Round 7 Review – NPL 4 NSW Men’s

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Goals? In a NPL4 Men’s Featured Match? Surely not. Yes, the drought is broken as we traveled out to Melita Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, Hurstville came up with a result to surprise many, UNSW continued their winning ways and Western NSW secured a vital draw.

Parramatta FC v Camden Tigers

Parramatta FC have recorded a much-needed win in edging past Camden Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

Goal’s to Clement Waoci and Ali Dulleh either side of half time saw them take away the spoils and cancel out a Cornack Stevens equalizer for the visitors.

Out of the blocks, the visitors Camden Tigers were sharp whilst Parramatta were content to pounce on the counter.

The first clear cut chance fell to the Tigers on five minutes. Nathan Bertolissio not getting enough contact on a set piece header, seeing the ball dribble wide right of the net.

Stevens would prove to be a headache all afternoon, firstly delivering that set piece before having a (tame) effort himself. Anyway, more on him later.

At the other end, Strikers Clement Waoci and Ali Dulleh were establishing themselves as the main threats for the hosts. Waoci both missing the goal over the bar and wide left within the space of a minute.

And you guessed it, it was him again who had the best chance of the opening 25 minutes. Seeing his effort denied on the goal line by Mitchell Green.

Fourth times a charm! Waoci finally found the net minutes later, the striker showing tenacity in beating his defender before finishing into the top left-hand facing corner.

That goal saw the hosts find their swagger, with another goal saving tackle required from Camden defender Matthew Harvey denying Dulleh from close range.

Where once Camden will have folded, the visitors were tenacious and soon clawed their way back fashioning a chance of their own. Captain for the day Jordan Cracknell’s shot going over the bar.

After the whistle blew to open the second half, the game opened up, both sides finding more space than prior to the break.

But it was from a set piece that the next goal came. A foul in the box meaning Cornack Stevens had a chance from the spot. His effort seeing a good save from Parramatta keeper Nikola Bratic before reacting first to tap in the scraps.

That only served to wake up the host though. Waoci first going close forcing a good save from the visiting shot stopper.

But It was strike partner Ali Dulleh who was to find the net though, the striker pouncing on a failed clearance. Before cutting inside onto his left foot, the strike finding the near top corner of the net from twenty yards.

And despite the visitor’s best efforts in the final ten minutes, they were unable to equalize again.

Parramatta FC travel to Nepean FC next weekend (spicy) whilst Camden Tigers host the Granville Rage.

Parramatta FC: 2 (Waoci, Dulleh)

Camden Tigers: 1 (Stevens)

Elsewhere:

Western NSW FC 1-1 Fraser Park FC

Western NSW bounced back from two consecutive defeats to secure a well-earned point against Fraser Park in a dramatic fixture on Saturday afternoon.

Having started the game on the back foot, the hosts slowly but surely found there way into the game. And they were rewarded just before halftime. Keeper Bryce Deaton finding the head of Adam Scimone with his clearance up field. Scimone then flicked the ball into the path of Paul Long who then made no mistake, finishing well.

At the other end, Fraser Park were creating chances of their own. As the second half opened, there was a clear pattern to the action with the visitors pushing hard for an equalizer. And so, it came twenty minutes into the second period through Cam Philpot, his shot potentially taking a deflection on its way into the Western net.

From there on in, both teams were to have their own chances, but both lacked the composure to finish. With the final twist seeing a late penalty decision overturned for the visitors with just minutes remaining. How crucial could that be come the end of this season?

South Coast Flame FC 1-3 Prospect United SC

It’s been a long time between drinks. But Prospect United have reason to celebrate after breaking their winless streak. A second half brace from David Moreira Muller complemented an early Nic Valjak opener to see the visitors come away with the spoils.

For South Coast Flame, they started the clash the brighter controlling possession for much of the opening fifteen minutes. And saw themselves equalize through Jonathan Mushaba before half time. That served little consolation though as they came up short after the ninety minutes.

The scoring was opened on twenty minutes. When the Nic Valjak found some space in between two defenders before hitting his shot into the bottom corner.

That lead did not last long however as the Flame soon hit back, Mushaba controlling a long through ball well before finishing off to the keepers left.

But it was the visitor’s night, and the second half saw them control proceedings. Muller at the centre of it all, firstly finishing from the spot. Before heading home from the back post with twenty minutes remaining.

Hurstville FC 2-0 Nepean FC

Statement made. Coming into this week’s clash, Hurstville coach John Gagro asked his team to make a statement. And did they ever coming away with a crucial victory against Nepean FC.

The home side opened the scoring early. Pedro Almedia finding the net after fellow midfielder Caleb Bartier played him in. A goal which allowed the home side to control proceedings for the remainder of the first half. With Bartier and Jesse Gagro having chances of their own before the half time break.

So often in football, half time can bring a momentum change. And that’s exactly what happened in this one as the visitors began to find comfort in possession. Whilst creating chances of their own. Respectively hitting the bar on a couple of occasions. As they pushed men forward, Hurstville began to break forward and a Paul Gagro cross found Jaefar Al Khulaifawi for the sealer and a memorable victory.

UNSW FC 3-1 Granville Rage

Take three points, burn the tape. Table toppers UNSW FC had to overcome a scare before eventually shaking off their rust to overcome a brave Granville Rage.

In saying that, it was actually the hosts who took the lead after just eight minutes. Raul Carrizo slipping a ball through to Kevin Lopes who made the finish look easy.

In response, the Rage responded well with a good period of their own. Firstly, hitting the crossbar from point blank range at the back post. Before a swift counter caught the hosts napping. Jayden Nakhoul bursting into space before finishing from just outside the box.

Despite that blip, Uni recovered things and restored their goal advantage before the break. Attacker* Maison Mcgeechan finishing off a Des Ford cross.

Two goals then became three fifteen minutes into the second half, Ilan Kessler tapping home after a Ford shot was parried into his path. And from there the hosts were able to see the game out.

Hawkesbury City FC — Bye

-By Justin Smith