Round 7 Review – State League Men’s

When your upside down, then you see it all. Everything’s the wrong way around but clearer than before. Yep, everything seemed a little upside down this weekend in the State League Men’s competition as the bottom three all took points off the top three.

We however erred on the side of normality and went up to visit Central Coast United who returned to the winner’s circle whilst Prospect took a smash and grab victory over UNSW.

Central Coast United vs Hurstville City Minotaurs

Central Coast United have returned to form and secured a vital three points in an entertaining clash against the Hurstville City Minotaurs on Saturday evening.

For the home side, a goal to Scott McGinley on his return as well as a third to Adam Woodbine mid-way through the second half was topped by a stunning Matt Crowell effort just after the break (more about that later).

Things went against the Hurstville City Minotaurs before a ball was kicked in this one. Late withdrawals meant they were on the back foot for significant periods of the match with only keeper James Law keeping the scores close during the first half. A goal to bring them back into it from Matheus Pontes wasn’t enough for the visitors to claim something.

The hosts came out with a score to settle, they were ruthless well… that was until they got into the opposition area. They controlled the ball for long periods, pressed high and produced more quality chances. Particularly of note, Woodbine missing a tap in from inside the six-yard box before Alex Arbelo couldn’t get a purposeful effort away shortly after.

Hurstville City Minotaurs were relying on a largely counter attacking game and it nearly paid off after 17 minutes when Michael Martinovic almost caught the home sides defense unaware. His shot though didn’t trouble OMally saving low at the near post.

Martinovic was looking the visitor’s main threat and he found himself on the end of a direct counter attack. But he couldn’t control his shot on the back of a Pontes through ball.

Just as it wasn’t looking likely that we would get a goal before half time. Matt Crowell stepped up delivering a beautiful ball into the box which was flicked on by Scott Mcginley with a glancing header finding the far post.

The most important part of a football game is said to be during the 10 minutes either side of half time. And Crowell using his experience didn’t let the Minotaurs off after the resumption. A poor clearance found the feet of Oscar Torres who gave it straight to Crowell. Crowell then caressed the ball home from forty yards out (well worth a watch).

That goal seemed to wake the visitors up and they took advantage. Martinovic who was impressive all night cut in off the left wing before unleashing a shot which was parried into the path of Mattheus Pontes who finished it off comfortably. Game on.

However, those hopes didn’t last long. As much like the Central Coast United of old they snuffed out any hope of a visiting victory when Adam Woodbine tapped home a pinpoint Corey Atkinson cross to seal a well-deserved victory despite some nervy moments during the second period.

Central Coast United coach Stu Davis was happy with his team’s response. “Always nice to get back to winning ways. The boys responded really well during the week and executed well in the first half.”

“You always need a second goal when your confidence was down, still a bit nervy in the second half but overall we were well worth the victory.”

Hurstville City Minotaurs coach Peter “the General” Sarikakas saw the bright side in his sides defeat. “Look, we lost to a better team on the day. We had something like four or five players missing on the day”.

“It gave me the opportunity to play some fringe players and I’m happy they got the opportunity tonight”.

Match Stats

Central Coast United: 3 (McGinley 42’, Crowell 47’, Woodbine 69’)

Hurstville City Minotaurs: 1 (Pontes 55’)

Central Coast United: 1. Jack OMally, 8. Scott Mcginley (7. Corey Atkinson), 10. Alexander Arbelo, 12. Graham Toope, 14. Oscar Torres Inchaustti, 16. Nathan Cowell, 20. Yuki Morikawa, 24. Daniel Mcfarlane, 30. Adam Woodbine (15. Matthew Caisley), 31. Jarred Steen, 91. Matthew Crowell (17. Luke Joseph Sanders).

Subs: 39. Mitchell Allen, 40. Joshua Ferragamo.

Hurstville City Minotaurs: 20. James Law (Rk. Matthew Licata), 2. Alexi Brakatselos, 7. Angelo Vagenas, 8. Nicholas Nisbet, 9. Jason Gonzalez (24. Aaron Nissirios), 14. Michael Martinovic, 15. Seyfullah Eser, 16. Matheus Pontes, 29. Dali Dure, 30. Riad Agnache, 40. Mate Balazs.

Subs: 10. Bojan Srbinovski, 25. Mohammad El-Aboud, 34. Brodie Cattanach-Rodger

Elsewhere

Nepean FC 4-0 Western Condors

It wouldn’t be the 2019 State League Men’s season without a couple of “shock results”. Nepean FC have returned to form spectacularly with a convincing win over Western Condors.

Maybe Nepean don’t have a problem when it comes to playing the good sides. They took the advantage early on and didn’t relent in their control of the match. Jayden Young opened the scoring from a corner before their visitors’ keeper was given his marching orders just before half time.

Rory Mcgeown took advantage doubling the advantage in injury time. The game was then sealed with a couple of goals to Hayden Pronin in the final ten minutes.

Sometimes it’s just not your day. For Western Condors, it was not their day. The Condors struggled to adapt to some challenging playing conditions at Cook Park and were punished for it.

It wasn’t looking good beforehand, but things turned impossible when their keeper was sent off before the half time break and Nepean were good enough to punish them although the score blew out with two late goals.

Hurstville FC 2-2 Balmain Tigers

A game of two halves. It’s an old cliché but ever so relevant in this one. In the end though both Hurstville and Balmain had to settle for a draw.

It was the visitors who came out the stronger of the two sides. Balmain were first too every ball as they physically outmatched their hosts and they were rewarded through a Carlo Musumeci header. In truth though, it could’ve been more and they would come to regret not taking more of their chances later on.

Having being pegged back after the break due to a defensive error, they retook the lead through a Miki Bisceglia header from a set piece but unfortunately weren’t able to hang on.

Crash, Bang, Wallop. It was a harsh come down for Hurstville FC after last weeks exploits. The hosts were outplayed in the first half in this one but they were able to keep it to within one. After reorganizing things in the half time break, they came out ready for the fight with a goal to Adrian Livio bringing things level after the break.

Despite this they found themselves behind once again and staring down the barrel of defeat. However, a late Michael Di Meglio goal after a fine assist from Paul Gagro saved a few blushes.

UNSW FC 1-2 Prospect United

Is this the emergence of the league’s best travelers? Prospect United have secured their second victory of the season on the road with a win over UNSW FC.

Things were looking rosy for UNSW FC. Coming into this one after a vital win over Nepean FC, they were clearly the better side in this one. Unfortunately for them this week though, we don’t award points for field position or number of chances created.

If we did, it would have been a blowout but they were only able to capitalize on one. The goal came from a really good Des Ford header on the end of a Chris Phillips ball.

Hang on a second. Checks table*. Prospect United are the only team in the competition to not taste defeat this season. Yes, four of those games have been draws but this marks the second consecutive victory on the road.

It was made possible due to an inspired second half performance in which Nick Valjak levelled the scores shortly after the break. And they took full advantage of UNSW’s wastefulness when Stephen Vukovic poked home with two minutes to go.

FC Gazy Auburn 3-1 Fraser Park

We can now confirm that FC Gazy Auburn have turned their season around. After losing their opening three fixtures, they are now three unbeaten. The latest victims Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.

It was the best performance and result yet for the home side completing our upside down round. After a first half where they kept solid at the back whilst creating one clear cut chance. FC Gazy Auburn opened the scoring two minutes into the second half with Javier Diaz setting up Esoghume Dominic for his first.

It was proving a lethal combination as they combined again for Dominic to score his second. Not content with a two goal lead they extended it to three, this time with Haydar Al-Ameri getting on the scoresheet to secure a convincing win

It serves as a blow for Fraser Park who saw this game as an opportunity to catch up some club championship points on Central Coast United. However, Progress Park is a tough place to adjust too and Fraser were clearly second best on the day coming up against a more desperate opposition. A late consolation goal to Shu Torihara couldn’t prevent the damage done at the other end and they will regroup before facing UNSW FC next week.

By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)