Round 7 Review – NPL 3 NSW Men’s

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We have new leaders at the summit of the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition while it was Gladesville Ryde Magic who came out on top in the first instalment of the highly-anticipated Stroke Recovery Cup.

Reigning champions Rydalmere have returned to the top of ladder for the first time since last season while it was Inter who came out on top against the Hawks to register their first win of the season.

Keep on reading to see what happened around the grounds.

Central Coast United FC – Macarthur Rams FC 4-1

A five star performance from Central Coast saw them complete a 4-1 rout over Macarthur at Pluim Park in the opening fixture of round 7.

Adam Woodbine was first on the scoresheet for the Pirates as he made the most of a goalkeeping error when he lobbed the ball into the empty net from 30 yards out.

The hosts soon doubled their lead via Mason Wells with a left footed strike around the 25th minute mark.

A handball in the box soon gifted Stu Davis’ side their third of the contest with top scorer Josh Swadling making no mistake from the penalty spot.

The Rams managed to reduce the deficit almost straight after conceding but they could not mount a fight back with Corey Atkinson putting the rubber stamp on a comfortable win with his effort after he combined well with Swadling.

The Pirates will be targeting two wins on the bounce when they meet Hawks in their rescheduled fixture at VSP on Wednesday night while it is back to the drawing board for Jason Breton’s side as they gear up for a home clash against United.

Inner West Hawks FC – Inter Lions FC 1-4

Inter Lions claimed their first win of the season in quite spectacular fashion as they saw off Inner West Hawks 4-1 at Arlington Oval.

The score may have been locked at 0-0 at half time but it was not from a lack of trying from the visitors with Nico Paras, Fikiret Berisha and Owen Duke all mustering chances of their own.

Meanwhile, Sam Armson thought he had put Inter ahead – only to be called offside.

The floodgates finally opened on the hour mark through Ben Morrison who smashed the ball into the roof of the net after connecting with Jonathan Karipis’ tempting cross.

Their lead lasted only a matter of minutes with Hawks’ leading goal scorer, Peter Yannopoulos, restoring parity as he lobbed Inter shot stopper Daniel Axford.

The men from Concord soon went ahead once again, this time it Marcus Zarantonello who got on the scoresheet with his headed effort around the 70th minute mark.

It was Berisha who was next to get in on the act as he nodded home from a corner before Alex Beccera put the match beyond doubt with his superb headed finish.

John Theo’s men will be looking to build on this performance when they host Magic next weekend while Hawks face off against Central Coast at VSP on Wednesday night in their rescheduled round 3 fixture.

Dunbar Rovers FC – Dulwich Hill FC 1-1

It ended all square at Heffron Park on Saturday night with all the goals arriving in the first half as Dunbar drew 1-1 with high-flying Dulwich Hill.

Ex-Rovers player Alex Nicolosi came back to haunt his former side as he broke the deadlock for Dully on 10 minutes.

It did not take long for the home side to restore parity with captain, Tod Bamber rising highest to equalise 15 minutes later.

A point for the eastern suburbs outfit is enough to see them remain undefeated for another weekend after they claimed their maiden win of the campaign last time out.

A share of the points for Dully is not enough to see them retain top spot on the ladder with Rydalmere stealing their place.

On the horizon for Dunbar is a visit to Jensen to meet Bankstown City meanwhile Dully return to Arlington to do battle with Sydney Uni.

Bankstown City FC – Canterbury Bankstown FC 1-1

The 10 men of Canterbury Bankstown stood firm as they rescued a point against an in-form Bankstown side at Jensen Park on Saturday night.

Bankstown’s three game winning streak came crashing down as they were left frustrated by a Berries side who went down a man when Shaquile Ali was given his marching orders just after the interval.

Wally Savor’s side had the upper hand in first half proceedings with Chris Katsaros and Michael Trajkovski making themselves useful in the attacking third.

However, their dominant display was soured in the dying moments of the first half thanks to a sublime free kick from Ante Tomic.

Ali’s second yellow card on 50 minutes caused an unwanted headache for Berries and ultimately allowed the home side to dictate play.

However, the visitors always looked potent on the counter attack and they were eventually rewarded with their goal as Trajkovski’s far post header nestled into the back of the net after he was picked out by Leo Guzman.

The remainder of the encounter saw both sides try to chip away for the deciding goal and it was the Berries who came the closest to capturing glory as Alam Dabel forced a top draw save from Lions’ Jair Fernandez.

Bankstown will be playing out of Jensen again next weekend when they welcome Dunbar while Berries will be back at the Crest as they take on bottom of the table Hawks.

Gladesville Ryde Magic – Bankstown United FC 1-0

The solitary goal at Christie Park was enough to see Magic secure ‘bragging rights’ in the Stroke Recovery Cup.

A Daniel Rigby goal early in the second half sealed United’s fate on a memorable afternoon for the two sides.

Next up for Magic is a visit to Majors Bay Reserve to take on Inter meanwhile United head to Lynwood Park to face off against the Rams.

Sydney University SFC – Rydalmere Lions FC 0-6

Rydalmere ran riot over Sydney Uni on Sunday afternoon as they put six past the ‘students’ without reply.

Matt West put Rydalmere ahead early on from the penalty spot before an own goal from a Dillan Kahale cross put the Lions in control.

They soon found themselves three to the good just after the half hour mark thanks to Jake Chidiac’s tap in from Ali Mckie’s cross.

The scoring spree continued after the break with Nick Trimble scoring from a set piece at the back post from a pinpoint West cross.

Next off the rank was Lewis Fraser who opened his Rydalmere account following some slick build up play from Scott Tonkin and Lee Jones.

Jones then put the icing on the cake with a trademark lang range strike that flew into the back of the net.

The comprehensive victory is enough to see the reigning champions return to their perch at the top of the table while it is back to the drawing board for Uni as they prepare to take on second placed Dully next weekend.

-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)