Round 14 Review – League One Men’s
A super Saturday of long weekend action was enough to warm even the coldest of hearts in round fifteen of the League One Men’s competition.
This weekend there were victories for both the A-league academies, Northern Tigers staged an extraordinary comeback at the Recreation Area (even by their standards) and St George FC continue a charge up the table.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2 (Rose 42’, Swibel 62’) v St George City 0
Western Sydney Wanderers extended their unbeaten run to eight with a victory over St George City in a top three tussle at Wanderers Football Park.
The Wanderers under the guidance of Jean-Paul de Marigny and Labinot Haliti started the better of the two sides and kept their firm grip on the match throughout rewarded with goals from Connor Rose and Jordan Swibel.
Western Sydney Wanderers wasted no time in trying to grab control of the contest with the majority of the first quarter of the match played inside their attacking half.
Yet despite this, they struggled to convert their ascendency into many chances. The closest coming through a couple of Jesper Webber balls from the right which went across the face of goal. Young Webber combining well with Jarrod Carluccio down the right for the hosts.
St George City on the other hand were showing their defensive quality, perhaps frustrating their hosts who couldn’t manage a shot on target. And they so nearly struck on the counter twenty-five minutes in, with Jordan “Jay Jay” Morfitis hitting a volley sweetly from the top corner of the box to the right.
Finally, the Wanderers had their opportunity after the hour mark. A long Daniel Wilmering ball drawing a rare mistake from the City backline which allowed Connor Rose in one on one, Rose putting the ball over the bar with his chipped effort.
The game had just started to open up a bit approaching the half time whistle with Wanderers creating another opportunity soon after. This time Aiden Mostofi putting it over the bar from a now common Jesper Webber delivery.
As much as the Wanderers were targeting play down the right, Daniel Wilmering and Connor Rose had other ideas on how to open the scoring combining for the go-ahead goal before the break. Rose running onto a Wilmering lofted through ball before slipping his finish past the keeper from inside the area.
Opening the half as they left off, the Wanderers opened the second half in terms of chances, Daniel Wilmering hitting his shot straight at Mackenzie Syron in the City net.
Followed up on the hour with another chance, a ball in from the right floated for Swibel to miss wide left. A miss he made up for just seconds later, with a Jesper Webber low ball into the area met by the striker with a left footed finish from close range for his 9th of the season.
It was time for St George City to throw caution to the wind and they had their first shot on target as the game approached its final quarter, Nathan Roberts drawing a save from Jack Gibson from his fizzing low free-kick.
Indeed, this was the visitors best period of the match, with Damian German and Roberts having follow up shots shortly after, while Danaskos sent a ball across the face.
However, there was no comeback to be had this time as the Western Sydney Wanderers held on to their two goal advantage. They travel to Cook Park next weekend, while St George City face Wollongong United in the cup and Hakoah FC in the league tomorrow.
Northern Tigers FC 2 (Scott 90+3’, Brown 90+5’) v Hills United FC 1 (Philp 42’)
Two injury time goals gave Northern Tigers a much needed victory over Hills United at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
As if you needed a reminder, a game is never over when it comes to the Northern Tigers at North Turramurra. And after trailing for the good part of the fixture, the Tigers struck twice through Oliver Scott and Alexander “Ally” Brown to keep them in the four at the end of the weekend.
But where there is a winner, there has to be a loser and Hills United were perhaps unfortunate to walk away emptyhanded from this one. Cameron Philp gave them the lead late in the first half, but they couldn’t hang on.
Up until those final minutes, it was a frustrating night for the hosts who met a stubborn Hills United defense.
In fact, it was the visitors to have the opening opportunity of the fixture, Wade Giovenali just barely missing with a snapshot from the edge of the area going marginally left of the target.
While Northern Tigers were showing off a more attack focused line up with Shervin Adeli coming in for Hamish Mahon in Adam Hett’s team. Their first chance of note coming from a well worked set piece routine with Ollie Wiggin’s shot taking a deflection over the crossbar fifteen minutes in.
Which was followed seven minutes later with their first shot on target, Shervin Adeli forcing Ricardo Rizzo to tip his shot over the bar after tenaciously winning the ball in the attacking area.
However, it was the visitors to grab the surprise lead before the break having been encouraged on the break earlier. Cameron Philp putting them ahead with a composed right footed finish after Jordan Parfait sprung the counter.
The game then resumed in it’s established pattern with Hills happy to sit back and absorb before countering when their opposition got frustrated.
And the away side nearly doubled their lead fifteen minutes into the second half, Wade Giovenali’s shot missing wide right of the target after Philp picked him out.
While the hosts introduced the likes of Kai Denton to the fray to turn the tide of the match.
Just as things were beginning to get tight for the Tigers, they struck deep into stoppage time. The first coming through Olliver Scott on his return to the side off the bench. Scott heading home from a wonderfully floated Hiyori Kawaguchi ball to the back post.
They weren’t done yet either making it two in just a matter of seconds later. Alexander “Ally” Brown sizing up his man cutting in from the right before finishing with his magical left foot into the near side netting for the winner.
Northern Tigers have a big week ahead with a cup clash against Sydney United before meeting St George FC next weekend. While Hills United will look to bounce back against Bonnyrigg next weekend.
Mounties Wanderers FC 0 v Central Coast Mariners FC 6 (Bayliss 16‘ 81‘, Jok 18’, Kasalovic 19, Palombini 70’, McCarthy 87’)
Central Coast Mariners continue to go from strength to strength at the top of the table putting six past Mounties Wanderers away from home.
Andrew Christiansen’s side scored three times within five minutes after the quarter hour before doubling their tally in the second half with five different goal scorers finding the net at Cook Park
Looking to make home advantage count, Mounties Wanderers came out strong in the opening five minutes winning several attacking set-pieces in the early stages.
But it didn’t take long for the away side to match them in response, creating a few half chances of their own before opening the scoring soon after.
Lachlan Bayliss grabbing his tenth goal of the season. Bayliss finishing with plenty of time in the area after Jackson Khoury controlled a cross from the right and fed him to finish.
One became two just seconds later with a long through ball from Joshua Hong in right centre back allowing Dor Jok to finish on the half volley from outside the area into the bottom left corner.
And it seemed all too easy for the Mariners who made it three inside five minutes of the first goal, Maksim Kasalovic grabbing the third after a Lachlan Bayliss cross was cleared into his path. Mounties keeper Daniel Sadaka nearly doing enough to deny him.
At the other end, Mariners keeper Lawrence Caruso had his first challenge before the half hour. Matthew Self trying his luck from an angle on the left.
While Mariners were by no means quiet at the other end, continuing to look threatening.
The game continued in an open fashion with both sides exchanging chances but if there was any doubt where the three points were going, the Mariners put that to bed on seventy minutes.
Harry McCarthy releasing Jackson Khoury to his left who hit the crossbar with his effort before Ezra Palombini tidied up the finish giving the Mariners a four goal advantage.
A lead which was blown out further. Lachlan Bayliss grabbing his 11th of the season from the penalty spot. Before Harry McCarthy grabbed himself a deserved goal for the sixth on the night.
It gets no easier for Mounties Wanderers who face the other A-league academy in Western Sydney Wanderers next weekend, while Central Coast Mariners host NWS Spirit next Sunday.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Gonzalez 61’, Bangura 90’) v St George FC 3 (Morabito 12’ 74’, Philpot 86’)
St George FC continued their winning run with an impressive victory away from home against Blacktown Spartans.
Yes, Mark Milligan’s side did what no other side has done this season in beating the Spartans on their turf. Anthony Morabito grabbed a brace while Cam Philpot scored an all-important third for the visitors who made it three straight wins.
While for Blacktown Spartans, it’s the latest in an inconsistent series of results as they walk away from three straight home games with four points. Emmanuel Gonzalez and Suley Bangura found the scoresheet for them
The first ten minutes saw chances at either end with Manni Gonzalez having the hosts first of the game. While St George responded with their own.
However, it was perhaps the visitors who were edging the contest at this stages and they got the reward they deserved. A Cam Philpot cross from the left causing some chaos in the box with the ball pinballing around the box before Anthony Morabito applied the finish for his eighth goal of the campaign.
After conceding the first, the Spartans responded well managing efforts of their own through Gonzalez who forced a tidy save from Andrew Di Blasio, Hamish Lamberton from a free-kick and Gonzalez once again who headed home for it to be denied by the offside flag.
While the Saints had a chance to double their advantage through a Yu Hasegawa header before the half hour mark.
After simmering along nicely in the early stages of the second half, the game sparked into life just after the hour mark. Manni Gonzalez equalizing the score against his former team from the spot after an adjudged hand ball in the box. Gonzalez sending the keeper the wrong way.
Once again though, it was Mark Milligan’s side to take the lead just over ten minutes later. Morabito grabbing his second of the night after a swift passing move caught out their hosts defensively. Conor Quilligan with the pass forward, Philpot with the touch and Morabito with the finish from inside the area.
That lead was doubled with five minutes to go, Cam Philpot adding himself to the scoresheet once again with a close range finish, Jay Mcgowan with the assist from the right.
But another twist in the tale was to come with Spartans halving the deficit late from the spot. Bangura this time stepping up to finish.
It was to finish 3-2 though with the Saints marching on. They play Northern Tigers next weekend at home while SD Raiders await Blacktown Spartans in R15 action.
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Lino 21’) v SD Raiders FC 0
NWS Spirit continue to pressure the top four sides after claiming victory over SD Raiders at the Arctic Circle, Saturday night.
An early Geoffry Lino goal proved enough for David Perkovic’s side to overcome their visitors before a cup game against Wollongong Wolves and an away fixture against Central Coast Mariners next weekend.
The game started at a good tempo with Michael Konestabo having a couple of early chances in similar positions for the hosts. With a ball coming in from either wing, the one from the left forcing a save from the Raiders keeper, the one from Richard Darko blocked on its way towards goal.
As time ticked past the quarter hour, it became apparent who was the higher team on the table, with Spirit beginning to control proceedings. And after a couple of efforts from the likes of Jordan Gomez and Geoffry Lino who was denied by a good sweeping save if you like from Raider’s keeper Joshua Glasson.
Lino was to open the scores just after the 20th minute. Lino grabbing his fifth of the season from an angle after the host exercised some good pressure in an advanced position on the field. Jordan Gomez with the assist.
Yes, I haven’t mentioned them much, but the Raiders were showing signs they could challenge the hosts defense, with Goran Ljuboja’s side having their best chance soon after. Sebastian Malfara just unable to steer home a finish from a lovely Riley Cox-Barlow ball to the back post.
After the first half petered out so to speak, both sides looked to start the second half on the front foot. Daniel Bittar whipping in a dangerous cross for the visitors ten minute into the second half. While Louis Bozanic went closest in the early stages for the hosts with a shot into the side netting.
The game continued in an open fashion with Riley Cox-Barlow looking the main threat for SD Raiders, while Geoffry Lino looked the hosts main nuisance.
Lino setting up Richie Darko for his best chance of the match seventy-five minutes in. His effort going wide left of the target hitting the goal support. His replacement Mitch Davidson going close shortly after in his first appearance of the season.
While Nicholas Kambouris showed great tenacity down the right to get all the way to the byline before that chance fizzled out.
However, the game was to finish with NWS Spirit doing just enough ahead of their big week ahead. While SD Raiders host Blacktown Spartans next weekend.
Hakoah FC 0 v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0
Hakoah FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles played out a scoreless draw in Sydney’s East.
It’s a result which doesn’t suit either team as they chase the top five in the competition but sets the tone well for their cup outing in a couple of days’ time.
Hakoah however will be the team ruing the result the most having had a player advantage for over a half against their mid-table rivals.
The match started evenly with neither side really grabbing control of the game early with the first chance of note falling to Luiz Lobo who sent a right footed free-kick over the bar. Followed soon after by Ben Fuchs being played through for an apparent 1v1 before the Bonnyrigg defense recovered.
While Yianni Spyrakis went closest in the opening half hour, heading wide from a corner delivered in from the left.
Having already struggled in the opening thirty-five minutes, things took a turn for the worse for Bonnyrigg who were reduced to ten as Goran Subara saw red with ten minutes of the first half left.
After the break as Hakoah went searching for a goal at the one end, more space began to open up for the visitors as Marie Gauthier and Asmir Kadric looked to lead their counters.
It was turning into a game of patience for the hosts who were up against a stubborn defense. Their first opportunity coming on sixty-seven minutes, Yianni Spyrakis with a shot which tested Michael Figueira in the visitor’s net.
Ultimately though, it was a textbook defensively performance from the visitors who showed a lot of character to hold on when reduced to ten even nine late on.
The final chance of the match fell to Ryan Blumberg who hit the post from close range with a header after a ball in from the right,
Both sides meet again in Australia Cup action at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre. While next weekend, Hakoah FC welcome St George City and Bonnyrigg White Eagles travel to face Hills United.
By League One Men’s writer Justin Smith
