Round 14 Review – League Two Men’s
It was another drama filled round of Football NSW League Two Men’s as we gained some clarity in the incredibly tight race for promotion and finals.
Our match of the round saw Central Coast uphold the fortress that is Pluim Park as they defeated Rydalmere Lions 2-0.
Elsewhere, Dunbar Rovers made it four in a row against Sydney University, Canterbury Bankstown completed the double over Bankstown City, with Macarthur Rams holding off Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Inter Lions got back to winning ways over Inner West Hawks, as Bankstown United and Dulwich Hill shared the points.
Match of the Round: Central Coast United FC 2-0 Rydalmere Lions FC
Central Coast United have made it six in a row at home by putting on a second half masterclass to claim all three points against Rydalmere Lions at Pluim Park.
It was a Josh Swadling brace that separated the sides in the second half, as Rydalmere rued their missed chances in the opening period of the game.
Central Coast found themselves with the first real chance of the game, as Daniel McFarlane sent Swadling through one on one with Charles Samushonga only for the keeper to beat him to the ball.
The visitors turned up the intensity after this close call and began to dominate the remainder of the half.
Fresh off his 100th game for the club, Ali McKie backed up his stellar performance and became central to all of Rydalmere’s attacks with his eyes up plays through on goal.
It was the skipper who sent Garang Awac down the line, with his shot across goal beating Jack O’Mally but narrowly missing the outstretched foot of Ahmad Taleb for what would have been an open net.
O’Mally proved his worth between the sticks, making an incredible save from a close range effort from Thomas Gittany.
After withstanding a mountain of pressure in the first 45 minutes, the Pirates managed to get into the break with the scores level and plenty of work to do shut down the dangerous attacks of Rydalmere.
The second half was a different story for the hosts, as they flipped the script and had the lion’s share of chances.
McFarlane came close to opening the scoring early in the second half with his promising header just going past the back post.
Rydalmere attempted to find a way back into control of the game with a few audacious efforts from long range that fell comfortable into the arms of O’Mally.
The hosts struck first in the 68th minute after McFarlane perfectly picked out Swadling with a cross, giving him a near open header to get the first goal of the match.
Central Coast looked unstoppable from this point on and put the Lions defence under a mountain of pressure.
After being forced out of position into the centre of defence, Jack Ragen sent a long ball into the path of the Rydalmere defence that was eventually won by McFarlane who was through on goal.
With the skipper seemingly losing possession, the ball perfectly went into the path of Swadling as he was taken down in the box with the referee awarding a penalty.
McFarlane stepped with the chance to take his tally for the season into double figures, his effort however was brilliantly denied by Samushonga.
The Pirates continued to push the Rydalmere defence and were almost rewarded moments after the missed penalty.
After doing well to get down a save the first effort, Samushonga was left stranded as Swadling tapped the ball into an empty net, only for the linesmen to rule an offside in the lead up.
Rydalmere came within inches of an equaliser but were denied by another world-class save from O’Mally, as he denied Tim Wohlfiel from close range.
The hosts couldn’t be denied much longer, as Ragen sent Swadling through on goal with just one man back, finishing his chance with a remarkable chip that left Samushonga stranded.
United held on for the win and sent themselves into third place on the table.
Central Coast captain Daniel McFarlane was proud of his side’s effort and their consistency throughout the last couple of games.
“It was another good result and we are starting to show we are a well drilled and quality side on a consistent basis,” he said.
“Our key players are performing every week, we were confident going into the game and we felt that we deserved three points.”
Sydney University SFC 0-1 Dunbar Rovers FC
Dunbar Rovers have secured their fourth straight win by holding Sydney University goalless – the third time they’ve held an opponent goalless in the last four games.
The visitors were searching for three more crucial points to create some separation from the tightly packed mid table battle.
Uni looked like an improved unit in this game, creating plenty of attacking chances but just lacking the finishing touch.
Dunbar coach Christian Soares noted his pride in his side’s defensive efforts to hold off the barrage of attacks throughout the game.
The sides were eventually separated as Andy Alvarenga stepped up for his third goal in two games.
Alvarenga has proven invaluable in replacing Aram Tayebi and has given Dunbar another threat in attack.
It was another tough break for Uni who now face an improbable challenge to fight their way back up the ladder with limited games remaining.
Uni return to action in Round 15 against Rydalmere, as Dunbar make the daunting trip up the coast to face the Pirates.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 4-2 Bankstown City FC
Canterbury Bankstown’s first half excellence in front of goal has propelled them to another key victory, as they defeated Bankstown City for the second time this season.
The Berries now find themselves on the heels of a three win streak, with finals aspirations now at the forefront.
Bonmyeong Koo continued his red-hot form, setting up the first goal for Andre Guzman as the hosts took an early lead.
Their lead was cut short, as Nikola Todoroski stepped for City with a powerful header at the front post to level the scores.
It was all the Berries from this point on however, with Justin Ivanovic sending the hosts back into the lead before the captain Gino Cerasoli headed home the third.
Going into the second half with a two goal buffer, Berries put the result beyond doubt with a fourth goal when Koo converted from the penalty spot.
With the goal Koo now puts himself equal first in the race for the golden boot, with 13 on the season putting him level with Ollie Green.
City pushed numbers forward but were held out by the intense Berries’ defence, as they limited the amount of real chances for the visitors.
Todoroski popped up again later on in the half, putting away his one on one chance to gain a brace for the game.
Berries’ defensive pressure in the second half was exceptional and gave them the best chance to secure the impressive win.
Canterbury Bankstown now turn their focus to their next clash against Gladesville Ryde, as City host Inner West in Round 15.
Macarthur Rams FC 2-1 Gladesville Ryde Magic
Two first half goals from Macarthur Rams has given them another big win against Gladesville Ryde at Lynwood Park.
The Rams entered this match with just one loss in their last six and looked to continue their good run of form.
The hosts got off the board in a stellar fashion, opening the scoring in the first minute through Mitchell Brooker.
Gladesville Ryde were left stunned at the early strike and took their time finding their feet and beginning to play their football.
The Magic had success going forward with some dangerous combinations between their attackers causing the Rams some problems.
It took them until the 41st minute to get the game back to level pegging, with the skipper Chris Gaitatzis stepping up for the Magic.
The lead was very short lived as moments before the break Michael Osei-Adomako put the Rams back into the lead.
The visitors looked more dangerous in the second half, however with some resilient defending and a great comeback performance from Steven Savicic between the sticks the Rams held on for victory.
Although it was a tough loss, the Magic are still within reaching distance of a promotion spot and will be searching for a win when they face Canterbury Bankstown next week.
Macarthur have now found themselves in a finals place as they prepare for to travel to face Dulwich Hill in Round 15.
Inner West Hawks FC 3-5 Inter Lions FC
Inter Lions returned to the winners circle in an eight goal thriller against Inner West Hawks at Arlington Oval.
Much like the reverse fixture, the sides traded blows in front of goals and left the fans with a game full of drama.
With the game starting at a rapid pace, it was the hosts who stunned their opponents with an early goal after capitalising on a defensive error.
In a matter of seconds the game was back to level, with Fikret Berisha finishing off a classy bit of lead up play from Giuseppe Tilio.
The Hawks continued to make Inter pay for their defensive lapses, seizing on another chance to send themselves back in the lead.
However, the Hawks hadn’t seen the last of Berisha in the first half as he punished them and completed an incredible first half hat trick to give the Lions a lead heading into the break.
Berisha’s quick fire double gave Inter and himself three first half goals, as he looked destined to score every time he found himself in space.
Inter began to control the second half more but were once again stunned by the Hawks as Peter Yannopoulos answered back shortly after the restart to level the score for the third time.
The third time wasn’t a charm for th hosts unfortunately as Inter would come back again in the late stages of the game to secure the win.
Owen Duke rewarded Inter’s persistence in attack on the 80 minute mark, before Daniel Georgievski set him up for a double minutes later.
It was another classic Inter performance as they yet again pulled away in the dying stages of the game to get their ninth win of the season.
Inner West coach, Gus Cerro credited the opposition for their quality in attack but was optimistic with his youthful looking sides performance, especially Declan Woolnough who excelled in his first start for the club.
The Hawks now face Bankstown City in Round 15, as Inter travel to Jensen Park for a matchup with Bankstown United.
Bankstown United FC 1-1 Dulwich Hill FC
Bankstown United snapped a two game losing streak playing out an entertaining draw with Dulwich Hill.
United were desperate need for a result in this fixture to keep their promotion hopes alive and responded in an impressive fashion.
In a much improved showing from the hosts, they shared an equal amount of chances with their opposition throughout the opening stages of the half.
Ryan Wood made some heroic saves for Dulwich Hill and gave them enough momentum turn their defensive work into a goal.
Dulwich Hill opened the score just minutes before the break, with Emmanuel Zervas finishing off a dangerous long ball.
United pushed Dulwich Hill to their limits in the second half and were rewarded on the hour mark as Sean Robertson got the hosts back on level terms.
The sides went back and forth in search of a winner and both had periods of dominance where the goals went begging.
It wasn’t meant to be for either side as they were forced to share the points on the night.
United will be encouraged by the result and the performance from two debutants, Chris Thomas and Hayden Battistel.
They will hope to bring their momentum into a tough matchup with Inter Lions next week, as Dulwich Hill host Macarthur Rams.
By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
