Round 22 – State League Men

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So just like that, the 2018 State League Men’s season has come to a close and it came right down to the wire. A Mitch Cross goal for Bankstown and 85th minute hammer blow to Central Coast United ensured that Bankstown United have pulled off a remarkable promotion.

Elsewhere, the campaign ended for the majority of the teams to various fortunes. Hurstville signed off in style with a win over UNSW whilst Balmain were at their frustrating worst losing to FC Gazy Auburn.

 

Match of the Round – Central Coast United FC v Prospect United FC

Prospect United have held Central Coast United to a heartbreaking two all draw on the final day of the regular season at Blacktown Football Park.

The hosts were stoic at the back throughout, holding firm and attacking swiftly on the counter. Goals from returning captain Thomas Kasunic and a late equalizer to Adrian Vulcik ensured that they head into the semi-finals with some momentum.

Whilst their opponents Central Coast United came away with nothing despite having the lead late on. Their goals coming from Adam Woodbine and later Scott Mcginley from the spot, they now face a clash against UNSW FC next week.

Signs were there early that maybe things weren’t going to plan for the visitors early when a chance saw a squared ball from the right end up in a miskick from both Adam Woodbine and Tom Mallett not connecting to it properly.

The scoring was opened through a free-kick after 35 minutes which was won by Prospect attacker Nic Valjak. Captain Thomas Kasunic stepped up and drilled it into the top left-hand corner of the net from just outside the box.

It was a windy afternoon in Sydney and the equalizer took advantage of it, Adam Woodbine found his corner from the right sail into the far side netting to level the scores.

Dreams of a promotion were nearly realised with just ten minutes on the clock, as a clumsy piece of goalkeeping saw him bring down substitute Peter Stewart. Scott Mcginley stepped up and converted it down the middle.

Football is a cruel game however and the lead only lasted a matter of seconds before a pin point free kick found Adrian Vulcick to poke home from close range.

The drama was far from over from that point with news coming through that Bankstown United had taken the lead. The young Prospect shot-stopper saw a ball slip between his legs before recovering just well enough to retrieve a ball rolling back towards his goal.

Their main threat late on came from young substitute Peter Stewart though who with a bit more luck would’ve scored a winner. Luck wasn’t on their side though and despite leading the competition for a large period of the season, they came up short.

Prospect United coach Darren Camilleri was proud and reflected, “We made a promise today after a poor last few weeks that we were going to compete for ninety minutes before next week”.

“We didn’t want anyone to win a championship here at our home game, so our collective effort and the return of captain Thomas Kasunic made a difference as well as Aiden Mantouroglou who did well in goals”.

Central Coast United coach Stu Davis reflected on a rough afternoon, “We weren’t good enough on the day, we can’t blame anyone else so we’ve got to lick our wounds, dust off and get ready for the semi-finals.”

“We’ve given this year a read out crack this season and fell short. Congratulations to Bankstown on their promotion.”

Match Stats

Prospect United: 2 (Kasunic 34’, Vulcik 83’)

Central Coast United: 2 (Woodbine 52’, Mcginley 81’)

Blacktown Football Park, Sunday 19th August, 2018

Referee: A. Vainavskinas

Assistant referees: J. Atair & U. Roberts

Prospect United: 1. Aiden Mantouroglou, 2. Mitsuya Taikizawa, 3. Peter Friday, 4. Alexander Bit (6. Adrian Vulcik), 5. Sebastian Kalos, 7. Nicholas Valjak, 8. Thomas Kasunic (15. D. Owusu), 9. Benjamin Lam, 10. Wiltar Jajaw (13. Brett Stephens), 14 Joel Bayubahe, 16. Slaven Ljuboja.

Subs Not Used: 11. J. Roffaell, 20. Jacob Irwin.

Yellow Cards: Ljuboja

Central Coast United: 1. Jack O’Mally, 2. Scott Mcginley, 3. Adam Blunden, 4. Geordie Howe, 5. Nathan Blunden, 9. Adam Woodbine, 10. Alexander Arbelo, 14. Tom Mallett, 27. Cade Mapu, 32. Jack Ragen, 99. Thomas Lyons (99. Peter Stewart)

Subs Not Used: 20. Thomas Marsh, 7. Noah Ajala, 16. Oscar Torres, 36. Kyle Price,

Yellow Cards: N/A

 

Around the Grounds

 

Bankstown United 2-1 Western Condors

Meanwhile at a different ground around half an hour away, another team had hopes of promotion. This team however was successful in their efforts and pulled off a dramatic win at the Crest.

It was the perfect start for Bankstown United, they took the lead early through an early penalty of which Mitch Cross converted.

Like their premiership opponents across town, there were nervy moments as their visitors had a good period of play towards the end of the first half in which they were unlucky not to equalise. However, they finally equalised the scores around the hour mark with Hikaru Takase scoring from thirty yards.

In another action-packed fixture, there were twists and turns throughout. A penalty was given on seventy minutes and in a surprise to all, Mitch Cross saw his effort saved. The story of the Crest wasn’t over though with Cross finding his redemption with what turned out to be a tittle winning goal. The prolific striker winning the ball in the box before beating his defenders and finishing well.

Bankstown United saw the game out with one eye on the other fixture and sealed a remarkable promotion in thrilling circumstances.

 

Wagga City Wanderers 0-3 Nepean FC.

Nepean FC guaranteed some finals football with a convincing win over Wagga City Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

In a contest which neither side really wanted to be there, Nepean took the honours with a Hayden Pronin double highlighting the contest. Pronin scored the first two goals, both times of which getting on the end of a delivery into the box with a header. The win was finished off with a goal from Alex Moore who cut in well off his wing before finishing. The lead could have been more if not for some wasteful finishing however Nepean head into the semi’s having won four of their last five fixtures.

For the home side, well it’s time for some well-deserved rest bite for the Wanderers. It was a typical frustrating afternoon which saw them reduced to ten men once again. However, the goal has been long term for the hosts who now turn their attention to next season with a promising set of youngsters including Ano Matowe who made his first-grade debut signalling a bright future.

 

UNSW FC 0-1 Hurstville FC

Hurstville FC are one of two sides reflecting on the season saying “What if?” It was a solid performance which proved to themselves more than anyone else that they can match it with the better sides in the competition.

An even first half saw the keepers at either end taking a starring role. James Drahalivas pulling off a couple of good one on one saves for the visitors whilst Nicholas Croucher didn’t do too badly at the other end either.

The sucker punch for the hosts came in the second half when Dario Borovickic scored a peach of a free kick in his return to the side. The midfielder bending the ball around the wall from his wrong side into the net.

UNSW face Central Coast United next weekend whilst Hurstville FC leave the competition satisfied but also saying “What if?”

 

Balmain Tigers 1-2 FC Gazy Auburn

FC Gazy Auburn ensured they didn’t finish bottom of the club championship standings with a win over Balmain Tigers.

It was a see-sawing affair which could have seen either side come away with the win. However again it came down to a lack of discipline from the hosts which contributed to their downfall.

An early counter attack saw FC Gazy Auburn taking a lead through Costandi Fallas. That lead didn’t last long though as Balmain equalized immediately through Swaray Kamara. The match had a lot of feeling in it with the home side reduced to an eventual eight but before that a winner was scored through Pedro Almeida early in the second half.

A final opportunity did fall the way to Balmain who were denied with the last kick of the game by Pablo Meza in goals.

It caps off a disappointing campaign for Balmain Tigers who fell well short of their pre-season goal. Whilst FC Gazy saw significant improvement from last season and will look to build on it in 2019.

 

South Coast Flame 4-1 Hurstville City Minotaurs

South Coast Flame rounded their season off in style scoring four goals inside thirty minutes to undo an early goal for the visiting Hurstville City Minotaurs.

The visitors took an early lead from a free-kick goal by Riad Agnache.

That goal did nothing but wake the home side into life though as they simply overwhelmed the Minotaurs. Bojan Caric opened their account with a side footed effort from inside the area before Caleb Grace doubled it with a volley which found the net.

It was breakout star Louis Connell who took the major honours of the night though scoring two goals before the half time break. The first, a one on one opportunity which was finished well before tapping in after some quality build up work involving Dion Sterjovski.

Both teams bid farewell to the competition with a mid-table finish. That’s where the similarities end though with Hurstville City Minotaurs limping across the line whilst the Flame very much found their fire towards the back end.

By Justin Smith