Round 4 Review – League Two Men’s
Round Four was a round of firsts in the Football New South Wales League Two Men’s, while one team moved further clear at the top.
The Match of the Round saw UNSW FC overcome Bankstown United FC in a fiery affair.
Nepean FC further proved their title credentials as they won convincingly away to Hurstville FC, while Gladesville Ryde Magic worked their way to victory over Sydney University SFC.
Elsewhere, late drama saw Inner West Hawks FC earn a draw away to South Coast Flame FC, while Hawkesbury City FC claimed all three points away to the Western Rage.
Newcastle Jets got back to winning ways as they held off Camden Tigers FC.
Parramatta FC had a bye this round.
Match of the Round: UNSW FC 2-0 Bankstown United FC
A feisty encounter between UNSW FC and Bankstown United FC at The Village Green ended with as many goals as red cards, as UNSW FC claimed a 2-0 victory.
The wind was blowing hard as long balls and crosses proved hard to control for both sides the whole evening.
It was a physical encounter early as both sides enjoyed periods of possession and domination.
Callum Fitzpatrick had a right-footed shot for UNSW FC which whizzed just past the left-hand upright in the opening seven minutes.
UNSW FC pushed, however, as Matias Da Silva Santos played a ball in behind for Jack Fulton, who won the ball in the air before his right-footed strike hit the crossbar.
They earned a corner in the 20th minute which was taken by Lachlan Hughes; his cross was headed just wide of goal by UNSW captain, Luke Bourke.
Meanwhile, Bankstown looked to threaten from corners and set pieces.
A tough period followed, where neither side was allowed any real chances and both defences stood strong.
UNSW tried to play long balls over the top, but in the blustering conditions Bankstown goalkeeper Mitchell Evans did well to claim the high ball.
However, after a period of low percentage chances, UNSW worked their way into the match as the breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute.
Mitchell Mattison crossed the ball from the left-edge into the box; it was attacked dominantly in the air by Kevin Lopes whose looping header flew over the Bankstown keeper and into the far bottom-left of the goal.
That gave UNSW the 1-0 but also changed the momentum of the match.
Almost immediately from kick-off, Jack Fulton was played in behind with a ball in the air as his diving header flew just wide of the post.
A few minutes later, UNSW thought they had doubled their lead after Lopes ran in behind and cooly slotted a shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal, but he was ruled offside in the build-up.
Five minutes before half-time, Fulton won the ball back in midfield and played a cross into the box from the right edge; it fell to the head of Lopes whose effort flew wide of the left-hand post.
However, the real turning point in the match came in the 42nd minute.
Raimond Coletta was sent off for Bankstown with a straight red card after his two-footed slide tackle missed the ball and collected Callum Fitzpatrick in a challenge.
It was late domination from UNSW to end the half as they headed into half-time the stronger of the two teams with a 1-0 advantage.
It was a physical start to the second half, too, as UNSW’s Domenic Abruzzese picked up a yellow card for his challenge on Mitchell Edmunds.
Bankstown looked to find a goal from set pieces, as Steven Wright headed an attempt from a corner just wide of the left-hand post in the 52nd minute.
However, UNSW controlled possession and play, both before but especially after the Bankstown red card.
They looked to play through the midfield but also utilised long balls in behind the Bankstown defence.
Lopes was very effective in his hold up play at striker due to his height and strength as his teammates found him with long balls and ground passes.
UNSW did not let Bankstown get a hold of the play, as they stopped balls forward with strong challenges.
Bankstown again threatened from free kicks before Lopes had a thunderous effort on goal for UNSW; his effort rattled against the crossbar and away.
Lopes again found himself in space as he took a right-footed shot from outside the box, which was saved well by Evans.
Bankstown had sparce chances, but Marie Gauthier ran in behind and had a powerful shot which flew just wide in the 68th minute.
UNSW looked for the match-sealing goal as Fulton squared a ball across the box to Abruzzese, whose powerful low-driven shot on his right foot was saved well by Evans in front of him.
Bankstown tried to get the ball into the opposition box as much as possible as the match entered the final five minutes.
However, that left them open at the back, as Fitzpatrick made a run in behind for UNSW; his powerful right-footed strike was equally as powerfully palmed away at the near post by Evans.
Mathew Cook was taken off after a head clash and Bankstown had used all their available substitutes, which meant they were down to nine men.
The match got heated last and in the 90th minute, multiple players were shown yellow cards.
The match boiled over twice in two minutes as Corey Freeman was sent off after a scuffle between the players; Bankstown were down to eight men.
Finally, in the 93rd minute, UNSW did find their second goal.
Max Mcalpine found himself in space down the right flank and attracted defenders to him.
He found Fulton in space inside the box, whose right-footed shot was saved by Evans, before he slotted in the rebound to make the score 2-0.
UNSW FC head coach Gabe Knowles said he was happy with the win but knows there is still improvement to be had.
“I thought we were good value for the win… probably got to make sure we take our chances and put it to bed earlier,” Knowles said.
“I think for the most part in the first half [we were] in control of the game and where we wanted to be.”
“I’m pleased with [how his side performed in the second half], it’s not always easy to play against ten men… They were structured, they kept the ball well,” Knowles said.
Bankstown United FC head coach Scott Belgre said there is no panic from his side despite the loss.
“I think the send-off in the 35th minute obviously changed the complexion of the game,” Belgre said.
“It’s a game where we’re sitting off and trying to get them on the counter,” Belgre said.
“We just dust this one off, there’s twenty-six rounds to go, there’s no panic stations,” Belgre said.
UNSW FC will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season away to the Newcastle Jets, while Bankstown United FC will look to bounce back at home to Hawkesbury City FC.
Fraser Park FC 0-4 Nepean FC
Nepean FC continued their perfect start to the season as they picked up a 4-0 win away to Fraser Park FC.
Five minutes in, Nepean played a long diagonal ball from their defence in behind to Jack Hoban, who used his pace and skill to help Nepean to a 1-0 lead early.
Brad Whitworth scored a penalty after a Fraser Park handball in the box to double Nepean’s advantage.
Possession was even thereafter as Fraser Park started the second half well.
However, Nepean scored a third after Paul Turin brought down a Nepean player in the box, which Whitworth converted to make the score 3-0 to Nepean.
Nepean utilised their pace to get in behind Fraser Park the whole match and used it to their advantage throughout to create chances.
Leonard Abdo scored in the 87th minute after he came off the bench to wrap up the result for Nepean FC, as they won 4-0 away to Fraser Park FC.
Nepean FC will look to continue their perfect start to the season at home to the Western Rage in Round Five, while Fraser Park FC will look to bounce back away to Parramatta FC.
Hurstville FC 4-0 Prospect United SC
Hurstville FC picked up their first win of the season as they saw off Prospect Untied SC 4-0 at home.
The early turning point in the match saw Prospect captain David Muller sent off after 20 minutes after he was adjudged to have handled the ball on the goal line.
Jesse Gagro converted the penalty as Hurstville took a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Prospect had the better of the match and many chances, despite being down to ten men.
Hurstville had a high turnover rate with the ball as they were wasteful in possession.
In the final 15 minutes, Hurstville captain Paul Gagro won a penalty which Jesse Gagro was unable to convert.
Prospect then had the chance to level the match with a penalty of their own, but Cristian Martinez’s effort was saved by Michael Rutherford in the Hurstville goal.
Prospect were desperate for a result as they brought off a defender for a striker, which opened them up at the back.
Paul Gagro crossed the ball into the box as Sam Notarangelo scored with a header.
George Salachoris and Stipe Simundic both scored in the final five minutes as the scoreline blew out late.
The match finished 4-0 to Hurstville, who will look to build on their first win of the season, while Prospect are still in search of theirs.
Hurstville FC will look to build as they face Camden Tigers FC in Round Five, while Prospect United SC will chase their first points at home to Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-0 Sydney University SFC
A sunny evening rather than last week’s rain and lightning played host to Gladesville Ryde Magic as they came away with a 2-0 win over Sydney University SFC.
The defence of both teams held tight early as both sides looked to play in behind down the flanks and cut the ball back into the box.
Magic goalkeeper Gabriel Koliomihos pulled off an important save with five minutes to go in the first half to keep the scores level at the break.
Adrian Jonnathan made a run in behind and played a dangerous cross into the box, but there were no Magic players able to get on the end of it.
Chris Gaitatzis had s strike which swerve just wide of the post shortly after.
A lively run and cross-field pass from David Ustimenko found young Christopher Guyot, who struck his effort over the bar.
However, a minute later, recruit Koki Hiyaoko scored for the Magic to give them a 1-0 lead.
The Magic also gave a debut in the match to 16-year-old Maverick Anderson, who came on as a substitute.
In the final moments of the match, seventeen-year-old Christopher Guyot scored his first goal in the top grade to give the Magic a 2-0 lead and win.
Sydney University SFC had plenty of possession throughout the match but could not find the back of the net, while the Magic took their chances.
Gladesville Ryde Magic picked up their third win of the season and travel to face Prospect United SC in Round Five, while Sydney University SFC will make the trip to face Inner West Hawks FC.
South Coast Flame FC 2-2 Inner West Hawks FC
Both sides will reflect on how they could have won this matchup as South Coast Flame FC and Inner West Hawks FC drew 2-2.
The Flame came out firing early and scored after 18 minutes through Adam Voloder.
Jay De Gouveia intercepted a clearance and slipped the ball through for Voloder, who powered his shot under Shunsuke Sugiara to help the Flame lead 1-0.
However, the Hawks sprang into action after that as they had many shots on goal for the rest of the half.
Luke Galatidis shot an effort just over the bar from close range for the Hawks after 28 minutes and five minutes later, Emanuel Koumis forced a flying save from Flame keeper Seiya Miyamoto.
The Flame led 1-0 at half-time and tried to regain control of the match afterwards, but Galatidis had another shot for the Hawks which hit the crossbar from 25 yards out.
Substitute Ben Caroutas won a ball in midfield on the 69th minute and played a ball through to Jacob Gjorsevski, who curled his shot just wide.
However, it was Hawks’ substitute Andre Guzman who made a difference in the 79th minute as he found himself wide open for a finish into the top corner to level the scores.
Just four minute later, the Hawks took the lead after Angelo Pezzano was brought down in the box, as Hesan Soufi converted the penalty.
However, in the final minute of regulation time, Taylan Skurtevski smashed home a loose ball from a goal-mouth scramble to ensure the Flame took a point away from an entertaining, end-to-end match, as it ended 2-2.
South Coast Flame FC remain unbeaten and have a bye next round while Inner West Hawks FC picked up their first point of the season, as they face Sydney University SFC at home next week.
Western Rage 1-3 Hawkesbury City FC
Hawkesbury City FC bounced back from their Round Three loss as they picked up a 3-1 win away to the Western Rage.
Hawkesbury started well as they dominated play and chances.
They were rewarded for their play as they scored two goals in quick succession.
First, Kai McLoughlin scored after 16 minutes to give Hawkesbury the lead before it was doubled three minutes later by Harry Drew.
Both goals were the result of quick build-up and cutbacks into the box to score.
In the second half, more forward link-up play gave Harry Drew his second goal of the match as he rounded the Rage keeper and scored after 50 minutes.
The Rage changed into a back three as they looked for a way back into the match.
They threw everyone forward and dominated play for the following 20 minutes.
Daniel Cooper and Timothy Trainor linked up well as they combined for multiple chances for the Rage, including a shot which hit the Hawkesbury crossbar.
They pulled a goal back late to make it 3-1 through Timothy Borg-Williams, but Hawkesbury settled with ten minutes to go and saw the match out with a few counter attacks as they won, 3-1.
Western Rage will look for their first win of the season as they travel to face Nepean FC, while Hawkesbury City FC will look for back-to-back wins as they travel to face Bankstown United FC.
Newcastle Jets 3-2 Camden Tigers FC
The Newcastle Jets returned to winning ways as they beat Camden Tigers FC 3-2 at home to finish Round Four.
Xavier Bertoncello scored for the Jets after a cross came into the box from Peter Grozos and Bertoncello scored into an empty net.
A goal to Ezra Palombini was disallowed shortly after due to offside.
Following that, Camden scored off a free kick ten minutes from half-time to level the scores.
Five minutes before half-time, Lachlan West scored for the Jets with a low shot which went through the keeper from close range as they went into the sheds in the lead.
Moonib Adus came on at half-time for Newcastle and scored within ten minutes after an interchange of passing; he scored one-on-one with the keeper into the corner of the goal.
However, the Jets soon went down to ten men as West was shown a second yellow with 25 minutes to go.
Shortly after, Adus scored for the Jets, but it was called back for offside.
Camden scored with ten minutes to go to make the score 3-2 to Newcastle and set up a tense finish.
The Newcastle Jets held on late as there were no major chances; they defended well with ten men to get the win over Camden Tigers FC, 3-2.
The Jets will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season at home to UNSW FC next week, while the Tigers will look to bounce back at home to Hurstville FC in Round Five.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
