Round 15 Review – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
It was a goal frenzy in Round 15 of the National Premier Leagues 4 NSW Men’s competition, as the weather got cold the teams turned up the heat as the pursuit for finals gets closer.
Nepean showed out in the Match of the Round with an emphatic five goal win over South Coast, allowing them to stay on level terms in the hunt for the top five.
Elsewhere, Parramatta put on a second half clinic against Western NSW, Camden were forced to settle for their second consecutive three goal draw with Hawkesbury City, Hurstville lost out on their top five spot at the hands of Fraser Park.
The round concluded on Monday with UNSW dispatching Prospect, whilst The Jets
Match of the Round
Nepean FC 5-0 South Coast Flame FC
Nepean have turned around a rough month of results to return to the winners circle with an impressive outing, putting the Flame out on a chilly night at Cook Park.
The hosts started both halves flying with an early goal in the opening stages to give them a two goal advantage.
Christopher Godoy Bascur opened the scoring in the 5th minute with the lone goal of the first half.
Richard Stewart opened the game up with his brace in the second half, shortly before Godoy Bascur joined his teammate with a double.
Stewart rounded out the scoring in the 81st after converting from the spot giving his side a comfortable 5-0 win.
Nepean came into this matchup with a point to prove and had their opener within the opening minutes.
Jake Ingle perfectly picked out Godoy Bascur who neatly finished his chance, punishing the Flame’s slow start to the game.
Nepean remained on the front foot for the majority of the first half, South Coast were up for the challenge however and were able to keep up with the fast paced style of the game.
The Flame looked dangerous themselves on the counter-attack but were unable to find the final pass in the final third to give them a real chance on goal.
Jack Hoban came closest to doubling the lead before the end half after Richard Stewart skimmed his defender and sent the ball back into the area, with a clear sight of goal Hoban over-hit his shot, much to the relief of the Flame defence.
The hosts looked a much more improved side in the second half, stamping their authority on the game.
Moments after the resumption of play, Stewart found himself clear on goal after a dangerous long ball bounced in his path, he made no mistakes when he was met with outcoming Nicholas Armand, getting his first goal of the night.
It took Nepean ten minutes to get their third of the night after a cross from Hoban found Stewart, his shot from the six-yard box was outstandingly denied by Armand however the rebound fell perfectly back to Stewart who placed it into an open net for his second.
It was all one-way traffic from here as Nepean firmly took over the control of the game.
Godoy Bascur found himself on the score sheet again this time, after a threatening corner from Rory McGeown came into his path he forcefully headed the ball past a crowded goal line to secure his brace.
Nepean rounded out the scoring in the 81st minute when Hoban was taken down in the box, Stewart confidently stepped up and converted from the spot for his hattrick.
It was a tough night for the Flame as they were up for the battle in the first but let the game slip away from them as the lethal Nepean attack was at full display.
Match Stats
Nepean FC 5 (Godoy Bascur 2, Stewart 3)
South Coast Flame FC 0
Parramatta FC 5-1 Western NSW FC
Parramatta fought off a valiant first half display from Western NSW to solidify their spot in fourth. Western NSW displayed an impressive opening half, after taking the lead in the 10th minute, they held the majority of possession and continued to push forward. Parramatta were up for the challenge with two first half goals whilst being on the backfoot. Santiago Rodriguez levelled the score before his cross deflected in ricocheted in for the second.
It was a tale of two halves as the hosts went for three unanswered goals to secure the win. Sallu Kamara got his first goal of the season at the hour mark before Clement Waoci netted a brace. Parramatta now sit in fourth and are equal with Camden in third with a four point buffer on the fight for fifth. For Western NSW their first half missed chances will have to sting as they would feel they could of got a result from this, they now turn their attention to hosting the Jets next weekend.
Hawkesbury City FC 3-3 Camden Tigers FC
Hawkesbury City have fought back from behind twice to share the points in a thrilling affair with Camden. The Tigers flew out to a two goal lead with goals from Andrew Head and Bailey Simpson, Hawkesbury clawed back before the break with goals from Marco Turpeinen and Tim Gibson to send the sides into the break at a two goal deadlock.
Camden regained their lead in the second through Cormack Stevens, shortly before Gibson bagged his second of the night as the sides battled for a winner that wouldn’t come. Both sides were down on troops across both grades but would have to settle for sharing the points. Hawkesbury’s marquee recruit Pedj Boijic impressed, setting up the three crosses for the goals. Camden will now have to focus on Hurstville next week as they look to regain their gap on fourth, whilst Hawkesbury host the reigning premiers Fraser Park.
Hurstville FC 0-2 Fraser Park FC
Fraser Park drove away from Rockdale with a much needed win that would ultimately send Hurstville out of the top five. Fraser park showed their drive this game, Cam Philpot continued his fine form with a goal. David Adjassou proved his worth from set-pieces as he set up Julio Mushaba for the second as Fraser Park rode away with the win.
It was another frustrating night for Hurstville after missing a few early chances they watched their finals position go into jeopardy. Fraser Park will now have to re-fuel for the final stretch home as they face a trip to Hawkesbury, whilst Hurstville prepare for a blockbuster matchup against Camden next week, as they will feel a win is crucial for their confidence and importantly the fight for the finals.
Prospect United SC 0-4 UNSW FC
UNSW have proven to be the form side of the competition extending their unbeaten run to seven with four goal win over Prospect. On the heels of their delayed trip to Newcastle, Prospect were below par on the day and were met by an in-form UNSW outfit. Although the sides were held at a deadlock heading into the break, UNSW stormed away with four unanswered goals.
Ilan Kessler, Dylan Walz, Noah Hunt and Callum Fitzpatrick rounded out the scorers as UNSW entered the top five for the first time this season. UNSW will hope to continue their impressive form into next week as they prepare for Western Rage. Prospect will have to rebound quickly as they look revive their finals hopes against a rejuvenated Nepean outfit next week.
Western Rage 0-3 Newcastle Jets FC
The Jets rounded out the weekend with hard-fought three goal victory over Western Rage. Without their A-League men, Newcastle fielded another team full of young faces who were up for the challenge. Joe Langlois converted from the penalty spot before Adam Zervas and William Ingram rounded out the scorers. The Rage were a completely different side from the corresponding fixture, battling hard with the young Jets and giving them a run for their money in the second half.
However, it wasn’t their night as the clinical attack of Newcastle proved to lethal on the night as they returned to top spot. The Rage will have to take the positives from this result as they look forward to another tough matchup next week when they face UNSW. Newcastle will hopefully welcome back their star-men next week in Bathurst as they gear up for the last few games.
A special mention is deserving to Archie Goodwin who scored a world-class goal in Thursday’s A-League fixture – whilst he rewarded for his efforts with a spot in the A-League team of the week alongside NPL teammate Lucas Mauragis.
By NPL 4 NSW Men’s Writer Dominic Criniti (@DominicCriniti)
