Round 2 Review – State League Men’s
Short and sweet – That about sums up a rain affected round 2 of the State League Men’s competition.
In the sole Saturday fixture, we saw a clash of styles with neither team able to claim three points. Whilst on Sunday, we saw South Coast Flame bounce back with a vengeance and the champions Central Coast United kick start their campaign.
Match of the Round: Fraser Park v Prospect United
It was tense, it was tight, it was at points enthralling. Fraser Park and Prospect United were forced to share the spoils during a cold night in Marrickville.
Fraser Park are aiming high this season so a cracking late equalizer to Luiz Lobo felt little consolation. They were left frustrated from the start with chances sporadic throughout the duration.
So, you have to pay tribute to Prospect United (who are still winless when I appear, sorry guys). The visitors were disciplined at the back and looked like claiming three points if not for a piece of individual brilliance.
Fraser Park started in fixture in similar fashion to how they finished off in the cup last week, in style. Opening in the game in terms of chances with a Dominic Siu header hitting the post just after 5 minutes.
Slowly though, the visitors grappled back some control of the fixture and it looked like we were heading into the break scoreless.
That was until Prospect captain Thomas Kasunic sent in a peach of a ball which found Stephen Vukovic who skilfully dinked the ball over his markers challenge before volleying the ball into the net to give the visitors the advantage.
Constant pressure was being applied to the Prospect United defense. It nearly paid off as Dominic Siu hit the woodwork after taking advantage of some sloppy passing out of defence from the visitors.
However, as the pressure intensified at one end, Prospect were able to counter and a chance to seal it came late on. Stephen Vukovic found himself in open space (a rarity in Sydney) and dribbled in towards goal, only to lose his composure at the last and scuff his shot wide left.
Late drama was the theme of the night and who else but Luiz Lobo produced a bit of magic. Lobo controlled a Takumi Machida ball dead before swiftly finishing with his left foot from outside the 18-yard box.
Fraser Park coach Renato Jelen was philosophical in reflection.
“Our goal this season, is to win every home game so in that aspect it’s disappointing. We controlled possession for most of the first half and we need to take advantage of those periods.
“Credit to them, they were well organised and structured and deserved a point”.
Prospect United coach Darren Camilleri was happy with an improved effort from his side.
“They’re a big club and they’re playing in the State League, I’ll take a point because they controlled good periods of the match.
“It was a much better all-round effort than last week, it took a bit of brilliance from a guy whose been dominating the league for years now.”
Match Stats
Fraser Park FC: 1 (Lobo 91’)
Prospect United: 1 (S Vukovic 46’)
Referee: Alex Goodmew
Assistant Referees: Wayne Lenardon & James Barnes.
Fraser Park: 4. Alexis Wenzel, 5. Edilson Farias, 6. Takumi Machida, 7. Christian Soares, 8. Dominic Siu, 9. Alexander Nicolosi, 11. Shu Torihara, 12. James Drahalivas, 13. Rodrigo Cataldi, 15. Jun Arima, 18. Kaito Tokumoto.
Subs: 21. Ian Johnson, 3. Lionel Glorieux, 10. Luiz Lobo, 95. Killian Lucas, 98. Matthew Nezval.
Prospect United: 1. Mario Farias, 2. Matthew Harrison, 3. Troy Sullivan, 4. Thomas Kasunic, 5. Jack Wrightson, 6. Poda Da, 7. Nicholas Valjak, 8. Romeo Rocco, 10. Daniel Vukovic, 11. Stephen Vukovic, 14. Joel Bayubahe.
Subs: Jacob Irwin, 12. Richard Lee, 13. Liam Higgins, 15. Andrew Cotton.
South Coast Flame 3-1 FC Gazy Auburn
Having been on the end of last weeks most ugly/surprising result, South Coast Flame have bounced back in style.
Mid-week they secured a late win in the FFA Cup over Fernhill Foxes and that momentum continued as they saw off FC Gazy Auburn on Sunday afternoon.
The first half was described by Flame head coach Paul Robaard as “sloppy” and the home side saw themselves go behind after failing to clear a corner.
They went in at parity though, with Matt Mazevski converting a penalty.
The second half saw a much-improved performance and goals to Yuki Mandai and Hiroaki Ushijima secured the victory.
For their opposition FC Gazy Auburn, it’s the end of a forgettable week.
Unlike their hosts they were knocked out of the cup by Kirrawee Kangaroos midweek and despite a solid start in this fixture, they didn’t have the legs to match their opponent in the second half.
Their solitary goal game from former Minotaur Esoghume Dominic.
Central Coast United v UNSW FC
Sometimes one moment, no matter how fortuitous it maybe changes a game of football.
Central Coast United were on the good side of such moment and there was no stopping them from there against UNSW FC.
Before the game livened up and such a moment occurred, it was a good old-fashioned wrestle for control with both sides having chances to open the score during the first half.
The most notable for UNSW coming from Nima Beik who was threatening on the break. Whilst Alex Arbelo looked most likely at the other end.
The game was awaiting something, someone to break it open and a rare goal from an indirect free kick by Graham Toope did just that. Suddenly the game was alive and before you knew it, Aaron Richmond won a penalty for UNSW at the other end. Nima Beik stepped up but was denied by a stunning save from Jack O’Mally down to his right.
Central Coast then completed their win with a swift counter attack in which Arbelo, Atkinson and Woodbine linked up with the latter getting his first of the campaign.
Western Condors v Balmain Tigers and Nepean FC v Hurstville City Minotaurs were washed out.
By State League Men’s chief writer Justin Smith
Twitter: @smiththejustin
