Round 19 Review – League One Men’s
With four teams competing for the premiership, there was drama aplenty on a Super Saturday of League One Men’s Round 19 action.
Both Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners stated their respective claims for top spot with impressive victories while NWS Spirit held onto their unbeaten streak sharing the points with St George City.
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Kokubo 67’) v St George City 1 (Malfara 58’)
NWS Spirit and St George City shared the spoils in their top three matchup at Christie Park.
After a tense opening half, the sides went in level before the visitors took the lead through Alexander Malfara shortly into the second half. However, they were unable to keep their hosts scoreless, Musashi Kokubo equalizing shortly after.
Coming out of the gates, the visitors started the better of the two sides, nearly capitalizing on a couple of early chances coming from turnovers. Often thwarted by the sweeping efforts of Christopher Marques behind the Spirit defense.
It took 22 minutes for the games first chance of note, Louis Bozanic released beyond the defense on the left before seemingly being caught in two minds as it came time to cross or shoot from a narrow angle, the ball rolling into the side netting.
City on the other hand were reduced to half-chances, Paolo Mitry having their first shot on target five minutes later, Marques saving comfortably.
Having formed a reputation for being dangerous from set pieces, City were cautious of the danger reducing Spirit to only a few in the opening half. Still Spirit managed to create one chance from the set piece, Mitch Davidson forcing Mackenzie Syron into a smart save from close range after Grant Cornwell headed the ball back across the face.
There was one last chance for the visitors before the half though, with only the offside flag denying them in first half injury time, Reuben Awaritefe putting the ball in the net after Marques couldn’t handle an earlier shot.
Coming out from the break, both sides seemed to turn up their attacking intensity, creating early chances. Spirit going inches from opening the score six minutes into the half through Michael Konestabo who hit the left hand post cutting in from the right.
The goal did come at the other end though. Jakub Prajza combining with Paolo Mitry and Reuben Awaritefe to win the corner. A corner which saw a scramble in the area before Alex Malfara finished from close range to give the visitors the advantage.
An advantage which lasted just ten minutes before Spirit hit back with a set piece of their own. The Japanese duo of Kota Odakura and Musashi Kokubo combining for the equalizer, the latter providing the headed finish from a near post run.
From there, the game was tightly contested with Konestabo and Aidan Taouil having chances for the hosts, while Awaritefe had the visitors best chance with an ambitious bicycle attempt.
St George City still have premiership hopes and take on Mounties Wanderers next. While NWS Spirit hold a 9 point advantage over Northern Tigers in the top four race, they too play Mounties Wanderers next midweek in a round 22 clash before backing up against St George FC next weekend.
Northern Tigers FC 1 (Larson OG 86’) v Central Coast Mariners FC 2 (Nikolic 2’, )
Central Coast Mariners claimed three points on their return to the field with victory over Northern Tigers at North Turramurra.
In what you could describe as a trademark away performance, the visitors took the lead early before soaking up plenty of pressure and capitalizing at the other end.
The Mariners started the clash hot with Harry McCarthyyy forcing Elliott Carwardine into a save down to his left with a shot from 25 yards inside a minute. A save which initiated a couple of corners, the second of which resulted in the first goal of the game.
Bradley Tapp finding some room at the back post before sending the ball across the face for Stefan Nikolic to score the goal bundling it home.
While Northern Tigers responded which a set piece chance of the own inside four minutes. Hiyori Kawaguchi whipping in a ball which Oliver Scott tried to steer in off balance. A similar chance coming four minutes later.
The game then dropped tempo a little bit after a hectic start as both sides tried to grasp control of the contest.
Tigers were next to test the opposition keeper, Tigers moving the ball swiftly in the attacking area before Jack Fulton tested Lawrence Caruso from an angle 17 minutes in.
The challenge was now set for the Tigers who once again had the task of facing a set defense at North Turramurra. Rhys Williams next to have a chance after the half hour from another Tigers corner.
Mariners on the other hand were looking dangerous on the counter which resulted in Harry McCarthy nearly making it two if he didn’t miskick his opportunity. Proceedings ended in the first half with the game opening up yet no change to the score.
In contrast to the first half, Northern Tigers created the first chance of the second half. With Ollie Scott having two shots in quick succession, one blocked and the other saved by Caruso inside five minutes.
However, the best chance of the opening quarter hour of the second half came from the other penalty spot after Travis Oughtred brought Dor Jok down. Jok rattling the crossbar with his penalty, perhaps being that little bit too ambitious.
With time ticking away, the Tigers grew increasingly desperate for a goal. But they just couldn’t get a stubborn defense of the Mariners.
The Mariners scoring a crucial second goal, a captain’s intervention from Bradley Tapp leading to the second goal as he intercepted the ball and played the cross into the middle. Dor Jok with the flick on, Jackson Khoury with the finish.
Tigers did manage a consolation soon after, Dean Larson’s clearing header unfortunately going wayward into his own net.
Promotion looks an uphill task for the Northern Tigers and they still need to secure a finals position with four games left in the regular season as they take on SD Raiders and Hakoah this week. While for the Mariners, they return home to host Hills United in round 20.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 5 (Carluccio 33‘ 64‘, Lopane 50’, Badolato 54’, Rose 91’) v Hakoah FC 2 (Earley 25’, Lobo 36’)
Western Sydney Wanderers turned around a half time deficit to overcome Hakoah FC at Wanderers Football Park.
After being tested in the first half, the Wanderers scored four unanswered second half goals to keep top spot in the competition. Jarrod Carluccio starred with a brace while Alessandro Lopane, Alex Badolato and Connor Rose also found the net.
For Hakoah FC, they went into the break ahead courtesy of goals to Conor Earley and Luiz Lobo but couldn’t survive the second half onslaught of their opponents.
Fresh off an attacking masterclass last weekend, the Wanderers started on the front foot with Aidan Simmons and Alex Badolato having early opportunities.
While George Tuson-Firth had the visitors first chance of note ten minutes in, his left footed strike from the edge of the area going just over the bar.
Indeed, it was the visitors to open the scoring, Conor Earley opening the score with a low powerful effort from long range. The visitors doing well to put the hosts under pressure in their defensive half before Earley took a touch and fired home.
A lead which lasted just under ten minutes. Western Sydney Wanderers equalizing through Jarrod Carluccio who chipped the ball over Nikolas Loe after receiving the ball from Zac Sapsford who slipped him through the defense.
However, parity only lasted a couple of minutes with Eric Kostandini Ziu brought down for a penalty at the other end. Luiz Lobo stepping up to convert low and down the middle as Jack Gibson dived to his right. 2-0 Hakoah. A lead which they held till half time.
But not much longer as the Wanderers had a penalty of their own four minutes into the half. This time it was Alessandro Lopane who stepped up hitting it low and to the keepers right to restore parity.
And the penalties kept on coming in the fixture. With Alex Badolato brought down inside the box along the right byline. Badolato stepping up and probably taking the pick of the bunch placing the ball just inside the left post.
Never a team to settle on a lead, the Wanderers made it four after the hour mark. The young team working the ball from right to left before Aiden Mostofi sent a superb low ball across the face of goal which Carluccio finished off.
The Wanderers adding an exclamation mark in injury time. Daniel Wilmering picking out Connor Rose with his corner. Rose confidently heading it home for the fifth.
Western Sydney Wanderers host SD Raiders next weekend, while Hakoah FC have one last chance at a finals place, hosting Northern Tigers next weekend.
Blacktown Spartans FC 1 (Bangura 50’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 1 (Pivato 80’)
Blacktown Spartans and Mounties Wanderers shared the points in the first of our Rooty Hill Complex double header.
Suleyman Bangura struck first for the home side five minutes into the second half before Bruno Pivato struck back with ten minutes remaining for the equalizer which meant the sides shared the points.
It was an intense start to the fixture with both sides notching multiple shots on target in the opening half hour in an intense fixture. With Mounties Wanderers perhaps edging proceedings.
A pattern which continued as the half went on with former teammates Brad Bartels and Emmanuel Gonzalez both having a chance at either end around the 35th minute.
With the resumption of play in the second half, the Spartans looked to take the initiative early with Gonzalez making sure Daniel Sadaka was alert in the opening couple of minutes. This initiative seeing another chance shortly following, a high press winning them the ball further up the field which led to Hamish Lamberton having a shot which was saved well by Sadaka a minute later.
The hosts could sense a goal was coming and so it came ten minutes into the half. Billy Patramanis sending through a long ball at the back which caused confusion between a retreating defender and Sadaka with Bangura on the spot to capitalize into an open net.
The game trickled along past the hour mark with the Spartans looking the more likely giving Mounties no time to settle in midfield working the ball out. Bangura looking their main threat, most notably going close in the 73rd minute cutting in from the left before his shot went just wide of the left post.
Which makes the concession of the equalizer the more frustrating with a quarter hour left. Bruno Pivato the goal scorer hitting a tremendous volley from outside the area with his right foot into the bottom right corner.
The game finished with one last chance for the Spartans through Mason Ireland who drew a save out of Daniel Sadaka low, but the draw was probably the fairest result.
Blacktown Spartans have five fixtures remaining in season 2022, travelling to Bonnyrigg next Saturday night while Mounties have four remaining, hosting St George City next Saturday night.
SD Raiders FC 1 (Cindric 35‘) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 3 (Karantz 24‘, Kuipers 62‘, Gallaway 86‘)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles claimed the South-West Sydney derby with a 3-1 victory over SD Raiders.
The victory means that Bonnyrigg will go into their Australia cup contest midweek in winning form. Joshua Karantz opened their account before Mark Cindric equalized for the hosts. While the unlikely goalscoring duo of Jack Kuipers and Sam Gallaway ensured victory and revenge for the visitors.
As you would expect in a clash between two sides who know each other well, the opening minutes saw both sides trying to feel each other out with a few half chances falling the Raiders way.
However, the first goal went to the visitors who opened the scoring halfway through the first half. Joshua Karantz making no mistake after Jack Kuipers sent a ball into the area from the right, which was cleared to his feet.
While Daniel Bittar had the first good chance for the raiders on 34 minutes combining with Charles Abou Serhal who played him to his right. Bittar’s shot blocked on its way towards goal. A chance which led to the corner which gave them the equalizer.
Mark Cindric making the near post run with a headed flick on which snuck into the net, Franco Maya with the assist from the corner.
SD Raiders then had a chance early in the second half with Mark Cindric nearly pouncing again from a set piece, only for Nikola Krljar to deny him with a goal saving tackle.
Like the early stages of the first half, it was once again Bonnyrigg to take the lead, Jack Kuipers converting with a diving header on the end of a ball from the left putting the ball into the bottom left facing corner.
Raiders needed to hit back and nearly did with fifteen minutes left. A Daniel Bittar freekick finding Daniel Kelly at the near post who couldn’t get enough on his flick on towards goal.
With the game opening up as the hosts chased for an equalizer, it allowed Bonnyrigg to secure a third on the night. Sam Gallaway arriving late into the box to put it past the keeper with four minutes to go. Asmir Kadric with the assist.
As mentioned earlier, Bonnyrigg face Oakleigh Cannons in the Australia Cup Thursday night before backing up 48 hours later against Blacktown Spartans. While SD Raiders face Northern Tigers midweek before looking forward to a clash with Western Sydney Wanderers in round 20.
Hills United FC 3 (Giovenali 2‘, Parfait 60‘, D’Ermilio 68‘) v St George FC 1 (Jones 38)
Hills United claimed their third victory of the season prevailing over St George FC at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Wade Giovenali opened the scoring for Hills United before substitutes Jordan Parfait and Vincent D’Ermilio added to their tally, while Harry Jones scored for St George FC.
You didn’t have to wait long for a goal here with Wade Giovenali opening the contest with a goal inside 100 seconds. Finishing from close range with an outstretched leg. The assist going to captain Glenn Kelshaw.
The hosts were having joy down the left early on with another chance coming from there soon after, Stu Gosling sending a ball in to the near post which Giovenali flicked towards goal for Andrew Di Blasio to make the save.
Hills were rampant at this point with Glen Kelshaw next to have a shot on goal, a long range shot drawing another save from Di Blasio. Kelshaw following up from the resulting corner, Di Blasio going one better with that save.
While Rainer Smahel made a crucial intervention at the other end just as Harry Jones was dreaming of a goal from a Yu Hasegawa cross.
The visitors had settled into the contest and were eventually rewarded at the other end 38 minutes in, a poor turnover at the back for the hosts costing them a goal. Cam Philpot sliding the ball in for Harry Jones to finish with a first time finish which kissed the inside of the post on it’s way in.
The Saints nearly going ahead just before the break when an Isaac Danzo set piece from the right found it’s way to the back post where Cam Philpot couldn’t steer it home.
Picking up where it left off in the opening half, the game continued to entertain those brave enough to turn up.
The third goal of the contest coming from Jordan Parfait on the hour mark, the attacker placing the ball perfectly just inside the right post, assist going to Wade Giovenali after Thomas Makko led the attack for the hosts.
It was a night for the hosts bench to contribute with their third goal coming from another substitute in Vincent D’Ermilio who interchanged passes with a man inside before finishing with a sweet right footed strike across the keeper.
Hills United make the trip up to Pluim next weekend, while St George host NWS Spirit at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
By League One Men’s writer Justin Smith
