Round 16 Review – League Two Men’s

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It was another exhilarating round of Football NSW League Two Men’s football, with two injury time goals rounding out an entertaining weekend. 

Our match of the round saw Canterbury Bankstown extend their winning run to five, as they took down Sydney University on Friday night.

Elsewhere, Central Coast United made it eight in a row as they defeated Gladesville Ryde Magic, Inner West Hawks upset Dulwich Hill, as Bankstown City took down Macarthur Rams.

Inter Lions secured another late victory over Dunbar Rovers, with Rydalmere Lions leaving it late to secure a draw with Bankstown United.

 

Match of the Round: Sydney University SFC 0-2 Canterbury Bankstown FC

Canterbury Bankstown have continued their ascension up the ladder with a classy victory over Sydney Uni.

Uni have been through some change over the last couple of weeks, with a couple of changes in the playing squad forcing them to be active in the transfer window.

It just wasn’t meant to be for the hosts on the night as they first had to change their kit minutes before kick-off and they struggled to find the finishing touch in front of goal.

Two first half goals from Justin Ivanovic and Bonmyeong Koo got the Berries over the line as they secured their spot in third place.

It was a difficult opening period for both sides with a few costly mistakes in build-up play denying them of a genuine first chance.

The Berries looked dangerous in attack, with Gabi Lopez controlling the game with his composure in midfield.

The visitors got on the board first in the 17th minute after a perfect cross from Cian McNamara was met by an even better header from Justin Ivanovic, as he picked out the top corner for the opening goal.

In a matter of minutes the Berries had doubled their lead as Lopez sent Koo through on goal, with the striker hammering his chance into the back of the net.

After being caught off guard by their opponents rampant attack, Uni found themselves on the front foot throughout the remainder of the half.

Edward Jabbari came closest for the hosts after a promising run down the by-line found him in prime position for a shot that was denied by Ahmad Ismail.

The remainder of the half was a back and forth affair but lacked any real chances for both sides.

Berries went into the break with a deserved two-goal lead that would of frustrated Uni as they continued to struggle in front of goal.

Canterbury Bankstown started off the second half looking likely for a third goal as they capitalised by winning back possession in crucial areas.

The visitors came close in the early stages of the second half, as Josh Mbakwe picked out Andre Guzman in the box with his shot just missing the target.

Uni were gifted a golden chance after a bit of mis-communication in the Berries defence gave them a clear path through on goal, but Ismail was quick to defuse the situation and save his side their blushes.

Substitute Angelo Pezzano made his presence felt immediately, after Guzman selflessly laid off a chance to him but he was denied with a sensational save from Jasper Sarkies.

Berries had one last chance to give themselves a three-goal cushion as McNamara played through Thomas Todd through on goal, with his chance sailing wide of the target.

The visitors rounded out the game to hold on for a 2-0 victory, as they moved themselves up into third on the ladder.

 

Central Coast United FC 3-1 Gladesville Ryde Magic

Central Coast are on fire, they’ve secured their eighth straight win at the expense of Gladesville Ryde as they became the latest victim to Pluim Park.

United were amongst the more active sides upon the opening of the transfer window, with the return of Graham Toope and the signing of Duncan Stewart all announced during the week.

Central Coast were unlucky to have not gone into the break up by a goal, with Kiriakos Tohouroglou making some crucial saves to keep the game level.

The flood gates opened in the second half with four goals that created an exciting game for the fans.

The deadly duo of Daniel McFarlane and Josh Swadling combined for the opener in the 55th minute, as the skipper setup Swadling for a powerful finish at the front post.

On debut for the club, Stewart made his presence felt after a great pass from Cade Mapu picked out the attacker in the box for a one on one finish.

Chris Gaitatzis gave the Magic a lifeline after finishing off a neat bit of build-up play from Nicholas Drummond to reduce the deficit to one goal.

It was the skipper who put the result beyond doubt in the late stages of the game, as Stewart set him up for a brilliant finish from the edge of the area.

Stewart starred on debut coming off the bench, with a goal and an assist in just 25 minutes of play for the hosts.

Central Coast will look to continue their winning ways as they face Dulwich Hill next week, as the Magic travel to face Bankstown City.

 

Dunbar Rovers FC 1-2 Inter Lions FC

Another week, another Inter Lions comeback, the league-leaders have done it again as they left it late to pull out another victory over Dunbar Rovers at Fraser Park.

Inter have proven this season they thrive in the second half and when the pressure is on the hardest they shine.

Dunbar opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Conor Slater pounced on a defensive error to give the hosts the lead.

The Rovers remained defensively solid for the rest of the first half as Luke Del Vecchio starred in between the sticks.

According to the script, Inter changed their tactics in the second half and yet again pulled off another comeback.

Inter’s captain Sam Armson got the visitors on the board just after the hour mark, after finishing off a wild goal line scramble.

Dunbar were left frustrated as they missed a chance to finish the game off in the late stages and were left stranded as Inter took the win.

With the injury time seconds ticking away, Nico Paras’ free-kick picked out a high-flying Daniel Georgievski for the winner.

Inter couldn’t be denied of yet another storied win as they maintain their six-point buffer atop of League Two.

Dunbar will look to bounce back next as they face Macarthur, with Inter hosting Sydney Uni in Round 17.

 

Macarthur Rams FC 1-2 Bankstown City FC

Bankstown City have returned to their top form with their second consecutive win over Macarthur Rams.

After sliding down the table in recent weeks, City have propelled themselves back into finals contention after surpassing their opponents on Saturday night.

The Rams were forced to make an early change with Anthony Vastag forced off in the 17th minute with a hamstring issue.

It was a frustrating first half for both sides, with scores level at the break after a few chances came within inches of an opener.

The Rams came closest in the first half, with two clear chances from close-range missing the target entirely.

Ante Tomic got the visitors off to a strong start moments after the restart with a memorable volley that opened the scoring in the 46th minute.

City looked threatening and confident in the second half as they began to put the Rams defence under pressure for certain stages of the match.

The visitors were reduced to ten-men when Jonathan Grozdanovski was shown a red card, but it didn’t seem to affect their attacking ways.

After holding out their opponents for the majority of the half Macarthur was finally beaten again when Nikola Todoroski secured his 12th goal of the season to seal the win.

The Rams had a very late push and found an answer through an own goal from a corner in the dying stages, but it ultimately was too little too late.

With the win City now find themselves in back into fifth place and await a matchup with the Magic next week to try and create more breathing room back in a finals spot.

Macarthur will be disappointed with the result but will return to Lynwood Park next week as they face Dunbar in a finals six pointer.

 

Inner West Hawks FC 2-0 Dulwich Hill FC

Inner West have secured bragging rights at the battle of Arlington Oval, getting their first win since round eight as they beat Dulwich Hill.

After weeks of promising showings from the Hawks, it all finally came together in a brilliant second-half performance.

The first-half saw both sides put together strong defensive showings, with both shot stoppers coming out on top to send the game into the break level.

The Hawks put it all together for a memorable second half outing that saw them score two goals and maintain a clean sheet.

Mark Younes opened the scoring in the 57th minute after finishing off a skilful bit of lead up play from Emmanuel Koumis.

The set-piece specialist, David Adjassou proved his worth with an exceptional free-kick that picked out the top corner to give the hosts a two goal lead.

The final ten-minutes was dominated by Dulwich Hill in attack, with new signing Diego Barcena putting on a masterclass between the sticks.

It was a much deserved win for Inner West, who have struggled for most of the season but have shown genuine improvement with Gus Cerro at the helm.

Dulwich Hull’s struggles have continued with their third loss in four games as they managed to hold onto to the final promotion spot for another week.

Inner West travel to face Rydalmere next week, as Dulwich Hill host the in-form Central Coast United.

 

Bankstown United FC 1-1 Rydalmere Lions FC

Bankstown United were left heartbroken as Rydalmere secured a last-minute equaliser to share the points at Jensen Park.

Starring down the barrel of three consecutive loses, the Lions stood tall and fought until the final minute to earn themselves a crucial draw.

Both teams battled for the lion’s share of chances in the first half, but it was the hosts who looked the likeliest to open the scoring.

United’s persistence was paid off in the 25th minute after Corey Freeman played Oscar Nieto Rava through on goal where he neatly powered it into the back of the net.

The hosts were denied by some strong defensive work from Rydalmere in the backend of the half, with Moe Hamdache being denied twice.

Rydalmere turned up the intensity in the second half, finding the majority of chances and possession throughout the end of the game.

Corey Freeman was denied by the crossbar for the hosts, as they began to feel the heat from an ambush of Rydalmere attacks.

Rydalmere answered back deep into injury time, with Mitchell Gibbs finishing off his chance to level the game in the dying seconds.

It’s been the story of their season thus far for United, but coach Scott Belgre noted his pride in Chris Thomas and Isaac Schipp with their performances against a strong opposing midfield.

United host local rivals Canterbury Bankstown next week, as Rydalmere look to end their winless streak when they face Inner West Hawks.

By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti