Round 14 Review – Futsal Premier League Open Men’s

The premiership race, finals spots, club championship positions. There was a lot on the line in round 14 of the Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Competition.

And that’s not even mentioning the fact that Dean “Bully” Lockhart scored in his last game! So, join us for the final time of the regular season as we recap the weekends action.

Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club 6-3 Mountain Majik Futsal Club

Quake win! Quake Win! After a tough old season for the hosts, they finally tasted three points in the league with a victory over Mountain Majik.

And it was fitting that firstly Dean Bully Lockhart found the net but also the next generation played a huge role in getting a much warranted three points.

For Mountain Majik having fallen out of finals contention in recent times, they go out on a whimper despite taking the lead twice in the first half.

In a break from the norm, the majority of goals in this one came before the half time break. Marko Filipovic opening the scoring for the visitors just two minutes into the contest before Harrison James equalized for the Quake.

The visitors once again took the lead on eleven minutes in, Jordan Guerreiro with their second before Corby Fowler restored parity on twenty minutes. The Quake taking the lead going into half time through Jaidyn Dunn.

Highlighting the match though was a goal for Bully in his final competitive fixture scoring on the half hour. That goal topped off by further goals to Harrison James and Connor Hewit, while Jordan Guerreiro got a second goal for himself to bring the score to 6-3 in favour of the Quake.

Finally, a shoutout to those who participated in the testimonial half afterwards which saw the likes of Mark Symington, Danny Martinez and Ray Miller take the pitch alongside Bully, well done to all!

Inner West Futsal Club 4-2 Dural Warriors

Top spot secured; Inner West made sure they go into the post season in winning form with a victory over rivals Dural Warriors.

They had to do it the hard way though after conceding two goals early in the fixture before scoring four times in the second half.

It’s the end of the road for Dural Warriors though who are promising to be back stronger next season. In correspondence with us, the club also paid tribute to Dean “Bully” Lockhart on an outstanding career while wishing him all the best for the future.

Wanting to spoil their host’s party, Dural Warriors proved they were up for the battle with two goals in the opening half coming through Jacob Basden and Glenn “Killer” Kelshaw.

However the favourites for the contest woke up after the break wasting no time to score their first in the second period through Daniel Fornito.

Captain Fornito doubling his tally five minutes after that with his eighth goal of the season. Not content with a draw, they went to a fifth man which paid off with Chris Zeballos playing a through ball for Jamal Belkadi. The win capped off with a Jonathan Barzel goal with five minutes left.

Speaking to FNSW afterwards, Domenic Badolato was singled out for his performance in goals in a man of the match performance.

Inner West will now face Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in their Semi-Final next week.

UTS Northside Futsal Club 4-4 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club

Comeback of the season? UTS Northside scored four goals in the final eight minutes to take a point from their match with Eastern Suburbs Hakoah at Sydney Boys High.

Up until that point, it was going so well for Hakoah who looked good in establishing a four-goal advantage before a spirited UTS Northside pegged them back.

The first half was very much controlled by the visitors with them tallying up chances in the opening stages before they opened the scoring inside ten minutes. Jonathon Lynch arriving on the scene late to finish off after Josh Shubitz cut it across the face.

They continued to have the majority of chances of the match with James Reed, George Lethbridge and Wellington Oliveira all going close over the course of the next ten minutes. While on the rare excursion up field, Grant Lynch sent a ball across the face which couldn’t be reached by Nathan Amore for the hosts.

So the two-goal lead going into the break was deserved then with George Lethbridge doing it himself winning the ball on halfway, taking it to goal and finishing.

Hakoah would then go on to add another two in the opening sixteen minutes of the second half. Their third coming in spectacular fashion an aerial ball forward finding Josh Shubitz who just beat Dylan Niski to the ball, his effort from just inside the attacking half sailing into the net. The Fourth coming in similar fashion to their first, Lynch the scorer, Lucas Vidal the provider.

UTS Northside were showing an improved effort in the second half though and they responded inside a minute of Hakoah’s fourth. Grant Lynch getting the comeback started. Confirmed a minute after that with a set piece finish from the same outlet finding the left facing side of the net.

Momentum had well and truly swung at this point with Northside then awarded a penalty as the clock passed five minutes to go. Karim Moursi putting too much power on his effort even as it took a touch from the keeper.

The comeback completed with almost the last kick of the game, Moursi securing his brace with an effort from the right with the last kick of the game.

Both these sides will feature in finals action, UTS Northside taking on Mascot Vipers while Eastern Suburbs Hakoah will have to get past Inner West if they want to make it to the grand final next Sunday.

Enfield Allstars 1-4 Mascot Vipers

Mascot Vipers claimed third place in the regular season with victory over Enfield Allstars in an early knockout game.

The win seals third place in the standings for Mascot Vipers and capped off a season where every team finished in the finals.

For Enfield Allstars, they struggled to find their usual fluidity with constant changes on the pitch resulting in their performance being a bit disjointed.

The Vipers took the lead just two minutes into the matchup, Ethan De Melo scoring the first of an eventual hattrick early. There was always a sense that they were in control of proceedings as De Melo doubled his account six minutes later.

Still the hosts have quality in their line up and a goal before half time gave them a sniff, Shervin Adeli scoring his thirteenth goal of the season.

De Melo was able to restore the two-goal lead before the break though with his hat-trick goal. A lead which was extended to a game high three goals when Thomas Quilligan found the net in the final minutes.

As straightforward as that sounds, there was a special mention for Vipers keeper Sasha Chilas post game who had his best game of the season so far.

Mascot Vipers will take on UTS Northside next weekend, while it’s season over for Enfield Allstars who will be back in 2023.

By Justin Smith