nicola, 12.LOKOLINGOY Charles, 4.TIMOTHEOU George, 8.ZAPATA Juan,(16.MUTCH William 46′) 17.ZUVELA Chris

Substitutes not used: 1.EVANS Mitchell, 39.McGING Liam

Yellow cards: Flottmann 42′, Curtis 77′

Red cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Nikola Taneski (MU)

2 – Travis Oughtred (MU)

1 – Dylan Macallister (MU)

-By Andrew Prentice