Round 9 Review – State League Men’s
We’ve reached the halfway point in the State League Men’s competition and it’s time to stand up and be counted.
Which teams would prevail and continue their march towards finals football and which teams would slide closer to the bottom of the table?
Prospect United vs Hurstville FC
Keen to avoid a season of mid-table mediocrity, Prospect and Hurstville were desperate for three points in this fixture.
It was clear from kick-off that both sides understood the significance of this match. Unwilling to give anything away, the game settled into a routine of assured passing and tight defence.
As the first half wore on, Hurstville FC midfielder Rhys Turner, began to find the dangerous Henry Kamleitner on the left wing, whose whipped crosses caused the Prospect defence all sorts of trouble.
Prospect’s passing inaccuracy crippled their momentum going forward. Out wide, Nicholas Valjak looked threatening for United and Joel Bayubahe’s pace continued to press Hurstville’s experienced back-line.
Unfortunately, neither side’s effort translated into goal scoring opportunities and the half-time whistle blew with the scores locked at 0-0.
The second half began in explosive fashion. Hurstville’s Henry Kamleitner fizzed a low cross into the box, teasing the out-stretched leg of new recruit Fouad Umlil as he scrambled to reach the ball. Moments later, it was Kamleitner’s turn to be on the end of a cross, as he found himself unmarked at the top of the box, but fired just over.
These missed chances came back to hurt Hurstville as Prospect opened the scoring in the 51st min. Nicholas Valjak picked up the ball on the right wing, dazzled and danced around three opponents, and then fired a shot low across the goal-keeper and into the side of the net. Advantage Prospect.
Dario Borovickic almost equalised for Hurstville shortly after the goal. A powerfully driven shot stinging the palms of the Prospect goalkeeper.
A big chance was squandered by Prospect in the 57th minute as Efosa Amegor showed great strength to brush aside his defender and shoot on goal. Hurstville’s goalkeeper could only the parry the shot, which fell invitingly at the feet of Joel Bayubahe. With the opposition’s defence scrambling, Bayubahe could only fire over the bar.
Desperate for an equaliser, Hurstville FC brought Tomislav Borovickic on in the 73rd min. Moments after his arrival on the pitch, Tomislav had a golden chance to bring his side level as Kamleitner layed the ball back to him at the top of the box. The Prospect defence helplessly looked on as Tomislav struck the ball, which sailed agonisingly high.
As full-time approached, Prospect’s defence looked assured as Darren Camilleri’s side played on the counter attack. They would eventually kill off the game in the 86th min when a throw-in that looked destined to roll out for a goal kick was pounced upon by substitute John McPhillips, who cut inside on his right foot and fired into the roof of the net. A just reward for chasing down a seemingly lost cause.
At the end of the game, Jack Bulic, from Hurstville FC, lamented his side’s inability to take their chances.
“It’s been our Achilles heel all season, and at the end it came back to bite us”.
Darren Camilleri has challenged his side to step up in crucial moments and tonight his side did that.
“Structurally we were good at the back and we looked dangerous on the counter attack. This is a team going through a re-build. We are only 9 games in, this is something we can build momentum from”.
Next week Prospect’s top four ambitions are put to the test against Nepean while Hurstville FC entertain top of the table, Bankstown.
Match Stats
Prospect United – 2 (Nicholas Valjak, John McPhillips)
Hurstville FC – 0
Seymour Shaw Stadium, Sunday June 11
Prospect United: E. Amegor, C. Barbera, J. Bayubahe, A. Bit, L. Delaney, D. Embleton, M. Farias, T. Kasunic, A. Mantouroglou, J. McPhillips, L. Mesiti, J. O’Keefe, M. Pritchard, N. Valjak, A. Vulcik.
Hurstville FC: M. Banic, D. Borovickic, T. Borovickic, P. Gagro, A. Harb, H. Kamleitner, M. Karagiannis, A. Livio, P. Lloyd, R. Luca, H. Rachid, J. Roberts, M. Rutherford, R. Turner, F. Umlil.
Bankstown United FC 2 vs Hurstville City Minotaurs 1
With Nepean’s match against Camden being washed out, Bankstown had a huge chance to kick clear at the top of the table, if they could defeat the Minotaurs at home.
The Minotaurs, desperate to bounce back after last week’s derby defeat, were just as determined to secure all three points, and this desire showed in the early exchanges in this match.
On a slippery surface, both sides battled for possession in a highly competitive first-half. However, it was the away side who carved open the better chances – Anthony Villazon coming closest with a thunderous strike cannoning off the post after 30mins. Unable to capitalise on their early chances, the Minotaurs would be left cursing their luck as they gifted a goal to Bankstown on the stroke of half time. Dean Vagenas dropping the ball at the feet of United’s Haruki who couldn’t believe his luck, tapping home from close range.
Buoyed by their half-time lead, Bankstown began the second period with purpose. They were rewarded for this ambition in the 55th min as Shannon Hankin scored his side’s second after slick build-up play by United’s front-line.
Down by two goals against the competition leaders, the Minotaurs had every reason to roll over. But they didn’t. A moment of individual brilliance from Kush in the 78th min brought the Minotaurs back to within one goal. However an equaliser wouldn’t arrive as United secured a crucial three points, cementing their place at the top of the table.
At the end of the game, Peter “The General” Sarikakas, praised his side’s effort against a very strong side.
“I’m proud of the way we responded to going two goals down but we need to put together a run of wins to get ourselves into the top four”.
Bankstown Coach, Claudio Canosa, was satisfied with the performance of his side but is unwilling to rest on his laurels as the competition enters the halfway stage.
Wagga City Wanderers 1 v FC Gazy Auburn 2
With both teams low on confidence, the first goal in this game was crucial. That goal arrived inside the opening half as Kassem Jirjinazi finished off a nice team move. Encouraged by their positive start, FC Gazy continued to press a lethargic Wagga City side.
Inspired by the potential of securing their first points of the season, FC Gazy continued to apply pressure in the second half, and doubled their lead through Atsuhutio Kegeyama.
Wagga City found their way back into the game in the 74th min as Vasilis Spiliotopoulos struck a brilliantly taken free kick from the edge of the box.
Wagga huffed and puffed in search of a second but FC Gazy held on for their first victory of the season.
Safet Alispahic, FC Gazy coach, believes after weeks of bad luck, this result might be the catalyst for a much-improved second half of the season.
Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for Ben Schmid and Wagga City, especially when your performance isn’t to the standard you have come to expect this season.
UNSW 2 vs Western Condors FC 0
Valentine Sports Park played host to this crucial match, and it was UNSW who settled the quicker as they played with the confidence fuelled by a winning streak that has lifted them to within two points of the top of the table.
UNSW moved the ball fluently, looking to get the lively Dylan Penglase and Ilan Kessler on the ball. And it was these two players who combined for the first goal of the game. Brilliant work by Penglase released Kessler who showed cool composure to finish one on one against the keeper. It was his fourth goal in just seven games, at a rate of one goal every 157 mins, Kessler’s goal scoring ability has been a big reason behind UNSW’s unbeaten run.
Half time came quickly and with UNSW unable to capitalise on their period of dominance, Western Condors went into the break with a glimmer of hope.
However, it was more of the same in the second half, and when Jørgen Birkeland found Luiz Lobo lurking at the near post, it was 2-0. Western Condors fought valiantly in search of a way back into the game but UNSW held on for a deserved win.
Many teams will be looking over their shoulder as UNSW continue to climb up the ladder, while Western Condors will be looking to get back in the winners’ circle when they travel to Wagga four Round 10.
Nepean FC vs Camden Tigers FC – Washed Out
– By Ryan Latty
