Round 8 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
It is Sunday night; you know what that means! It’s time to take a look at another full weekend of National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition.
In our round eight recap, we review our match of the round which saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles turn around some poor form leading in. Whilst NWS Spirit and St George City took hold of first and second positions, respectively. That and so much more in yet another bumper review!
Match of the Round: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 4 (Miller 55’, Vrankovic 69’, Peterson 72’, Kadric 88’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles were made to wait but eventually claimed victory over Mounties Wanderers in our round eight match of the round.
Four goals by four different goal scorers saw the home side walk away with their first victory since round two. Captain Ray Miller opened the scoring before David Vrankovic, Aaron Peterson and Asmir Kadric joined him in finding the net.
While Mounties Wanderers will look back on the contest and see both positives and negatives. They held their hosts for nearly an hour and could have taken the lead on a few occasions, but it wasn’t to be.
And it was the Wanderers who came out in positive fashion; however, they were unable to capitalize with a decent chance before Ray Miller had a go at the other end.
Miller picking up the ball around the top of the box before creating a bit of space for himself before a right footed shot went just wide of the right hand facing post.
Mounties were next to have a goalscoring opportunity. A poor back pass from the hosts midfield playing in Adrian Vranic. Vranic then taking it deep into the opposition box before hooking his shot just wide of the far post.
As time ticked on towards the break. Bonnyrigg White Eagles began to assert some dominance. With Goran Subara, Sam Gallaway and Aaron Peterson all having chances to open the scoring before the break. Aaron Peterson coming closest, forcing the Harrick Sinspraseuth into a good save to his right.
But the Mounties held on, the referees whistle blowing with the scores locked at 0-0.
The second half saw the Mounties come out a determined outfit once again. Adam Voloder nearly opening the scores when he closed down James Chronopulos. The keeper’s clearance ricocheting of Voloder’s back just wide of the target.
Adrian Vranic was proving to be the visitors main attacking threat and the striker had another opportunity five minutes into the second half. Marcus Donatiello bursting through midfield before slotting him in. Vranic forcing Chronopoulos into a good save.
The miss proving costly as Bonnyrigg and captain Ray Miller clicked into gear shortly after (assist going to commentator Nikola Pozder who called for him to step up). Miller playing a long range one-two with Radovan Pavicevic. Before chipping the keeper from inside the area.
Suddenly the Eagles had taken flight and should have seen their advantage doubled through Aaron Peterson, who missed from inside the six-yard area.
One became two just before the 70th minute through David Vrankovic who found himself in plenty of space inside the area after a Jack Kuipers free-kick. Vrankovic finishing as cool as you like into the far side-netting.
With the floodgates open, Bonnyrigg continued to create chances in their attacking third. And they added a third. Ray Miller with an excellent cross to Aaron Peterson who was not going to miss again with a lunging right footed finish.
Mounties to their credit responded well to going three goals down, having a couple of entries into the opposition box. However, it was Bonnyrigg who were to make it four with two minutes remaining. Asmir Kadric pouncing on a sloppy pass from the Mounties, racing in towards goal, turning his defender before finishing beautifully from inside the area.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles face a tough week with a mid-week cup tie against Apia Tuesday night before traveling to Northern Tigers next weekend.
While Mounties Wanderers host SD Raiders next Saturday night.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC: 1. James Chronopoulos, 2. Jack Kuipers, 5. Goran Subara, 9. Radovan Pavicevic, 13. James Mckenzie, 15. Raymond Miller, 16. Samuel Gallaway, 17. Robert Eremugo, 18. Mun-Soo Gil, 19. Aaron Peterson, 23. Judah Cleur.
Substitutes: 22. Stefan Giglio, 3. David Vrankovic, 7. Richard Darko, 10. Aidan Taouil, 11. Asmir Kadric, 12. Kuot Maliet,
Mounties Wanderers FC: 21. Harrick Sinpraseuth, 7. Adam Voloder, 9. Nathan Manno, 10. Mark Moric, 11. Marcus Donatiello, 12. Jake Trajkovski, 16. Zack Douglas, 17. Gergis Abdalla, 19. Carlo Imola, 23. Adrian Vranic, 38. Rhys Osmond.
Substitutes: 1. Luka Arnautovic, 3. Gian Sacco, 4. Simon Valastro, 13. Harry Celder, 15. Anthony Windsor, 29. Kristian Sekutkoski,
Elsewhere
Northern Tigers FC 0 v St George City 4 (Romero 2’ 24’, Morfitis 32‘, JC Romero 61’)
St George City played party-spoilers to Northern Tigers club weekend securing a four goal victory, Saturday afternoon.
A double to Jason Romero was supported by goals to Jordan Morfitis and Juan Carlos Romero to secure a priceless victory. In contrast, the hosts will walk away wondering how they did not score, hitting the post three times in a second half where they certainly exercised pressure on their visitors.
The visitors could not have hoped for a better start to the game. Jason Romero doing it all himself to open the scores eighty seconds into the contest, capitalizing on some poor defending in the process.
As the clocked ticked on towards twenty minutes, the home side forged a few chances of their own, Bailey Rule, Alexander Brown and Kealy Adamson all seeing their shots blocked in quick succession.
But it was St George City who were to double their lead. Paolo Mitry heading the ball into the path of Jason Romero beyond the defense. Romero making no mistake slotting it home with his left foot.
In attack, the away side were near perfect in the opening thirty-five minutes when it came to taking their chances. The next coming through Jordan Morfitis who was found by a piercing Christopher Arditti through ball. Morfitis taking it round the keeper before finishing from close range.
Like the weekend before, Northern Tigers then looked to stage a second half comeback from a deficit. And on another day, they could have done just that. A trio of chances finding the woodwork. Firstly, through Nicholas Drummond who hit the left post with an effort outside the box.
Which was followed shortly after by William Hodgson hitting the other post in similar fashion. Before Oliver Scott hit the post again from a set piece routine with ten minutes remaining.
Ultimately though, it was St George who took away the three points. Juan Carlos Romero scoring the sealer earlier in the half after combining with Jason Romero.
Both these sides face intriguing round nine match ups. Northern Tigers hosting Bonnyrigg. While St George City travel to Christie Park to face NWS Spirit FC.
SD Raiders FC 1 (Chianese 73’) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC 3 (Badolato 22’, Auglah 63’ 76’)
Western Sydney Wanderers claimed a valuable three points with an away victory over SD Raiders at Ernie Smith Reserve, Saturday evening.
A brace to Ali Auglah was complimented by an Alexander Badolato finish. While Noah Chianese continued his scoring run for the hosts.
Early going, it was the visitors who came out the better of the two sides. And they were rewarded by an Alexander Badolato goal just after the twentieth minute. Badolato capitalizing on a precise Lochlan Constable cross to open the scoring.
As time ticked on, the hosts started to come into the contest. And they forced Wanderers shot stopper Jack Warshawsky into three good saves either side of the break.
The visitors were next to score though, Ali Auglah getting his first from the spot.
SD Raiders responded well though and found the net themselves. Daniel Marjanovic playing a through ball to Anthony Prioa who saw his initial shot saved before Noah Chianese made sure of it with a tap in finish.
But it was the Wanderers to score next, Ali Auglah scoring the pick of the goals. Controlling a long ball before showing some tidy footwork and finishing with a curling shot flying into the top corner of the net.
Western Sydney Wanderers return home to face Hakoah FC next weekend. While SD Raiders travel to face Mounties Wanderers.
Hills United FC 0 v NWS Spirit FC 4 (Davidson 9’, Lino 65’, Konestabo 73’ 82’)
NWS Spirit FC returned to the top of the table with a victory over Hills United FC at Lily Homes Stadium.
In a first half with few chances, Mitch Davidson opened the scoring before ten minutes. Then as the game wore on, Geoffry Lino and Michael Konestabo joined him on the scoresheet.
For Hills, they continue to struggle to pick up results at home having won just the one game in six home games this season.
Throughout the night, NWS Spirit seemed to have the most joy attacking down the right. And that was the case for the opener, Abuzar Awaz sending a ball through to Geoffry Lino after a clever trick. Lino testing the hosts keeper. Before Mitch Davidson picked up the scraps to finish through a sea of legs.
Maybe that caused the visitors to put their foot off the throttle a bit, as chances began to mount at the other end. Firstly, through Nathan Niski who had a header at the back post saved well, ball in from Daine Merrin. Before Merrin himself had a chance of his own getting on the end of a Jacob Basden corner, only to send it wide despite being free in the box.
If they lifted their foot off the throttle in the first half, the visitors certainly put it back on in the second. Davidson firing the warning shot early in the second half with a low effort from just outside the area which Joel Tinker secured on the second attempt.
But the goal was to come fifteen minutes later. A piercing ball from midfield finding it’s way to Geoffry Lino who burst through the defense before sliding it under Tinker who got a touch to it on it’s way in.
Two became three just eight minutes later, Lino this time contributing with an assist, playing the ball across goal for Konestabo to finish.
Konestabo was then to grab a second, finishing from the right side after Ahmed Sweedan played him through to grab his fifth of the season.
NWS Spirit FC host St George City next weekend in a top two clash, while Hills travel to Blacktown Spartans for our match of the round.
St George FC 1 (Quilligan 43’) v Blacktown Spartans 2 (Carle 9’, Cindric 28’)
Blacktown Spartans secured a one goal victory over St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre, Saturday night.
Under the guidance of Harry Tsironis and Marty Mcaffery, the Spartans struck twice in the opening half hour before hanging on to take the three points, their first since Brett Hewit’s resignation.
For hosts St George FC, it is a stumbling block on the path to where they want to be. Connor Quilligan found the net just before half time and despite mounting significant pressure in the second half. They were unable to get an equalizer.
After a defeat last weekend, the visitors were determined to hit back in this one. And they opened the scoring within the first ten minutes. Andre Carle scoring his second of the season.
Carle then turned provider, assisting Mark Cindric for the visitors second of the night. They were unable however to hold their hosts scoreless.
A seventeen pass move from the hosts finishing with a Connor Quilligan rocket from twenty-five yards to reduce the deficit to one. But despite putting the away side under significant pressure second half, the visitors held out for their third victory of the season.
Blacktown Spartans host Hills United in our match of the round next weekend. While St George travel up to Pluim for their fixture with Central Coast Mariners.
Hakoah FC 2 (Sapsford 6’, Lobo 74’) v Central Coast Mariners 0
Finally, to round things off, Hakoah FC secured an important victory to keep themselves in touch with the top four. Prevailing over reigning champions Central Coast Mariners at Hensley Athletic, Sunday afternoon.
Speaking after the match. Hakoah FC coach Luka Hrzina praised a “complete team performance” which saw Zachary Sapsford and Luiz Lobo find the net either side of the half time break.
It did not take long for the hosts to open the scoring. Six minutes in fact! A high team press paying dividends before you guessed it, Zachary Sapsford struck again with his fourth goal in three starts.
Central Coast on the other hand created a few half chances of their own at the other end but they struggled to turn possession into meaningful possession in the front third.
After the half time break, Hakoah FC once again stepped up to the challenge in front of them and were eventually rewarded with a goal fifteen minutes from time. Luiz Lobo pressing his marker into a mistake before finding the net after rounding the keeper in a solo effort.
The result see’s Hakoah FC move just a point behind fourth place Western Sydney Wanderers who they meet next weekend. While Central Coast Mariners find themselves sitting in third position.
By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
