Round 2 Review – League One Men’s
Our first Super Saturday in the Football NSW League One Men’s competition did not disappoint with plenty of action across the grounds in round two action.
In our match of the round, Hills United flexed their muscles running rampant against Central Coast United. While events elsewhere saw another five teams earn their first win of the season.
Match of the round: Hills United FC 4-1 Central Coast United FC
Hills United claimed their first victory of the season at home proving too good for Central Coast United at Landen Stadium.
With that extra bit of quality on the night, Hills United survived an early scare before going on to control the remainder of the fixture.
The opening of the match saw plenty of action in a free-flowing contest. Central Coast United opening the game in terms of chances with a half volley from Adam Woodbine making sure Ryan Wood was alert a minute in.
While Hills United were showing plenty of attacking threat at the other end, with Mitchell Smith having a few early chances.
As the minutes ticked on, Hills United started to get the ascendency with a double save from Cobe Preston denying Jamal Belkadi and Cameron Philp on 20 minutes. Mitchell Smith with the piercing through ball to Glenn Kelshaw earlier in the move.
However that’s not to say Central Coast didn’t have their own chances with Thomas Lyons having a shot blocked after Adam Woodbine cut it back to him just before the half hour.
It was the hosts to strike first though through Thomas Makko. Makko first trying to play provider sliding in Cameron Philp before the ball came back out to him and he did it himself with some nice footwork freeing up some space before he caressed a shot into the back of the net.
A lead which was doubled on the stroke of half time in a blow to the visitors, Glenn Kelshaw grabbing another assist with a ball from the inside the box on the right which found Mitchell Smith to bundle it home from close range.
And it just kept getting worse for the visitors with Jordan Parfait winning a penalty within 20 seconds of the resumption, Nicolai Muller stepping up to place it into the right side of the net. 3-0 to the hosts.
Preston reducing the damage a minute late denying Parfait from close range with a save.
Once again, chances were flowing at either end and Central Coast United gave themselves a lifeline with just under 40 minutes remaining. Daniel Mcfarlane with a lovely finish from inside the box after controlling a ball from the right creating that little bit of space and placing it into the bottom right with a left footed strike.
Hills United weren’t to be denied though creating plenty of chances before Nathan Rayner put the icing on the cake with their fourth on 75 minutes, Mitchell Smith with the assist.
Smith awarded the clubs man of the match post game for his efforts. Hills United face a trip to Inter Lions next weekend while Central Coast United host Dulwich Hill.
Hills United FC 4 (Thomas Makko 38’, Mitchell Smith 45’, Nicolai Muller 46’, Nathan Rayner 76’)
Central Coast United FC 1 (Daniel Mcfarlane 51’)
Elsewhere:
Mounties Wanderers FC 2 (Jesse Spang 6’, Anthony Windsor 84’) v Inter Lions FC 1 (Fikret Berisha 38’)
Mounties Wanderers made the most of home comforts securing their inaugural win of the season against Inter Lions at a hot Cook Park in a late afternoon kick off.
In brutal conditions, Mounties Wanderers got the early goal inside ten minutes. Jesse Spang opening the scoring at the far post after an earlier defensive error.
The game then turned into a tight one with both sides looking to control the midfield. Inter Lions responding on 35 minutes as Fikret Berisha finished off a well worked corner.
Goals change games and Inter then had their best period of the game after the break creating several chances. The best falling to Lachlan Everett who struck the post with his effort before the rebound was pushed away.
Some late changes proved the difference for Mounties Wanderers though as Matthew Self, Asmir Kadric and Andre Takami all played a role in the hosts winner which was finished off by Anthony Windsor.
Inter Lions continued to press but they were without luck and walked away emptyhanded. They host Hills United next weekend while Mounties Wanderers travel to North Turramurra for our match of the round.
Macarthur Rams FC 2 (Dimitri Petratos 32’, Anthony Proia 40’) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Aaron Peterson 18’ 83’)
Macarthur Rams and Bonnyrigg White Eagles shared the spoils in a hard-fought contest in Sydney’s south-west.
Aaron Peterson scored the first of the game after Luke Turnbull found him with a direct long ball. However despite that early goal, they went into the break trailing with Macarthur scoring twice in the latter stages of the first half. Dimitri Petratos and Anthony Proia both finding the net for the hosts.
Needing a response, Bonnyrigg changed their structure in attack and just when it looked they would come away emptyhanded, Aaron Peterson struck for his second.
Both sides travel to Sydney’s eastern suburbs next weekend to take on Hakoah and Dunbar respectively.
Dulwich Hill FC 2 (Goncalo Paradanta 68’, Thomas Tranberg 89’) v Dunbar Rovers FC 1 (Reece Berelowitz 90’)
Dulwich Hill secured their first three points of the season with the backing of the home crowd helping them over the line against Dunbar Rovers.
A game which ebbed and flowed from the get-go, Dunbar were the first side to have a major chance hitting the post with a header after 5 minutes.
Dulwich Hill though were the side to take the ascendency after that, asserting their will on the contest. However, they couldn’t find the target despite a few one-on-one chances during that period.
A fact that was rectified before the 70th minute with a counterattack goal putting them ahead. Goncalo Paradanta finishing in style despite having his back to goal, Mark Younes with the assist.
Pushing for an equaliser, Dunbar were caught out with a minute remaining in regulation, Thomas Tranberg making it two goals in two games after the opposition keeper spilled the ball. Dunbar were to make them a little nervous though with a goal of their own, Reece Berelowitz grabbing the consolation.
St George FC 2 (Reuben Awaritefe 23‘, Conor Quiligan 83’) v Bankstown City Lions FC 0
St George FC secured a home victory over Bankstown City at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Having hosted their first two games, coming away with nothing would’ve been a disappointment for the Saints. However, goals to Reuben Awaritefe and Conor Quilligan ensured that they walked away with all three points after the final whistle.
Their first came halfway through the first half against the run of play in terms of chances with Awaritefe in the right place at the right time to finish into an empty net following a Jay Mcgowan shot.
The visitors weren’t without their chances though with Jonathan Grozdanoski and Jordan Morfitis both having good opportunities before the break.
After the break was a different story to the first with St George being the better side. Conor Quilligan wrapping things up with their second with ten minutes left, a lovely right footed strike going into the far set of the net. With Zac Mckenzie going closest for the visitors with a few chances of his own.
St George FC take to the road for the first-time next weekend to take on SD Raiders, while Bankstown City travel to Blacktown Spartans.
SD Raiders FC 1 (Mihael Marcic 64’) v Blacktown Spartans 3 (Daniel Durkin 21’, Emmanuel Dolo 77’ 87’)
Blacktown Spartans made it two away wins from two with a victory over SD Raiders at Ernie Smith Reserve.
On paper, it’s a dream start for Ben Rollison and his chargers before they return home next weekend. They scored the opener through Daniel Durkin before Emmanuel Dolo grabbed a brace late after a few nervy moments in the second half.
While SD Raiders found an equaliser after the hour mark with Mihael Marcic scoring again, Marcic proving their main threat scoring in consecutive weekends.
In his recap to FNSW post game, Rollison did note that his side will need to improve before next weekend with the Spartans struggling to deal with the hosts direct play and determination, particularly before his side made some adjustments in the second half.
They face Bankstown City at home next weekend, while SD Raiders will be looking to add a clinical touch to their game when they host St George FC.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 2 (Jake Bradshaw 45’, Garang Awac 56’) v Northern Tigers FC 3 (Kai Denton 4’ 45’, Lachlan Lloyd 6’)
Northern Tigers were able to weather a fast-finishing Canterbury Bankstown side at Jensen Park, Saturday evening.
The Tigers roared into life early in this one scoring two goals inside the first seven minutes. Kai Denton with the first finding the bottom left corner, Lachlan Lloyd with the second after a team move which stretched the length of the field.
As the half progressed, the hosts began to play themselves in and were rewarded just into injury time Jake Bradshaw heading home after a Josh Mblake cross.
However, a lapse in concentration saw Kai Denton pick up his brace before the halftime whistle.
And try as they might, Canterbury Bankstown couldn’t pull back the two goals from there. Scoring a second goal through Garang Awac mid-way through the half.
Speaking after to FNSW, both coaches credited Canterbury Bankstown for the effort shown on the pitch in the second half.
Canterbury Bankstown face Rydalmere next weekend, while Northern Tigers host the match of the round against the Mounties Wanderers.
Rydalmere Lions FC 2 (Ahmad Taleb 66’ 90’) v Hakoah FC 1 (Nicholas Drummond 72’)
Super-sub Ahmad Taleb ensured that Rydalmere Lions bounced back from their round one defeat in the best possible fashion with a victory over Hakoah FC.
After a scoreless first half, this one came to life in the last 25 minutes. Rydalmere opening their home account from the spot on 66 minutes, Ahmad Taleb stepping up to convert for his first of the season from the spot.
A goal which drew a response from the visitors with Nicholas Drummond scoring their first before the 75th minute.
However, it was Rydalmere who would walk away with the spoils scoring a decisive blow in injury time. A quality build-up resulting in a second for Taleb in injury time.
Rydalmere Lions face Canterbury Bankstown away next weekend, while Hakoah return home to host the Rams.
By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)
