Round 16 – National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s Review
Defenders and goalkeepers ruled the roost in the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition over the weekend, with Round Sixteen producing the lowest scoring round this season.
Albeit with the one postponement, there were still six matches that took place, but those six matches produced just 15 goals in total, with a very rare occurrence for this competition, a scoreless draw, in amongst the results.
Gladesville Ryde Magic came from a man and two goals down to steal a point in a 2-2 draw against Dunbar Rovers at Hensley Athletic Field; Western NSW Mariners notched their first win of the season by downing Granville Rage 2-1 at Mudgee; Dulwich Hill and St George City FA played out a scoreless draw at Arlington Oval on Saturday night; Fraser Park came within inches of their maiden victory of the season but had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Sydney University; Camden Tigers made it 7 wins from 7 matches at Ron Dine Stadium with a 3-0 triumph over SD Raiders; the Bankstown City – Stanmore Hawks fixture scheduled for Potts Park on Sunday was washed out as early as Friday due to the unplayable surface – stay tuned to Football New South Wales for details of the rescheduling.
Football NSW ventured out to Richmond amongst the fanfare at David Bertenshaw Field, to watch the clash between Hawkesbury City and Inter Lions.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
HAWKESBURY CITY – INTER LIONS 2-1
In what was, colloquially speaking, a game of two halves, Hawkesbury City held off a fast finishing Inter Lions to record a 2-1 victory at David Bertenshaw Field on Saturday evening.
Hawkesbury City started like a house on fire, scoring twice in a dominant first stanza in front of a boisterous crowd to seemingly have the game in the bag by the half time break.
However 2-0 is always known to be a dangerous scoreline, and it proved so this time around again, as Inter Lions came storming home after the break, pulling a goal back but inevitably unable to take home the point their efforts deserved.
Credit to Hawkesbury City, who have turned their home matches in to a real festival atmosphere. The game against Inter was commentated live on Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM, whilst the Uruguayan drummers were playing their beats to the entertainment of the vocal locals.
Much of this fanfare was to welcome the latest instalment of Uruguayan visa players, Sebastian Gallegos Bernel and Flavio Scarone, who in turn played to the beat of the drums with some exquisite on field skills during the first period.
Scarone was first to show case his talent, the left winger’s speed taking him down the left channel on 5 minutes, before he cut back inside to hit a low shot that was well held by Inter’s custodian, Robert Fanella.
Gallegos Bernel was commencing to demand the ball for the Hawks in the playmaker role, and he went close to scoring on 13 minutes, his weighted lob landing on the roof of the net with the home crowd gasping.
It was all Hawkesbury at this stage, with Scarone at it again a minute later, but his angled effort was thwarted once more by the busy Inter keeper, Robert Fanella.
It seemed only a matter of time before the home side scored, and the Hawkesbury goal came in the 15th minute on the back of a frenzied opening quarter of an hour.
Gallegos Bernel took matters upon himself, keeping the ball close as he waltzed past a few defenders inside the Inter penalty box before slamming the ball home to make it 1-0.
From the very next play it should have been 2-0, when the two protagonists were at it again. Gallegos Bernel showed great vision to switch a ball from the right channel in behind the Inter defence for Scarone to run onto, but Inter keeper, Fanella, again stood tall, denying the Hawkesbury import in a one-on-one.
Like a boxer cowered in the corner, Inter didn’t know what had hit them in the opening half hour or so. Although they did reply in the 20th minute with an effort of their own, as Juan Chavez cracked a 20 yard effort from outside the box that was gathered at the second attempt by the Hawk’s keeper, Daniel Schwarzer.
Hawkesbury were on top across the paddock at this stage, winning possession before giving the ball to their two imports to do their stuff. The home side almost made it two on 29 minutes, with Bradley Gibson’s header missing the mark after an inswinging cross from Scarone.
Then against the run of play, Inter Lions couldn’t have come any closer to an equaliser in the 31st minute with a move that started and finished down the right flank.
Sean Richardson picked up the ball inside his half before running at his marker across halfway. Richardson played a ball down the sideline to Domenic Di Mento, who in turn slipped a great pass first time into the box for Julian Rinaldi.
Rinaldi smashed a superb first time shot across his body, only to see the ball crash against the corner of the post and cross bar before racing away to safety.
Then as the seconds ticked over in to injury time, the Hawks stole a deserved second goal to take in to the sheds.
The hard working James Mawein swung over a free kick from out on the left wing that was met perfectly by Daniel Morsillo, his header looping over Inter keeper, Fanella, and in to the Inter goal.
The drums were beating again, the fans were cheering, and the Hawks looked on their way to a comfortable victory as the half time whistle blew.
Although what do they say about the wounded lion?
Inter’s experienced coach, Michael Urukalo, pulled some strings at half time that changed the whole context of the match.
Urukalo changed his side’s formation, as well as introducing two substitutes – Stefano Di Marino and Nicholas Sullivan – both of whom were just the injection the visitors needed. One player to make way for Inter was skipper, Giacomo Di Mento, who had come out of his sick bed to play but had simply run out of petrol.
The half had barely begun when Inter almost pulled a goal back.
Julian Rinaldi showed speed and close ball control to race down the right and cut the ball back across the face of goal. Domenic Di Mento tried a cheeky back heel but the ball whizzed inches past the upright.
On 51 minutes Inter went close again. Substitute Nicholas Sullivan made a penetrating run down the middle, running with intent straight at the Hawkesbury defence, before slipping a great pass in to the box for Sean Richardson.
Richardson steadied before blasting at goal, his effort diverted out for a corner by the ever alert Daniel Schwarzer in the Hawkesbury goal.
Inter kept at it and Richardson this time played provider, sending a cross over in the 52nd minute which Domenic Di Mento connected with, but his header well saved by Schwarzer once again.
The Uruguayan’s had run out of legs, and the Hawks were flapping as Inter kept their foot on the gas.
Inter’s wide defenders, Nicholas Ballard and George Tsokos, were now winning their duals out wide and supporting where possible as Inter attacked with energy and numbers.
The visiting contingent thought they’d scored in the 57th minute, when Julia Rinaldi made a slalom run across the box before putting Juan Chavez in behind the Hawks’ defence.
Chavez swivelled and hit a low shot that beat Schwarzer in the Hawkesbury goal, but alas, the ball hit the outside of the side netting.
Inter did finally pull a goal back in the 71st minute, and it was the least they deserved.
Domenic DI Mento curled a peach of a free kick, up and over the Hawkesbury wall, only to see Daniel Schwarzer dive full stretch to deny the Inter flanker.
However Hezio Silva Neto responded quickest to stab home the rebound and give Inter a lifeline.
It was just reward for Silva Neto, who was having a great game in the centre of the park for Inter, displaying his own South American flair with some neat dribbling and set up play for his frontline.
Altough despite their efforts, Inter Lions were denied a second equalising goal, and the match ended with a 2-1 result in favour of Hawkesbury.
Despite their 12th position on the ladder, Inter Lions showed they can mix it with teams near the top like Hawkesbury, and on the day, threw caution to the wind intelligently to pull themselves back in to the game after being seemingly down and out on the night.
Richardson and Di Mento were difficult to handle on the flanks, Rinaldi showed glimpses of pace and skill to burn, whilst Hezio Silva played the role of the number 10 to great effect.
After their mauling at the hands of St George City FA last week, it was important for Hawkesbury City to rebound with a positive result this week.
The Hawks were emphatic during a dominant first half against Inter, on the back of some silky skills from their Uruguayan imports. Although despite falling away in the second half, they managed to hold their opponents off, and three points is three points. Hawkesbury are now just one win away from the summit, sitting second, on 33 points themselves, with St George City FA on 36.
National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Sixteen – David Bertenshaw Field, Richmond – Saturday, June 23, 2018
HAWKESBURY CITY 2 (Gallegos-Bernel 15’, Morsillo 46’)
INTER LIONS 1 (Silva-Neto 71’)
Referee – Jack Casey
Assistant Referees – Stephen Ellsmore and Gian-Carlos Anderson
HAWKESBURY CITY;
1.D.Schwarzer (capt), 5.J.Ekehov, 8.T.Elliott-Orr, 35.S.Gallegos-Bernel, 19.D.Gardiner, 14.B.Gibson, 7.J.Mawein, 12.D.Morsillo (13.D.Zahra 76’), 23.F.Scarone (15.D.Bourke 88’), 2.J.Thurtell, 4.K.Walker.
Substitutes Not Used – 20.A.Gornall, 18.P.Sharma.
Yellow Cards – 8.T.Elliott-Orr 21’.
Red Cards – Nil
INTER LIONS;
1.R.Fanella, 2.N.Ballard, 12.J.Chavez, 18.D.Di Mento, 17.G.Di Mento (capt) (3.S. Di Marino 46’), 30.C.Gallagher (9.N.Sullivan 46’), 5.C.Lawson, 11.S.Richardson, 16.J.Rinaldi (15.N.Scicchitano 69’), 10.H.Silva Neto, 25.G.Tsokos.
Substitutes Not Used – 61.J.Soulios, 27.K.Bowry.
Yellow Cards – 2.N.Ballard 49’.
Red Cards – Nil
Dunbar Rovers – Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-2
Gladesville Ryde Magic came back from the proverbial dead to snatch a 2-2 draw against Dunbar Rovers on Saturday afternoon at Hensley Athletic Field.
Dunbar started the better, and were in front on 5 minutes, an attacking raid down the left side finding Gilad Swartz unmarked, and he slotted home to give the Rovers the lead.
Dunbar doubled their advantage on 25 minutes, and what a strike it was.
A Dunbar corner was cleared by Gladesville, only for Nicholas Holton to produce a spectacular scissor kick to make it 2-0 to Dunbar.
Magic responded with a few half opportunities close to the half time whistle, but could not find the net as the teams trudged off for a short break.
Things seemingly got worse for Gladesville Ryde Magic in the second half, when they were reduced to 10 men after the sending off of Sergio Tarazona for his second yellow card offence.
Stranger things have happened when teams have been reduced to ten men, and Dunbar Rovers did not heed the warning, allowing Gladesville Ryde Magic to somehow snare a point in dramatic circumstances.
A Gladesville corner in the 82nd minute was cleared to the feet of Michael Gaitatzis, and he returned the effort with interest, cracking a half volley in to the Dunbar net for 2-1.
Then with minutes to go Magic were awarded a penalty for an infringement inside the box, and Michael Gaitatzis converted to give the teams a share of the spoils.
It was the 6th goal in two games for Michael Gaitatzis, helping Gladesville Ryde Magic to the draw which puts them in equal 3rd spot on 30 points, with a game in hand against Camden yet to be played.
The point for Dunbar sees them move to 28 points in 5th spot.
Western NSW Mariners – Granville Rage 2-1
The Western NSW Mariners have finally cracked it for their first win of the 2018 season, defeating Granville Rage 2-1 at Glen Willow Stadium at Mudgee.
The Mariners played with intent from the outset, starting strongly and staying compact.
On 15 minutes, the Mariners grabbed the early goal they craved, and it was Adam Scimone who did the damage.
Scimone pressed a Rage defender deep in the Granville half, stealing possession before slotting it past Granville custodian, Samuel Bortolazzo.
Granville equalised just before the break, and the teams entered the sheds all square once again.
Although the Mariners would not be denied today.
On 51 minutes, a beautiful pass by Kenny McCall found Matt Hobby in space on the right wing, and Hobby beat his marker before laying a pass in to the path of Jaiden Culbert.
Culbert slotted home to put the Mariners in to a 2-1 lead, a lead they would hold on to until the final whistle.
Granville’s plight worsened moments later when they were reduced to ten men, and despite throwing everything at the home side, the Mariners hung on for a valuable three points.
Footnote – our best wishes are with Western NSW Mariners player, Lachlan Thomas, who was taken to hospital with a suspected break following a collision in the first half. Everyone at Football NSW and the extended football community wishes Lachlan all the very best in his recovery.
Dulwich Hill – St George City FA 0-0
Dulwich Hill did something no other club has managed this season – they kept competition leaders, St George City FA, scoreless, as they manouvered their way to a 0-0 draw at Arlington Oval on Saturday night.
Dully’s physical approach disrupted the free flowing football usually evident by St George City FA, with the ensuing arm wrestle producing limited opportunities in the first half.
St George City FA came out in the second half at a high tempo with a plan to press, which in turn created a number of opportunities, falling to Geoffry Lino and Sam Messam amongst others.
But the scoreboard at Arlington remained intact and the match finished scoreless.
The point sees St George City FA move to 36 points and retain top spot, although Hawkesbury City have crept closer, just 3 points away on 33, whilst both Bankstown City and Gladesville Ryde Magic are on 30 points each, both with a game in hand.
For Dulwich Hill, the draw against the league leaders was a pleasant result given their recent rut of form, but they have now dropped out of the top half, now sitting in 8th spot on 24 points.
Fraser Park – Sydney University 1-1
Fraser Park and Sydney University shared the spoils at Marrickville on Saturday night, but the home side went as close as ever to snatching their first win of the campaign.
Fraser took the lead on 16 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive error.
Gerbe Magela stole possession, and then unselfishly played it square for Daniel Fornito to slot home.
However Fraser had barely finished celebrating when parity was restored within minutes.
A Jovan Blagojevic cross fell at the feet of Fergus Worral, and he despatched the leather from outside the box into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Both sides produced a tense second half, cautious not to concede, but the final 15 minutes produced a number of opportunities.
Fraser Park’s Daniel Fornito hit a freekick which rattled the upright, whilst Uni keeper, Charlie Fanner, had to produce a couple of superb saves late on to deny the home side.
Sydney Uni were not without their opportunities.
A Michael Loupis freekick bounced agonisingly across the front of the goal screaming for a touch, whilst a Scott Tonkin toe poke dribbled inches wide of the Fraser upright.
Bit for all the huff and puff, the scoreboard remained intact and the two sides shared the spoils.
Fraser Park still prop up the ladder on 4 points from 4 draws, but the gap between them and penultimate position has increased to 4 points following the WNSW Mariners first win of the campaign.
Sydney Uni would no doubt be disappointed with the result, but the draw does extend their unbeaten run to 7 matches as they climb to 21 points, sitting in 9th spot on the ladder.
Camden Tigers – SD Raiders 3-0
The fortress at Ron Dine Stadium picked up another scalp on Saturday night, with Camden Tigers knocking over SD Raiders 3-0.
Camden have won all seven matches at home as they continue their climb up the ladder, moving in to the top half of the competition courtesy of the three points.
Mitchell Brooker got things going for Camden on 25 minutes, and that’s the way it remained until the second half.
Dean Mugridge finished off proceedings with a six minute brace, netting on 74 and 80 minutes to give Camden a 3-0 win.
Camden’s win takes them to 7th position on 25 points, with a game in hand on those around them, one being SD Raiders who currently sit in 6th spot on 27 points.
Bankstown City – Stanmore Hawks P-P
The wet weather that hit Sydney during the working week was enough to deem the playing surface of Potts Park unplayable as early as Friday. Please stay tuned to the Football NSW website to view the details of the re-scheduling of the Bankstown City – Stanmore Hawks fixture.
