Round 1 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s

It didn’t take long for the NPL2 Men’s competition to get back into the swing of things did it? An astounding thirteen goals were scored in the opening 45 minutes of the respective games.

Catching our eye this week, clinical performances from Central Coast Mariners, Mounties Wanderers and SD Raiders. Whilst two come from behind wins came at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre and North Turramurra. And a somewhat bizarre night at Christie Park.

Match of the Round: Hills United FC 0 SD Raiders FC 3 (Proia 32’, Bittar 39’, Toro Suazo 45’)

A devastating second quarter of the match saw SD Raiders claim their first three points of the season over a wasteful Hills United side.

But it is perhaps the clean sheet which pleased the raiders coaching duo of Nick Carle and Sergio Malfara the most after proving rather leaky in that regard last season. Their goals came through Anthony Proia, Daniel Bittar and Matias Toro Suazo.

In contrast, Hills United have some positives to build on. Having looked more likely in the opening twenty-five minutes, they were punished for not taking their chances. Substitutes Duncan Stewart and Jordan Parfait will surely be welcome additions to the starting side in coming weeks.

Like many round one clashes, the game started at a good pace without either side throwing many punches. That was until the home side brought the game to life just after the ten-minute mark. A corner finding the head of Alexander Vlismas whose goal bound effort was cleared off the line before a follow up shot from Rainer Smahel was saved sharply by Raiders shot stopper Mario Aleksik.

Despite being on top, Hills had to wait another quarter hour before testing Aleksik again. Though when they did, two chances came in quick succession. Firstly, a direct low ball found Wade Giovenali who tested the keeper from just inside the box, right hand side.

Before a quick break saw Vlismas, Giovenali and Darcy Ellem combine. Vlismas unleashing a wicked left footed shot which was saved well by Aleksik.

But it was at the other end that the scoring was opened. And it was through Anthony Proia who seemingly changed the momentum of the clash by himself. His goal a wonderful long range right footed strike which found the bottom left corner after an Alex Malfara tackle dribbled into his path.

Hills looked to respond and nearly did when Glen Kelshaw got to the byline shortly after. But his ball across the face couldn’t find a team mate to tap home.

And once again, the visitors made them pay. With a controlled period of possession resulting in Daniel Bittar taking an opportunistic shot which caught the arm of a Hills United defender on its way towards goal. Bittar stepping up to the penalty spot, finishing powerfully into the net.

Two then became three with the pick of the goals, former Hills United player Matias Toro Suazo leaving several Hills defenders for dead, before showing composure in his finish. In other words, watch the highlights (you will not be disappointed).

In response, Hills United coach John Gibson made mass changes early in the second half. And those changes so nearly paid off. With Duncan Stewart and Jordan Parfait already forming a good partnership, the two involved in several chances, which saw Stewart hit the post on one occasion.

Whilst the Raiders showed some self-control, occasionally threatening but not taking the risks their opponents had to take.

Hills United will look to bounce back next week against Hakoah FC. Whilst SD Raiders host neighbours Bonnyrigg.

Hills United: 21. Joel Tinker, 2. Rainer Smahel, 7. Wade Giovenali (23. Duncan Stewart), 8. Eoin Montford, 9. Alex Vlismas (10. Jordan Parfait), 11. Daine Merrin, 16. Greg Giovenali, 18. Nathan Niski, 19. Glen Kelshaw, 45. Jacob Basden (22. Josh De Rossi), 77. Darcy Ellem (59. Jacob Lattuga).

Yellow card: Basden

Red Card: Montford 90’

SD Raiders: 22. Mario Aleksik, 2. Shaun Irwin, 3. James Markovic, 5. James Letta, 6. Daniel Marjanovic, 7. Daniel Bittar (10. Thomas Woerndl), 9. Anthony Proia (19. Declan Cotter), 14. Noah Chianese, 21. Alexander Malfara, 23. Matias Toro Suazo, 32. Simon Nicholas.

Yellow Card: Proia.

Central Coast Mariners FC 3 (Bayliss 21’ 24’ Tsekenis 63’) Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0

It’s like there was no off-season at all. Central Coast Mariners started the defense of their title in the best possible fashion with a victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, Saturday afternoon.

If there we any questions about the home side, they were quickly put to bed with two goals before the break. The first coming after a goalkeeping error, which saw James Bayliss finish into an empty net. Before once again finding the goal three minutes later finding some space inside the box, before applying a good finish. With Jacob Vasiliou playing a part in both goals.

Not to be out done by other goals across the weekend Damian Tsekenis then joined in with a terrific solo goal midway through the second half.

It was a forgettable afternoon for the Wanderers, with a red card adding salt into the wound. If they had to take a positive, coach Patrick Zwaanswijk was pleased with the application his team showed following the red card.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Subara 45’, Kadric 58’) St George City 1 (Dosanjh 32’)

Well, it was written in the stars wasn’t it? On the day Bonnyrigg paid tribute to club stalwart Nikola Zonjic, the home side secured a come from behind victory over St George City in a close contest.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the home side started the better of the two teams. Winning the territorial battle whilst racking up a staggering nine corners in the first half alone.

However, they were punished for not taking advantage, with the first goal coming at the other end. Nathan Roberts who was a threat throughout for the visitors, saw a dangerous cross cleared. Only for Ethan Dosanjh to pick up the scraps finishing with a nice volley.

That lead would not last to half time though when Goran Subara scored a header at the near post just before the break.

It was a close contest with chances coming at either end but as we have seen so many times before, Bonnyrigg seem to have that extra gear at home. And they pounced on an opportunity just before the hour mark, forcing the visitors to lose possession in a central area before feeding Asmir Kadric in a wide area. Kadric’s shot taking a deflection on its way into the net.

St George City did have one last chance before the full-time whistle to spoil the party, but a Joshua Keremelevski shot from a wide position narrowly missed the goal.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles travel to face SD Raiders in a non-artificial ground battle. Whilst St George City face Blacktown Spartans.

Blacktown Spartans FC 0 Mounties Wanderers FC 3 (Manno 24’ 32’, Voloder 45’)

Mounties Wanderers sent a stern message to the rest of the league they mean business with a massive result defeating the Blacktown Spartans 3-0.

The away side were determined to prove they have got what it takes this season in a determined yet polished performance. Content with conceding possession of the ball, the Wanderers chose their moments to enact a high press and did not they do it effectively, scoring three similar goals in the opening stanza. In which Nathan Manno picked up a brace before Adam Voloder scored the third.

After the break, it was a different story with the Mounties conceding a red card early on. But the hosts minus Connor Eldridge who is out injured struggled to take advantage. Simply going down to a team which out-enthused them on the night. Better this happens in round one, though right?

Mounties host our match of the round next week against the Central Coast Mariners. Whilst Blacktown Spartans will be looking to bounce back against St George City.

NWS Spirit FC 4 (Awaz 20’, Konestabo 37’, Vastag 76’, Johns 90’) St George FC 0

Well, if this is not the most bizarre game of football of the weekend, I do not know what is. But NWS Spirit started their 2020 campaign in the best possible fashion with a dominant win over St George FC.

It did not start that way though; St George FC perhaps surprisingly came out of the blocks fast and were rewarded with a penalty inside the first ten minutes. Emmanuel Gonzalez stepped up and failed to convert, the ball sailing over the bar.

That only seemed to wake the Spirit up. Geoffry Lino brought down in the area with Abuzar Awaz stepping up to successfully dispatch it.

One became two shortly after, Michael Konestabo opening his account in 2021 after finding himself on the end of a low cross from the right.

Now having settled into the game, Spirit FC exercised more control over the second half scoring another two goals through substitutes Anthony Vastag and Domenic Johns. Post-game, Spirit coach David Perkovic paid tribute to his substitutes who all came on and made an impact.

Spirit FC travel away to face Northern Tigers next weekend. Whilst St George FC host Western Sydney Wanderers.

Northern Tigers FC 2 (Mcgrath 90’, Dimartino 92’) Hakoah FC 1 (Demetriou 26’)

Northern Tigers and late goals, what else is there to say? In what is now a common occurrence, the Tigers pounced twice in injury time to overcome a resilient Hakoah FC side.

It was a spirited performance from the visitors who certainly gave the home side something to think about. They were rewarded before the half hour when James Demetriou scored a long-range bullet from twenty-five yards.

Generally, it was a game of several momentum changes. And just when it was looking like the visitors were going to take the three points home, the home side clicked into gear. Firstly, through Lachlan Mcgrath who got on the end of a Sam Wilson free kick.

Before Will Dimartino completed the comeback finishing off after Will Hodgson broke the line earlier in the move. Kicking off what was described as “absolute scenes”.

Northern Tigers are once again at home against Spirit. Whilst Hakoah return to Hensley for their clash with Hills United.

By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)