Round 18 – National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s Review
With the top six sides all registering victories on the weekend, it’s a case of ‘as you were’ in the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition following the completion of Round Eighteen.
The top half of the ladder has basically just moved another three points away from the bottom half as the respective clubs continue their run home towards a finals berth come September.
SD Raiders made a mockery of Dunbar’s 3pm matches on Saturdays at Hensley Athletic Field, with Daniel Bittar scoring four goals in a 7-1 rout over the Rovers; Hawkesbury City bounced back to form with a 6-1 hammering of the Western NSW Mariners in Lithgow, with Clement Waoci nabbing a hatrick; Granville Rage and Sydney University shared the spoils in a 2-2 at Garside Park on Saturday night; St George City FA overcame a stubborn Inter Lions 2-0 with a goal in each half at Fraser Park; Camden Tigers knocked over Stanmore Hawks 2-0 to make it 9 wins from 9 matches at Ron Dine Stadium; Bankstown City took the points on offer at Potts Park on Sunday afternoon by beating Fraser Park 3-1.
Football NSW traveled to Arlington Oval on Saturday night to watch the match between Dulwich Hill and Gladesville Ryde Magic unravel.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
DULWICH HILL FC – GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC FC 2-3
Gladesville Ryde Magic pulled of a Houdini act at Arlington Oval on Saturday night, turning a 2-0 half time deficit into a 3-2 victory over Dulwich Hill to snare all three points.
Daniel Krkovski edged Dully in front with two very similar goals during a frenetic first half, but the Gaitatzis brothers struck three times in a remarkable six minute spell directly after half time to turn the game on its head for Magic.
Chris Gaitatzis in fact created the game’s first real opportunity after just 6 minutes.
The Gladesville Ryde Magic captain made space for himself a few metres outside the Dully penalty area, before unleashing a drive that cannoned off the upright before being cleared from danger.
Although within a minute, the home side were in front with a lightning counter attack.
Dully’s playmaker, Gosue Sama, played Henry Wells into space down the right flank, and his superb outswinging cross was met at pace by Daniel Krkovski, who directed his header past a hapless Magic keeper, Kiriakos Tohouroglou.
Gladesville responded in the 13th minute, when youngster, Nick Ioannides, played a delightful ball across goal in to the path of Aaron Khan, who struck his effort first time from point blank. Dully keeper, Michael Frost, was equal to the task, keeping the ball out bravely by throwing his body in front of the shot.
Magic striker, Michael Gaitatzis, then could not have gone closer in the 17th minute, with a rasping volley from all of 25 yards that dipped over the head of Dully’s keeper, Michael Frost, before crashing against the underside of the cross bar and being regathered by Frost.
If available, a VAR would have been very interesting given the ball seemed ever so close to crossing the line, but play continued much to the relief of the Dulwich Hill contingent.
Michael Gaitatzis would go close again in the 25th minute, hitting a free kick from inside the ‘D’ of the penalty area inches wide of the upright, with everyone – friend and foe – frozen to the spot awaiting the outcome.
Gosue Sama then replied for Dulwich Hill on 27 minutes with a free kick of his own, his 25 yard swerving shot brilliantly tipped over by Gladesville’s experienced custodian, Kiriakos Tohouroglou.
Tohouroglou was all that stood between a bigger deficit for Magic, and he was at it again in the 33rd minute, throwing himself in the air to divert a fierce angled drive from Henry Wells, who had raced on to a superb dissecting through ball by youngster, Francesco Terranova.
However Gladesville did not heed the warning signs, and conceded once again on 37 minutes.
Once again it was Daniel Krkovski, and once again it was a carbon copy of the first goal, with Gosue Sama sending Henry Wells down the right channel with a superb through ball.
Wells sent over yet another enticing cross that Krkovski met at pace, this time using his right foot to slam the ball past Magic keeper, Tohouroglou, sending Dulwich Hill in to half time with a 2-0 lead under their belts.
Magic were clearly rattled on the scoreboard, but if it wasn’t for the woodwork, and a couple of great saves by Dully skipper and keeper, Michael Frost, the game would have been level.
The scoreline didn’t deter Gladesville Ryde Magic, who came flying out of the blocks after the break, and within a remarkable six minutes, had netted three times and had taken the lead.
Two minutes in to the second half, young Zac Hando was felled inside the box, and Michael Gaitatzis confidently converted the spot kick, clearing a couple of spiders in the process as he made it 1-2.
Two minutes passed and Gladesville Ryde Magic were level.
A direct pass was played towards the edge of the Dully penalty area, where Michael Gaitatzis, with his back to goal, managed to divert the ball into the path of his brother Chris, with a deft flick of the chest.
Chris Gaitatzis let the ball bounce before thrashing it low in to the Dully net, much to the delight of the Magic contingent, and it was 2-2.
Under a flurry of punches since they came out of the sheds at half time, Dulwich Hill simply couldn’t cope with the onslaught, and they went behind in the 51st minute.
A Dully half clearance was played in to the right channel by Gladesville defender, Lachlan Harte, and Michael Gaitatzis gratefully accepted the opportunity, racing in to the box to drill a low shot from a tight angle under the body of Dully custodian, Mchael Frost, making it 3-2 to Gladesville.
It had been an amazing turnaround from the visitors, but if truth be told, they were unlucky to have been behind at the break, and simply continued their attacking approach until it paid dividends.
Dulwich Hill did regroup, and pushed men forward in search of what would have been an equalising goal.
Magic goal keeper, Kiriakos Tohouroglou, was at his alert best on the hour mark, dropping sharply to his right to divert a low shot from Daniel Krkovski, denying the Dully flanker his hatrick in the process.
Tohouroglou was at it again from the ensuing corner, acrobatically parrying a close range header from Dully’s David Burbidge to keep his side in front.
Dulwich Hill continued to apply themselves in the front third, but the final pass or shot was lacking as they became more desperate, and Gladesville Ryde Magic strangled the life out of the game towards the end to grab all three points.
The loss was painful for Dulwich Hill, having lead 2-0 at the break and feeling they were in with a shot even though they rode their luck a little in that first half. It is the club’s 5th loss in their past 6 fixtures, and they now occupy 9th position on the ladder on 24 points.
Other than the lively two goal Daniel Krkovski on the flank, the ‘veterans’ can hold their heads high – Michael Frost in goals stopped the scoreline from being higher with some telling saves, whilst Gosue Sama was at the centre of most of Dully’s attacks in the front third.
A lot can be said of Gladesville’s triumph, especially their never say die attitude. Many sides would’ve given up the ghost at half time, having played reasonably well but being behind 0-2. But Gladesville simply raised the tempo, and within minutes had taken the lead.
Gladesville are a well-structured side, with a solid backline lead by the evergreen Kiriakos Tohouroglou. The Gaitatzis brothers are a menace to any side – they have a wonderful combination, and a real eye for goal, so it’s not surprising to see them at the centre of the team’s attacking forays.
The win and three points moves Gladesville Ryde Magic to 36 points, equal second with Bankstown City and Hawkesbury City, with all three sides just 3 points in arrears of St George City FA at the summit.
National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s
Round Eighteen, Arlington Oval, Dulwich Hill – Saturday, July 7, 2018
DULWICH HILL 2 (Daniel Krkovski 7’ / 37’)
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC 3 (M Gaitatzis 47’ pen / 51’ , C Gaitatzis 49’)
Referee – T Plasto
Assistant Referees – M Bailey and M Limnios
DULWICH HILL;
1.M.Frost (capt), 23.H.Browell, 9.R.Deasy, 62.D.Deep-Jones, 37.Daniel Krkovski, 25.D.Larmour, 10.G.Sama, 7.H.Wells, 22.D.Borbidge, 39.F.Terranova (41.M.Colandrea 68’), 3.E.Bardsley (36.Dean Krkovski 68’).
Substitutes Not Used – 13.S.Burke, 12.D.Plowright.
Yellow Cards – 9.R.Deasy 45’+1’, 10.G.Sama 49’.
Red Cards – Nil
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC;
33.K.Tohouroglou, 9.C.Gaitatzis (capt) (14.A.Jolly 80’), 17.M.Gaitatzis, 23.Z.Hando, 5.L.Harte, 34.N.Ioannides (19.F.Calcagno 83’), 13.B.Kerr, 4.A.Khan, 8.J.Martinez, 6.A.Mickael (10.C.Tomaras 82’), 2.C.Newton.
Substitutes Not Used – 21.G.Koliomihos.
Yellow Cards – 8.J.Martinez 29’.
Red Cards – Nil
Western NSW Mariners – Hawkesbury City 1-6
Hawkesbury City returned to the winner’s circle with a bang on Saturday afternoon, thumping the Western NSW Mariners 6-1 on a cold afternoon in Lithgow.
The temperature got down to the low single figures, and the rain didn’t help the players as they tried to settle in testing conditions.
Brock Logan was kept busy during the opening forty five minutes, the Mariners’ keeper managing to keep the visitors at bay as the teams trudged off at half time with the score at 0-0.
The floodgates opened after the break however, as the Hawks ran riot with six goals.
Clement Waoci helped himself to a hatrick in just his second appearance and on his starting debut, having transferred in the recent window. The other goals for Hawkesbury City came from Flavio Scarone, Sebastian Gallegos Berriel, and substitute, Jesse Swain, whilst Adam Scimone grabbed a late consolation goal for the Mariners.
The three points keeps Hawkesbury City equal with Bankstown City and Gladesville Ryde Magic on 36 points, and third on the ladder on goal differential.
Dunbar Rovers – SD Raiders 1-7
Dunbar Rovers fell in a real heap on Saturday afternoon, losing 1-7 to SD Raiders at Hensley Athletic Field.
The Raiders started on the front foot, going ahead 2-0 early on before stretching their lead to 4-0 by the break.
Dunbar lost the services of inspirational skipper, Andrew Doddy, after only ten minutes, and never recovered after that early mishap.
Even though Dunbar keeper, Stephen Deasy, was shown a red card after 15 minutes of the second half, Nick Holton reduced the deficit for the Rovers by scoring soon afterwards.
However any chance of a Dunbar comeback went out the window when Holt himself was also dismissed, for his second caution of the match, and Raiders went on with it to net another three goals.
Daniel Bittar helped himself to four goals for the Raiders in a masterful display of finishing, taking his tally for the season to 13 goals. Damien Smith managed a brace of goals for the Raiders, whilst Sebastian Malfara also got on the scoresheet.
The loss sees Dunbar remain in 7th position on the ladder on 28 points, but they do have a game in hand on the other teams in front of them.
SD Raiders stay in 5th spot, but the win and three points sees them climb to 33 points, whilst the six goal margin has done wonders for their goal differential.
Granville Rage – Sydney University 2-2
Granville Rage and Sydney University shared the spoils on a cold and windy night at Garside Park, with the teams finishing at 2-2 at the end of ninety minutes.
Granville started the brighter of the two sides, and took the lead on 16 minutes when a cross was bundled home after a goal mouth scramble.
At this stage of the game Sydney University were indebted to their goal keeper, Oliver Gibson, when he made a smart double save to deny the Rage who had all the momentum.
However against the run of play, it was Sydney University who grabbed the equaliser when Michael Loupis swung in a dangerous free kick, and Jovan Blagojevic rose highest to head home for 1-1.
The game became quite scrappy and full of niggle during the second 45 minutes, with the referee needing to reach for his yellow card on a number of occasions.
Sydney Uni managed to get their noses in front midway through the second half when Panayoti Gotsis latched on to a through ball before slotting past Granville’s keeper, Samuel Bortolazzo.
Both sides created further opportunities, with Granville even striking the cross bar with a close range header.
Although Granville did eventually find an equaliser with 5 minutes to go, tapping home a rebound after Uni keeper, Oliver Gibson, had parried the initial effort.
The drama wasn’t over just yet, however, when in the final minute of stoppage time, Sydney Uni were presented with a great chance to win the game following a foul inside the penalty area on Andrew Green, a second half substitute.
Jovan Blagojevic stepped up and struck his spot kick well, but Granville’s custodian, Samuel Bortolazzo, was up to the task, brilliantly diving to his right to parry the ball away.
The point does little for each side in terms of the ladder, with Sydney University remaining 8th on 25 points, whilst Granville Rage do move up one spot to 11th, joining Inter Lions on 16 points.
St George City FA – Inter Lions 2-0
League leaders, St George City FA, kept their three point distance at the top of the ladder when they overcame a stubborn Inter Lions 2-0 at Fraser Park on Saturday night.
Despite missing a host of players, a goal in each half was enough to get the job done for St George, with Paul Turrin opening proceedings on 27 minutes following a goalmouth scramble.
Alvaro Malmierca extended the lead in the 74th minute, smashing home a rebound after Inter goal keeper, Robert Fanella, had parried the initial effort.
The win sees St George City move to 39 points as they look to keep the chasing pack at bay.
Camden Tigers – Stanmore Hawks 2-0
Camden Tigers made it 9 wins from 9 matches at Ron Dine Stadium on Saturday night, eventually running out 2-0 victors over a gallant Stanmore Hawks.
However Camden didn’t have it all their own way, as the plucky Hawks more than held their own until well in to the second half.
Blake Brooker broke the deadlock for Camden, before substitute Bede Clarke clinched all three points by netting late on.
The win and subsequent three points sees Camden move up a spot to 31 points, climbing into 6th position in the process and remaining just two points outside the top five.
Bankstown City – Fraser Park 3-1
Bankstown City grabbed all three points on Sunday afternoon by defeating Fraser Park 3-1 at a blistery cold Potts Park.
Central defender, Nathan Lopino, supplemented his good defensive form of late with a brace of goals, both headers from Ante Tomic free kicks, one in the first half to start proceedings, and one in the second to round off the scoring.
In between, Daniel Fornito netted for Fraser Park to equalise Lopino’s first goal, before Tomic edged Bankstown City back in front just prior to half time when he converted a penalty after he himself was brought down inside the box.
The win and three points puts Bankstown City on 36 points on the ladder, second on goal differential ahead of both Hawkesbury City and Gladesville Ryde Magic who are also on 36 points.
