Round 6 Review – League Two Men’s
Round six of Football NSW League Two Men’s produced plenty of upsets in some entertaining matchups.
Inter Lions fought back hard to claim a draw with a resurgent Sydney University side, in the Match of the Round.
Elsewhere, Central Coast United broke its duck with a win over Dulwich Hill, Macarthur Rams bounced back against Dunbar Rovers, Rydalmere held off a tough Inner West Hawks outfit.
Canterbury Bankstown claimed bragging rights over local rivals Bankstown United, as Bankstown City wrapped up round six with a win over Gladesville Ryde Magic
Match of the Round: Sydney University SFC 2-2 Inter Lions FC
Sydney University and Inter Lions played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the opening game of round six.
In a back and forth encounter, where both sides held a lead, Inter fought hard until the final minutes to salvage a draw.
Owen Duke opened the scoring for Inter, with a long-range screamer that caught the Uni defence off-guard.
Jay Hirschowitz capitalised on some Uni momentum to equalise, after some neat skill saw him get past the crowded goal area.
After assisting the first, Peter Crevani got himself on the scoreboard with a sensational half-volley, giving Uni a 2-1 lead.
Duke sensationally equalised for the visitors in the dying minutes of the game, as Inter denied Uni of ending its undefeated start to the season.
The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors, as Nicholas Paras whipped a cross to Alex Becerra, but his header but went narrowly past the sticks.
The sides shared an even amount of chances with Inter looking threatening from crosses, as Uni began to counter attack from these positions.
Owen Duke opened the scoring with a goal of the year contender, as he caught Anthony Costa off his line from distance and sensationally found the back of the net.
With the momentum firmly in its corner, Inter came close to doubling its lead when Duke found himself one-on-one with Costa.
However on this occasion, Costa came out on top as he made a world-class save to deny a Duke double.
Uni began to fight back and looked likely to level the score, Isaac Folkes seemed destined to find the back of the net, but was denied by a desperate goal line clearance from Liam Flack.
Crevani began to make his presence felt on the game, with Uni’s attacks progressing through him.
He was denied an incredible goal from a set-piece, as Daniel Axford stretched out to stop the piercing effort from close-range.
Crevani couldn’t be denied much longer, as he slipped a perfect ball to Hirschowitz, who skilfully skinned his defenders and placed his shot in the bottom corner for the equaliser.
With the game flipped on its head, Crevani stepped up again and got his side in the lead, after a powerful half volley just got past the fingertips of Axford for Uni’s second.
As the game progressed, so did the drama, as Duke once again found himself in prime position for a double, but fumbled his lines after getting past Costa.
Inter looked destined to salvage a draw in the final minutes, as they threw the majority of its men behind the ball in attack.
Ben Morrison came within inches of the equaliser, as he effort smashed against the side netting.
The hosts thought they had sealed the result, when Hirschowitz’s looping header beat the keeper, however the referee determined there was a foul on Axford in the lead-up which ruled out the goal.
Daniel Georgievski proved his worth in the final minutes of the game, as he recovered a save to cross the ball to Duke, who neatly placed his header in the back of the net.
It was a heart-breaking end for Uni, however Inter’s performance in the final period of the game warranted an equalising goal.
Sydney University coach, Louie Cordwell noted his pride in the performance and the result against a strong opposition.
“The message was [at halftime], to keep being brave and to keep trying to play through the lines, which I think we did and then we scored an excellent goal,” he said.
“From there it was about character and determination to see it out, we kept slowly drifting back as the game went out, which is not what we really wanted to do, but that’s the nature of the game when you start getting tired and fatigued.
“At the end of the day it’s a good result against a good team, who haven’t lost in its opening four games.”
Inter Lions coach, John Theodoropoulos was happy with his side’s comeback but noted there is still improvement to come.
“I thought we were a little bit below par, but we showed a strong character to get back and get a point at the end of the game,” he said.
“It wasn’t our best but we will regroup and go from there… another five minutes and I think we could of grabbed something.
“We were down a few troops with some injuries, but five more minutes and I think we could of pinched it and they would have been shattered.”
Central Coast United FC 2-1 Dulwich Hill FC
After weeks of improving performances, Central Coast United got a well-deserved, first win of the season at the expense of Dulwich Hill.
Central Coast opened the game on a positive note and were rewarded after Tom Lyons got on the scoreboard, courtesy of a classy assist from Daniel McFarlane.
Jono Green levelled proceedings on the brink of halftime with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, as the sides went into the break tied.
Dulwich Hill started the second-half the better of the two sides and were unlucky to have not been in the lead.
However, United quickly turned around from a poor start to gain the lead through a screamer from Jack Ragen.
Dulwich continued to push in the backend of the game, but were met by a determined Central Coast defence that held out for the much-needed win.
Central Coast’s defence effort towards the end catapulted them towards the win, as Dulwich Hill were unable to capitalise on some dangerous chances.
Dulwich Hill now move on to next week’s clash with Gladesville Ryde, as Central Coast stay at home for its match with Inner West.
Inner West Hawks FC 2-3 Rydalmere Lions FC
Rydalmere has made it five from five with another positive result in round six, this time against the Inner West Hawks.
Rydalmere entered this matchup on the heels of its closest game yet and were determined to take down what many expected to be a fired up Inner West side.
Ahmad Taleb opened the scoring for the visitors, continuing on his exceptional form to reward the Lions strong start to the game.
After a physical but close first-half, the flood gates opened in the final 45 minutes, with both sides getting two goals each.
The Hawks started off the second-half on the front foot and were rewarded five minutes after the restart, when Mark Younes equalised for the hosts.
Taleb re-asserted his presence on the game in the 55th minute, as he completed his brace and gave the Lions the lead back.
Jacob Chidiac gave the Lions its biggest lead in the 70th minute, shortly before Oliver Stickland gave the Hawks a chance of salvaging a draw with his goal.
However, the quality of Rydalmere proved too much to handle as they held out for another impressive win.
The Hawks will have to quickly move as they prepare for a tough trip north to face Central Coast, as Rydalmere host Dunbar in round seven.
Bankstown United FC 0-3 Canterbury Bankstown FC
Canterbury Bankstown has added more misery to Bankstown United’s season, handing them another loss in round six.
Both side’s entered this matchup with a chip on its shoulder, eager to overcome a disappointing loss last round.
The Berries opened the scoring through a brilliant long-range effort from Gabriel Lopez in the 25th minute, rewarding its strong opening to the game.
As the teams went exited the break, it was an open affair with both sides aiming to get off the mark in the final 45 minutes.
It was the Berries who managed to snag a second, when Nathan Manno chipped the keeper to extend his sides lead with just 15 minutes remaining.
Lopez put the result beyond doubt in the final ten minutes, as he converted from the penalty spot.
It was another disappointing outing for United, as the potent attacking line of Berries regathered its form in a prolific fashion.
United now prepare for a Friday night clash with Sydney Uni, as the Berries travel to Macarthur for a battle with the Rams.
Dunbar Rovers FC 0-2 Macarthur Rams FC
Macarthur returned to the winners circle in round six, as they defeated a valiant Dunbar Rovers side at Fraser Park.
After being comfortably dispatched last week, Macarthur were up against it with a mountain of injuries and Covid related issues leaving them with just 12 first-grade players.
Dunbar started off the game looking promising, but were dealt a massive loss when Hayden Tucker was taken off after picking up an injury from a tackle.
Macarthur began to pounce after this and found its way into the game, as Christian Torrelli opened the scoring in the 43rd minute.
Dunbar were disappointed to be down heading into the break down, after playing some enjoyable football.
The Rams fighting spirit continued to show into the second half, as they held out the deadly Dunbar attack.
Joshua Mazurkiewicz sealed the result in injury time with his goal, as the Rams regathered for a 2-0 win.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Dunbar as they now head into a busy week, with midweek Australia Cup tie against Fraser Park, followed by a weekend fixture on the road to Rydalmere.
Macarthur return home in round seven, as they host Canterbury Bankstown in what should be an entertaining affair.
Gladesville Ryde Magic 0-1 Bankstown City FC
Bankstown City held out for a hard-fought win over Gladesville Ryde Magic, in the final game of the round.
City looked to continue on its fine form and showed flashes in the opening period.
The visitors pressure paid off on the half hour mark, after some brilliant link up play from Dimi Petratos and Tai Smith setup Ante Tomic for the opener.
After the opening goal, the sides went back and forth battling for the lion’s share of possession for the remainder of the half.
The second-half was controlled by the keepers, as the hosts shot-stopper Kiriakos Tohouroglou denied some powerful efforts, as did City keeper Jair Fernandez.
The Magic opened the half with several chances, however they were denied by the determine City defence.
As the minutes ticked away, the hosts were desperate for an equaliser and pushed nearly everyone forward in pursuit of a goal.
The Magic’s efforts in the final minutes were held out by City, as the visitors held on to roll on with another win.
It was a disappointing result for the hosts, who know turn around for a trip to face Dulwich Hill next Saturday.
Fresh off another win, City will entertain the undefeated Inter Lions in a blockbuster clash.
By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
