Round 12 Review – State League Men’s
The streak is over and there’s everything to play for in the Men’s State League Competition.
Prospect United (3) vs UNSW (2)
The streak is over.
After 8 incredible weeks, UNSW have finally tasted defeat; at the hands of the last team to beat them, all the way back in round 3 – Prospect United.
For Prospect, it was a game they couldn’t afford to lose after back-to-back defeats have left them losing touch with the top four.
This desire was evident in the early stages as Prospect raced out of the gates, dominating possession and momentum. They were rewarded for their positive start with Efosa Amegor and Luke Mesiti getting their name on the scoresheet after 25 mins.
In their rampaging run over the past 8 weeks, UNSW have proven to have one of the most lethal attacks in the competition. And it wasn’t long before they found their way back into the game, courtesy of Branko Cosic scoring on debut.
Desperate to hold onto their undefeated run, UNSW came out in the second half with purpose.
Scores were level shortly after when danger man Dylan Penglase found Welton Santos with an exquisite cross. After prolific second halves in the last few weeks, it looked as though Prospect would be drowned by the tidal wave of UNSW pressure.
Both sides pushed hard for a winner, but it was Prospect with the break through, just 15 mins from time. A swift counter attack from the home side sent Nick Valjak through on goal, before being brought down in the area. To even the surprise of Prospect coach, Darren Camilleri, goalkeeper Daniel Farias stepped up to slot the penalty home with the composure and skill many outfielders can only dream of.
UNSW fought valiantly to find an equaliser but after Branko Cosic was given his marching orders late in the game for a second yellow, all hopes of rescuing an undefeated streak that stretched back to April vanished.
Gabe Knowles, manager of UNSW, applauded the effort of Prospect in the game but questioned whether complacency crept into his side after 8 wins in a row.
For Darren Camilleri, it was a much needed 3 points, reviving their assault on the top four.
Wagga City Wanderers (1) vs Nepean FC (3)
The game began in explosive fashion, as each side looked to bounce back from disappointment in Round 11.
Nepean, desperate for three points to keep pace with their top four rivals, opened the scoring through Shomari Sabatho on 21 minutes – an extraordinary strike from a player who has found his goal scoring touch this season.
Wagga wouldn’t go away though and shortly after half time they found an equaliser. Carlos Alonso finishing exquisitely from a well-worked set piece.
The match really started to heat up midway through the second half as both sides frantically pursued a winning goal. This resulted in a heated exchange between a group of players in the 65th minute, with both sides being reduced to 10 men.
Nepean would find a break through in the final 10 minutes as Robert Polistina showed great skill to finish past the Wagga keeper, before Joel Bayubahe scored his first goal for his new club in stoppage time.
In the end, Nepean continue their quest for a finals’ place, despite the gallant efforts of a stubborn Wagga team, who will prove a thorn in the side of many ambitious teams this season.
Bankstown United (3) vs FC Gazy Auburn (0)
Another clinical performance and another step towards the premiership for Bankstown United as they comfortably dispatched of FC Gazy.
Rarely does the table lie and it was clear from the early exchanges in this match that each side deserved the position they occupied on the ladder.
Bankstown opened the scoring after Sean Robertson found the back of the net after brilliant build up play from the home side. They would add to their lead shortly after as Ibai Igarabide showed great composure to finish smartly.
FC Gazy searched for a way back into the game but when Mario Garcia scored Bankstown’s third, any chance of an upset well and truly evaporated.
Claudio Canosa, Bankstown United’s head coach, was pleased with his side’s intensity in the match and is hoping to continue the fantastic run his side is on.
Hurstville FC (4) vs Western Condors (0)
The race for the top four is tighter than ever as Hurstville FC claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory over Western Condors on Saturday night.
Knowing that tricky games against Camden, Nepean, and UNSW awaits in the coming rounds, Hurstville were determined to ensure maximum points in this match.
Midway through the first half, Tommy Borovickic split the opposition defence with a delightfully incisive pass, which Henry Kamleitner pounced upon to slot home from close range.
Western Condors refused to sit back and created several chances of their own in a tight first half.
After the break, Hurstville began to assert their authority on the match. Freddy Umlil converted a penalty after Tommy Borovickic was brought down in the box. Minutes later, Adrian Livio cut in from the right wing, squaring the ball to German Cabrera who had the easiest of finishes from close range.
Hurstville would find their fourth of the game late in the half, when Michael Karagiannis delivered a delicious ball into the box, finding Joshua Padjen lurking unmarked at the back post, who converted with a coolly taken header.
A tough night at the office for Western Condors as their losing streak continues, but Hurstville collect a crucial three points in their pursuit of a top four finish.
Hurstville City Minotaurs (3) vs Camden Tigers (3) – Match of the Round
In unprecedented scenes across the State League Men’s Competition, there are 7 teams that have a legitimate chance of playing finals football.
But, like any good ol’ Western, this town ain’t big enough for all of ‘em.
As a result, points are crucial. Teams cannot afford to lose games otherwise they risk falling out of the race altogether.
It was clear from kick-off that both sides understood the significance of this match. Camden began as they always do, relentless pressing and frenetic attacking football. The Minotaurs are a different beast these days, with Lorenzo Fatica marshalling the defence and the dangerous Dom Dom and Dimitriz Zakilas up top.
Both sides threw just about everything they had at the opposition, searching for that break through goal.
It came in the 38th minute as Callum Rogers opened the scoring with a neat finish, giving the Minotaurs keeper no chance.
It’s long been said that you’re at your most vulnerable after scoring, and Hurstville City hit back almost straight away, levelling the match in the 40th minute.
The half time whistle blew and both sides trudged off the field, undoubtedly happy with their first half performance, but upset that they weren’t able to seize the advantage.
Shortly after the break, Camden poked their noses in front once more, as Bailey Simpson scored after some intelligent attacking play. The away side hit the Minotaurs with a one-two punch that even Mike Tyson would be proud of as they doubled their lead just moments later through top scorer, Jayden Russell.
Amazingly, lightning would strike twice as the Minotaurs capitalised on Camden switching off after scoring a goal, pulling a goal back and themselves back into the contest.
Camden have been involved in some high-scoring games lately, but their coach Dean Bradley would have hoped he had seen enough goals for one game as his side held a slender lead in the dying moments of the match.
As Hurstville City pushed for a dramatic equaliser they were awarded a penalty. With only 5 minutes remaining, all eyes fixed on the Minotaurs player as he stepped up to take the kick. He approached, taking what seemed like an eternity in the dusk air of St George stadium, and slotted the ball past the keeper. A hugely important moment and a hugely important goal in the context of the Minotaurs’ season, and the make up of the top four.
A fair result as both sides displayed moments of brilliant attacking football, showing us and the rest of the competition why these two teams are to be feared in season 2017.
Match Stats
Hurstville City Minotaurs – 3 (Dimitri Zakilas, Anthony Villazon, Jason Gonzales)
Camden Tigers – 3 (Callum Rogers, Bailey Simpson, Jayden Russell)
St George Stadium, Sunday July 2
Hurstville City Minotaurs: M. Balazs, E. Dominic, L. Fatica, J. Gonzalez, J. Kay, S. Mehana, A. Michael, N. Nisbet, K. Ram, M. Sultan, A. Vagenas, D. Vagenas, A. Villazon, D. Zakilas, M. Zezovski.
Camden Tigers: C. Cevenini, M. Clarke, S. Doherty, M. Green, L. Hastie, R. Hastie, M. Johnston, D. Mugridge, N. Mugridge, B. Page, C. Rogers, J. Russell, M. Serone, B. Simpson, B. Szumski
– By Ryan Latty
