Round 1 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
A tough start for a couple of newcomers, a goal-fest in Moorebank, and a shock in Macquarie Park: the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition returned with all the action we have come to expect from this wonderful league.
Northern Tigers 3 (Ollie Wiggin 32’ 64’, Nick Drummond 66’) v Newcastle Jets 0
A highly efficient Northern Tigers outfit were fairly comfortable in the end against the NPL 2 Men’s debutants from the Hunter Valley.
Tigers forward Shervin Adeli threatened in the early stages, with the Jets defence forced to block his shots on multiple occasions. Newcastle then had chances through Cole Mutton and Sam Donnellan. However, just as it looked like the Jets might gain a foothold in the contest, the Tigers struck first, Ollie Wiggin cutting in from the left side and blasting the ball low past Jets keeper Brodie Volkiene.
Ten minutes after the restart, Joshua Benson fired into the side netting after good work from Donnellan, but that was as good as it got for Daniel McBreen’s squad. Wiggin doubled his and the Tigers’ tally for the evening midway through the second half, racing onto a through ball and slotting it past Volkiene. Then Nick Drummond marked his 1st Grade starting debut with a goal, finishing at the far post after a wonderful cross from Sam Wilson.
Adam Hett’s side might even have added another goal in the closing stages, but Volkiene made a couple of nice saves from Ally Brown. Northern Tigers travel to Bonnyrigg next weekend, while the Jets have the bye.
Blacktown Spartans 1 (Mason Ireland 17’) v Central Coast Mariners 1 (Michael Katsoulis 62’)
It was honours even in Rooty Hill as the Mariners came from behind to grab a share of the spoils.
We saw a very early contender for goal of the season on 17 minutes. A Mitchell Evans long kick was flicked on, and Mason Ireland showed great vision to lob the goalkeeper with a first time effort from 35 yards out. The Spartans went close to doubling their lead in the second half. Christian Nascimben curled a free kick against the post, and then Joshua Orchard fizzed a volley inches over the bar from 25 yards out.
However, on the weekend that Leeds United won promotion to the Premier League it was only fitting that Mariners coach Nick Montgomery, who grew up in Leeds, would play a big part in changing the contest. He brought Michael Katsoulis on, and just after the hour mark Katsoulis would find the equaliser, sneaking a low shot past Evans after good work from Bilal Belkadi and Jordan Smylie.
Katsoulis had a decent late chance for Central Coast, as did Matthew Hatch, but there would be no more scoring. Both sides are away in Round 2: the Spartans face St George City FA and Central Coast will play Hills United.
NWS Spirit FC 4 (Aaron D’Mello 15’, Pat Cappuccio 48, Michael Konestabo 74’ 89’) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Spirit FC made home advantage count to record the biggest win of the weekend, a surprise result against a fellow title contender.
David Perkovic’s side got out of the blocks quickly, taking the lead on the quarter hour. Aaron D’Mello timed his far post run perfectly to meet a cross from the right side, tucking the ball away from close range. Far post runs were the order of the day for Spirit, and just after the break they made it 2-0, Pat Cappuccio getting round the back of the defence at a corner kick and sending a left footed strike into the net.
Perkovic then used his bench to great effect as Michael Konestabo came on and grabbed a late double. It was 3-0 after Cappuccio played a great switch of play to find Konestabo, who held off the defence and finished well. Konestabo then rounded off the scoring with a cool finish after racing onto Emilio Manos’s through ball.
SD Raiders 2 (Noah Chianese 61’ Alvaro Malmierca 86’) v Hills United 3 (Wade Giovenali 5’ Jacob Basden 38’ Bradley Robertson 65’)
Hills United’s Championship defence is off to the best possible start after a successful trip to Ernie Smith Reserve.
Last year’s Grand Final winners made a great start, drawing first blood inside five minutes as Wade Giovenali volleyed home after a lovely dinked cross from Adolph Koudakpo. Jordan Parfait then made his mark on his return to Hills, whipping in a fantastic cross for Jacob Basden to head home.
SD Raiders would halve the deficit with about half an hour to play, Noah Chianese showing his volleying technique to score after Diego Molina set him up. However, from the restart Parfait went on a mazy run through the defence, winning a penalty: Bradley Robertson made no mistake from the spot to restore United’s two goal buffer.
A stunning 30 yard bomb from Raiders midfielder Alvaro Malmierca ensured a grandstand finish, but Hills would hang on for a first-up win.
Hakoah Sydney City East 2 (Bruno Mendes 35’, own goal 61’) v St George FC 2 (Bradley Bartels 16’, Manny Gonzalez 84’)
The round ended with an entertaining clash at Hensley Athletic Field, Hakoah and St George FC sharing the points.
Saints midfielder Bradley Bartels drew first blood for his side, profiting after a scramble in the Hakoah penalty area. Bruno Mendes then had a great chance to equalise with half an hour played, but Jacob Botic was able to make the one on one save. Mendes didn’t have to wait long though, and he levelled the scores with ten minutes left in the first half, thundering the ball home from outside the area. Hakoah might even have had the lead going into the dressing sheds, but Joshua da Silva’s long range effort whistled just wide of the goal.
Mendes continued to harass the Saints defence, and it was his pressure in the 61st minute that led to a defensive mixup and an own goal. St George then were inches away from making it 2-2 as Manny Gonzalez hit the post when through on goal.
Gonzalez didn’t let his head drop, and six minutes from time made amends for that miss with a spectacular 25 yard free kick into the top corner. The Saints might even have snatched all three points in stoppage time, but Juan Carlos Romero’s bicycle kick was saved, and his follow up overhead was cleared off the line.
Bye: St George City FA
By Eric Subijano (@eric_subijano)
