Round 2 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
In a weekend of weather extremes, the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition need not warm up as the table is set for an exciting season ahead.
In this week’s action. Central Coast Mariners established themselves as a team to beat in 2021. Bonnyrigg continue along their merry way and NWS Spirit claimed derby bragging rights.
Match of the Round: Mounties Wanderers FC 2 (Moric 42’ Torrelli 52’) v Central Coast Mariners FC 7 (Tsekenis 1’ 50‘ 67‘ 73‘, Bayliss 24’ Douglas OG 47’, Reec 90’)
Central Cost Mariners proved too good for Mounties Wanderers on a damp Sunday afternoon at Wanderers Football Park.
Having opened the scoring just seventeen seconds into the fixture, the Mariners withstood some pressure in the latter stages of the first half before running away with it. Damien Tsekenis netted himself four goals whilst James Bayliss and Jing Reec also got themselves on the scoresheet.
Mounties Wanderers on the other hand, did well to keep things competitive in the first half, but a early goal in both half’s made a hard job near impossible. Mark Moric and Christian Torreli finding the net for the hosts.
As forementioned, it did not take long for the visitors to open the scoring. Winning the ball shortly after kick off, then rapidly getting the ball to the feet of Jing Reec who slipped in Tsekenis to score his first of the afternoon.
The Mounties grew into the game as the half went on, but that didn’t stop the Mariners doubling their lead. Reec once again the provider, dribbling down the right before squaring the ball to James Bayliss who arrived late into the box, before applying the finish expertly.
That two-goal lead didn’t last long, with the home side getting their first of two goals. Adam Voloder assisting Mark Moric who picked up his first of the campaign.
However, once again a poor start to a half put the hosts on the back foot. Substitute Jordan Smylie making an instant impact squaring a ball from the right byline into a dangerous position which was deflected by a Mounties defender into his own net.
Three became four shortly after some poor concentration from the home side allowed Tsekenis to waltz into the 18-yard box before applying a finish.
A response was needed, and it did come through Christian Torrelli who picked out the top corner from just outside the box.
At this point, we should mention a defender and Lewis Miller was tireless down the right flank for the Mariners, and he got a deserved assist feeding Tsekenis for his hat-trick.
Not satisfied with three goals to his name, Tsekenis then scored himself a fourth with a terrific individual effort with fifteen minutes left.
Too add salt to an already open wound, Jordan Smylie was brought down inside the box in stoppage time. Jing Reec stepping up to convert low and hard down the middle.
Central Coast Mariners return to Pluim Park next weekend to face Blacktown Spartans whilst Mounties Wanderers face a tough test against NWS Spirit FC.
Mounties Wanderers FC: 21. Harrick Sinpraseuth, 4. Simon Valastro, 7. Adam Voloder, 9. Nathan Manno, 10. Mark Moric, 12. Jake Trajkovski, 16. Zack Douglas, 17. Gergis Abdalla, 18. Christian Torrelli, 27. James Papoutsis, 29. Kristian Sekutkoski.
Subs: 1. Luka Arnautovic, 2. George Christopoulos, 6. Andrija Mandic, 8. Masudi Elongo, 11. Marcus Donatiello, 23. Adrian Vranic.
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Zenden Hart, 3. Lewis Miller, 8. Bradley Tapp, 10. Damian Tsekenis, 11. Harry McCarthy, 12. James Bayliss, 13. Garang Kuol, 15. Cameron Windust, 17. Gideon Arok, 29. Jing Reec, 33. Louis Koury.
Subs: 2. Sash Kuzevski, 9. Jordan Smylie, 14. Dean Larson, 22. Zac Barbotano, 26. Maxim Kasalovic, 40. Blair Ryan
Elsewhere
SD Raiders FC 0, Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Peterson 48‘ 61‘)
Six points from a possible six, Bonnyrigg White Eagles claimed victory over neighboring club SD Raiders, Saturday night. In which an Aaron Peterson double proved the difference between the two sides at Ernie Smith Reserve.
With both sides coming into the match on the back of a victory. The opening twenty minutes saw both teams engaged in a tight contest. Bonnyrigg having a few early chances through Peterson whilst Anthony Prioa had the best chance for the hosts, putting a shot wide from close range before the half time whistle.
After the half time break, it was the vistiors to click into gear, showing their class throughout the remainder of the match. Rewarded firstly, by a great volley from Peterson. Before doubling their advantage on the hour mark, Asmir Kadric pouncing on a keeping error before playing it to Peterson for the tap in finish.
Bonnyrigg return home to face Hakoah FC next weekend. SD Raiders travel to Sydney’s Southern suburbs to face St George FC.
Blacktown Spartans FC 1 (Ireland 87’) v St George City 1 (Romero 2’)
Would not be a NPL2 round without a late goal. And Blacktown Spartans left it late to equalize against a ten-man St George City side at home.
It was the visitors who started the quickest, striking in the second minute of the game courtesy of Jason Romero. Romero finishing from a narrow angle inside the box after Troy Danaskos and Ethan Dosanjh both contributed in the buildup.
With half an hour to go the visitors were reduced to ten men after Tarik Ercan received his marching orders.
Their visitors exposed, the Spartans looked to take advantage, City opting to try and strike on the counter.
And just when it looked like the hosts would come away with nothing from their first two home games, Mason Ireland struck finding the net with three minutes to go after looking dangerous in and around the 18-yard box all night.
Although not a win, Spartans coach Brett Hewit was pleased to see his team pick up a result ahead of a tough trip up the coast next weekend.
Whilst St George City will be ruing another game in which they have lost the lead. They will return to Poulton Park next weekend to play SD Raiders FC.
Northern Tigers FC 1 (Loyd 6’) v NWS Spirit FC 2 (Davidson 34’, Bozanic 61’)
Come from behind victory against local rivals away from home. It does not come much better than that for NWS Spirit FC as they got the better of Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
As usual when these two teams meet, the match was played at a breakneck pace with both sides showing why they will be in and around the top of the table this season.
Fresh off their late come back last weekend. Northern Tigers were first to find the net six minutes in. Lachlan Loyd scoring from long range out of nothing.
But it was the Spirit’s night as they were determined to strike back after last season’s semi final defeat. Mitch Davidson scoring the equalizer on thirty-five minutes before Louis Bozanic popped up to score the winner with half an hour to go. Bozanic finishing off after a build up which included Kota Odakura, Aaron D’Mello, Mitch Davidson, Geoffry Lino.
Northern Tigers will be looking to bounce back in our MOTR against Western Sydney Wanderers. Whilst Spirit will be looking to make it three from three against Mounties Wanderers.
St George FC 0-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
St George FC and Western Sydney Wanderers played out an absorbing clash at Ilinden Sports Centre, Saturday evening. Yet despite multiple opportunities, neither team were able to find the back of the net.
The visiting Wanderers were the team who established the tempo of the contest early, keeping possession well and winning the territorial battle. Despite this, Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side were unable to create a clear-cut opportunity.
At the other end, St George FC were sharp on the counter, multiple first half chances falling to Emmanuel Gonzalez who tested visiting keeper Jake Warchawsky on a couple of occasions.
With the second period came a similar pattern of play, wanderers controlling possession with Isaac Hovar going closest before the hour mark. However, as the game continued, neither side were able to find the net and both sides came away satisfied with their first points of the 2021 campaign.
Western Sydney Wanderers host Northern Tigers in our MOTR next weekend. And St George travel to face Hills United.
Hakoah FC 1 (Mendes 50’) v Hills United FC 1 (Parfait 10’)
Hakoah FC and Hills United played out a competitive draw in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Sunday afternoon.
It was the visitors who got out of the blocks the quickest in difficult conditions, opening the scoring on ten minutes through Jordan Parfait. Parfait combining well with Wade Giovenali and Alex Vlismas in the buildup before finding the finish on a left-right trajectory.
With the half time break came a change of ends and momentum, both sides finding it easier running against the wind. And Hakoah took advantage of it on the hour mark scoring through Bruno Mendes. Mendes receiving the ball with his back towards goal before turning and finishing inside the area after a cleared corner.
With five minutes remaining Glenn Kelshaw received his marching orders, but the hosts struggled to take advantage.
All in all, both teams will come away satisfied in sharing the points leading into next week where Hills United host St George FC and Hakoah FC travel to Bonnyrigg.
By NPL2 Men’s reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
