Round 7 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s

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Our highest scoring National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s round yet calls for our most comprehensive review, right? Yes, you are seeing right!

Thirty goals were netted in our six round seven clashes this weekend.

Headlining the weeks action, two 3-2 classics at Bonnyrigg and Poulton Park. While Central Coast Mariners and Hakoah FC secured strong victories over their opponents. With not much more to add, let’s get stuck in!

Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC 0 v Hakoah FC 3 (Sapsford 35’45’, Baldacchino 52’)

Blacktown Spartans welcomed Hakoah FC in our round seven match of the round at Blacktown Football Park.

It was a forgettable night for the home side who conceded twice in the first period before a third came in the second half after the sudden resignation of head coach Brett Hewit prior to the match.

In contrast, Hakoah FC took control of the contest early and never let go. Scoring through a Zachary Sapsford brace in the first half before James Baldacchino rounded things off in the second period.

It did not take long for the visitors to open the game chance wise. Zachary Sapsford forcing Hugh Brown into a terrific save in the second minute after an initial Luiz Lobo shot was blocked into his path.

The first chance for the hosts soon followed coming from a route one approach. A goal kick falling to Nathan Separovic who tried the spectacular just after five minutes. A follow up header for Mason Ireland going just a bit closer than that.

Full of confidence, Sapsford was proving to be the main threat for the visitors, his header testing Spartans keeper Brown into a comfortable save on fifteen minutes.

However, it seemed like it was just a matter of time for the visitors. They fired a warning shot before the half hour mark through Dominic Cox. Before Sapsford opened the scoring, the young attacker finishing tidily from inside the box after flicking the ball over his defender with his first touch. Another Goal of the week contender?

Spartans did then manage a decent response, Ireland trying his luck from distance shortly after.

Just as the home side looked to have weathered the storm leading into half time, Sapsford struck again. This time chesting the ball to strike partner Bruno Mendes who got enough on his shot to test the home keeper who parried it into Sapsford path.

After some motivational words at half time, the Spartans came out for the second half in positive fashion creating a few early chances. Most notable of which saw Mark Cindric shoot over the goal after Separovic found him from the left flank.

But any hopes of a comeback were soon extinguished. James Baldacchino who scoring his second of the season in similar fashion to the goal prior. Picking up the scraps after Dominic Cox’s initial shot was parried into his path.

With the game settled, both teams trudged on till the full-time whistle. Bruno Mendes hitting the bar at one end, while Separovic continued to pester the visiting defense.

Blacktown Spartans will be looking to bounce back when they face St George FC away next weekend, while Hakoah FC await Central Coast Mariners.

Blacktown Spartans FC: 40. Hugh Brown 4. Alex Gollan, 6. Nikola Krljar, 7. Mason Ireland, 8. Nathan Separovic, 11. Mark Cindric, 12. Richard Blanco, 13. Jayden Barna, 14. Andre Carle, 17. Perikles Fotakopoulos, 21. Emilio Manos.

Substitutes: 40. Sam Hilton, 10. Dimi Petratos, 15. Michael Jeffrey, 19. Jack Hutchings, 20 Frank Cucek, 22. Christian Nascimben.

Hakoah FC: 21. Nikolas Loe, 2. Jacob Esposito, 3. James Baldacchino, 4. Connor Shaddock, 5. Yianni Spyrakis, 7. Jordan Koton, 8. Dominic Cox, 9. Bruno Mendes, 11. Luiz Lobo, 16. Brad Paikin, 29. Zachary Sapsford,

Substitutes: 25. Yanni Mavrikis, 10. James Demetriou, 14. Josh Bartolotto, 15. Mitchell Knight, 18. Marco Arambasic, 31. Tristen Van Rhoon

Bonus Match Report: Central Coast Mariners FC 5 (Miller 11’, McCarthy 27’, Vasiliou 50’, Kuzevski 64’, Larson 90’) v Northern Tigers FC 0

Emphatic victory! Central Coast Mariners took advantage of some favorable Saturday results, to reclaim first position with a victory over Northern Tigers, Sunday afternoon.

Goals to Lewis Miller, Harry McCarthy, Jacob Vasiliou, Sasha Kuzevski and Dean Larson gave the hosts a runaway victory.

But to say it was a 5-0 game, would be doing the visitors a disservice as they created multiple opportunities throughout. But it was one of those days for Adam Hett’s men, where they couldn’t find the net no matter how hard they tried.

The first five minutes of the fixture saw both sides try to settle into the game. But the Mariners were the first to flip the on switch, Jacob Vasiliou creating a shooting opportunity for himself eight minutes into the fixture.

Having joy down the right side, it was not long before they created another chance. A free kick leading to a corner. Which was delivered in by James Bayliss to a dangerous position. Of which Lewis Miller scrambled the ball home from close range after the visitors failed to clear.

It took a while for the Tigers to respond at the other end, failing to get a shot away in the first twenty minutes despite multiple forward endeavors. Kealey Adamson having their first noteworthy chance, a left footed strike going marginally wide. Which was quickly followed by an Alexander Brown chance who hit the near side netting.

But just as they looked like they were picking up momentum, a costly mistake at the back led to Central Coast doubling their lead. A wayward back pass catching Tiger’s goalkeeper Elliot Carwardine off guard. Louis Khoury setting up Harry McCarthy to finish into a largely empty net from around the penalty spot.

The second half saw Northern Tigers come out with a score to settle. Shervin Adeli subbed on to lead the attack.

But once again, the hosts had all the answers making it a three-goal lead five minutes into the half. Jacob Vasiliou tidying up at the far post after Harry McCarthy and Jing Reec played a part in the lead up.

Three goals down, Northern Tigers then through caution to the wind with another substitution or two. Captain Jamie Lobb, Adeli and Nicholas Drummound all having chances in quick succession.

And again, as they pushed at one end, they conceded at the other. A corner cleared into the path of Sasha Kuzevski who then scored the pick of the goals. With a right footed volley finding the far side of the net to make it four.

Northern Tigers to their credit once again responded demonstrating their resilience, even hitting the post on one occasion.

But it was the Mariners day, and they took away a fifth into injury time. Kuzevski turning provider, a deep free kick finding Dean Larson at the back post, who headed it cross goal into the net.

Central Coast Mariners face a trip to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to take on Hakoah FC next weekend. While Northern Tigers host St George City on their club day.

Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Zenden Hart, 3. Lewis Miller, 6. James Bayliss, 8. Bradley Tapp, 11. Harry Mccarthy, 12. Louis Khoury, 14. Dean Larson, 16. Maximilien Balard, 17. Gideon Arok, 19. Jacob Vasiliou, 21. Jing Reec, 26. Maksim Kasalovic.

Substitutes: 2. Sasha Kuzevski, 7.  Michael Katsoulis, 15. Cameron Windust, 34. Dylan Newbold, 38. Caleb Trowbridge, 40. Blair Ryan.

Northern Tigers FC: 1. Elliot Carwardine, 3. Jamie Lobb, 4. Lachlan Mcgrath, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 8. Alexander Brown, 9. Oliver Scott, 15. Nicholas Drummond, 16. Lachlan Lloyd, 18. Hugo Forlico, 24. Bailey Rule, 26. Kealey Adamson.

Substitutes: 10. Shervin Keshavarz Adeli, 13. Lachlan Hughes, 14. Rhys Williams, 20. Hamish Mahon, 21. Elliot Wheeler, 23. Jamie Glover.

Elsewhere:

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Peterson 65’, Miller 80’) v NWS Spirit FC 3 (Konestabo 53’, Lino 68, Vastag 90’)

NWS Spirit and Bonnyrigg White Eagles played out a thrilling see-sawing contest at Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Saturday night.  But ultimately it was NWS Spirit FC who came away with the last laugh, striking late to take three points.

Goals to Michael Konestabo, Geoffry Lino and Anthony Vastag allowed the visitors to overcome two equalizing goals from Ray Miller and Aaron Peterson.

The first half saw a nice even contest. With the home side perhaps having the better chances through Judah Cleur and Ray Miller. Whilst Geoffry Lino was causing the home side a few headaches at the other end.

If there were any worries that the second half was not going to bring a goal like the first, they were quickly extinguished soon after the break as the visitor’s opened the floodgates inside ten minutes. Michael Konestabo claiming his third of the season hitting his shot low across the goal into the inside side netting.

In response, the hosts struck back with a quality goal of their own. Asmir Kadric playing a square ball to Mun-Soo Gil who slipped in Peterson who finished on the turn past the keeper.

I told you this was see-sawing, And Spirit once again took the lead three minutes later. Geoffry Lino finishing a one-on-one opportunity, initially fluffing his chance before recomposing himself to beat the keeper on the second time of asking.

Once again Bonnyrigg hit back. This time through Ray Miller who cut in from the right flank, before placing the ball in the top left corner.

But just as it looked like finishing in a thrilling score draw, the visitors struck. A cross coming into the box from the left, finished by Anthony Vastag who directed his header into the bottom corner.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be looking to bounce back at home next weekend against Mounties Wanderers. While NWS Spirit play a little closer to home, visiting Hills United next Saturday night.

St George City FA 3 (Roberts 21’, Daniel OG 29’, Romero 41’) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2 (P.Grozos 57’, Auglah 65’)

Cliché? Yes. But St George City and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a game of two halves at Poulton Park.

The hosts, St George City raced out to a three-goal lead before the break courtesy of goals to Nathan Roberts, Jason Romero and a George Daniel own goal. Before Western Sydney Wanderers noticeably stepped up to match them in the second forty-five, Peter Grozos and Ali Auglah netting for the visitors.

It was pretty clear early that St George City were up for the contest against the league leaders with much of the early play in their attacking third. But the closest they came was a Jason Romero shot/cross which was blasted across the face.

In response, the Wanderers created the first clear cut chance of the match, a cross from the right finding the head of Isaac Hovar. Hovar’s header bouncing off the back of Ali Auglah to force Mackenzie Syron into a good save.

But it was St George City who took a deserved lead just after twenty minutes though Nathan Roberts who finished into an empty net after an initial Christopher Arditti effort was saved into his path. One soon became two shortly after when George Daniel could not prevent a Paolo Mitry shot finding the net before the half hour mark. The defender trying desperately but ultimately failing to clear of the line.

Now picture your typical Jason Romero goal. Got it? Romero was in fine form throughout the first half and got the goal he deserved five minutes before the break. Romero cutting in from the left onto his right before his curling shot found the top corner.

Shellshocked going into the break, you just knew a response from the visitors was forthcoming. But once again it was the hosts who had the early chance, Dominic Brischetto finding Nathan Roberts with a cross from the right. Roberts forcing a great save from Wanderer’s keeper Oliver Kalac.

That save seemed to single handedly (see what I did there) change the momentum as the Wanderers opened their account shortly after. Peter Grozos unleashing a shot from outside the area which took a heavy deflection on its way into the net.

Wind in their sails, they were to reduce the deficit to one with twenty-five minutes remaining. Ali Auglah finding some space outside his defender, before lobbing the keeper from the edge of the box.

However, they were not able to find a third. A few smartly timed substitutions allowing the hosts to regain their composure and come away with the win.

St George FC 2 (Morabito 20’, Lopez 42’) v SD Raiders FC 1 (Chianese 27’)

Three wins in a row, St George FC look to have turned their season around after a taxing week which included victories over SD Raiders, Western NSW and Mounties Wanderers.

Saturday night it was SD Raiders who they got the better off courtesy of first half goals to Anthony Morabito and Gabriel Lopez.

From a SD Raiders perspective. They were perhaps unlucky to not take away something from the fixture. Having lengthy periods of possession in the second half, yet unable to find the net. Noah Chianese scored their goal.

As forementioned, Morabito was the one who opened the scoring, Bruno Pivato playing in Morabito down the right. Who then shot across the face of goal, taking a touch off the post on its way in.

Raiders then equalized through Noah Chianese who scored from a far post header.

But unlike some other games on the same night. The scoring was wrapped up by half time, Gabriel Lopez scoring from a corner of their own just before half time.

SD Raiders then had chances after the break but Anthony Prioa, Matthew Barker and others failed to find the net.

St George FC face Blacktown Spartans next weekend. While SD Raiders face Western Sydney Wanderers at home.

Mounties Wanderers FC 4 (Donatiello 25’, Voloder 72’, Torrelli 85’, Manno 90’) v Hills United FC 5 (Parfait 15’26’, Stewart 51’, Kelshaw 73’, De Rossi 78’)

Five goal games not enough to wet your appetite? We have you covered! Mounties Wanderers and Hills United shared nine goals between them in their round seven fixture. So, buckle up as we attempt to take you through it.

Hills found the net through a Jordan Parfait brace, while Duncan Stewart, Glen Kelshaw and Joshua De Rossi also found the net.

For Mounties Wanderers, it will go down as another good effort without reward. Marcus Donatiello opened their account before Adam Voloder, Christian Torrelli and Nathan Manno also found the net.

Hills took the lead on fifteen minutes courtesy of Jordan Parfait. In response, Mounties leveled things up ten minutes later through Donatiello who scored a tap in from an Anthony Windsor free kick.

However, the hosts proved vulnerable having scored at one end. Hills taking advantage on twenty-six minutes, Parfait doubling his tally.

United then went and doubling their lead shortly into the second half, Duncan Stewart adding a third.

With the game in a precarious position for the hosts, they responded well. Finding their second through Voloder, Mark Moric getting the assist.

But once again they conceded soon after, Glen “Killer” Kelshaw making it four with his first of the season. Four then became five courtesy of De Rossi.

With the game slipping away. Mounties found two late goals through Christian Torrelli and Nathan Manno to close the deficit to one.

Mounties Wanderers face a tricky trip to Bonnyrigg in our Round eight match of the round. While Hills United host NWS Spirit FC.

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