Round 16 Review – League One Men’s
With 16 rounds played, it’s still anyone’s guess who emerges in top position in six weeks as the League One Men’s competition enters the run home.
In round 16 action, both A-league academies were held to draws while St George City and NWS Spirit made up ground to leave us with four teams separated by two points in the standings. While elsewhere SD Raiders put five on their opposition and Blacktown Spartans won a thriller at Blacktown Football Park.
Northern Tigers FC 1 (Adeli 50‘) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Simmons 78’)
Northern Tigers and Western Sydney Wanderers had to share the points after their meeting at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
In a strange game where both goals arguably came against the run of play, Shervin Adeli opened the scoring before the visitors found their goal through Aidan Simmons.
Coming into the game on the back of a lengthy unbeaten streak, the Wanderers were quick to put their opposition under pressure doing such in lengthy spells in the opening quarter hour.
The first notable chance of the game though was to come at the other end with Oliver Scott running onto a well-weighted Shervin Adeli through ball before firing wide.
Connor Rose was looking a threat for the visitors once again and thought he had the opener twenty six minutes in. Tucking an Aiden Mostofi cross home from close range, only to be denied by the offside flag.
With the pattern of the game set, neither side were able to open the scoring before the break, with Western Sydney Wanderers edging proceedings in the opening half.
After a stoic opening half defensively, the hosts were given a reward for their efforts four minutes into the second. A long ball from the back catching the young wanderers unaware at the back. Lacklan Lloyd bursting through, his shot saved only into the path of Shervin Adeli who pounced for his second in as many matches.
In fact, after a quiet first half in attack, the Tigers emerged from the break a more dangerous prospect in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half as they broke with pace. With Ollie Scott, Bailey Rule and Lachlan Lloyd all having chances to double their lead.
While Mostofi had a chance with a header at the other end nearly twenty minutes into the half. Indeed, it was the Wanderers turn to push for an equalizer with Zac Sapsford introduced to proceedings. Sapsford wasting no time in linking with Connor Rose five minutes after coming on, Rose’s shot missing the target.
But it was Aidan Simmons the unlikely scorer for the visitors, a Rose cross taking a touch off Sapsford before Simmons took it upon himself to find some space inside the area before unleashing a left footed strike into the roof of the net.
The final stages continued with both sides continuing to create chances, the Tigers having two guilt edged chances late with Lachlan Lloyd hitting the frame of the goal with a shot with six minutes left and Jack Fulton missing a one on one chance. While Aiden Mostofi was inches from a Sapsford defense shortly before those chances.
SD Raiders await Northern Tigers next weekend, while Western Sydney Wanderers host a mouthwatering clash with Central Coast Mariners in round seventeen action.
St George City 4 (German 14’, Malfara 45’, Roberts 46’, Hooper 94’) v St George FC 1 (Philpot 48’)
St George have retained bragging rights over local rivals St George FC with a convincing 4-1 victory at Penhurst Park.
The hosts secured their spot in a promotion spot for another week and now find themselves level with Western Sydney for top place in League One.
City were quick to stamp their footprint on the game, seeing the majority of success in attack in the opening stages of the game.
It was Damian German who got City on the board first in the 15th minute, with a strike that capped off their control.
The visitors had their fair share of attacks but were met by a determined City defense that remained strong throughout the opening 45 minutes.
St George were agonizingly denied of an equalizer moments before the halftime break, as Isaac Danzo sent Cam Philpot through on goal and with just the keeper to beat the striker was ruled offside.
City secured a crucial goal in the final seconds of the first half, after a determined run from Alex Malfara saw him break through the opposing defense leaving him with an open shot from six-yard box where he made no mistakes.
City wasted little time getting back to work upon the restart, after winning the ball back from kick off it was Nathan Roberts who powered his effort into the back of the net, giving City a three-goal advantage.
St George answered back almost immediately as a brilliant solo run and cross from Jay McGowan picked out Cam Philpot for his sixth goal of the year.
With forty minutes of play still remaining, St George began to look more confident in attack as they searched for a result.
The game began to flow back and forth between the two sides in a quick counter-attacking style of football for stages.
German was sensationally denied a brace after his piercing shot from close range smashed back against the crossbar.
It wasn’t St George’s day in attack as they denied themselves of a second after Alex Morabito picked out Yu Hasegawa, with his effort sailing over the bar from close distance.
The hosts continued to search for a fourth but after a rapid middle sector of the game, both sides eased off in the final period.
City were rewarded in the final minute of injury time, after one last attacking burst saw Mark Moric brought down in the box and awarded a penalty.
Brendan Hooper stepped up for the hosts and drilled his effort from the penalty spot home to give his side a three-goal lead.
It was a deserved win for St George City who continue their surge up the ladder, with automatic promotion on the horizon in the coming weeks.
Big thanks to Dominic Criniti who helped out with this report. Check out his work which includes writing match reports for Northbridge games or the League Two preview/reviews.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0 v NWS Spirit FC 1 (Kokubo 96’)
NWS Spirit gave themselves a bit of breathing room with a victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles to put themselves four points clear of 5th place with six rounds remaining.
And it was a late goal which secured them the all-important victory, the visitors striking deep into injury time through Musashi Kokubo.
However, don’t let the late goal fool you, NWS Spirit began to show their threat early creating their first chance inside four minutes. Dominic Johns combining with Geoffry Lino to his left on the break, Lino shooting over the bar.
While Asmir Kadric tried his luck from long range after seeing Christopher Marques off his line at the other end, his effort going over the bar. With a further effort from the hosts coming from Joshua Karantz soon after
But the best two chances of the opening quarter hour fell the way of Spirit. Michael Konestabo having his effort after being released by Corey Kavanagh denied by Michael Figuera’s right leg. Before Grant Cornwell hit the bar with his near post header from the resulting set-piece.
While Asmir Kadric had the hosts best opportunity so far, with a right footed shot from an angle forcing Marques into a diving save as it headed for the top right corner twenty five minutes in.
As was the pattern of the game, the visitors had the next chance with five minutes left before the break, Dominic Johns unable to finish from close range after the ball ricocheted off Jack Kuipers in the area.
Spirit once again opened the second half in terms of chances, Bonnyrigg keeper Michael Figuera getting down well to deny Michael Konestabo in the early stages.
Some defensive adjustments from the hosts at half time though did seem to limit the chances for the visitors though.
With the Spirit’s next chance coming from a tricky set piece with Mitch Davidson just inches away from reaching a sneaky Corey Kavannagh pass halfway through the half.
And it wasn’t only the visitors struggling to create chances, with chances few and far between for the hosts as well with Kadric continuing to look their main threat. Though the introduction of Radovan Pavicevic nearly paid off instantly with a deflected long range shot forcing Marques to turn it round the post.
However, just as it was looking like things would finish level, Spirit pounced with a 96th minute goal to Musashi Kokubo. Kokubo heading home a Kota Odakura delivery to give them a vital victory heading into their midweek Waratah Cup fixture with Wollongong United while Bonnyrigg White Eagles travel to face St George FC next weekend.
Mounties Wanderers FC 0 v SD Raiders FC 5 (Maya 6’, Chianese 41’, Bittar 47’, Marjanovic 51’, Abou Serhal 55’)
Well… I asked for goals in the preview and SD Raiders certainly delivered putting five past Mounties Wanderers at Cook Park.
The Raiders opened their account inside the first seven minutes before doubling their advantage before the break. Going on to find another three after the break to give them their first victory in five outings.
Their first came through the outlet of Franco Maya who found plenty of space down the left side before finishing coolly past Daniel Sadaka, Riley Cox Barlow with the assist.
Mounties in response had their first opportunity a minute later, Brad Bartels trying the spectacular from outside the box, his shot going over the bar. Followed up by a Paul Apostolopoulos chance from close range after Mario Aleksik failed to claim a free kick.
This was the Mounties best period of the game with Cole Mutton next to trouble Aleksik with a long range shot which stung his palms.
While Riley Cox Barlow had the Raiders first chance in a while with his shot palmed away for a corner. A chance which gave the visitors a boost finding their second soon after, an attacking set piece unable to be cleared before Noah Chianese finished in plenty of space on the right side of the box.
Things didn’t get any more encouraging for the hosts after the break, SD Raiders finding their third and fourth of the night inside the opening six minutes of the second half. Daniel Bittar with the third two minutes into the half after Mounties were caught all at sea at the back. Chianese slipping him in to his right before Bittar finished off.
Followed by a corner routine from the same side which saw Noah Chianese flick on a header from the near post which Daniel Marjanovic pounced on for his sides fourth.
In no mood for mercy, the Raiders found a fifth, four minutes after their fourth to compound the hosts misery, Charles Abou Serhal stepping up to make it five from the spot on a memorable night for the visitors.
Although the top five looks beyond their reach, SD Raiders have an opportunity to certainly shake it up when they host Northern Tigers next weekend. While Mounties Wanderers travel to face Hills United in round seventeen action.
Blacktown Spartans FC 4 (Gonzalez 33‘ 47‘ 93‘, Lamberton 52‘) v Hills United 2 (Giovenali 18‘ 48‘)
Blacktown Spartans prevailed in a six goal thriller at Blacktown Football Park with a victory over Hills United.
It’s the first victory in four weeks for Blacktown Spartans who kept their faint top five hopes alive with Emmanuel Gonzalez starring with a hattrick with Hamish Lamberton adding a fourth to the tally.
At one stage of the fixture, it actually seemed like a straight shootout between Gonzalez and Wade Giovenali before the Spartans broke away to claim the points.
Early on, the Spartans set about doing their work creating their first chance from a corner six minutes in. a ball from the right finding Suley Bangura at the back post who couldn’t turn it in.
The opener was to come at the other end though, and it was a contender for scrappiest goal of the season. Cameron Philp cutting the ball back to Wade Giovenali who seemed to scuff his shot which took a deflection off Alex Gollan and rolling into the net. They all count!
Despite conceding that goal, the hosts continued to mount pressure on their visitors who equalized after the half hour. Manni Gozalez with a superb finish into the bottom left corner from just outside the box.
Gonzalez nearly finding a second a minute later, only denied by a wonderful Riccardo Rizzo save, Joel Beattie with some tenacious work in the lead up. Giovenali responding with a similar chance at the other end.
Wasting no time coming out of the break, Gonzalez picked up his second two minutes into the second. Hamish Lamberton sending through a well weighted through ball which allowed Gonzalez to place his shot past the keeper to give them the lead.
You didn’t want to be late returning to your seat in this one with Hills United responding in quick fashion. Wade Giovenali pouncing on a back pass with not enough weight on it, charging down a keeper clearance in style as the ball found the net.
Three goals in six minutes to start the second half? Don’t mind if we do. And it was Blacktown Spartans to take the lead once again. A scrappy build up turning into gold for the hosts as Hamish Lamberton took the initiative in an advanced position with a touch off the chest and finish.
As the visitors pushed for an equalizer, Spartans added a fourth in added time. Gonzalez securing the match ball arriving into the box right on time to finish into the bottom left again.
They face St George City next weekend while Hills United welcome Mounties to Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Tapp 35’) v Hakoah FC 1 (Cox 50’)
Central Coast Mariners were held to a draw by Hakoah FC at Pluim Park Sunday afternoon.
After holding a lead thanks to a Bradley Tapp first half goal, they were pegged back by a Dominic Cox equalizer as the visitors put in a brave performance.
In a chance foreshadowing their later success, the Mariners nearly had the opener six minutes in. Bayliss flicking on a header from a corner which hit the crossbar before it fell to Brad Tapp at the back post, Tapp unable to get it past a defender on the line.
Signs were looking positive for the hosts at with Harry McCarthy having the next chance of note before the quarter hour denied by someone on the line. Which was followed soon after by a Lachlan Bayliss sighter which went just over the top right corner.
Hakoah on the other hand thought they had the opener when Daniel Alessi turned home a finish after Dominic Cox headed across the face, the goal denied by the offside flag.
The hosts however were lacking the fluidity which had served them well to recent weeks with their best chances coming from the set piece as the visitors looked to frustrate them.
Mariners opening the scoring thirty-five minutes in. A corner delivered in from the right making its way through to Brad Tapp who rifled home a finish from the back post leaving Nikolas Loe no chance in the visiting net.
As the half concluded there was plenty of feeling in this one, with a lot on the line particularly for the visitors.
Where Mariners edged the first half in terms of chances, Hakoah struck back in the second. A Luiz Lobo effort within the first minute showing their intent. Tuson-Firth following next with a header.
Dominic Cox claiming the reward for a positive start to the second heading home from close range after a long throw routine to level the scores. Tuson-Firth with the flick on header for the assist.
While Lachlan Bayliss went close for the hosts on the hour. His shot kissing the outside of the woodwork after showing tenacity in the lead up.
The game continued in tense fashion with neither side wanting to give an inch, late chances falling for Dor Jok, Brad Tapp and Jakob Cresnar who couldn’t finish after Nikolas Loe fumbled Tapp’s shot. While Hakoah nearly stole it into injury time, Yianni Spyrakis missing just wide with his effort.
Central Coast Mariners face Western Sydney Wanderers next weekend, while Hakoah travel to Christie Park.
By FNSW League One Men’s writer Justin Smith
