Round 9 Review – NPL 3 NSW Men’s
We were treated to a glut of goals over the weekend with plenty of drama unfolding around the grounds.
A blockbuster was played out at Arlington Oval as Rydalmere Lions’ perfect record came crashing down after they drew 4-4 with Stanmore Hawks in a highly entertaining affair; Inter Lions fell to their first home defeat at Majors Bay Reserve whilst Sydney Uni posted their first victory of the season against Central Coast.
Stanmore Hawks FC – Rydalmere Lions FC 4-4
The match of the season took place at Arlington Oval with eight goals scored in a 4-4 thriller between Stanmore Hawks and Rydalmere Lions.
Stanmore started the brighter of the two side and found themselves 2-0 up within the opening 10 minutes thanks to a Peter Yannopoulos double.
Yannopoulos’ first arrived in the 2nd minute with a well struck strike from the left hand side after being picked out by Ollie Stickland’s delightful through ball.
He double his side’s lead with a perfectly timed volley only minutes later which rattled off the cross bar before settling in the back of the net.
The Lions managed to pull one back before the break after Matt West followed up on his penalty after Hawks’ goalkeeper Nick Carosi kept out the initial spot kick.
An inspired start to the second half saw the Lions score two goals in quick succession with Ricky Woodward and Jake Chidiac goals putting their side ahead for the first time in the contest.
Stanmore soon replied via Sam Awad after he headed home Gabriel Lopez’s free kick into the box.
A Nick Trimble header restored Rydalmere’s advantage, however it did not last for long as Tony Lo blasted home from just outside the 18-yard-area.
All-in-all the 4-4 score line made for great viewing for the few spectators at the ground as the 2019 Premiers brought the Lions’ perfect record to an end.
The stalemate sees the Hawks remain in 6th position with 11 points while Rydalmere stay top of the table with 25 points.
An away trip to Macarthur awaits the Hawks next round while Rydalmere return home to host Inter Lions.
Dunbar Rovers FC – Dulwich Hill FC 0-3
Dulwich Hill proved too strong for Dunbar Rovers as the inner west men triumphed 3-0 at Heffron Park on Saturday night.
The first goal of the evening arrived in the 20th minute when Nathan Sansom made no mistake with a point blank range finish after being picked out by Joseph Manduca’s inch perfect delivery.
Dully doubled their lead in the second half via Peter Crevani after his inswinging corner evaded everyone before nestling into the back of the net.
Daniel Fornito made sure of the points after he headed home at the near post to secure back-to-back wins for his side for the first time this season.
The three points sees Dully jump up two places into 7th spot with 11 points while Dunbar drop to 8th with 10 points.
Dully have a meeting with the Berries at Arlington Oval next Saturday while Dunbar take on United at Jensen Park.
Inter Lions FC – Gladesville Ryde Magic 1-2
Inter Lions’ winning record at Majors Bay Reserve came to an end after they were beaten 2-1 by Gladesville Ryde Magic on Saturday night.
It did not take long for the deadlock to be broken with Harris Gaitatzis putting Magic into the lead on two minutes with an unstoppable chip from 35 yards out which sailed into the Inter goal after an error from goalkeeper John Soulios.
Magic shot stopper Kiriakos Tohouroglou came to the rescue soon after when he kept out an Inter spot kick to ensure that his side kept their 1-0 lead as they headed into the sheds.
Michael Gaitatzis was on hand to double his side’s lead in the 65th minute after he tapped in the rebound after Soulios failed to keep hold of his original attempt.
Inter struck back through left back Ben Morrison after his strike flew into the top corner on 86 minutes.
However, It was a matter of too little, too late for Inter as Magic held on for the win and kept hold of 4th position in the process.
Tohouroglou proved to Magic’s saviour on Saturday evening with the experienced goalkeeper thwarting almost every Inter attack.
Magic will be going in search of their fourth consecutive win when they host Uni next Sunday while Inter will have to be at their best as they look to get one over Rydalmere.
Sydney University SFC – Central Coast United FC 3-2
Sydney Uni posted their first win of the campaign on Saturday night after they saw off Central Coast 3-2 at the SUFG.
It was the Pirates who struck first in this contest via Cade Mapu when he chipped Uni shot stopper Steven Antoniou after he was picked out by a pinpoint ball from defence.
The home side continued to press and were eventually rewarded with an equaliser when James Reed poked home from six yards out.
The ‘students’ went on to take the lead for the first time in the encounter thanks to Jordan Makridopolus who calmly slotted home after a quick piece of build-up play.
It did not take long for the Pirates to peg back the scoring with substitute Corey Atkinson restoring parity for the visitors.
An improvised back heel finish from Reed with around five minutes remaining gave Uni the all important goal that sealed their first victory in nine attempts.
Uni remain bottom of the table despite the defeat, however they have closed the gap on them and the Pirates to just one point.
The Pirates will be back in action next Saturday when they welcome Bankstown City to Pluim Park whilst Uni make the short trip to Macquarie Park to meet Gladesville.
Canterbury Bankstown FC – Bankstown United FC 1-1
It ended all square at the Crest Athletic Centre with 1-1 the full time score between the Berries and Bankstown United.
An even first half saw both sides create chances with Hayden Probert and Alex Salgueira testing the Berries’ resolve while Andre Guzman came close to opening the scoring for the hosts with his effort on the half hour mark.
It was United who broke the deadlock on 62 minutes via debutant Andre Thomas after he volleyed home from close range after Berries goalkeeper Michael Figueira fumbled a cross into the box.
Berries’ equaliser arrived 15 minutes later through Jackson Mcmenamie whose back post header found the back of the net.
Special mention must go to United who fielded a side with an average age of 21 years and had a yet another one of their juniors make their first grade debut in 18-year-old Tyron Geany.
A point each means that the Berries retain 3rd place on the ladder with 17 points while United also stay in 10th position with seven points to their name.
Berries travel to Arlington Oval to face off against Dully next weekend whilst United return to Jensen Park to entertain Dunbar.
Bankstown City FC – Macarthur Rams FC 4-1
Bankstown City recorded their fifth straight win after they cruised to a 4-1 victory against Macarthur Rams at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
Two standout first half goals from Ante Tomic and a Rams’ goal meant that the home side had a 2-1 lead as they headed into the interval.
Tomic turned provider for Nikola Todoroski in the second half after the ball rebounded off the Bankstown captain before nestling in the net.
It was Jonathan Grozdanovski who weighed in with the Lions’ fourth and final goal when he slotted home after being played in by Todoroski.
The win sees Bankstown keep hold of 2nd spot with 21 points while the Rams drop down one position into 9th with nine points.
Bankstown are on the road next weekend as they go head to head against Central Coast while the Rams welcome the Hawks to Lynwood Park.
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-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)
