Round 8 Review – League Two Men’s
League Two Men’s is the gift that keeps on giving, with another round full of thrilling encounters mixed with some surprise results.
The match of the round saw a clinical Canterbury Bankstown surge past Central Coast United in an impressive fashion.
Elsewhere, Bankstown United and Inner West Hawks both got off the mark in 2022, with wins against Macarthur Rams and Sydney University respectively, as Bankstown City took three crucial points away from Dunbar Rovers.
The joint league leaders, Inter Lions and Rydalmere Lions, both hit road bumps in the quest for outright first place, being held to draws by Dulwich Hill and Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Match of the Round: Canterbury Bankstown FC 5-2 Central Coast United FC
Canterbury Bankstown have made it three in a row, with a comprehensive victory against Central Coast United.
The Berries were clinical in front of goal, making the visitors pay when given a sight of goal.
Nathan Manno opened the scoring for the hosts, before a Bonmyeong Koo hat-trick saw the Berries seal the result early in the second-half.
Josh Swadling capitalised on a defensive error from a corner to net United an opener in the 65th minute, moments before Justin Ivanovic reinstated the Berries four-goal buffer.
Zac Pezutto netted a late consolation goal, as the Berries walked away with a comfortable three-goal win.
The hosts wasted little time in getting their attack in order, scoring in the 4th minute, after a brilliant piece of skill from Nathan Manno saw him turn his defender, leaving him in prime position for a shot on goal.
United were eager to fight their way back into the game, finding some success going forward, but ultimately being denied by an in-form Ahmad Ismail in goals.
The Berries doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, as Manno went from goal scorer to facilitator, playing a dangerous ball into the path Bonmyeong Koo, as he neatly tucked his chance away.
After finding themselves down by two goals, United were desperate for a way back into the game and came agonisingly close when Josh Swadling’s free-kick clipped the bar.
Manno began to cause some issue for the United defence, this time playing a powerful ball across the face of goal to Koo, forcing Jack O’Mally into a world-class save from close range.
With halftime looming, the hosts netted a third, after Gabi Lopez picked out the head of Koo, securing a first-half brace.
Going into the break up by three, Canterbury Bankstown held majority of the momentum, but were tested on several occasions by the United attack.
The momentum continued to swing into the favour of the hosts, as Koo neatly tucked away his chance in the 50th minute.
United began to find their footing in the second-half, forcing the Berries defence into numerous fouls deep into their own half.
The visitors persistence paid off in the 63rd minute, as Josh Swadling’s corner was misjudged by the Berries defence and crawled over the line.
It only took the hosts two minutes to answer right back, as Gabi Lopez once again picked a teammate from a cross, this time finding Justin Ivanovic at the back post for a near open header.
After a wild opening hour of the game, the side’s began to calm down in attack, playing a more direct style of passing.
After having a stellar game, Nathan Manno’s night came to a bitter end, when he was taken off with a serious shoulder injury that could see him sidelined for several weeks.
United’s late surge in attack was rewarded in the final minute of injury time, as Josh Cairelli picked out Zac Pezzutto for a sensational half-volley finish in the roof of the net.
The Berries held on for a storied 5-2 victory, as United were unable to keep up with the rampant attack of their opponents.
Canterbury Bankstown coach, Wally Savour was thrilled with his side’s performance in both halves.
“Our tempo and energy was good and our closing down was excellent, we really set the foundation in the first-half, we gave them nothing and probably could of gone into halftime more than three goals up,” he said.
“In the second-half they had to change things up and they started pressing a lot higher and took the game to us, but we were resilient in defence, we were disappointed that we copped two silly goals though,
“Overall I was very happy with the boys, our attitude and energy was very good.”
Central Coast United captain, Daniel McFarlane admitted his side was off and noted the errors that resulted in the goals.
“We just didn’t turn up, it was an off night for everyone all around, as poor as we were, we still put two in the net, it was just a poor night for us” he said.
Bankstown United FC 1-0 Macarthur Rams FC
Bankstown United are officially off the board in 2022, getting a much needed win against Macarthur at Jensen Park.
It was a fiery affair, with the referee issuing seven cards throughout the match.
After an opening period of dominance from the Rams, United broke the deadlock at the 20 minute mark, after Dalibor Malesevic converted from the penalty spot.
10 minutes after conceding a penalty, the Rams were awarded a spot-kick of their own, however the attempt from Anthony Vastag sailed over the bar.
The second-half was an even affair, with both sides’ shot stoppers coming out strong and keeping their teams in the game.
However, it was finally meant to be for United, walking away with a maiden win on the season against a tough opponent nonetheless.
Macarthur will eager to turn the results around when they go against Inner West next week, as United look to back up their winning ways when they travel to Central Coast.
Inner West Hawks FC 1-0 Sydney University SFC
Inner West ensured they wouldn’t be the only side in the league without a win, getting three points against Sydney University.
The Hawks entered this matchup on the heels of six straight losses, but looked destined to get a positive result in this matchup.
After a back and forth affair in the first-half, the Hawks broke the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining, after a clinical finish from Mark Younes.
Uni pushed hard until the end and found themselves in some promising areas of the Hawks defensive area, however they were unable to find the finishing touch.
It was a frustrating day for the visitors, as they would of felt like this result escaped them on the night.
On the other hand, the Hawks will be jubilant in victory and importantly keeping their first clean sheet of the season.
The resurgent Hawks will look for another positive result, when they travel to face the Rams, as Uni prepare for a tough match against Bankstown City.
Dunbar Rovers FC 0-1 Bankstown City FC
With the top-two sides both dropping points, Bankstown City seized their opportunity, getting three-points over Dunbar and closing the gap between themselves and the top-two.
Dunbar entered this game without a win in their last three and were eager to try and contain the potent City attack.
The visitors got off to a dream start, when Dimi Petratos continued his notable form with another goal for City.
City had their chances in the first-half to extend the lead, Nikola Todorski came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage, when his chip shot narrowly missed the target.
Dunbar were resilient in defence, going toe-to-toe with City’s fast paced approach, winning possession and turning it into some promising chances on the other end.
The Petratos goal was all the separated the sides in the end, as Dunbar were frustrated to extend their winless streak to four games.
Dunbar coach Christian Soares noted he was happy with his players effort and attitude, despite the loss.
The Rovers move on to another tough matchup in round nine, as they prepare to face Dulwich Hill, as City entertain Sydney Uni.
Inter Lions FC 2-2 Dulwich Hill FC
Dulwich Hill have done it again, levelling the game for the second time in as many weeks in injury time, securing a draw against Inter Lions.
Inter Lions started off on the strong-foot, pressing high in the opposing half and showing plenty of energy in the opening stages.
They were rewarded in the 9th minute when Ollie Green added to his notable goalscoring tally for the year.
The Lions enjoyed a successful first-half, with a stellar showing from Nico Paras leading the hosts going forward.
Dulwich Hill coach, Paris Svilicich made an un-precented triple-substitution at the break, which seemed to add an extra gear to the tempo of the game.
The visitors levelled proceedings in the 78th minute, after Daniel Fornito capitalised on a wild exchange in the Lions box.
Inter regained the lead in the 82nd minute, with Green securing a brace and what was seemingly the game winning goal.
However, Dulwich Hill fought hard until the end and were rewarded after a world-class volley from Zac Riberio, which found the back of the net in the final minute of the game.
Inter were left heartbroken, as what looked like a certain win slipped away from them in the dying seconds.
The Lions will look to go one better when they face Gladesville Ryde, as Dulwich Hill prepare for a matchup with Dunbar.
Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-2 Rydalmere Lions FC
After being on the receiving end of a late equaliser last week, Gladesville Ryde found a late goal of their own, salvaging a draw against Rydalmere.
With visibility low on both ends of the field, the side’s struggled to get going and create attacking chances.
In a wild first-half where both keepers made some crucial saves, Rydalmere were frustrated to not be ahead going into the break, after missing a penalty and the follow up header.
Rydalmere asserted their dominance early in the second-half, with two quick goals, breaking down the resilient Magic defence in the process.
Jethro Thorton gave the Magic a lifeline in the late stages of the game, with a perfect header from a corner.
The Lions were dealt a massive blow in the final ten minutes, being reduced to ten-men, shifting the momentum firmly to the hosts.
In one of the moments of the season, Ahmed Kabbara who returned to first-grade after nearly twelve years of retirement, headed in a free-kick in the dying minutes, securing a courageous draw for the hosts.
Rydalmere now move onto a matchup against Canterbury Bankstown, as the Magic remain at home for a visit from Inter Lions.
By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
