Round 11 Review – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
Just another lazy week in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition. Round eleven saw two vital goals scored after the full time whistle, twenty-three goals in total and plenty of drama. It’s only fair that we bring you another bumper review for your enjoyment.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 4 (Kelshaw 60’, Stewart 65’, Merrin 73’, Pandolfo 83’) v St George City 5 (Romero 8’ 76’, JC Romero 45’, Brischetto 51’, Kuzmanovski 90+3’)
Top at the halfway mark. St George City overcame a spirited Hills United second half comeback in a Saturday night epic at Lily Homes Stadium.
Jason Romero scored a brace from the penalty spot while Juan Carlos Romero, Dominic Brischetto and Steve Kuzmanovski also found the net. And they had to score five cause a spirited Hills United comeback which saw Glen Kelshaw, Duncan Stewart, Daine Merrin and Matteo Pandolfo find the net. Simply put, go watch this one in full on NPL.TV.
Fresh off a come from behind victory last weekend, St George City took firm control of the fixture early and were rewarded with a penalty seven minutes in after Jason Romero was brought down. Romero stepping up to convert the penalty he won into the bottom left corner.
The next few mins saw Hills United respond well with a period of possession in the attacking third which saw Josh De Rossi have their first effort on goal, which went wide left.
But that segment of play was quickly snuffed out by a dangerous looking St George City attack. Juan Carlos Romero, Nathan Roberts, Jason Romero, and Jordan Morfitis all looking in good touch early. Juan Carlos going close on fifteen minutes with a volley going over the bar after Jason found him from the byline.
Juan Carlos then went close once again ten minutes later, Nathan Roberts finding him with a dangerous ball into the box, his stabbing half volley going just over the bar.
However, it would take till first half stoppage time for the scorers to be troubled once again. But not before Wade Giovenali had an effort inside the area after Glen Kelshaw headed it back into his path.
The goal coming for the visitors on the brink of half time, Juan Carlos Romero picking up the scraps from close range after Nathan Roberts had forced Joel Tinker into a save with his shot from just outside the area.
That lead would blow out to three five minutes into the second half, a Juan Carlos Romero corner finding Dominic Brischetto at the far stick to head home.
Three goals down, it was time to throw caution to the wind for the hosts. And you could say they displayed a warrior like mentality to bring the scores back level with fifteen minutes remaining.
Their first coming through Glen Kelshaw who showed killer instinct with a powerful finish from inside the area on the left side after substitute Adolph Koudakpo saw his ball square deflect off a defender.
The home side smelt blood and the deficit was cut down to one five minutes later. Koudakpo once again playing apart in the lead up, providing a nuisance to the opposition defense before the ball fell to Duncan Stewart who drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.
And wouldn’t you know it, the scores were level eight minutes later. A high press allowing Daine Merrin to win the ball in midfield before his shot from deep proved too hot for Mackenzie Syron to handle.
However, as they then went searching for a goal trouble was brewing at the other end, as they were susceptible to the counter. And any team with Jason Romero in it is a threat. Romero getting in behind the home sides defense winning himself a penalty. Of which he converted to once again to give the visitors the lead.
Surely not another comeback? You betcha, and it was from another substitute in Matteo Pandolfo who headed home from a Glen Kelshaw in-swinging corner from the left.
But the hosts were to walk away cruelly without a point, two St George City substitutes combining to break their hearts. Christopher Arditti breaking the line down the left before squaring it to Steve Kuzmanovski who tapped it home from close range in stoppage time.
Hills United visit SD Raiders next weekend, while St George City will want to reverse their round one defeat against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
And you were doubting my match of the round choices! In the words of Connor McGregor, “I’d like to apologize to absolutely no one.” Drops mic*
Hills United: 21. Joel Tinker, 2. Rainer Smahel, 4. Jarrod Dodds, 7. Wade Giovenali, 8. Eoin Montford, 9. Alexander Vlismas, 11. Daine Merrin, 18. Nathan Niski, 19. Glen Kelshaw, 22. Joshua De Rossi, 23. Duncan Stewart.
Substitutes: 42. Sam Westcott, 10. Jordan Parfait, 14. Adolph Koudakpo, 16. Gregory Giovenali, 45. Jacob Basden, 91. Matteo Pandolfo.
St George City: 13. Mackenzie Syron, 2. Dominic Brischetto, 3. Troy Danaskos, 6. Tarik Ercan, 7. Nathan Roberts, 8. Paolo Mitry, 9. Juan Carlos Heras Romero, 10. Jason Romero, 11. Jordan Morfitis, 12. Stephen Athanaseris, 24. Alexander Kyriacou.
Substitutes: Tristan Vidackovic, 4. Joshua Orchard, 14. Christopher Arditti, 16. Ethan Dosanjh, 19. Jordan Gomez, 20. Steve Kuzmanovski.
Feature Match: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 1 (Vrankovic 56’) v Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Reec 31’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Central Coast Mariners shared the spoils on a chilly evening in Sydney’s South-West.
In a game which both teams were looking to break a winless streak, Central Coast Mariners took a first half lead through Jing Reec.
Before a second half comeback saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles equalize through David Vrankovic ten minutes into the second half. And nearly go on to win it later…
On a cool blustery night, the contest started as you would expect from sides that came into it after last start losses.
But it was the hosts who settled the quickest, winning several attacking set pieces in the opening quarter hour.
The visitors were struggling in their transition during that period. Although they did open the game in terms of chances. Bradley Tapp playing a few one-twos before having a go from outside the area which forced James Chronopoulos into a save.
And when one chance came, others soon followed but this time at the other end. Asmir Kadric on the end of a switch left to right, hitting his effort across the face of goal.
That one chance gave the hosts confidence, and they forced a mistake from the visitors shortly after. A ball in behind finding Aaron Peterson who was to be only denied by a covering Dan Hall.
This was followed by a few more chances for the hosts which fell to Kadric, James Mckenzie and David Vrankovic but desperate defense denied them on all three occasions.
Against the run of play. The Mariners then took an unlikely lead just after the half hour mark. Louis Khoury finding an overlapping runner to his left who found Jing Reec in the middle to finish from close range.
Suddenly, the momentum of the game had changed, and the visitors looked like adding a second before the half time break. Jacob Vasiliou firing over the bar from inside the area when he only had the keeper to beat.
As the half time break usually does, the two sides came out more settled in their structure. And therefore, there were few chances to talk about.
It only takes one though, and so it proved on this occasion. David Vrankovic popping up to finish after a cross from the left wasn’t dealt with ten minutes into the second half.
Confidence was starting to flow through the home side who were backed by a healthy crowd. Asmir Kadric going oh so close with a sweetly hit long range volley shortly after.
However, for all the goodwill, both sides struggled to execute in the front third in a competitive midfield battle with only two more notable chances before the full time whistle.
The first seeing a shot blocked from close range after Asmir Kadric crossed the ball in from the right. Before Radovan Pavicevic had the chance to win it in added time. His header from a Maksim Jez cross, going over the bar.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles face St George City next weekend. While Central Coast Mariners feature in our match of the round against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC: 1. James Chronopoulos, 2. Jack Kuipers (24. Nikola Krljar), 3. David Vrankovic (21. Anthony Costa), 5. Goran Subara, 9. Radovan Pavicevic, 11. Asmir Kadric (25. Maksim Jez), 13. James Mckenzie, 15. Raymond Miller, 16. Samuel Gallaway, 18. Mun-Soo Gil, 19. Aaron Peterson.
Central Coast Mariners FC: 1. Zenden Hart, 3. Jacob Farrell, 4. Dan Hall (26. Maksim Kasalovic), 6. James Bayliss, 8. Bradley Tapp, 11. Harry Mccarthy, 12. Louis Khoury (16. Maximilien Balard), 14. Dean Larson (17. Gideon Arok), 15. Cameron Windust, 19. Jacob Vasiliou, 21. Jing Reec.
Elsewhere:
Blacktown Spartans FC 0 v SD Raiders FC 1 (Ahmed-Shaibu 37’)
Winning becomes a habit, and SD Raiders are riding a wave of positive results, accounting for Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park.
Coming into the fixture after two positive results over Mounties Wanderers and NWS Spirit FC. The Raiders controlled much of the first period and were rewarded via a Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu goal on his starting debut.
In contrast, Blacktown Spartans will be disappointed to come away empty handed from this one. After struggling first half, they controlled the fixture after the half time break but simply couldn’t find the back of the net.
Starting the game where they left off last weekend. The Raiders had confidence flowing through their veins, creating eight chances for themselves in the opening stanza. And just when they were beginning to get frustrated, they opened the score ten minutes out from half time.
Matias Toro Suazo going on a trademark burst forward beating three defenders in the process before squaring it to Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu who finished emphatically.
After the break, it was a different story and if it weren’t for a bit of luck for the visitors, we could well be reflecting on a Spartans win. As the hosts hit the post late on after having a spot kick saved by Raider’s keeper Mario Aleksik.
Blacktown Spartans “visit” Mounties Wanderers next weekend keen to avenge their round one defeat. While SD Raiders host Hills United.
NWS Spirit FC 3 (Konestabo 45+2’ Lino 87’ 90+4’) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC 3 (Lopane 28’, K Grozos 52’, Awaritefe 66’)
Ecstasy and heartbreak. Depending on which side you ask, Saturday nights top of the table fixture was either a classic or a cruel blow after NWS Spirit scored twice late to overcome take a point from their fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers.
The visitors had taken a two goal lead on the night and looked set to widen the gap at the summit until the 85th minute courtesy of goals to Allesandro Lopane, Kosta Grozos and Reuban Awaritefe.
But the fixture was at Christie Park, and you just know the Spirit have a late comeback in them. And so, it proved courtesy of goals to Michael Konestabo and a late brace to Geoffry Lino which included a stoppage time penalty.
Coming into the fixture after a tough week which saw losses to SD Raiders and Marconi Stallions. The hosts set about bouncing back early, with both Konestabo and Lino having chances in the opening twenty-five minutes.
While at the other end, Western Sydney Wanderers unveiled a new signing in Aiden Mostofi who combined well with Alex Badolato who had a couple of chances of his own.
Badolato would then play a key role in the scores been opened, playing a through ball which Allesandro Lopane capitalized on. Lopane beating the keeper from a narrow angle.
Chances were coming thick and fast at either end in a high quality fixture. But we had to wait till first half injury time for another goal. This one coming for the hosts, a long ball not dealt with at the back. Konestabo pouncing on the mistake before rifling his shot home from inside the area.
The visitors then responded well after the break, controlling the game in terms of chances for the next twenty minutes or so and making the most of it with two goals.
Kosta Grozos with the first seven minutes into the half. The attacker positioning himself superbly on the edge of the box after a set piece. Then using his chest to control the ball the ball, taking a touch to beat his defender and catching the ball on the half volley to finish into the left side of the net. Advantage Wanderers.
That lead was doubled fifteen minutes later. Reuban Awaritefe the scorer finishing first time with his right foot from just inside the box on 66 minutes.
Perhaps content on their two goal advantage, the Wanderers then sat back as they looked to make things difficult for their hosts. And it looked like they succeeded in their task with five minutes remaining.
That was until Geoffry Lino stepped up. The striker heading home from inside the area after the keeper had committed. Kota Odakura with the assist from deep.
Suddenly the momentum was with the home side and they found an equalizer deep into added time. Odakura once again playing a role taking the ball into the box, winning a penalty. Of which Lino dispatched to equalize the scores once again. How important will that be come seasons end?
NWS Spirit FC travel to Sydney’s South next weekend to take on St George FC. While Western Sydney Wanderers will have revenge on their mind when they welcome Central Coast Mariners in our match of the round, Saturday lunchtime.
Northern Tigers FC 3 (Scott 32’, Adeli 35’ 39’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 1
Worth keeping an eye on! Northern Tigers have quietly snuck into a top four position at the halfway mark with a victory over Mounties Wanderers at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
In a game which saw all goes scored in the opening stanza. Oliver Scott continued his scoring run before Shervin Adeli picked up his second brace of season 2021.
At risk of repeating myself, there was positives to be found in this Mounties Wanderers performance. After a disappointing cup exit midweek, they showed some fight bringing the margin to a goal in the first half before showing better concentration to hold their hosts scoreless in the second half.
After a scoreless opening half hour, the game sprung to life just after the half hour. Oliver Scott producing a headed finish from a cross.
One then became two just three minutes later through Shervin Adeli. A switch of play finding fullback Sam Wilson who played in Lachlan Lloyd, Lloyd then cutting in back to Adeli who applied the finish.
Potentially feeling wronged by the score line after missing an early chances, Mounties struck back. Andre Taouli scoring a great goal to bring the margin back to one.
But it didn’t take long for the hosts to find the net once again. Adeli picking up his second after Oliver Scott turned provider in the lead up.
Northern Tigers travel to face Hakoah FC next weekend, while Mounties Wanderers host Blacktown Spartans at Wanderers Football Park.
St George FC 1 (Gonzalez 6’) v Hakoah FC 0
An early Emmanuel Gonzalez goal was enough to see St George FC continue their winning run, claiming victory over Hakoah FC, Saturday night.
The win is the third in a row for Jane Talcevski’s men who now stand not far off a top five position with half a season remaining.
For Hakoah FC, it was always going to be a tough ask after a taxing extra time outing midweek in which they prevailed over Canterbury Bankstown FC, Tuesday night.
As you can see above, it didn’t take long for the scoring to be opened, Gonzalez scoring the quickest goal across the set of fixtures. In which he placed a free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of the Hakoah keeper into the right side of the net.
And that was to be the sole goal of the match, not that either side didn’t come close. St George FC hitting the bar on three separate occasions throughout the fixture. While Hakoah FC applied plenty of pressure during the second half but were to be left frustrated which led to a flurry of late yellow cards and the sending off of Jacob Esposito.
St George FC host NWS Spirit in a David Perkovic derby next weekend. While Hakoah FC return home to face Northern Tigers next Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to Eric Subijano for his help with the NWS Spirit FC v Western Sydney Wanderers report.
By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
