Round 1 Review – League Two Men’s
The first round of the 2023 Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season saw plenty of action, with 21 goals across the seven matches.
The match of the round saw Sydney University come away with a win over Bankstown United, with plenty of new players for both sides.
Elsewhere, UNSW FC claimed a big victory over Parramatta FC, while Hawkesbury City escaped with a win in a high-scoring match over Camden Tigers FC.
Nepean FC snuck past Prospect United, while Gladesville Ryde Magic held off the Inner West Hawks.
South Coast Flame FC and the Western Rage could not be separated, while the Newcastle Jets started fast in their win over Hurstville FC.
Match of the Round: Sydney University SFC 4-1 Bankstown United FC
Sydney University has started off the season on top of the league with a statement 4-1 victory over old foes Bankstown United.
It was a new start for both teams, with fresh faces raring to go and eager to impress in their first match with new colours on.
The opening exchanges of the game saw both sides have their fair share of possession in what was a tense first half.
Sydney Uni opened the scoring with the first real chance of the game after a loss of possession in the United midfield gave Jay Hirschowitz a clear run down the left of the field.
In impressive fashion, he cut in, went past his defender and picked out the top corner to give Uni the lead in just the eighth minute.
Despite being a goal down, United looked ready for the fight and continued to battle with the Uni midfield – a duel that would define the first half.
After the first goal, the game quietened down for the attackers, with few genuine chances coming until the final stages of the half.
On the back of a United corner, Jethro Thorton won possession back and powered his way through the opposing defence, leading him to a one-on-one situation which he neatly buried for Uni’s second.
United continued in its pursuit of a goal before the half ended and were rewarded as Marie Gauthier chested down a lofted ball and perfectly placed his shot in the bottom corner.
After a thrilling end to the first half, it was Uni who held the advantage, going into the second half with a 2-1 lead.
The start of the second half was a similar one to the first, with an even battle in the midfield depicting the flow of the game.
Uni were gifted a golden chance at a third goal when a free-kick was awarded just metres outside the 18-yard box. Thorton stepped up for the hosts and sensationally buried his chance in the top corner, giving him a brace and Uni their two-goal lead back.
The third goal seemed to light a spark in United’s play, with the visitors dominating the ball and attacking chances for the remainder of the game.
To Uni’s credit, the defence held strong, despite a mountain of pressure, with Gauthier, Sunny Chang and Corey Freeman all coming within inches of a game-changing goal.
United pushed forward in pursuit of a second goal, which would be their eventual undoing as Uni broke away on the counterattack and with few numbers back Caelen Hicknson sealed the result with a brilliant solo goal.
It was a tough pill to swallow for United, after winning the possession battle and having nearly double the shots, a clinical Uni attack punished them in front of goal.
United coach Scott Belgre admitted it was a disappointing result but one that doesn’t concern him going forward.
“In my opinion It wasn’t a 4-1 game, both teams had chances but they were more clinical where it mattered,” Belgre said.
“They take the three points this week and we re-focus on Inner West next week, it’s not an ideal start to the season but it’s not too concerning.”
Sydney University SFC host Camden Tigers in Round Two, while Bankstown United FC will look to bounce back at home to Inner West Hawks FC.
Nepean FC 1-0 Prospect United SC
Nepean FC claimed victory in the first match of the FNSW League Two season with a 1-0 victory at home against Prospect United SC.
It was an entertaining match with plenty of goal-mouth action from both sides.
Nepean started the stronger of the two teams as they dominated the first 15 minutes but were unable to score.
This included a penalty save from Prospect’s goalkeeper, Brendan Allen, who dived low to his left to maintain United’s clean sheet.
They also had a few chances to score, themselves, but were denied by Nepean’s goalkeeper, Justin Biega.
Nepean gained the momentum in the second half and forced Prospect to defend wholeheartedly.
However, Nepean’s threat from set pieces proved to be the difference, as Leonard Abdo headed in a goal from a corner kick with 10 minutes to play.
It was the battle of youth versus experience the whole night, as both number sixes for Prospect, 18-year-old Adam Fillipone and 19-year-old Christian Caltabiano fought tough against the seasoned midfield of Nepean.
Prospect were unable to find a way back into the match as Nepean came away with the 1-0 victory.
Nepean will look to continue their strong start to the season away to Hurstville FC, while Prospect are next at home to South Coast Flame FC.
Parramatta FC 0-3 UNSW FC
UNSW FC claimed all three points courtesy of a 3-0 win over Parramatta FC at Melita Stadium.
It was a dominant victory for UNSW FC who largely outplayed their opponents on the park across the pitch.
The scoring started early as Kevin Lopes converted from the spot for UNSW after a penalty was awarded after five minutes.
UNSW showed their intensity and desire through their vocalness throughout the encounter, which Parramatta could not match on the night.
Jack Fulton doubled the visitors’ lead just before the hour mark with a header from a corner.
UNSW FC displayed more hunger than their opponents throughout the match as, tactically, Parramatta FC did not have a problem.
The scoring and the 3-0 victory were rounded out by UNSW in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as Domenic Abruzzese scored with a left-footed finish from inside the box.
Despite the scoreline, the best player on the park for Parramatta FC was goalkeeper, Jameson Hinwood, who produced multiple saves to prevent the visitors from extending their advantage.
Parramatta FC will hope to bounce back in Round Two at home to the Newcastle Jets, while UNSW are at home to Hawkesbury City FC.
South Coast Flame FC 0-0 Western Rage
It finished scoreless at Sir Ian McLennan Oval in a tough game between South Coast Flame FC and Western Rage.
The Flame dominated possession but could not break down a resolute Rage defence who sat back and soaked up the pressure for the majority of the game.
After the hour mark, the Flame made sure they held the ball well as they looked for a way through the Rage defence.
Despite all the possession the Flame had, the match could have gone either way, with all three results possible.
The Rage defence held strong and deterred any possible goal scoring opportunities for the Flame, who tried to break down their opposition.
Both sides had a few guilt-edged chances each, but neither goalkeeper was forced into any meaningful save as the match ended goalless.
South Coast Flame FC will be looking to turn that pressure into goals in their next match.
Meanwhile, the Western Rage can be content with a point away from home in their opening match of the season.
The South Coast Flame next travel to face Prospect United SC at the William Lawson Reserve, while the Western Rage have a bye in Round Two.
Inner West Hawks FC 1-2 Gladesville Ryde Magic
It was a game of two halves ass Gladesville Ryde Magic came away with an important 2-1 victory away to Inner West Hawks FC in their opening match of their season.
The Magic fielded a lot of youngsters, as four 17-year-olds started the match; three Magic youth players in Taylor Frost, Alexander Traviesto and Stefan Baker made their first-grade debuts.
Gladesville Ryde Magic pushed the ball with intent early as they looked for an opening in the Hawks’ defence.
Inner West Hawks FC looked to hit the Magic on the back foot and utilise the speed of Peter Yannopoulos.
However, Gladesville Ryde Magic scored the first goal of the match after new recruit David Ustimenko scored with a powerful header in the 17th minute.
Smart build-up play from Bailey Stevens saw him set up James Tsokos, who slotted the ball into the back of the net in the final minute of first-half regulation time.
Inner West Hawks FC started with a new formation in the second half and looked threatening.
They had a great chance to score through Hesan Soufi with a long-range dipping free kick was on target, but it was saved by Magic’s goalkeeper, Gabriel Koliomihos.
However, the Hawks were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute after Yannopoulos was clipped by the Magic’s goalkeeper, which was slotted home by Emanuel Koumis.
The Magic held on to win 2-1 over the Hawks in an even game that could have gone either way.
Gladesville Ryde Magic next travel to face Fraser Park, who will be playing their first match of the season, while the Hawks will play away to Bankstown United FC.
Camden Tigers FC 2-3 Hawkesbury City FC
A hat-trick from Marco Turpeinen saw Hawkesbury City FC escape with a 3-2 victory away to Camden Tigers FC.
In a rough start for Camden, left-back Owen Roberts was subbed off injured as the Tigers had to adjust.
It was a high-quality match played on a good surface, which Marco Turpeinen utilised as he converted a penalty he had earned to put Hawkesbury City FC 1-0 up after 11 minutes.
However, after 22 minutes Camden were awarded a penalty of their own, which Andrew Head slotted away to ensure the sides were level at half-time.
Camden started the second half quickly as Leandro Guzman gave the Tigers a lead after a goal off a counter attack in the 53rd minute.
However, just four minutes later in a low period for Camden, Turpeinen scored with a direct header from a free kick to put the two sides level again.
Both sides deserved a draw given the balance of the game, but Hawkesbury claimed victory after a goal in transition.
After a run down the left flank, a ball was flashed across the feet of Turpeinen in the six-yard-box. He steered the hat-trick goal past the Camden goalkeeper with his right foot to give Hawkesbury the lead.
Camden had multiple chances to equalise again late as they put in multiple deliveries across the six-yard-box, but were unable to find teammates on the end of them as Hawkesbury won 3-2.
Hawkesbury City FC travel to face UNSW FC in their next match, while Camden Tigers FC will make the trip to take on Sydney University SFC.
Newcastle Jets 4-0 Hurstville FC
The Newcastle Jets came away 4-0 winners over Hurstville FC at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Jets started strongly as they scored in the second minute of the match through Zac Lisolajski.
His looping header from a long ball into the box flew into the far post as the Jets led early.
They extended their lead two minutes later through Adam Zervas.
He scored after Newcastle broke quick in transition, where they got in behind the Hurstville defence and a low cross was played through to Zervas for the finish.
The match evened out from there, as a few chances fell each way, including two which required some shot blocks from Newcastle.
However, the Jets scored their third goal in the 20th minute, this time from a corner, through Adrian Delmoni, who was the free man in the box as he scored from six yards out.
The Newcastle Jets led 3-0 at half-time and started the second half strongly, too.
Hurstville FC started the half well, too, until Newcastle was awarded a penalty after a Hurstville handball.
Moonib Adus stepped up and slotted the spot kick away as Newcastle wrapped the match up.
Hurstville had a few chances late but were unable to capitalise as a sharp Newcastle Jets recorded a 4-0 win in their first match of the season.
The Newcastle Jets travel to Melita Stadium to face Parramatta FC in Round Two, while Hurstville FC host Nepean FC at Penshurst Park.
-By Dylan Costa, Football NSW League 2 Men’s writer
