Round 4 Review – NPL 4 NSW Men’s

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Dried off yet? Saturday night saw four NPL 4 Men’s fixtures take place in round four.

We headed to a rain-soaked Lambert Park whilst elsewhere South Coast Flame ended Western NSW’s winning run, Prospect United and Camden played out an see-sawing draw and Hurstville FC scored their first win.

UNSW FC v Fraser Park FC

Two of the competitions better sides played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at a soggy Lambert Park on Saturday night.

In a game of few chances (reporters’ nightmare), Daniel Cooper came closest for the hosts and Cam Philpot for the visitors.

The match started out it promising fashion, the opening half hour proving a fascinating battle for control with both sides having good periods of possession. But then the rain came, and the contest became a grind, both sides struggling to get the ball into the attacking third.

In terms of chances, it was UNSW FC who got off to the better start after last week’s confidence building victory over Parramatta FC. Ilan Kessler finding himself free down the left whipped in a ball across the face of goal before being cleared away. From that resulting corner, Ian Hillier positioned himself brilliantly for a clearance to fall to his feet. Hillier then rattling the cross bar with his resulting shot.

Fraser Park perhaps awoken by that close call, reacted with their own period of possession in the front third. However, they were unable to create a clear-cut chance from such pressure.

Time then seemed to fly by as the two teams continued to battle it out, clear by this point that any chance in the first half would be well earned.

And just as we seemed to be getting somewhere, the heavens opened, adding another spicey ingredient to a well fought contest.

And perhaps it was that, that played a part in a Fraser Park back pass stopping short of the keeper. UNSW’s Daniel Cooper pouncing and forcing the visiting keeper Patrick Ferrara into a good save to deny him.

The half time break came and went, as the game continued along in much the same pattern.

And As dangerous as they are, Fraser Park struggled to challenge the UNSW FC defensive line throughout (the same could probably be said at the other end). Which perhaps made the next miss all the more painful for the vistiors. Shu Torihara threading an inside out ball into the path of Cam Philpot. Philpot then took a touch before his left footed effort was dragged wide of the right post.

With the minutes ticking on, both coaches turned to their bench. Of those substitutes, UNSW FC midfielder Cristhian Martinez made the most difference. Martinez involved in almost every attack from that point forward. Even going close himself, a late shot going just past the far post.

At the other end, Fraser Park began to look more likely as the game progressed. Seeing several crosses delivered into the area, however any chance created was snuffed out by UNSW keeper Connor Winn.

And just like that, a fascinating battle (one which you really had to see too enjoy) came to its conclusion. UNSW FC travel out to Cook Park to take on Nepean FC next weekend, whilst Fraser Park face Camden Tigers.

UNSW FC: 0

Fraser Park FC: 0

Western NSW FC 0-2 South Coast Flame FC

South Coast Flame became the first side to travel out west and come away with a victory on Saturday afternoon.

It was the hosts however, who started the better. Adam Scimone and Daniel Baumgartner both forcing Flame keeper Matthew White into good saves. As the minutes ticked on, the Flame grew into the contest and eventually took control. And they were rewarded just after the half hour, Jonathan Mushaba taking advantage of a second chance after his initial shot was blocked. Sandy Lowcock with some neat build up work.

The advantage was doubled five minutes after the half time break. This time Lowcock finding the net for his first of the season. The striker cutting inside from the left side, before his shot from just inside the penalty area found the far side netting. Desperate to respond, Western NSW made wholesale changes and despite being put under some pressure. South Coast Flame stood firm to claim a deserved victory.

Prospect United 2-2 Camden Tigers

Prospect United and Camden Tigers played out a high scoring draw on Saturday night.

Yes, it is a result of which benefits neither team having both held a lead at different points of the fixture. Camden Tigers were the first team to take the ascendency having been awarded a penalty in the opening stages of the fixture. Cormack Stevens stepping up and duly converting. Prospect United, perhaps feeling they were wronged responded positively scoring a goal 15 mins later through David Muller. Muller finding the net from a 25 metre free kick.

Not being a team to settle at one, Prospect then controlled possession well either side of half time and were rewarded with a second. Matt Morosin capping off a slick passing move, finishing from an angle. A response was needed from the visitors, and it came from a set-piece, Matt Harvey finding the bottom corner. Both teams then had chances for a knockout punch, but ultimately came up short, settling for a point.

Hurstville FC 2-0 Granville Rage

Hurstville FC secured a much-needed win over Granville Rage to conclude our weekend.

After having to adjust early to the visitors tactics, the first goal came halfway through the opening half. Captain Paul Gagro switched the ball to the opposite flank finding Julian Bittar who beat his man before finishing off nicely.

The hosts kept pushing into the second half, creating a few chances to finish it off. But Rage keeper Samuel Bortolazzo was up to the task. Then, as they threw men forward chasing the game allowing the hosts to strike on the counter, young Yianni Nioplias finishing off.

Hurstville FC host South Coast Flame next weekend whilst Granville Rage have the bye.

Hawkesbury City FC v Parramatta FC washed out.

Nepean FC – bye

By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)