Round 1 Review – State League Men’s

Goals, Goals and more goals was the order of the weekend in round one of the State League Men’s competition.

We travelled out to Nepean to see what two of last years heavyweights had to show early in the campaign.

However, you could be forgiven for focusing attention elsewhere as a new face in Fraser Park and a rejuvenated existing one in Western Condors had statement wins.

Strap yourselves in, looks like we’re in for another exciting campaign ahead.

Match of the Round: Nepean v Central Coast United

It’s a brand-new season, but some things stay the same. When Nepean FC get going, it’s hard to stop them and the home side got their revenge on Central Coast United with a 3-1 victory in a match which had a bit of everything.

The home side took the ascendancy early on in the fixture and didn’t let go for much of the match. A double to Farres Aoun and a late goal to Kuag Reec proved too much an obstacle for the visitors to chase down.

For Central Coast United, they couldn’t have imagined a worse start to their campaign losing key striker Adam Woodbine in the build up and then looking off the pace for much of the opening stanza.

Nepean looked to have opened the scoring just before the ten-minute mark. A cross from the left found Naruyuki Kato whose effort fizzed across the face of goal.

Central Coast weren’t so lucky shortly after. New signing Farres Aoun found himself in a great position to finish off some excellent work from Daryl Watson down the left.

Farres Aoun was constantly finding himself in good positions and he made no mistake with his second opportunity to clinch a brace. This time it was Kuot Maliet with the assist on the break, finding Auon with a pin point pass.

Like champions do, Central Coast United came out reinvigorated in the second half. They were rewarded for their efforts when Nathan Atkinson finished off a swift counter attack in style with the ball sneaking in the far post.

Despite the visitors spirited effort, Nepean were able to cling onto their lead and finished the game off with a couple of minutes to go.

Kurt Machut suddenly forgot he was a centre back after intercepting a pass. He played a one-two before squaring the ball at the byline to striker Kuag Reec who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from close range. The goal sending the home crowd into raptures with celebrations including the newly formed Nepean Shed crew.

Nepean coach Magdy Andrawes was pleased to get his revenge over Central Coast United, “It’s good to start off with a win, it’s even sweeter with a win over Central Coast”.

“The boys have been working really hard but more importantly we have an environment in this is a good one. One step at a time this season, we have to stay humble and stay focused.”

Central Coast United coach Stu Davis knows there is room for improvement. “Wasn’t ideal losing our number 9 beforehand but that’s no excuse. Full credit to Nepean, they played really well in the first half. We changed a few things at half time which got us back in the game but we didn’t put enough pressure in the final third.”

Match Stats

Nepean FC: 3 (Aoun 11’ 24’, Reec 87’)

Central Coast United: 1 (Atkinson 65’)

Cook Park, St Mary’s

Referee: Liam Emerton

Assistant Referees: Justin Davies, Cameron Duck

Nepean FC: 1. Thomas Hamilton, 2. Kurt Machut, 3. Daryl Watson, 4. Michael Streeter, 5. Naruyuki Kato, 8. Nathan Ralph, 9. Kuag Reec, 10. David Adjassou, 14. Rory Mcgeown, 17. Farres Aoun, 21. Kuot Maliet.

Substitutes: 23. Jake Senior, 20. Alex Moore, 28. Michael Fakiye, 44. Abdul Mohseni, 98. Paul Chester.

Central Coast United: 1. Jack O’Mally, 4. Noah Ajala, 10. Alex Arbelo, 11. Bayley Appo, 12. Graham Toope, 14. Geordie Howe, 15. Matthew Caisley, 17. Luke Joseph Sanders, 20. Yuki Morikawa, 24. Daniel Mcfarlane, 99. Thomas Lyons.

Substitutes: 6. Oscar Torres, 7. Corey Atkinson, 23. Jack Graham, 30. M.Wood.

Around the grounds

South Coast Flame 0-7 Western Condors

Well, this is some result to start a season. Western Condors were ruthless in front of goal and thoroughly dismantled South Coast Flame in their homecoming fixture.

It was a case of everything going right for one team.

Whilst for the other, you guessed it everything went wrong.

The scoring was opened early on through Swaray Kamara who went on to get an eventual hat-trick in his club debut.

He would have to share the match ball with a team mate though as Cristian Leiva Martinez also found himself on the score sheet three times. The win was capped off with a dipping free kick from Gabriel Gomes.

For the Flame, sometimes one moment just encapsulates a game and a penalty hitting the post before bouncing out sums their night up better than I can.

Fraser Park 3-1 Hurstville City Minotaurs

Times appear to be changing at Fraser Park. Round one was expected to be a tough test against a Hurstville City Minotaurs side who many expect to do well this season.

If this was their test though, they passed with flying colours with three second half goals in swift fashion proving too much for their guests.

It was the Hurstville City Minotaurs who opened the scoring just before the interval with a spot kick converted by Matheus Pontes.

The lead didn’t last long with the hosts controlling large periods of the game.

Fraser Park came out of the sheds all guns blazing and one man was at the centre of it all.

Shu Torihara first assisted Alexander Nicolosi before grabbing a brace for himself.

If there was one criticism, it’s that they let the game slip out of their control from that moment on. Despite having their chances from that point on, the Minotaurs couldn’t capitalize and make it a tense finish.

Prospect United 2-2 Balmain Tigers

Solid is the word for both these clubs after their opening round fixture on a stormy night at Blacktown Football Park.

Prospect United took the lead on two separate occasions during the fixture but a resilient Balmain Tigers outfit managed to peg them back.

Nick Valjak will continue to be one of Prospects main threats this campaign and he opened the scoring with a delicate chip from twenty yards. It was a disciplined start for the home side, at least until Manuel Angelopoulos leveled the score before half time sneaking in at the back post.

There wasn’t much between the two sides and the second half followed a similar pattern.

Once again Prospect took a second half lead, but this time through Daniel Vukovic who cut through the Balmain defense before unleashing a powerful effort.

In a welcome change Balmain refused to give in and/or lose their temper.

They were rewarded when Marcelo Turdera poked home from a free kick to secure a draw for the visitors much to the delight of new Balmain manager Sash Tirovski.

FC Gazy Auburn 0-1 Hurstville FC

On Saturday night we had 21 goals across four fixtures, you know what this round was missing? A good old fashion smash and grab win. Unfortunately for the home side FC Gazy Auburn, they were on the receiving end of it.

FC Gazy Auburn put in a performance with plenty of heart and physicality.

There was only one area of their game missing and it was in the final third of the pitch.

Although credit also has to go to the back four of the visitors who were stubborn in their defense.

Combined with the efforts of Matthew Massarotto in net and a bit of luck, the away side came away with the spoils.

The winner came from Michael Kotzambasis before the half time whistle after a Jesse Gagro shot was deflected into his path.

From that point on, Gazy pushed controlling much of the possession but failing to trouble the scoresheet hitting the crossbar in the process.

By State League Men’s chief writer Justin Smith @smiththejustin