Round 16 Review – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s
There has been more shuffling of positions in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition ladder after the completion of Round Sixteen over the weekend.
Hawkesbury City continued their positive run with a 3-1 victory over Balmain Tigers on Saturday afternoon; SD Raiders reversed the first round result to beat Sydney University 3-2 at Ernie Smith Reserve on the back of a Mitchell McLintock hatrick; Tommy Bentham inspired Dulwich Hill to a 2-1 victory away at St George City FA; Western NSW Mariners grabbed an all important win by defeating Stanmore Hawks 3-0 in Mudgee with Matthew Hobby nabbing a double; Fraser Park left it late in overcoming Dunbar Rovers 1-0 at Hensley Athletic Field; Rydalmere Lions easily accounted for Inter Lions 5-0 in the late game on Sunday night, with Matthew Mayora leading the way with a brace.
Football NSW visited the iconic Garside Park in Granville to see the match between Granville Rage and Gladesville Ryde Magic unravel.
Granville Rage and Gladesville Ryde Magic produced a tight affair at Garside Park on Saturday evening, with substitute Heo Wookbum heading home the only goal of the match six minutes from time to give Magic the three points.
The low scoring affair was not a surprise in itself, as both sides have amongst the better defensive records in the competition, now having both conceded just twenty goals, with only the top two in Fraser Park and Rydalmere Lions having conceded less.
The match exploded into action within the first minute, just as the fans had settled in to their seats.
Gladesville’s Chris Tomaras picked up the ball just over the halfway line, and began racing towards goal before laying the ball off behind him to Chris Gaitatzis.
The Magic skipper took a touch onto his left before unleashing a left foot strike from all of 30 yards that dipped and rebounded off the cross bar with an almighty thud. The clock showed just 23 seconds, and it surely would’ve been one of the quickest goals of the season had it found the net.
Granville Rage settled after that early scare, and had an opportunity themselves after 5 minutes following a series of corners, with Goran Ljuboja’s header gobbled up by Gladesville’s experienced custodian, Kyriakos Tohouroglou.
On 11 minutes, Gladesville’s Gaitatzis pinched possession in a quick turnover, and sent Johnny Martinez on his bike into the right channel, but Martinez skewed his shot from the edge of the box and the ball clipped the side netting.
Rage responded in the 14th minute when Andre Guzman wriggled his way in to the box, before blasting an angled effort that cleared the crossbar.
Both sets of midfield were showing intensity and application in the first half, eager to take control of proceedings and feed their respective attackers.
The match kept see sawing and it was Gladesville’s turn to go close once again.
Left back, Ben Kerr, made a forward run down the left flank, entering the penalty area after a swift interchange with Majid Eslami. Retrieving the leather, Kerr squared the ball to Johnny Martinez, who’s first time blast was brilliantly diverted for a corner by Granville’s alert keeper, Samuel Bortolazzo.
Bortolazzo was at it again in the 29th minute, diving full stretch and low to his right to keep out a pinpoint shot by Gladesville’s Peter Voukidis from the edge of the box, following some neat footwork and lead up play by Chris Tomaras.
Tomaras in fact went close himself in the 40th minute, controlling a far post cross with his chest before firing a low angled shot towards the near post – alas, Granville’s keeper, Bortolazzo, was again up to the task, saving well down low to his right.
The final opportunity of the first half came just moments before ‘oranges’, when Granville’s Tobias Elliott-Orr fired in a 25 yard free kick that just cleared the Gladesville cross bar.
It had been a tense affair during a frenetic first half, with both sides intent on not making a mistake to allow the opposition in. But someone had to throw caution to the wind if they were keen to grab the three points, points that both sides needed if they were to stay in touch with the top half of the ladder.
Gladesville Ryde Magic once again came firing out of the blocks, and just like they did in the opening minute of the first half, they almost scored in the opening minute of the second period.
A clinical passing movement down the right channel saw Chris Tomaras slip Chris Gaitatzis into space inside the box, and with a calm presence of mind, Gaitatzis squared the ball across the face of goal rather than shoot from a tight angle. Majid Eslami came racing in at the far post, but only managed to slice his effort into the side effort from close range under pressure from a Granville defender.
Chris Tomaras then had a good opportunity in the 49th minute, but his left foot shot from inside the box sailed over the cross bar, the ball visibly bobbling up just as he pulled the trigger.
The match then settled down in the final half hour into a real arm wrestle, played predominantly between the halfway line and the Granville Rage penalty area.
Both sets of defenders were resolute in their approach and minimised the opposition’s forays into the respective front thirds. Chances were few and far between, and neither keeper had too much to do as the match seemingly geared towards a scoreless draw.
Gladesville Ryde Magic did go three at the back and threw centre back, Sergio Tarazona, into the attack in the final quarter of an hour, in a desperate bid to snatch the win.
Magic’s endeavours were rewarded in the 84th minute, when they scored the goal that would give them the all important three points.
Johnny Martinez was played into space deep into the far corner of the right flank, and, after steadying himself, he played in a high looping far post cross.
Substitute Heo Wookbum – only having just returned from a few weeks out through injury – got on the end of the cross, and headed the ball at an angle back towards where it had come from, beating Granville’s keeper, Samuel Bortolazzo, on its way into the net. The goal sparked frenzied celebrations from the Gladesville Ryde contingent, understanding the value of the three points of offer.
The narrow loss sees Granville Rage remain in equal tenth position on 15 points, and they could easily have snatched a point in the end, their efforts on the night just falling short.
Troy Cheung had a busy night in the centre of the park, challenging in the tackle, and winning possession for his side in an energetic display; Tobias Elliott-Orr was fierce in the defensive midfield role, hunting down the Magic ball carrier and doing everything to stop the Gladesville players moving forward; keeper Samuel Bortolazzo was responsible for keeping his side in the match for as long as he did with some superb saves, especially at the back end of the first half.
For Gladesville Ryde Magic, their uplift in form continues, and they have now snared 15 points from their last seven matches, going undefeated in the process with four wins and three draws.
They toiled relentlessly on the night, and were rewarded for their application with a valuable three points that now sees them sitting equal fifth on the ladder with St George City FA on 24 points.
Lachlan Harte and Sergio Tarazona worked solidly as a pair and rarely looked troubled in the centre of defence; Chris Tomaras had the ball on a string, often weaving in and out of defenders and setting up numerous attacking forays for his side with some expert passing; and skipper Chris Gaitatzis was a menace in attack and always looked likely to score when in possession of the ball near the Granville goal.
Match Stats
GRANVILLE RAGE – GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 0-1
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Sixteen
Saturday, June 24, 2017
GRANVILLE RAGE 0
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 1 (Wookbum 84’)
Garside Park, Granville
Referee – A.Beckett
Assistant Referees – J.McFarlane and V.Parra
GRANVILLE RAGE; 23.S.Bortolazzo, 7.D.Bortolazzo (capt), 20.T.Cheung, 15.M.Dubdub (9.M.Cooper 90’), 3.T.Elliott-Orr, 18.R.Faulkner, 16.A.Guzman, 6.S.Homer, 13.A.Machado (10.T.Bradshaw 82’), 14.G.Ljuboja (17.S.Ljuboja 75’), 2.M.Luc.
Substitutes Not Used – 40.I.Josipovic.
Yellow Cards – Nil
Red Cards – Nil
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC; 33.K.Tohouroglou, 3.S.Tarazona, 4.A.Khan, 5.L.Harte, 8.J.Martinez, 9.C.Gaitatzis (capt) (19.L.Hermiz 86’), 10.C.Tomaras, 11.M.Eslami (39.R.Abrahim 75’), 12.T.Nelson, 13.B.Kerr, 16.P.Voukidis (17.H.Wookbum 68’).
Substitutes Not Used – 30.A.Daskalopoulos, 1.N.Gondolidis.
Yellow Cards – 3.S.Tarazona 44’.
Red Cards – Nil
Hawkesbury City – Balmain Tigers 3-1
Hawkesbury City have slid in to fourth position on the competition ladder following their 3-1 victory over Balmain Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
The match sees the end of a four week run of consecutive matches at home on the David Bertenshaw Field, and the Hawks have now picked up seven points from nine, with the other game postponed.
It was a fiercely contested first half that ended scoreless, with in fact Balmain having a great opportunity to score on 25 minutes. Jacob Di Mento found Rosario Occhipinti with a super pass, and the experienced campaigner hit a shot on the turn that was well saved by Hawkesbury’s keeper, Daniel Schwarzer.
Balmain were not to be denied, and found the lead in the second half when Rentaro Osa netted from close range following a scramble inside the Hawkesbury penalty area after a corner.
Just when it seemed it wasn’t going to be their night, Hawkesbury City responded with three goals to win the match, with Santiago Pallares Palomeque, Kosta Zarafetas and James Mawein all getting on the scoresheet for the home side.
The win and subsequent three points sees Hawkesbury City move in to 4th spot on the ladder on 25 points, three points behind 3rd placed Dulwich Hill.
SD Raiders – Sydney University 3-2
SD Raiders came from 0-2 down to defeat Sydney University 3-2 on Saturday evening at Ernie Smith Reserve, reversing the first round result on their way to a valuable three points.
Mitchell Mclintock was the hero for the Raiders, netting a hatrick to continue his recent form.
It was the ‘students’ who came out firing, with Conor Quilligan firing a effort against the cross bar as early as the fifth minute. Quilligan was not to be denied, and gave Sydney University a 1-0 lead in the 26thminute, tapping home after consecutive shots from Josh Karpes and Jovan Blagojevic had been blocked.
Blagojevic extended Sydney University’s lead early in the second half, racing onto a Conor Quilligan pass before netting to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Mitch Mclintock then reduced the deficit for the Raiders, latching on to a quick free kick to make it 1-2 in the 55th minute. Raiders had their tails up, and Mclintock scored two more goals in the 65th and 75thminutes on the way to his hatrick, both on the back of swift passing movements from the home side, to give his team a heart stopping victory.
Sydney University remain in 8th spot on 20 points, whilst SD Raiders climb to 23 points, in 6th spot, and within arm’s reach of a couple of teams above them on the ladder.
St George City FA – Dulwich Hill 1-2
Dulwich Hill got the spoils in a real ‘six pointer’ at Fraser Park on Saturday night, overcoming St George City FA on the back of a Tommy Bentham double.
It was always going to be a tense affair with both sides separated by just a single point on the ladder, and neither was prepared to give an inch in a fiercely contested opening period.
It was Dulwich Hill who nudged themselves in front on 25 minutes, with Tommy Bentham getting in at the back stick to head across goal after a superb early cross from right back, Ethan Bardsley.
Sam Messam restored parity before half time, smashing home the equaliser following a goalmouth scramble after a St George City corner.
Dulwich Hill grabbed their winner in the second half from a penalty, awarded for a foul on Ethan Bardsley who had made inroads into the St George City penalty area. Tommy Bentham stepped up to convert and give his side a valuable 2-1 win.
Dulwich Hill remain in 3rd spot on the ladder, moving to 28 points, three points ahead of 4th placed Hawkesbury City, whilst St George City remain on 24 points, dropping to 5th position.
Western NSW Mariners – Stanmore Hawks 3-0
The home fans were cheering in Mudgee on Saturday night when the Western NSW Mariners defeated Stanmore Hawks 3-0 at Glen Willow Stadium.
It was a welcome three points for the home side after a lean spell of late, but they were good for the win with a clinical second half performance after a first half stalemate.
One of the game’s main talking points occurred after just 12 minutes.
Stanmore’s brilliant young keeper, Matthew Mckenzie, had the ball stolen at his feet by the Mariners’ livewire striker, Jaiden Culbert, at the top of the penalty area.
In his desperate reaction to retrieve the ball, Mckenzie brought down Culbert, conceding a penalty, and receiving a red card in the process.
Outfield player, Peter Theodosi, donned the gloves for Stanmore, and became an instant hero, parrying Matthew Hobby’s penalty to keep the score at 0-0.
Theodosi in fact, proceeded to show his prowess between the sticks numerous times repelling the Mariners in a performance which had an instant positive impact on the visitors.
The second half was a different story, however, with the Mariners lifting their own efforts to go on and win the match in convincing fashion.
John Henry played a superb diagonal through ball to Adam Scimone, who was fouled as he encroached in on goal. Henry took the resultant free kick from the edge of the box, striking it home after the initial effort had rebounded in to his path, making it 1-0 to the Mariners after 58 minutes.
Matthew Hobby began to have a field day on the right wing thereafter, eager to make amends for his earlier penalty, beginning with a great far post cross on 67 minutes that Adam Scimone reached with a half volley. Stanmore’s stand in keeper, Peter Theodosi, saved well to keep his side in the match.
But Hobby was not to be denied, scoring twice to wrap up proceedings, his goals coming in the 80th and 91st minutes, sending the local fans in to jubilation on each occasion.
The victory and three points sees the Western NSW Mariners move to 12 points, now just three points away from three sides who are on 15 above them on the ladder.
Dunbar Rovers – Fraser Park 0-1
Just like they did back when these two teams met in the first round, Fraser Park left it late to snatch the spoils in a narrow 1-0 triumph over a gallant Dunbar Rovers on Saturday night at Hensley Athletic Field.
The first real shot in anger fell to Alvaro Malmierca on 10 minutes, whose volley cleared the Dunbar cross bar by inches. Malmierca was at it again in the 18th minute, pushing his shot wide of the far post after racing in to pinch the ball off a Dunbar defender.
An audacious shot from near halfway in the 20th minute from Andrew Doddy almost caught Fraser Park keeper, Chris Beccera, off his line, but the Fraser Park custodian reeled back in time to avert the danger.
The game remained scoreless until half time, but early after the break, a point blank shot from Dunbar forced Chris Beccera into a fine save in the Fraser Park goal.
Fraser Park responded minutes later, and a cross into the path of Chris Hatfield by Benjamin Vidaic forced Stephen Deasy, the Dunbar keeper, to repel the danger.
With half an hour to play, both teams began throwing caution to the wind as they looked for that elusive opening goal. Mushashi Kokubu in midfield was proving dangerous with his distribution, whilst captain, NIcholas Dimitropoulos, kept his defence in check.
Stephen Deasy pulled off the save of the match in the 80th minute, diverting a powerful header from Fraser Park’s Ben Vidaic.
But Fraser kept at it, and were rewarded moments later, when a wonderful through ball from substitute Jordan Simpson was pounced on by Peter Crevani, and he slotted past Deasy in the Dunbar goal to give Fraser Park the points.
The win keeps Fraser Park undefeated and puts the club on 41 points, two points behind and with a game in hand on Rydalmere Lions.
Inter Lions – Rydalmere Lions 0-5
Rydalmere Lions continued on the merry way on Sunday night, downing Inter Lions 5-0 in the late game at Fraser Park.
Rydalmere lead 1-0 at the break, and went on with it during a second half frenzy that produced a further four goals.
Skipper Matthew Mayora helped himself to a brace of goals, whilst Rydalmere’s other strikes came from Ahmad Elrich, Alistair McKie and substitute, Murtaza Sultani.
The victory and subsequent three points means Rydalmere Lions climb to 43 points, retaining first position on the competition ladder, two points ahead of Fraser Park, who have a game in hand.
