Round 15 Review – State League Men’s
It’s fast becoming the closest finals’ race the Men’s State League competition has ever seen.
Which teams are in and which teams are out, after another spectacular weekend goals, drama and upsets?
UNSW (0) vs Hurstville FC (1)
It’s been said that many aboard the Titanic proudly boasted it was a ship, ‘that could never be sunk’.
And, after 8 games unbeaten, UNSW looked just as indestructible.
But in Round 12, when seemingly on course for another routine victory, they crashed into an iceberg of their own.
A 3-2 defeat to Prospect. At first glance, nothing too concerning, but in time, the true extent of the damage would be revealed.
The warning signs were there for all to see in Round 14, as they suffered defeat at the hands of the Minotaurs.
UNSW’s bold assurance had been replaced by nervous apprehension.
And they entered this encounter with Hurstville FC, a team whose confidence has surged in the last two weeks as they’ve claimed some impressive victories to keep their finals’ hopes alive.
Hurstville FC have built their recent good form off the back of solid defence. They kept a dangerous Nepean attack scoreless last round and they started in similar fashion here.
Despite their resolute defence, UNSW looked threatening on multiple occasions in the first-half, especially with their incisive wingers wreaking havoc out wide.
UNSW have one of the best attacks in the league, and had several opportunities to take the lead in the first half.
But frustratingly for the UNSW coach, his side went into half-time at 0-0.
Midway through the second half, UNSW carved open a golden opportunity.
A shot from point-blank range from the UNSW forward looked destined for the back of the net, only for debutant keeper, Mitchell Ashely, to miraculously block the shot with his out-stretched foot.
The Hurstville FC defence continued to stand firm, despite being under relentless pressure.
But with just minutes remaining, the winning goal arrived.
German Cabrera whipped a delightful corner into the box, which found the reliable head of Henry Kamleitner who thumped the ball into the back of the net.
A reward for their dogged defence, but a cruel twist for a UNSW side that had plenty of chances to win the game.
With that win, Hurstville FC rise to within 2 points of UNSW, who are clinging desperately onto fourth spot.
Worryingly for UNSW, their depleted confidence and form does not bode well for the final rounds, they will need to turn their fortunes around quickly, or risk falling out of the top four altogether.
Hurstville FC travel to Wagga next round, knowing a victory could lift them into the top four and ensure their destiny is in their own hands.
Nepean FC (2) vs Bankstown United (0) – Match of the Round
Nepean FC have struck a huge psychological blow against rivals Bankstown United with a comprehensive 2-0 victory on Saturday night.
With both teams sitting comfortably inside the top four, and likely to meet again in this season’s finals series, this game was always going to be about claiming early bragging rights.
The game began in explosive fashion, as each side looked to assert their physical dominance.
And these early confrontations set the scene for the opening minutes as overzealous challenges and ferocious pressing disrupted each side’s passing rhythm.
With the league’s two best defences on show, it was important that each side capitalised on any chances they were able to create.
And, in the first clear chance of the game, Nepean did just that, converting through Joel Bayubahe after a pin-point cross from Rory Mcgeown on the right wing.
The goal settled the early nerves of Nepean and Magdy Andrawes’s side surged in response.
Bankstown looked rattled and just 10 minutes later they were picking the ball out of the back of their net once again as Joel Bayubahe grabbed his second of the game and 10th of the season.
It’s been an incredible start for the striker at his new club, and his combination with Clement Waoci has been a lethal part of the Nepean attack.
2-0 down at half time, Bankstown needed to be the first to score in the second half if they were going to take anything out of this match.
Claudio Canosa’s side came out firing in the second period and the game quickly reverted to the physical battle that plagued the opening minutes of the match.
Despite their persistent efforts, Bankstown were unable to penetrate the formidable Nepean defence.
But with just 10 minutes to go, Bankstown won themselves a penalty.
Tom Markovski, who has scored close to a third of Bankstown’s goals this season, stepped up to the spot.
Burdened by immense pressure and roaring jeers, Markovski struck his shot well but Tom Hamilton made a smart save in the Nepean goal.
It was fast becoming ‘one of those nights’ for Bankstown.
Moments later the referee’s whistle blew for full-time and two very different sets of players marched off the field.
Nepean, buoyed by a confidence inspiring win and steadfast defence cheered loudly as they ran to celebrate with their fans, whilst Bankstown’s players looked overcome with frustration and agitation.
A win which all but secures Nepean’s place in the top four, and an important win for Magdy Andrawes’s side as they look to build real momentum for the finals.
Bankstown have now lost two games in a row against their premiership rivals. They face another stern test next week against UNSW, in a match neither can afford to lose. Just two weeks ago they held a 5-point lead at the top of the table, but their lead has now been cut to one. They need to return to winning ways soon, or risk enduring a losing streak that could cripple their season – where have we seen that before?
Match Stats
Nepean FC – 2 (Joel Bayubahe x2)
Bankstown – 0
Cook Park, Saturday 22nd July
Nepean FC: T. Hamilton, D. Watson, S. Hawthorne, D. Kanaley, D. Adjassou, R. Polistina, C. Waoci, M. Fakiye, R. Mcgeown, M. Elongo, S. Sabatho, C. Edmunds, J. Senior, S. Ly, J. Bayubahe, M. Mccomasky
Bankstown United: S. Tagawa, A. Denkov, A. Biernat, D. Carrozza, J. Ninnes, J. Miladinovic, T. Markovski, M. Garcia, A. Lazarou, S. Robertson, M. Harrison, M. Anwia, H. Nakano, J. Craig, I. Iparraguierre, T. Naumovski
Prospect United (3) vs Western Condors (0)
Prospect remain in the hunt for a top four spot with a convincing 3-0 win over the Western Condors.
New striker Wilter Jajaw wasted no time in opening his account for his new club, scoring a sublime individual goal in the 20th minute.
Jajaw showed deft touch to turn the Condors’ centre back, who looked like he’d accidentally worn ice-skates instead of boots to the game, as he slipped and stumbled to try and tackle Jajaw, who unleashed a fierce shot that gave the keeper no chance.
Minutes later, Western Condors were given a lifeline in the match, after the referee awarded a penalty.
The Condors striker struck the ball well, but it hit the outside of the post and rolled agonisingly wide of the goals.
It was fast becoming a night to forget for the Condors’ centre back, as Efosa Amegor dribbled past him with ease and slotted the ball home.
The Condors misery was compounded midway through the second half, when Nick Valjak, who has terrorised left backs throughout the competition, made a trademark mazy run in-behind the opposition’s defence, and showed cool composure to tuck the ball under the diving keeper.
Three goals, three points and a happy Darren Camilleri as his side keeps their finals’ hopes alive.
Camilleri said after the game, “we have some big games coming up and we need to show more desire in those crucial matches”.
Wagga City Wanderers (0) vs Hurstville City Minotaurs (3)
Recent bad weather in Wagga meant this game had to be moved north to the town of Cootamundra.
And the Wagga City fans were hoping a change in venue might bring a change in fortunes for the young side.
It’s been a season of unquestionable commitment from Ben Schmid’s team, but a year in which they have been unable to match performances with results.
The Minotaurs have been in impressive form recently, and continued this trend early in the match.
Dimitrios Zakilas got the scoring underway, converting a penalty in the 25th minute.
Scoring an early goal settled the Minotaurs side which knows they has to win all of their remaining fixtures if they are going to play finals football.
Powerful forward Dom Dom doubled his side’s lead on 58 minutes, after Anthony Villazon slid an inviting pass through the Wagga defence which the big man happily gobbled up.
Wagga City continued to fight and looked to threaten on the counter attack with their explosive pace out wide.
However it was Hurstville City who scored again, Dimitri Zakilas scoring a spectacular volley after impressive build up play from Zakilas and Mick Zezovski.
An important three points for the Minotaurs who stay alive in the finals’ race. However, they must prepare well for a massive fixture next round against fellow finals’ hopefuls, Prospect. With only three rounds to go, whichever team loses that match will surely wave goodbye to their chances in season 2017.
Camden Tigers (5) vs FC Gazy Auburn (1)
The tigers have some serious bite.
Boasting the most lethal attack in the league, with the competition’s top scorer, some of Camden’s score-lines this season have looked more like cricket scores than football.
And this was a match that threatened to do the same.
A tight first half – in which Jayden Russell opened the scoring for Camden before Atsuhito Kageyama eqaulised in the 38th minute – was replaced by an absolute goal feast in the second period.
It was the Mugridge and Russell show as Nick gave his Camden team the lead midway through the second period, before Jayden Russell completed his hat-trick with two quick fire goals in the 72 and 73rdminute.
Dean Mugridge got his name on the scoresheet 10 minutes before full-time after brilliant build-up work from the home side.
An ominous warning for the other sides in the competition as Camden’s attack looks to be firing right in time for the finals series.
The premiership is in Camden hands, as they sit just one point behind Bankstown with one game in hand over their rivals.
Another tough night at the office for FC Gazy, who will undoubtedly be looking to pick up four points from their remaining games to avoid securing this season’s wooden spoon.
