Round 2 Review – NPL 3 NSW Men’s
Heavy rain over the course of the weekend did not put a damper on round two of the 2019 National Premier League’s 3 competition as four out of the seven scheduled fixtures went ahead on Saturday in what as an electrifying day of football.
Hawkesbury City’s fixture with Stanmore Hawks was washed out along with Parramatta’s encounter with Inter Lions while the Granville Rage and Gladesville Ryde Magic match was also called off.
Keep an eye out on the draw as all these fixtures will be rescheduled for a later date.
In the matches that did go ahead, Dunbar Rovers came from behind to register a 1-1 draw against SD Raiders; Western NSW Mariners were put to the sword by Dulwich Hill in their 4-0 defeat while an imposing second half showing saw Sydney University notch a 3-0 victory over Camden Tigers at Arlington Oval.
Football NSW ventured out to Jensen Park to experience the first Bankstown derby as Bankstown United went head to head with Bankstown City Lions on Saturday night.
Bankstown United 2 Bankstown City 2
The first Bankstown derby ended in a share of the spoils as Bankstown United and Bankstown City played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at a water-soaked Jensen Park on Saturday night.
Bankstown United were quick off the blocks and came close to scoring in the opening minute of play when Mitchell Cross’ strike drifted past the opponent’s goal.
United’s Eros Bergamin was next to test City’s resolve as his strike forced Lions’ shot stopper Carl Mcmahon into action.
It took some time for the Lions to settle into the match with their first opportunity arriving on the 10-minute mark when Lawrence Hanna’s cross caused the first real moment of panic for United’s defence.
A flurry of opportunities followed for the Lions with captain Nikola Todoroski coming close to opening the scoring with his improvised turn and shot after 20 minutes.
The Lions slow start was soon forgotten as they struck first in the 22nd minute with Hanna who smashed the ball into the back of net after the ball fell kindly to him after goalkeeper David Hamilton spilled Ante Tomic’s previous effort.
Tomic came close to doubling City’s lead when his miraculous strike from just past the half way line forced Hamilton into action.
Cross continued to cause a headache for the Lions with a host of opportunities falling his way towards the end of the first half. The number 9 hit the upright with a well struck volley while he had another strike which flashed just wide of the left post.
Despite failing to find the equaliser, United went into the break with a bit of momentum despite being one goal down.
They finally opened their account for the season in the 57th minute when Sean Robertson’s strike flew into the back of the net after being played in by playmaker Bergamin.
Fresh from scoring the equaliser the hosts got on top for the first time in the clash with Cross finally getting his name on the scoresheet as he bundled the ball over the line in the 68th minute after Carl Mcmahon failed to keep hold of Bergamin’s effort.
However, the Lions were quick to reply with their second goal of the night coming just a minute after they had conceded as substitute Neram Yalda pounced on the ball in the six-yard box to even up the game at 2-2.
With 20 minutes remaining in the contest both sides pushed for the winning goal and the Lions thought they had come away with the three points when they hit the top left-hand corner of the upright at the 90th minute mark.
United managed to hold onto the draw and record their first points of the season against their rivals while the Lions will be disappointed by their brief lapse of concentration in the second half which saw them concede twice.
Match Stats
National Premier League’s 3 NSW Men’s
Round Two
Saturday, March 16, 2019
BANKSTOWN UNITED FC 2 (Robertson 57’, Cross 68’)
BANKSTOWN CITY FC 2 (Hanna 22’, Yalda 69’)
BANKSTOWN UNITED FC; 3.L.Mesiti, 4.S.Wright(capt), 6.L.Willmore, 7.J.Miladinovic(31.J.Spina), 9.M.Cross, 10.E.Bergamin, 11.N.Paull(13.M.Donatiello), 12.S.Robertson(23.K.Bangura), 18.R.Gabey, 27.M.Cook, 99.D.Hamilton.
Substitutions Not Used – 1.D.Nakano, 5.A.Kartsioulis.
Yellow Cards – N/A.
BANKSTOWN CITY FC; 1.C.Mcmahon, 2.A.Savetta, 3.T.Boutoubia, 7.J.Issa(18.H.Silva Neto), 9.N.Todoroski(capt)(20.N.Yalda), 10.L.Hanna, 11.A.Tomic, 14.M.Filipovic, 16.M.Sehic, 22.T.Borovickic, 24.D.Jakimovski.
Substitutions Not Used – 23.A.Ismail.
Yellow Cards – 24.D.Jakimovski 73’
Dunbar Rovers – SD Raiders 1-1
Dunbar Rovers and SD Raiders played out a 1-1 draw in tight fought contest at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday afternoon.
Dunbar Rovers started the brighter of the two sides and appeared likely to strike first however an injury to Daniel Fornito midway through the first half put a strain on the home side.
SD Raiders gained a foothold in the match following the loss of Fornito and they opened the scoring after Dunbar failed to clear their lines from a corner kick.
With half time fast approaching, Dunbar pegged one back as defender Micaiah Te Rata restored parity with a tap in following a training ground free kick routine involving Andrew Doddy and Jacob Sullivan.
The second half was fiery and full of passion with a host of yellow cards dished out to both sides for robust challenges.
Both sides were able to produce chances in the second half in what was a very even affair while the visitors’ attempts for a winner were continually denied by the inform Dunbar keeper Chaz Shamushonga who enjoyed a great night between the sticks as the shot stopper ensured that his side got a share of the points.
Western NSW Mariners – Dulwich Hill 0-4
Dulwich Hill compiled further misery on Western NSW Mariners as they ran out 4-0 winners in their Saturday afternoon match up at Marjorie Jackson Field.
The visitors looked in control from start to finish with the first of their goals arriving just after the quarter hour mark when Josh Sama’s header flew into the back of the net after he connected with Sean Burke’s well struck corner.
Dulwich Hill doubled their lead on the stroke of half time as Josh Sama scored his second following some impressive build up play from Peter Crevani.
Dully continued to dominate second half proceedings and their third goal of the afternoon was scored by Yoel Silvestre in the 84th minute as he opened his account for his new club after an impressive through ball from Burke who grabbed his second assist of the match.
Harry Browell’s strike in the 90th minute rounded off the scoring in Lithgow as the visitors recorded their first win of the campaign while they will no doubt be pleased with the added bonus of a clean sheet away from home.
Sydney University – Camden Tigers 3-0
A strong second half performance saw Sydney University overcome Camden Tigers 3-0 on a stormy Saturday night at Arlington Oval.
Camden Tigers were unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in this encounter with Sydney University shot stopper Daniel Axford having a stand out performance as he made a string of saves to keep the Tigers at bay.
With the scores locked at 0-0 at the break it was Sydney University who were able to take a stronghold in the second half as they managed to put three past the Tigers.
The first of Sydney University’s goals arrived in the form of an own goal in the 58th minute with Camden captain Sean Doherty taking the unfortunate honours after the ball deflected off him from Matthew Johnston’s penalty save.
The home side’s second goal arrived in the 85th minute when captain Scott Tonkin pounced on the loose ball in the box to double the lead for his side.
The ‘students’ rounded off the scoring in the dying moments of injury time with a stunning strike from Jordan Makridopolus from distance after he latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from teammate Daniel Mifsud.
-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)
