Round 9 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20
Reigning Champions Manly United got their campaign back on track during round nine thanks to a goalfest at Cromer Park, while Blacktown City failed to take advantage of Sutherland’s draw with Sydney FC.
The Match of the Round saw a quietly impressive Hakoah Sydney City East side continue to push their claim as one of the competition’s dark horses with a resounding victory in Sefton.
Match of the Round
Parramatta v Hakoah Sydney City East, 5pm at Melita Stadium
A first half blitz from Hakoah Sydney City East secured a comfortable 4-0 victory over Parramatta in their round nine affair at Melita Stadium.
The visitors raced into an unassailable 3-0 lead inside the first thirty minutes courtesy of goals from Connor Eldridge, Harry Jones and a penalty from Michael Kouta, with Jones grabbing a brace late in the second half to consign Parramatta to their fourth loss in a row.
With the majority of the Parramatta side playing a part in the Eagle’s midweek FFA Cup triumph over Southern and Ettalong United there were plenty of tired legs on display for the hosts, who were thoroughly outmuscled by a leaner and more efficient Hakoah.
However that will matter little to the Eagles who face a daunting trip to competition leaders Sutherland Sharks next week hoping to avoid a fifth defeat in a row.
Parramatta started the encounter promisingly and enjoyed several glimpses at goal in the matches early stages, but found themselves behind inside fifteen minutes when Connor Eldridge nodded home Nathan Roberts cross from close range.
Hakoah’s lead was swiftly doubled minutes later when Harry Jones brought Michael Kouta’s cutback under control before curling an unstoppable effort past Corey Finch into the top right hand corner.
The alarm bells continued to sound for Parramatta when Dau Akol flicked a header over the bar completely unmarked, while the hosts then conceded a penalty when Evan Rimac was penalized for a handball inside the penalty area.
Kouta’s menacing strides up the left hand side and superb delivery terrorized the Parramatta defence all afternoon and the Hakoah skipper coolly sent Corey Finch the wrong way to power home his side’s third from the spot.
Parramatta began to play some nicer football in the latter stages of the match but struggled to make significant inroads into their opponent’s area. Nicholas Chymiak cut an isolated figure leading the line but did see a presentable opportunity go begging late on after getting the better of Dylan Blumberg, but the forward brushed his left-footed effort wide.
The hosts also missed what was the chance of the afternoon when Samuel De Oliveira’s cross was ballooned over the bar by an unmarked Marco Filipovic.
Although Hakoah had lapsed since going three goals ahead, they should have added to their tally before Jones’ eventual second with minutes remaining. Nathan Roberts saw a long range attempt whistle over the crossbar, while Eldridge displayed his aerial prowess again when bravely contesting a high ball with Finch that saw the striker’s header fall just wide of the goal.
But Hakoah added another layer of sheen onto the scoreline with ten minutes remaining. Another excellent ball was whipped into the area by Roberts and with Parramatta unable to clear the danger Jones was in position to tuck away his second.
Match Stats
Parramatta 0
Hakoah Sydney City East 3 (Eldridge 13’, Jones 15’, 77’, Kouta 28’)
Saturday 6th of May 2017,
Melita Stadium, Chester Hill
Parramatta: 34. Daniel Alessi, 35. Gabriel Bressa (36. Abuzar Awaz 61‘), 28. Nicholas Chymiak, 22. Samuel De Oliveira, 27. Marcus Donatiello (25. Marco Filipovic 71‘), 40. Corey Finch, 37. Keenan Gibson, 31. Matthew Keppie (29. Ryan Blakeley 57‘) , 30. Marcus Plataniotis, 39. Evan Rimac (32. Jason Oh 68‘), 26. William Salinas
Substitutes not used: 23. Matthew Taverniti
Yellow Cards: 22. Samuel De Oliveira 83’
Red Cards: N/A
Hakoah Sydney City East: 25. Dau Akol (28. Satchel Kolt 78’), 5. Dylan Blumberg, 30. Connor Eldridge (21. Julian Rinaldi 83’), 45. Michael Figueira, 38. Finley Hayhurst, 29. Harry Jones, 23. Steven Katsionis, 40. Michael Kouta, 32. Joshua Orchard, 27. Nathan Roberts (20. Samuel Mehmet 79’) (26. Jonathan Dimopoulos 87’), 33. Connor Shaddock
Substitutes not used: 1. Marley Beeston
Yellow Cards: 27. Nathan Roberts 38’, 23. Steven Katsionis 65’
Red Cards: N/A
Saturday
Manly United 4-3 APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 5.00pm at Cromer Park
Manly United came from behind to outgun APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-3 at Cromer Park to claim their first victory since round three.
The hosts were down 2-1 at the break but mustered a sterling second half performance to land a huge confidence-boosting three points.
Kye Conna’s brace and goals from Jamie Glover and Mitchell Rooke were the difference for Manly, who move into seventh position and get their season back on track.
Although APIA Leichhardt continued their free-scoring swagger at Cromer Park with Brad Bartels, Cameron Stephan and Jack Armson all netting the Tigers were unable to protect their half-time advantage and will look to bounce back from their first defeat in six matches when they host Blacktown City next week.
Manly face a difficult away trip to Edensor Park to face third-placed Sydney United 58.
Sydney FC 1-1 Sutherland Sharks, 5.45pm at Lambert Park
The spoils were shared between the competition leaders Sutherland Sharks and Sydney FC with Christian Torelli’s third of the season cancelled out by a late Finn Ballard McBride’s strike.
The draw leaves Sutherland ahead of second-placed Blacktown City by one point while Sydney remain behind APIA Leichhardt Tigers in sixth position.
The Sharks will fancy their chances at returning to winning ways when Parramatta come to Seymour Shaw next week, while Sydney will also be aiming for maximum points away at lowly Bonnyrigg.
Sunday
Rockdale City Suns 0-0 Blacktown City, 12.00pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
The second stalemate of the campaign arrived at Ilinden Sports Centre where Rockdale City Suns and Blacktown City played out a nil-all draw.
Having come into the encounter with four wins in their last five, the draw will be a greater frustration to Blacktown who could’ve have leapfrogged Sutherland at the top of the table with a victory.
Rockdale meanwhile will hope to build on a strong showing against one of the competition heavyweights when they take on Wollongong at WIN Stadium next week.
Blacktown City on the other hand face an intriguing clash against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park.
Sydney Olympic 2-0 Sydney United 58, 12.45pm at Belmore Sports Ground
Jinya An’s double helped Sydney Olympic climb into the top five with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Sydney Untied 58 at Belmore Sports Ground.
An struck twice in the second half to see off the third-placed Reds, who suffer their first defeat in four matches.
The win comes as a huge relief for Olympic, who had not won since round three and conceded fourteen goals in their last three matches.
The Blues travel to Hensley Athletic Field to face Hakoah Sydney City East next week, while United 58 will look to recover at home to Manly United.
Wollongong Wolves 2-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 1.00pm at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves and Bonnyrigg White Eagles played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at WIN Stadium in the final fixture of round nine.
The Wolves struck through Jack Lombo and Brett Wilson but goals from Bonnyrigg’s Damian Cupac and Harrison Bagot ensured the bottom placed White Eagles return home with a point.
Hamish Brown’s side have picked up five points in their last four games and will look to drag themselves off the bottom of the ladder when they host Sydney next weekend.
Wollongong will regret their inability to make it three wins in a row, particularly after last round’s win over Sutherland, but will target Sunday’s clash with Rockdale as a must win.
-By Jacob Windon
