Round 4 Review – NPL 3 NSW Men’s
Massive downpour across Sydney on Saturday night didn’t dampen our spirits as the teams braved the elements to put on a show for those who ventured out to the grounds.
Heavy rain attempted but ultimately failed to derail the latest instalment of the NPL 3 competition as two fixtures were slightly delayed due to the wild weather.
Bankstown United’s clash against Inter Lions at Jensen Park kicked off 20 minutes late due to the crazy weather while a lightning storm at Rydalmere Park forced a lengthy break in the Lions’ and Bankstown City fixture.
The adverse weather did not stop Rydalmere from adding to their perfect record as they rose to the top of the table at Stanmore Hawks’ expense; Canterbury Bankstown made it three consecutive league wins away to Macarthur while Bankstown United and Inter Lions went on to play an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Dulwich Hill FC – Stanmore Hawks FC 2-2
Stanmore Hawks perfect record came undone at Arlington Oval after they were held to a 2-2 draw against rivals Dulwich Hill on Saturday night.
It was Dully who struck first in this contest after some slick combination play resulted in an expert finish from Daniel Fornito.
Paris Svilicich’s men doubled their lead shortly after thanks to a Peter Crevani penalty.
They managed to keep hold of the lead as they head to the sheds, however as we know, a 2-0 score line always leaves the losing side with a glimmer of hope.
And so, it went as the Hawks reduced the deficit around the 65th minute mark through substitute Aydin Kumburlu.
Only a few minutes later and Dully’s David Burbridge had to be taken off after he suffered a suspected ACL injury.
Stanmore’s second arrived with around 20 minutes remaining after substitute Peter Yannopoulos ran in behind Dully’s defence before slotting his effort past Jacob Sayle.
A point each means that the Hawks lose their spot at the top of the league table as they drop down to 2nd with 10 points while Dully climb up one position into 8th with four points to their name.
Stanmore have a meeting with Bankstown City at Arlington Oval next Saturday whilst Dully travel to Jensen Park to face off against Bankstown United.
Dunbar Rovers FC – Sydney University SFC 2-1
Dunbar Rovers returned to winning ways at Heffron Park on Saturday night as they registered a 2-1 win against Sydney University.
The hosts came from behind to secure the win after a Uni penalty separated the two sides as they entered the break.
Uni began the second half a man down after their goalkeeper was red carded for a last-ditch foul shortly after they took the lead.
Target man Tod Bamber came up with a double for Dunbar to reverse the score line in their favour.
The Englishman’s first was a slick effort that nestled into the net while his second saw him evade his marker before getting his strike away which found its way into the bottom corner.
The win sees Rovers rise from 6th to 4th on the league ladder with seven points while Uni continue to prop up the table – yet to register their first point this season.
Dunbar travel to the Crest next Saturday to face off against the Berries whilst Uni have a meeting with Inter in Concord.
Bankstown United FC – Inter Lions FC 2-2
Bankstown United and Inter Lions could not be split with 2-2 the full-time score at Jensen Park on Saturday night.
Inter drew first blood in this fixture after Fikret Berisha’s strike sailed into the back of the net after he was played in by Nico Paras in the 34th minute.
That goal was enough to keep the visitors ahead as they went into the interval however United levelled the scoring almost instantly after the break through a well worked goal that was capped off with an equally as impressive finish from Dalibor Malesevic.
Inter’s night then went from bad to worse after they had their captain Dom Tripodi sent off for dissent with around half an hour left on the clock.
However, going a man down seemed to have acted as a boost for the men from Concord as they regained their lead via an expert Paras finish in the 75th minute.
Once again Bankstown managed to peg back the scoring, this time through Kallie Bangura as he rose highest at the back post to head home his side’s equaliser on 78 minutes.
The draw sees United drop to 6th on the league ladder with five points whilst Inter jump up one position into 9th with four points.
Bankstown will be playing out of Jensen Park for the second week running when they host Dulwich Hill next weekend while Inter welcome Sydney Uni to Majors Bay Reserve.
Macarthur Rams FC – Canterbury Bankstown FC 0-2
Canterbury Bankstown ran out 2-0 winners against Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Saturday night.
This match began with plenty of intensity as both sides came out of the gates firing.
It was the Berries who created the first chance of note in the 20th minute after Nikita Andricopoulos’ strike came off the inside of the post before being cleared.
The visitors broke the deadlock five minutes later when Rams’ shot stopper Jacob Madden punched the ball into his own net after Berries’ attackers made life difficult for the goal keeper as they looked to connect with Jake Bradshaw’s ball into the area.
The second half continued with the same high tempo and it was not too long before the travelling supporters were treated to another goal when Andrija Mandic dispatched his penalty in the 55th minute.
Wally Savor’s side managed to keep a spirited Macarthur at bay as they secured their third win on the bounce as well as collecting a highly sought-after clean sheet in the process.
The three points means that the Berries retain 3rd spot on the table with 9 points while the Rams drop to 10th with 3 points.
A home clash against Dunbar awaits the Berries next round while Macarthur make the trip to Christie Park to take on Gladesville.
Central Coast United FC – Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-2
It ended all square on the Central Coast as the Pirates drew 2-2 against Gladesville Ryde Magic at Pluim Park on Saturday night.
The home side came out firing and controlled possession throughout the opening stages of the first half but went behind thanks to a top draw finish from Magic’s Michael Gaitatzis.
The Gladesville striker opened the scoring with a sublime finish from 40 yards out.
The hosts soon replied via 16-year-old Mason Wells after he got his name on the scoresheet for the second week running with a tantalising strike from 20 yards out which sailed into the top corner.
It was Magic who struck next in this fixture when they restored their lead shortly after the break through Claudio Rosano after he fired home from close range.
Once again, it was the Pirates who were left chasing the game but again they were able to respond, this time via Alex Arbelo.
Arbelo tapped the ball in at the back post after an excellent piece of build-up play from Daniel McFarlane on the left wing whose cross fell kindly to the Central Coast attacker in the six-yard box.
The home side’s third draw of the season sees them remain in 11th position with three points as they prepare to face league leaders Rydalmere next Saturday.
A point for Magic is enough to see them rise one place into 7th as they gear up for a home fixture against the Rams next time out.
Rydalmere Lions FC – Bankstown City FC 4-0
Rydalmere Lions’ perfect start to the campaign remains intact after they triumphed 4-0 against Bankstown City at Rydalmere Park on Saturday night.
The hosts took the lead thanks to Scott Tonkin after he headed home Jake Chidiac’s perfectly struck corner.
Both teams were forced into the sheds shortly after due to lightning which threatened to postpone the fixture.
Thankfully, it passed and the players returned to the pitch to play out the remainder of the game.
Bankstown’s Carl Mcmahon proved to be his side’s saviour for the remainder of the first half as he ensured that Rydalmere didn’t extend their advantage with a string of important saves.
However, all Mcmahon’s hard work came undone after the interval thanks to three goals from the home side.
Matt West was brought down in the penalty box and dusted himself off before converting the resulting spot kick and did the same again later in the half when Jamie Craig was fouled in the area.
Rydalmere’s Lee Jones scored the fourth and final goal of the night with his effort close to the full-time whistle.
The victory means that the home side leapfrog the Hawks into top spot on the table whilst Bankstown move down one position into 5th.
Rydalmere will be at home again next weekend when they entertain Central Coast while Bankstown will be on the road for the second week running when they visit Stanmore.
DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AT OUR MATCHES – STAY SAFE
-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)
