Round 10 – National Premier Leagues 3 Men’s Review
Only one single point separates the top three sides, with the top five teams separated by only four points, following the completion of Round Ten of the 2018 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW competition.
Goals were once again on the menu, 37 to be exact at over 5 goals per game. Three players notched hatricks – two from the same team – three teams scored six or more goals, and just two sides managed to keep a clean sheet.
Dunbar Rovers hit 6 past Granville Rage at Hensley Athletic Field with Yoel Silvestre helping himself to a hatrick; Inter Lions and Sydney University shared the spoils as they played out a 2-2 draw at Fraser Park; Bankstown Lions demolished the Western NSW Mariners by 8-0 in Mudgee, with Tommy Markovic and Ante Tomic both scoring hatricks; Camden Tigers snatched a point off league leaders, Hawkesbury City, in a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon; St George City continued their great form of late with a 6-1 drubbing of Stanmore Hawks at Jubilee Oval; and Gladesville Ryde Magic and SD Raiders drew 2-2 in the late game on Sunday afternoon at Christie Park.
Our reporter ventured out to Arlington Oval to watch this week’s Match of the Round, the Portuguese derby between Dulwich Hill and Fraser Park
MATCH OF THE ROUND – Dulwich Hill vs Fraser Park
Arlington Oval was a sea of pink on Saturday as the focus switched from football to the McGrath Foundation, with the home side, Dulwich Hill, donning an all pink playing strip, from the U13s right through to their 1st Grade side, on a day devoted to raising as much money as possible for the respected charity.
There was however, a 1st Grade football game to be played amongst the festivities, and Dulwich Hill left it very late indeed before overcoming a gallant Fraser Park 3-1 in a tight encounter.
The rain started to drizzle as the temperatures dropped alarmingly by kick off, with the fans crowding inside the boisterous grand stand as the two teams entered the pitch.
It would be easy to say the first half was a dour affair, with very minimal limited goal mouth action and both keepers relatively untroubled, because it was.
But that would be to disrespect the work of both sets of defenders, who applied themselves with focus and determination as they protected their respected goals.
It took a full 14 minutes before the first opportunity reared its head, and it came via Stefano Di Marino. The Fraser Park flanker bustled his way in to the Dully penalty area before his angled drive was parried out for a corner by Dulwich Hill custodian, Michael Frost.
Fraser Park captain, Andrew De Brito, sent over the ensuing corner that caught everyone by surprise, not least team mate, Rhys Pascale, at the back stick, the ball hitting Pascale and missing the target after eluding everyone on its way through.
On 25 minutes Fraser Park had an even better opportunity to open the scoring, and again it was via an in-swinging De Brito corner. This time it was the unmarked Michael Houdek who somehow managed to steer his header over the cross bar from a few yards out, and Dully escaped again.
Dulwich Hill had been bustled in to taking long range shots by a resilient Fraser Park defence, with Goncalo Paradanta, Sean Burke and Ben Vidaic clearing the goal by some distance as Mark Villaescusa remain untroubled in the Fraser Park goal.
Half time brought a welcome reprieve from the drizzle and wind for the players, but the field was engulfed by a host of energetic juniors who were immune to the weather conditions as they enjoyed their time in the middle.
Devoid of attacking forays during a bleak first half, Dulwich Hill came out of the sheds with purpose after the break and tried valiantly to up the ante.
A mere 40 seconds in to the second half and Ben Vidaic rattled the cross bar with a superb left foot half volley on the turn after receiving the ball outside the box, the shot ricocheting down and away to safety as Dully issued a clear warning of intent.
Within seconds and Dully had an indirect free kick inside the penalty area, with Fraser adjudged to have passed the ball back to keeper, Villaescusa.
The entire Fraser team placed themselves along the goal line, but they needn’t have bothered, as keeper, Villaescusa, made a superb save, advancing on the touch to repel Ben Vidaic’s close range effort.
Fraser Park responded with a great counter attack on 50 minutes, with Rhys Pascale making a great run down the right flank before cutting his cross back to the edge of the box. Michael Houdek steadied himself before slicing his shot wide from right in front, and another chance went begging for Fraser Park.
Dulwich Hill went so close with their very next effort in the 52nd minute as the tempo continued to rise.
Ben Vidaic received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the box, and played a delightful back heel in to the path of Gosue Sama.
Sama took the ball in his stride, and placed it wide of the advancing keeper, but Villaescusa got down brilliantly to divert the ball wide of the upright.
Although Dully were not to be undone, and they edged themselves in front moments later when they were awarded a free kick near the ensuing corner. Skipper, Sean Burke, sent over a a delicious set piece, and big central defender, Nathan Bowden-Haase, rose above friend and foe to nod the ball in to the net from close range.
The arm wrestle continued throughout the next half an hour or so, with again, both defensive structures holding firm, but it was Fraser that had to score if they were to take anything from the match.
With five minutes remaining, Fraser Park’s David Muller made a great run, swivelling past a couple of would be Dully defenders, before knocking an enticing ball across the face of goal. Right fullback, Angus Brown, made a determined thrust to connect with the ball near the back post, but his effort was incredibly cleared off the line by the retreating Dully defender, Carlo Musumeci.
However Fraser Park were not to be denied, and scored a deserved equaliser in the 87th minute.
Anthony Vallelonga played a swift give and go on the edge of the box, entering the penalty are at pace before slotting the ball under Dully keeper, Michael Frost, from an acute angle.
The Fraser Park contingent erupted with glee at the goal, and it was just rewards for their application during the match.
Although someone forgot to tell Fraser Park that the final whistle was still a few minutes away, and Dulwich Hill increased their intensity to score two dramatic goals in injury time to snatch all three points.
One minute in to injury time and Dully substitute, Jovan Blagojevic, wrestled his way through a challenge near the corner flag before sending over a superb cross. Another substitute, Nathan Jagelman, directed his header past Fraser Park keeper, Mark Villaescusa, before racing away towards a delirious crowd as the scoreboard ticked over to 2-1.
There was just enough time for another goal, and what a goal it was, arriving in the 94th minute. A third Dully substitute, Angus Chance, flew down the left flank before sending over a pinpoint cross that found Ben Vidaic at the top of the box.
You can’t afford to give a striker of Vidaic’s pedigree space and time, and he showed why, stopping the ball on a dime before thrashing it high in to the net to round off proceedings.
Following a fantastic day in respect of a great initiative, Dulwich Hill gave the home fans exactly what they wanted, a win and three points, although they did leave it late, which just added to the drama. The win takes Dully to 20 points as they climb to 4th position on the ladder.
The loss does not improve Fraser Park’s situation, as they continue to prop up the competition. But Fraser can take much heart from their performance, showing grit and determination as they drew level late on, before letting the game slip out of their grasp. A win is surely just around the corner for the Fraser Park faithful.
National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Ten – Saturday, May 12, 2018
Arlington Oval, Dulwich Hill
DULWICH HILL 3 (Bowden-Haase 53’, Jagelman 90’ + 1’, Vidaic 90’ + 4’)
FRASER PARK 1 (Vallelonga 87’)
Referee – Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees – Oliver Lawton and Greg Roberts
DULWICH HILL;
1.M.Frost, 3.E.Bardsley, 5.N.Bowden-Haase, 22.D.Burbidge, 13.S.Burke (capt), 16.C.Musumeci, 8.G.Paradanta (11.A.Chance 56’), 10.G.Sama (4.N.Jagelman 67’), 14.N.Stanojevic, 21.B.Vidaic, 7.H.Wells (9.J.Blagojevic 82’).
Substitutes Not Used – 15.D.Han, 12.D.Plowright.
Yellow Cards – 21.B.Vidaic 86’.
Red Cards – Nil
FRASER PARK;
1.M.Villaescusa, 2.A.Brown, 9.C.Calderan,10.A.De Brito (capt), 13.S.Di Marino, 18.J.Goldsmith (30.A.Guerrieri 77’), 14.M.Guse, 22.M.Houdek, 4.D.Muller, 21.R.Pascale (33.N.Kyriakopoulos 82’), 15.A.Vallelonga.
Substitutes Not Used – 20.A.Ismail, 26.J.Caires, 3.A.Cimono.
Yellow Cards – Nil
Red Cards – Nil
Dunbar Rovers – Granville Rage 6-0
Dunbar Rovers moved up to 7th position on the competition ladder after tearing Granville Rage apart 6-0 at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday afternoon.
Yoel Silvestre helped himself to a hatrick in the rout, whilst Ryan Shaughnessy bagged a double, and Andrew Doddy also managed to get on the scoresheet.
This victory was Dunbar Rovers fourth in their last five matches, moving them up to 16 points as they close in on the teams above them.
The loss sees Granville Rage remain in 9th position on 12 points.
St George City FA – Stanmore Hawks 6-1
The St George City FA juggernaut just keeps on going from strength to strength, this week dismantling Stanmore Hawks 6-1 at Jubilee Oval on Saturday night.
Despite needing to back up after a midweek Cup game – where St George City FA proceeded to take their place against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the next Round – St George City came out of the blocks on fire, leading 2-0 after 25 minutes, and 4-0 by half time before going on with it after the break.
Musashi Kokubo got things going for St George City, before Geoffry Lino made it 2-0 on 25 minutes. Sam Messam and James Spanoudakis netted before half time, with Spanoudakis grabbing his brace after the break, and Emanuel Koumis scoring St George City’s 6th goal.
Playmaker Spanoudakis – who finished with two goals and two assists – and right back, Sean Thomas, were outstanding in an effective all round team performance.
Rami Alassmi scored a late consolation goal for Stanmore, but it was too little too late for the Hawks, with this result reflecting their fifth loss on the trot.
The win is St George City’s 6th league win on the bounce, and the subsequent three points moves them to within a point of the leaders, Hawkesbury City, as they continue to strive towards the summit of the competition.
Inter Lions – Sydney University 2-2
Inter Lions and Sydney University shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Fraser Park on Saturday afternoon.
After being told his services were no longer required last summer by Sydney University, 31 year old flanker, Domenic Di Mento, had the last laugh, scoring two goals and almost a third as he came back to haunt his former club.
But it was in fact Sydney University who started the better, when good work on the left from Andrew Green and Nathaniel Sharpley allowed the latter to whip in a delightful ball for striker Scott Tonkin to crash home the opening goal.
Inter Lions struck back almost immediately when a similarly great delivery by Sean Richardson was stabbed home at the back post by Domenic Di Mento, restoring parity.
Sydney University edged themselves back in front when a delightful through ball by Robbie Deasy was controlled by Tonkin, and the big striker steadied himself before lobbing the onrushing Inter keeper, Robert Fanella, from 25 yards.
Sydney University carried that 2-1 lead in to the break, but Inter Lions came out of the sheds with renewed vigour, and pushed hard for the equaliser, which came when that man Domenic Di Mento took advantage of a great through ball by brother, Jacob Di Mento, to lob Uni’s keeper, Charlie Fanner, to make it 2-2.
Fanner in fact was called upon to deny Di Mento his hat-trick with a smart save, making certain both sides would share the points.
The draw means both sides are as they were – Inter Lions move to 8 points, and Sydney University to 7, with the two teams remaining in 11th and 12th spot respectively.
Western New South Wales Mariners – Bankstown City 0-8
Bankstown City Lions made very light work indeed of the hapless Western NSW Mariners, winning 8-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee.
The Lions raced to a 6-0 lead at half time before rounding off the scoring with a further two goals after the break.
The league’s top goal scorer, Ante Tomic, helped himself to a hatrick to take his season tally to 15, whilst Tommy Markovski also scored three goals on the day.
Nathan Lopino and Jake Douglas grabbed a goal each to round off a comprehensive performance for the visiting Lions.
The loss means the Mariners remain in penultimate position with three draws for the campaign, whilst the win and three points sees Bankstown City Lions join St George City FA on 23 points, just one point off league leaders, Hawkesbury City.
Hawkesbury City – Camden Tigers 2-2
The competition leaders, Hawkesbury City, remain undefeated, but their lead at the top of the competition has been reduced to just one point following their 2-2 draw with Camden Tigers on Saturday afternoon at David Bertenshaw Field.
The teams were locked at 1-1 at half time, and Hawkesbury lead 2-1 going in to injury time, but Camden popped up with a last gasp equaliser to give the sides a share of the points.
Michael McCrory and Daniel Morsillo scored the goals for the Hawks, whilst Jayden Russell grabbed both for Camden, taking his season tally to 12.
The point sees Camden Tigers move to 13 points whilst remaining in 8th spot.
Hawkesbury City move to 24 points after 7 wins and 3 draws in their 10 games, but they have both St George City FA and Bankstown City Lions breathing down their necks on 23.
Gladesville Ryde Magic – SD Raiders 2-2
Gladesville Ryde Magic and SD Raiders shared the spoils in a tough 2-2 draw at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon.
Chris Triantis had the game’s first opportunity early on with a low strike from just inside the Raiders’ penalty box, but the ball went wide of the mark. Triantis was at it moments later with a volley that cleared the cross bar as Magic kept up the pressure.
Gladesville continued their great start when they eventually scored after just nine minutes. Chris Gaitatzis was fed the ball on the right edge of the box, before being given the space to turn onto his right fire in a low strike past Michael Rutherford in the Raiders goal.
SD Raiders replied minutes later when Daniel Bittar found space inside the Gladesville penalty box, but Magic goal keeper, Kyriakos Tohouroglou, closed down the angles and Bittar’s shot sailed over the cross bar.
The Raiders did equalise in fact, on 21 minutes, when Matias Toro Suazo connected with a strike just inside the box that trickled its way into the back of the Gladesville net.
But Gladesville were not to be denied the lead for long, with Michael Gaitatzis netting direct from a free kick on the edge of the Raiders penalty area, edging the home side in to the lead at the half time break.
Magic continued on with their focus after the break, hoping for a third killer goal.
Cameron Newton made a run down the left hand side early on and his cross eventually found an unmarked Johnny Martinez, who shot agonisingly wide of the mark.
Then it was Aaron Khan’s turn to go close, the Gladesville Ryde Magic defender heading over the bar from a corner as Magic kept up the pressure.
SD Raiders never gave up hope of drawing level, and they did just that in the 80th minute, when Daniel Bittar struck home from 15m to give the visitors a point.
The draw moves Gladesville Ryde Magic to 20 points, but they drop to 5th behind Dulwich Hill on goal differential, whilst SD Raiders stay in 6th spot but move to 17 points.
