Round 7 Review – League Two Men’s
Round Seven of the 2023 Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season saw one team win their first match of the season, while the league’s only unbeaten side left fell.
The Match of the Round saw last-gasp drama as Camden Tigers FC defeated Inner West Hawks FC, while South Coast Flame FC won over Bankstown United FC for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, Hurstville FC picked up the three points away to Hawkesbury City FC, while ten-man Nepean FC held off Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Elsewhere, Parramatta FC picked up their first win of the season in the derby against Western Rage, Fraser Park FC knocked off first-placed UNSW FC away and Prospect United SC claimed all three points at home to Sydney University SFC.
The Newcastle Jets had a bye this round.
Saturday, 18th March 2023
Match of the Round: Camden Tigers FC 3-2 Inner West Hawks FC
The Match of the Round this week saw final-minute drama as Camden Tigers FC escaped with a 3-2 win over Inner West Hawks FC.
The Hawks looked to start the match on the front foot as they attempted to play in behind the Camden defence from kick-off.
The Tigers gained their first meaningful possession after a few minutes as they also looked to play in behind the Hawks.
The first shot of the match came from Hesan Soufi after seven minutes, but his long shot from outside the box flew straight into Michael O’Rourke’s gloves.
Leandro Guzman started the match dangerous for Camden as after nine minutes, he found space in behind the Hawks’ defence before his right-footed effort flew just wide of the right-hand post.
Guzman was involved again minutes later as he got in behind again; he forced a save for the Hawks’ goalkeeper down low as the ball went out for a corner.
Camden continued to play in behind the Hawks with diagonal long balls, as the Hawks defence had to remain vigilant to deny the Tigers.
The match was back-and-forth early as both teams enjoyed time on the ball.
Guzman had another chance for Camden after he found himself free at the back post from a deflected cross; however, the ball was slightly behind him as he attempted his shot, which fell into Hawks’ keeper, Connor Gilbert’s arms.
Camden kept pushing as they fired shots to test Gilbert, as their latest effort flew over the crossbar at speed.
Guzman was the man in space constantly as he received the ball after Camden won it in midfield.
They stretched the play with long balls in the air across the field as they worked their way to the edge of the 18-yard-box.
Another ball across the box in the air found Guzman, who could not generate enough power behind his diving header as Gilbert saved the effort.
Camden looked to utilise their height from set pieces but we’re unable to direct any headers on target in the opening half-hour.
Gary Seymour, Camden’s coach, was vocal in the first half, as he encouraged his team.
The match settled into a pattern where both sides looked to win the ball in midfield and attack with long balls in behind.
Camden found their forwards with long balls from their fullbacks and wide players as they forced Gilbert into sharp saves and blocks for corners.
Guzman, again, found himself free just outside the box from a corner, but his right-footed effort flew over the crossbar.
Camden started to control the match towards the end of the first half as they pinned the Hawks back, who looked to strike on the counterattack.
Two minutes before half-time, Bright Owusu won the ball in midfield for the Hawks as he shrugged off his defender; he played in Luke Galatidis who turned and evaded the Camden defence before his shot was saved well down low by O’Rourke.
The final action of the half saw Soufi play the ball back to Abdul Zahra, who struck his effort from just outside the box over the crossbar; the teams were level at 0-0 at half-time.
The start of the second half saw O’Rourke rush out well to deny space for the Hawks, while Camden scored off an offside run.
Camden had the ball in the back of the net in the 52nd minute, but after a deflection the player who provided the finish was in an offside position.
The Hawks created chances themselves as another shot was collected by the Tigers’ keeper.
They played on the counter as more efforts flew wide of the post.
The pressure told as the Hawks scored the opening goal of the match in the 57th minute.
Zahra made a strong run down the right for the Hawks as he evaded defenders and worked his way into the box.
He played the ball across the six-yard-box and into the back of the net for the Hawks to lead 1-0.
Just minutes later, Gilbert kept the Hawks in the lead as a cross-turned-shot forced him to tip the ball over his crossbar.
Camden had a big chance to score in the 62nd minute; after the ball had been worked into the box, multiple Tigers had shots before it fell to a Tigers player six yards out.
He blazed his effort over the bar as the Tigers missed their first big chance of the match.
Seymour called for his team to relax from the sidelines after they had started taking rushed long shots.
Guzman was played in behind again in the 67th minute; gasps reeled from the crowd as his shot beat Gilbert before it cannoned off the post and away.
Seymour yelled out for his side to win the first and second ball as he called for more intensity from his side, saying for them to be proactive rather than reactive.
However, five minutes later, the Hawks doubled their lead.
Soufi found himself in space down the left edge for the Hawks.
He took an audacious shot from 25 yards out, outside the left corner of the Camden penalty area.
The shot looked to be floating over the top of the crossbar; however, it dipped late as it flew mere inches over the outstretched arms of O’Rourke and into the far-right corner of the goal.
A screamer had given the Hawks a 2-0 advantage in the 72nd minute.
Camden put the pressure on after they conceded that goal and looked to click in attack.
In the 74th minute, Camden had a free kick which was blazed over the crossbar.
However, just a minute later, the Tigers pulled a goal back.
From an attacking corner, Marko Filipovic whipped a cross into the box.
In trying to punch the ball clear, it deflected off Gilbert and into his own net as the Tigers halved the deficit.
A few minutes later, Camden looked to utilise a long throw into the box; it evaded everyone and went out for a goal kick.
This tactic was used again in the 80th minute, as Tigers captain Jack Harris launched the ball into the box from a throw-in.
The ball found a Camden player before the ball deflected off the back of Hawks substitute Marcus Naoum and into the back of the net, as the match became level at 2-2.
In the 82nd minute, Soufi had consecutive shots within seconds, which was saved well by O’Rourke down low to his right and his left, respectively.
Seymour urged for calmness in his players as the match entered the final five minutes.
Substitute Brendan Lane received the ball for Camden inside the box but shot his effort wide.
The Hawks were holding on late as Camden shot another effort wide in the 90th minute.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Abdu Elmir found Andrew Head with an aerial ball into the box, but he could only manage a glancing header as it flew wide.
The final kick of the match came from a Camden corner.
The ball was played into the box with 20 seconds to go in the match.
It found its way to the back post after a few deflections before Aiden Quigley got the crucial flick on.
The ball then fell in the path of captain Harris who was standing one meter out from the goal line at the back post.
He hit the ball into the back of the net with his right thigh as the players, coaches and crowd went wild.
The referee blew for full-time after the match restarted as the Tigers pulled off the unlikely comeback from 2-0 down late to win the match 3-2.
Camden Tigers Head Coach Gary Seymour said he was pleased with the win but knows his side can play better.
“All-in-all, a little bit disappointed with the performance… [But] I was extremely pleased with the team’s persistence… So there are a lot of positives to take,” Seymour said.
“It seems like our mindset is not there for long enough periods and we lose focus and allow other teams into the game.
He wants his team to have the right mindset from the beginning to put together a full 90 performance and not have to go down or come from behind to play well.
“That’s the hardest thing I’m trying to drill into the players at the minute; if we have that mindset of not allowing teams the opportunity, then we’ll continue to do well like we are at the moment.”
“I’m ecstatic that we won but at the same time, I know where we can do better and I want better for the team and for the club…”
Camden Tigers captain Jack Harris echoed those sentiments.
“Frustrating, to say the least, we’re our own worst enemy,” Harris said.
“It sucks that it takes a goal or two to concede to let that switch go on…”
However, he also had praise for his teammates for the fight they showed in the match.
“[I’m] really proud of the boys for the effort shown and the desire in getting back into what we’re supposed to do.
Playing back at their usual home ground this season after the flood challenges of season’s past, Harris talked about his admiration for the ground.
“We love playing here, honestly, the amount of people that come down and get behind us – win, lose or draw,” Harris said.
“Other than possibly Hawkesbury, it’s one of the toughest places to play away just because the fans have such a big impact on the game and we honestly just thrive off it.”
Harris scored the winning goal with seconds left to play in the match and talked through the moment from his point of view.
“I was kind of in my own world, I was just standing at the back post… If I look like I’m doing nothing, I can kind of sneak in at the back post,” Harris said.
“I was scared, to be honest, I thought I was gonna put it over and I was like ‘the coach is gonna give it to me,” Harris laughed.
“I tried to concentrate as much as I could just to get any body part on the ball because I was a metre out.
“You can write in the column it was a 40-yard screamer to finish it with ten seconds to go, but in reality it was just pretty much off the thigh,” Harris laughed.
Camden Tigers FC will look to build on their momentum as they travel down to face South Coast Flames FC in Round Eight, while Inner West Hawks FC are at home to league-leaders Nepean FC next week.
Friday, 17th March 2023
Nepean FC 1-0 Gladesville Ryde Magic
Nepean FC returned to the winner’s circle after they closed out a 1-0 win with 10 men against Gladesville Ryde Magic.
A large crowd welcomed the two teams to Wanderers Football Park as the two teams battled.
The match was hard-fought between the two sides with aggressive defending.
The first chance of the match fell to Nepean FC’s Jack Hoban, who shot his effort into the side netting.
At the other end, Kohki Hiyaoka fired a shot for the Magic which bounced across the face of the Nepean goal.
Ryan Dominici had a shot for Nepean minutes later which swerved wide.
Nepean attempted to use diagonal balls to get in behind the Magic, but their defence held strong.
Mitchell King headed wide for Nepean, while at the other end James Tsokos had a shot for the Magic which deflected out for a corner.
In the 44th minute, Nepean were awarded a free kick 30 yards out.
Bradley Whitworth curled the free kick into the box, which was met at the far post by the outstretched foot of Mitchell King.
He scored to give Nepean a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Magic’s Yusuf Amini had the first effort of the half as his long-range left-footed strike flew over the crossbar.
The aggressive battle in the midfield was crucial to stop opposition attacks for both sides.
Amini had a chance as he curled a cross into the box, but no supporting Magic players able to get on the end of it.
The Magic started to create more opportunities but we’re unable to find the equaliser against a strong Nepean defence.
In the 75th minute, Ryan Dominici received a second yellow card as Nepean were reduced to 10 men.
Magic’s Adrian Jonnathan had a long-range strike which saved the outside of the Nepean post.
Magic Substitute David Ustimenko had a long-range free-kick ripped over the bar by Nepean’s goalkeeper, Justin Biega.
The last chance of the match fell to Ustimenko, who beat three players in his run before his shot swerved wide of the target.
The Magic fought hard but Nepean claimed the important three points.
Nepean FC travel to face Inner West Hawks FC in Round Eight, while Gladesville Ryde Magic are at home to Bankstown United FC.
Hawkesbury City FC 0-3 Hurstville FC
Hurstville FC recorded their second win of the season as they recorded a well-deserved 3-0 victory away to Hawkesbury City FC.
Hawkesbury started the match well as they created the majority of the early chances but we’re unable to convert.
Hurstville controlled the ball in possession and played with pace early.
They were rewarded with a goal 20 minutes in as Daniel Maras played a ball to Jesse Gagro, who set up captain Paul Gagro to score at the near post.
Hawkesbury responded with a 15-minute period of high pressure before half-time, but Hurstville were able to hold them off.
In the second half, Hurstville had control of the match as substitute Yianni Nioplias slipped in Mouhamed Hamdachi to score.
Hurstville played on the counter after that and created more chances.
Hawkesbury attempted to play balls into the box which were scrambled away by Hurstville.
Hamdache broke late in the match to score his second and seal the 3-0 away result for Hurstville.
Hawkesbury City FC travel to face Fraser Park FC next week, while Hurstville FC have a bye in Round Eight.
Bankstown United FC 1-3 South Coast Flame FC
South Coast Flame FC recorded their first win in three matches as they overcame Bankstown United FC away, 3-1.
The match had action early as Flame goalkeeper Seiya Miyamoto was forced into a sharp save with his right foot after Ty Geany was played in behind for Bankstown.
Ten minutes later, Mitchell Cross was through on goal but he was denied this time by the keeper with his legs in the one-on-one.
However, against the run of play, the Flame found the lead.
Chang Gyun Yoo took a first touch off a corner before he unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards out with his second touch.
Bankstown fought back with momentum after going behind as Geany’s left-footed strike flew wide of the post.
Josh Gersbach was the saviour for Bankstown on 35 minutes as he pulled off a goal-line clearance to deny Yoo.
Miyamoto produced two saves prior to half-time to ensure the Flame took the lead into the break.
New Flame Head Coach Stan Pappas has to see his side hold off the Bankstown pressure to start the second half.
Josh Gersbach was denied by a Miyamoto fingertip save, while Mitchell Cross and Marie Gauthier had half-chances.
On the 62nd minute, Adam Voloder chipped the Bankstown keeper but his effort flew just wide.
He wasn’t to be denied minutes later though as Jay De Gouveia forced a turnover in midfield; he played Voloder in behind for a one-on-one with the Bankstown keeper which he buried to double the Flame lead.
Less than 90 seconds later, Gauthier pulled a goal back for Bankstown as his free kick found the bottom corner of the goal.
However, in their search for a late equaliser, Bankstown opened up late as the Flame countered through Ben Caroutas, who scored into the bottom-right corner from 20 yards out.
Despite having more possession, the Flame were clinical with their chances as they came away with the 3-1 away victory; their first-ever win over Bankstown.
Bankstown United FC travel to face Gladesville Ryde Magic in Round Eight, while South Coast Flame FC will look to build momentum at home to Camden Tigers FC.
Saturday, March 18th 2023
Parramatta FC 5-1 Western Rage
Parramatta FC recorded back-to-back wins as they claimed the three points in a six-goal western Sydney derby.
Parramatta FC started slowly in the first 15 minutes of the match as the Western Rage could have punished them.
The Rage missed two one-on-one chances early as they failed to capitalise.
As the match wore on, Parramatta settled into the rhythm of the game.
They played a possession-based game and dominated the match in patches.
Parramatta were rewarded for their play as Marco Sama scored a first-half hat-trick with goals in the 19th, 22nd and 27th minute.
Each goal by Sama was scored with clinical finishing placement as Parramatta took control of the match.
Abdul Aljabery scored Parramatta’s fourth goal in the 36th minute after he was played through in behind the Rage defence.
He beat his defender and scored one-on-one with the Rage goalkeeper to give Parramatta a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Parramatta held the ball and forced the Rage to chase the ball and the match after that.
Aljabery scored his second in the 65th minute after the ball was cut back from the right to the left inside the box where he was.
He beat his defender and shot at the Rage keeper who saved the effort, before Aljabery scored the rebound to give Parramatta their fifth goal.
Alhaji Bangura put in a good shift from right-back as his side took control.
However, Daniel Cooper scored a consolation goal for the Rage in the 78th minute to make the score 5-1.
In the 90th minute, a player from both sides were sent off after a feisty altercation.
Andrew Bechara was sent off for Parramatta while Oscar Felipe Nieto Rava was given his marching orders for the Western Rage.
Parramatta took the victory despite not playing at their best as they continue to build into the season.
Parramatta FC will look to build upon this result as they travel to face Sydney University SFC in Round Eight, while the Western Rage are at home to the Newcastle Jets next week.
UNSW FC 0-3 Fraser Park FC
Fraser Park FC found some form as they toppled the ladder-leading UNSW FC 3-0 away.
The match started with good pace as both teams played free-flowing football in an entertaining and action-packed match.
The box-to-box football entertained the spectators but drained the players’ energy early.
Fraser Park slowly built momentum as they had a few shots at the UNSW goal, but just as quick as Fraser Park attacked, UNSW countered.
However, in the 40th minute, Fraser Park’s Alex Price slotted a through ball in behind the UNSW defence.
Shu Torihara got on the end of the pass, set himself up nicely with his first touch and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Fraser Park doubled their lead before the break through Samuel Shepherd.
He ran from right to left on the edge of the penalty box before his shot rattled the netting, as the away side took a 2-0 lead into the sheds at half-time.
Both sides played smart football to start the second half and showed focus despite the heat.
Neither side stopped trying as the ball was played across the park with pace and intensity.
UNSW held the ball well and tried to frustrate their opponents; however, the Fraser Park defence held them out.
The Fraser Park players knew they could not relax or give up concentration.
In the 89th minute, Shepherd found himself in space out wide as he evaded a few UNSW defenders.
He set himself up with some cool touches before he slotted the ball home to score his second of the match and give Fraser Park the three points in the 3-0 win.
UNSW FC will look to bounce back away to Prospect United SC next week, while Fraser Park will hope to build momentum at home to Hawkesbury City FC.
Prospect United SC 2-1 Sydney University SFC
Prospect United SC claimed their second win of the season as they won 2-1 at home to Sydney University SFC.
Prospect started positively with the ball as Sydney University’s goalkeeper pulled off three important saves to deny the hosts early.
However, Sydney University grabbed the lead against the run of play.
In the 31st minute, James Reed made a run through the midfield before he dribbled past the Prospect centre-backs and scored with a clinical shot.
However, that goal failed to spark Sydney University as two minutes before half-time, Prospect struck back.
Tallan Zahra and Cristian Martinez combined before the latter set up Matthew Joseph for a far-post tap-in.
With the match 1-1 at half-time, the next goal was crucial.
Sydney University’s goalkeeper Jasper Sarkies made three important saves to deny Prospect in the second period.
However, Prospect took the lead for the first time through James Pelletier in the 79th minute.
A shot was parried by Sarkies as it fell to Pelletier who was the first to react, as he scored with his first-time shot to give Prospect the lead.
Sydney University were unable to get back into the match as Prospect won, 2-1.
Prospect United SC will look to build on the performance and result with their returning players as they host UNSW FC, while Sydney University SFC will hope to rebound at home to Parramatta FC in Round Eight.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
