Round 1 Finals Series Review – League One Men’s
Week one of the League One Men’s Finals series certainly didn’t disappoint with two enticing finals taking place on Saturday.
Our elimination fixture was a classic with local rivals NWS Spirit and Northern Tigers locking horns, while our preliminary semi-final saw St George City win the right to take on Central Coast Mariners in a grand final qualifier next weekend.
Elimination Semi Final: NWS Spirit FC 1 (Bozanic 40’) v Northern Tigers FC 2 (Denton 47’, Adeli 55’)
Anyone else getting a sense of Deja vu? Northern Tigers secured a come from behind victory over rivals NWS Spirit at the Arctic Circle, Saturday night.
After going into the break behind, the Tigers came out roaring in the second half with goals to Kai Denton and Shervin Adeli.
It was a tough one for the hosts to take who threw everything at their opponents in the latter stages of the contest. Louis Bozanic put them ahead before the break but a fifteen minute period in the second half ended up costing them.
If you are a fan of high tempo finals football, have we got a treat for you. And it started right from the outset with the hosts opening the game in terms of chance early.
The combination of Louis Bozanic and Michael Konestabo playing a part in the first chance. Bozanic with the ball to release, Konestabo with the shot to be saved by Tomi Liiband.
At the other end, signs were there from the start that Tigers were going to be a threat, however they lacked the finishing touches for the duration of the first half.
Not a problem at the other end as Bozanic and Konestabo exchanged chances for the hosts. The most notable of which came in the 35th minute, Konestabo forcing Liiband into a good save to keep things level.
Spirit were to get their deserved reward with five minutes left in the half. Louis Bozanic opening the score after Mitch Davidson released him through one-on-one.
The question then became how the visitors would react to the set back. A question we got an emphatic response too shortly after the break.
Young gun Kai Denton popping up with the goal when his side needed it two minutes into the second period. This after Shervin Adeli and Ollie Wiggin exchanged passes in the buildup.
Suddenly the Tigers seemed to have the momentum and they took the lead ten minutes into the second half.
A wonderful cross field pass finding Ollie Wiggin on the left wing, Wiggin controlling the ball with a majestic first touch before squaring it across the face for Shervin Adeli to power home.
In a game played at a relentless pace, chances then seemed to slow up in the next quarter hour before Spirit launched their final assault on the Tigers goal.
Spirits first chance of a series to come falling just after the 70th minute, Grant Cornwell heading a corner across the face which couldn’t be turned home despite sitting tantalizingly in the six yard area.
Spirit going close again three minutes after that with Corey Kavanagh instigating that chance.
As time ticked on, the hosts became more desperate, and chances seemed to come at a quicker rate. With several coming in the final five minutes.
The first falling to Konestabo who drew a save from Liiband before Geoffry Lino saw the rebound blocked by a desperate Tigers defense.
Followed shortly after by their best chance of the lot. Richie Darko hitting the base of the left facing post with his effort after cutting in off the right. Lino once again following up with a shot into the side netting.
Spirit had one last chance to end the game, Konestabo squaring it from the left for Mitch Davidson who couldn’t quite turn it home.
Ultimately though it was the Tigers who held strong in defense pulling off the upset in the elimination final.
They go on to face Western Sydney Wanderers next weekend in the Minor Semi Final.
While for NWS Spirit, this marks the end of a memorable campaign which saw them achieve a top four spot, a long undefeated run and the Waratah Cup.
Preliminary Semi Final: St George City 2 (Daniel OG 34’, Roberts 55’) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Denmead 40’)
St George City booked a spot in next weeks grand final qualifier with a victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Penshurst Park.
After an even first half, the hosts ran away with the contest after the break and in all honesty, should have scored more. A first half own goal set them on their way before Nathan Roberts scored the eventual winner in the second half.
However don’t be fooled, the Wanderers put in a respectable performance of their own matching it with their more experienced opponents despite missing nine players due to an A league pre-season camp on the Gold Coast. Alex Denmead found their then equalizer in the first half.
The first chance of the match fell to Nathan Roberts who was found by Damian German with a cross field switch. Roberts hitting the side netting with his left footed strike on ten minutes.
While the Wanderers were denied an opener of their own by a couple of crucial interventions by St George City’s defense. Tarik Ercan saving his keepers blushes scrambling the ball away just before Conor Rose could get a shot away. Before a George Antonis corner caused the hosts some difficulty from the resulting corner.
Despite their youthful look, the visitors were controlling long periods of possession in the first half and they had the best chance of the match so far in the 25th minute. Miguel Di Pizio hitting the base of the left facing post with his low effort from outside the box after the ball was worked in from the left.
But it was the hosts to take the lead before the 35th minute. A Troy Danaskos corner from the right making it’s way to the back post which Nicholas Kalogerou headed back into the goalmouth, George Daniel with the unlucky last touch before the ball hit the net.
Set pieces were proving a crucial avenue to goal in the first half with the Wanderers equalizer coming five minutes later. A short corner routine allowing George Antonis to pick out Liam Bonetig around the penalty spot, whose header was turned in by Alex Denmead for the leveler.
With the goals, the game then became more open with Nathan Roberts, Jordan Morfitis and Jakov Malbasa all having chances before the break.
Coming out of the break, City looked to stamp their authority early with Roberts and Paolo Mitry both having good chances in the opening ten minutes of the half. Roberts from a free-kick while Mitry with a stinging shot which was denied by Jack Gibson.
And their reward was to come soon after, Nathan Roberts entering the area from the left before placing it into the far bottom right corner. Captain Tarik Ercan with the assist with the ball from defensive midfield.
City were looking good with Roberts having a further two chances between the 60th and 70th minute. First coming after Mitry squared it back to him making the near post run, the second seeing Roberts putting it just over the bar from close range.
The best chance for the Wanderers however came with 20 minutes remaining, a great Mackenzie Syron save denying the visitors an equalizer. Miguel Di Pizio the man to be denied after Thomas Lopez delivered a ball across the face.
However, City were the side having the best chances at this point, with their attack seemingly taking turns to get the third.
Mirko Jurilj’s side go on to face Central Coast Mariners next weekend with a victory sealing a grand final spot, while Western Sydney Wanderers host Northern Tigers in an elimination tussle.
By League One Men’s writer Justin Smith
