Round 13 – National Premier Leagues 2 Men’s NSW Review
The first full round of fixtures has finished and as we turn the corner towards the home straight of the competition, we assess which teams have timed their run to perfection and which teams look like they’re running out of gas as the finish line of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s comes into view.
Match of the Round: Macarthur Rams vs Canterbury Bankstown
In a vital six pointer for their NPL 2 Men’s future, Canterbury Bankstown FC piled on the pain, as they thumped Macarthur Rams, 5-1 at Lynwood Park.
The visitors led from start to finish as Jake Bradshaw’s first half brace put them in control; followed by a flurry of late goals, headlined by Richard Darko’s swerving strike; before Aaron D’Mello and an unfortunate own goal from the Rams rounded out a ‘Berry’ sweet night for Branko Culina and his side.
There was little consolation for the Rams on the night – bar Mark Symington’s solo effort in the first half, they were a clear second best throughout the contest and now, face an uphill battle to maintain their status in NPL 2.
Before the fans could knock the steam off their hot beverages on a crisp evening at Lynwood Park, Canterbury Bankstown had the ball in the back of the net.
Costa Andricopoulos with a perfect cross that Jake Bradshaw nodded home for 1-nil.
The Berries continued to have success down the flanks, as Nikita Andricopoulos whipped in some beautiful crosses that troubled an already rattled Rams’ defence.
Macarthur needed a spark.
They needed somebody to step up.
Enter Mark Symington.
The stocky striker sliced through the Berries’ midfield, knocked the ball past a final defender, before calmly slotting home to make it 1-1.
Their celebration was cut short however as Berries’ Bradshaw grabbed his second.
A seemingly innocuous hook back into the area brought the striker into action, as he thumped home a header, sending Canterbury Bankstown into the break with 2-1 lead.
Much of the action of the second half, mirrored the first.
Bradshaw and Costa Andricopoulos were given ample room by the Rams’ defenders, resulting in the pair testing the reflexes of their custodian goalkeeper, Jair Fernandez, on several occasions.
For Macarthur, their best touches came through Symington. His endless energy almost dug out a chance in the 57th minute but it was well blocked by Christopher Becerra in the Berries’ goal.
As the Rams emptied their bench, searching for the equaliser, space became available in behind for the Berries’ to attack.
They capitalised on this space late in the second period as Richard Darko stretched his electric legs and bent in a curling shot just inside the post to make it 3-1.
However, Canterbury Bankstown weren’t satisfied with three.
They continued to push forward deep into injury time, and struck twice more.
Aaron D’Mello took advantage of a goalkeeping error for the fourth, then a dour night for the Rams finished with an unfortunate own goal from Daniel Lazarevski, rounding off the scoring to make it 5-1.
Speaking on his side’s comfortable performance, Canterbury Bankstown manager, Branko Culina was pleased that they played the entire 90 minutes, as their effort starts to bear fruit.
“We’ve been working hard over a period of time, on our fitness levels that will allow us to play ninety minutes. It was a six pointer today, we know what was at stake, and the boys performed well,”
“Today was not only about doing it with the ball but our effort without it. We’re improving each week as we enter the second half of the season,” finished Culina.
Rams’ defender Simon Valastro spoke quickly afterwards about his teams performance on a terrible evening for the side.
“There isn’t much to say about our performance tonight. We came into tonight with a game plan to get all three points, especially at home; it’s a disappointing performance but there is belief in the squad that we can bounce back,” stated Valastro.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 26 May 2018 – Lynwood Park, Macarthur
Referee: M Weiner
Assistant Referees: J Ralston & L Hudson
Macarthur Rams 1 (Symington ’23)
Canterbury Bankstown FC 5 (Bradshaw ‘3, ’28, D’Mello ’91, Darko ’80, OG ’94)
Macarthur Rams: 1. FERNANDEZ Jair, 2. COOLEY Craig, 4. VALASTRO Simon, 5. SYMINGTON Mark, 9. MCLINTOCK Mitchell (12. SQUILLACIOTI ’75), 10. CORNISH Ben, 13. HADDAD Charbel, 16. GOODWIN Simon, 17. SUTERS Regan (3. LAZAREVSKI ’33), 18. SHEERIN Chris, 19. ZAHRA Simon (8. ONANA AWONO ’69)
Canterbury Bankstown FC: 2. ANDRICOPOULOS Costa, 4. DEEP-JONES Dylan, 6. TRIPODI Domenico, 7. PARADANTA Goncalo, 12. BRADSHAW Jake, 14. D’MELLO Aaron, 16. ANDRICOPOULOS Nikita, 20. PATRAMANIS Evan, 23. HADJISOCRATOUS Adnan, 24. DARKO Richard (24. HUDAP ’85), 44. BECERRA Christopher
By Justin Davies
Central Coast Mariners 3 vs Hills United 2
The Mariners have firmly entrenched themselves as the competition’s ‘team to beat’ in recent weeks, after emphatic wins over Premiership rivals Mt Druitt and St George.
However as many teams try earnestly to beat them, we’re 13 rounds in and still no one has.
Although, Hills United came closer than most.
United started the game the stronger, Pete Cejka forcing Pearce into a save Loris Karius could only dream of making.
Moments later, a Hills’ headed shot looked destined for the goals only to be cleared desperately off the line.
Despite their sides’ nervy start, the Mariners fans looked to be in good spirits – making life difficult for United’s Patrick Gatt and for the poor gentleman who spilt his chips in an effort to retrieve a ball that had wandered out of play.
The jovial nature of the crowd seemed to give the Mariners the confidence they needed to see off the early Hills’ pressure and they opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.
Charles William showed audacious skill to round the keeper and squeeze his shot past two defenders who had scampered to try and block the ball on the line.
Hills United trudged off for half-time bemused at how they found themselves trailing after a 45 minutes they largely had the better of.
Things got worse for the visitors shortly after the break when Patrick Gatt, the focus of much of the crowd’s taunting during the first half, brought down Peter Kekeris in the box.
Charles William stepped up and cooly converted his second of the game.
The assist for that goal could be attributed to the crowd at Pluim Park.
Down but not despondent, Hills looked to hit back immediately.
Greg Giovenali threaded the needle with a delightful pass to Kelshaw, but again Mariners’ goalkeeper was on hand to make a great save.
However there was nothing Pearce could do about Daniel Fogarty’s effort just moments later.
Glen Kelshaw crept in behind the Mariners’ defence and squared an inviting pass into Fogarty’s path who had the simplest of finishes from close range.
Hills continued to carve out a wealth of chances following their goal.
Cejka was left scratching his head as to how he didn’t add his name to the scoresheet after Pearce made a stunning stop to deny the striker.
The equaliser did deservedly arrive in the 83rd minute when danger man Daniel Fogarty swept home to make it a Desmond two-two.
Although as the fog settled across Pluim Park like an ominous warning to the Hills’ players, Emmanuel Peters stepped up in the 94th minute to break Hills’ coach, Luke McGuire’s heart.
A fantastic display of power and precision football, in one match Hills arguably did not deserve to lose and perhaps even deserved to win.
The Mariners’ march on however as the ‘Invincibles’ tag dangles before their eyes like a carrot in front of a donkey.
Parramatta FC 3 vs North Shore Mariners 0
Are the Eagles back?
You bet they are.
Back to back 3-0 wins has restored pride and confidence in the Eagles’ team and they are ready to soar back to former glorious heights.
The scoring got underway in the 32nd minute through last week’s hero in the victory over Mt Druitt, Matthew Lecce. The left winger has been in superb touch in recent weeks and has been a catalyst in the Parramatta revival.
His new partner in crime, the man on the opposite flank, Zak Elrich was looking over enviously from the right flank, keen to join the party Lecce had begun.
He didn’t have to wait long however as just 7 minutes later, Elrich scored his first goal since his return to his boyhood club.
It was a goal celebrated with pure passion from Elrich and from the faithful Parramatta fans. Another special moment in a long history at Melita Stadium.
Sensationally, the Eagles scored their third before half-time as Neram Yalda scored his 8th goal of the season.
Leading by three goals at half-time, the Eagles marched out for the second period brimming with confidence.
Their performance in the second period, whilst it yielded no further goals, still dazzled the adoring home fans.
However the greatest cheer of the night was reserved for the return of former Socceroo Ahmad Elrich.
His emergence from the bench and onto the pitch in the 68th minute was an emotional scene for the player and Eagles’ fans.
Unfortunately Ahmad wasn’t able to cap his debut with a goal but the collective performance by the team was enough to satisfy the home fans who have waited a long time to see their team play this well.
How far can the Eagles go in 2018?
This is a journey that is only just beginning.
GHFA Spirit FC 1 vs St George 0
The Christie curse is finally over.
After four successive defeats at their new ground, Spirit FC have finally thrown one increasingly large monkey off their back with a tight 1-0 win over the highly fancied St George Saints.
With little to separate the two sides, both coaches felt that one goal would be enough to decide the match.
It looked as though St George would grab that goal when they found themselves clean through on goal, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Spirit keeper, Tomi Romic.
At the other end of the pitch, Matthew West was a constant danger for the home side.
His experience in holding the ball up gave his defenders a timely reprieve from the wave of St George attacks.
The match looked to be ticking toward an uninspiring stalemate, before a strike just 5 minutes from time sealed a crucial victory for Spirit FC.
Substitutes Dylan Whitlock and Emilio Manos combined brilliantly as Manos pounced on a fiercely driven low cross to nip in front of his defender and poke home from close range.
The drama didn’t end there however as Jacob Bandur and Ahmed Sweedan saw red in stoppage time, reducing both sides to 10 men.
It didn’t change the outcome of the match however as Spirit collected their first win in four games to maintain their place of relative comfort in mid-table.
St George have now lost two games in a row, failing to score in both.
If you wanted to know how much of an effect the transfer of the Romero Bandidos would have on their team – here’s your proof.
The Saints’ top 6 place will surely be in doubt if they can’t find an adequate replacement for the Spaniards boots.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0 vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2
The league leaders return to the winner’s circle with an confidence-inducing victory over the in-form Wanderers.
The boys in red & black have amassed an impressive run of 9 games without defeat but that run never looked like continuing in a game the Wanderers were outclassed by a tangibly determined Rangers’ outfit.
After their embarrassing defeat to Parramatta FC last week, Aidan Desmond’s side had a point to prove to the rest of the competition, and to themselves, in this match.
And the man who looked intent on making that point was Hiten Satoh.
The Japanese genius darted in between the Wanderers’ midfield and defence, sniffing out pockets of space.
And on 32 minutes he found the space he needed to smash the ball into the back of the net and send the Rangers into the lead.
Both sides were racking up the shot attempts in the first half but aside from a couple of spectacular saves from Greenwood in the Wanderers’ goal, neither side were able to trouble the scorers.
Fans at the Sydney United Sports Centre barely had time to take their seats for the second half before Emmanuel Gonzalez made it 2-0 to the Rangers.
Trying to shake his side from their uncharacteristic slumber, the Wanderers’ coaching staff made several changes early in the second half.
Rory Jordan and Joshua Gulevski came on before Tacettin Kumsuz joined the pair minutes later.
And it almost worked a treat.
Rory Jordan burst into the box and moments before he pulled the trigger, a desperate lunge blocked what looked like a goal-bound effort.
Gulevski was next to come close.
A one on one chance for the debutant looked destined for the goals before Saliadarre performed a miraculous save to deny him.
The chances kept coming for the Wanderers but it was too little too late as the Rangers held on for a pivotal three points away from home.
Blacktown Spartans 2 vs Mounties Wanderers 3
Juan Carlos Romero has begun to wave his magic wand at the Wanderers as they begin their march towards the top six with a necessary three points against the luckless Blacktown Spartans.
The Mounties opened the scoring shortly after the half hour mark as Raul Romero showed great industry to win back the ball on halfway before skipping past three players and laying off a pass for his fellow Bandido, Juan Carlos, who converted confidently from outside the box.
It seemed Juan Carlos preferred the long range spectacular as shortly after his goal, he somehow missed a great opportunity from just 6 yards out.
The miss almost cost the Wanderers as a brief spell of Spartans’ pressure almost resulted in the home side levelling the scores.
But, as has proved too often this season, the Spartans lacked the necessary clinical edge in front of goal.
One man who doesn’t lack a clinical edge in front of goal is Juan Carlos Romero and he doubled his and the Wanderers’ tally just 10 minutes into the second half.
Mounties looked to have secured all three points in the 74th minute when Tai Smith converted a wonderfully worked team move.
But two late goals from the Spartans, to Alex Boyadjian and Adam Voloder, breathed new life into what many assumed was a dead contest.
The Spartans pushed hard for an unlikely equaliser but the Mounties’ defence held firm to secure a vital three points to keep them 6 points outside the finals’ places.
Blacktown’s frustration was eased with Macarthur’s heavy defeat at the hands of Canterbury Bankstown and will look to compound Macarthur’s misery next week when the two clash in a crucial six-pointer at the bottom of the table.
Northern Tigers 3 vs Rydalmere Lions 1
They say the grass is often greener on the other side.
But for a Rydalmere Lions side without the enigmatic Elrich boys, the grass on this side of the fence is showing no signs of greenish life.
For the Tigers, an important three points in this match means they continue to keep pace with the teams in the hunt for a finals’ spot.
This match really belonged to one man.
Liam Mcconaghy.
The artistic attacker showed his class for the first goal of the night, spinning a defender with a Bergkamp-esque turn before firing into the bottom corner.
Jason Eager’s side looked the stronger of the two sides and they doubled their lead when Mcconaghy, taking over spot-kick duties from Michael Rolston, kept his cool to convert past the keeper.
It has been a weekend for goal keeping errors, both here in the NPL 2 NSW Men’s and abroad, and Tonu Liiband added to the catalogue of errors in this game, gifting the Lions a goal after a heavy touch fell at the feet of the grateful Rydalmere striker.
The Tigers rallied after conceding the goal, determined to not allow the Lions back into the game.
And on 78 minutes, Liam Mcconaghy ensured he would be heading home with the game ball and his team would be heading home with all three points as his tidy finish inside the box left the Rydalmere keeper with no chance.
Two defeats in a row for Rydalmere have seen them slip out of the top 6 and will now face an uphill battle to resurrect their finals’ chances.
Northern Tigers welcome a resurgent Mounties Wanderers next week in what shapes as a massive fixture for the finals’ ambitions of each side.
By Ryan Latty
