Round 8 Review – League One Men’s
With the season passing through the two-month mark, moves have been made in the Football NSW League One Men’s competition in round eight action.
In our match of the round, Dunbar Rovers secured a priceless win over Central Coast United.
While elsewhere, Hills United produced a clinic, St George FC edged a thriller and Inter Lions secured an important win.
Oh and we’ve had another coaching change, read on to find out all about it.
Central Coast United FC 0 v Dunbar Rovers FC 2 (Daisuke Yamaguchi 8’, Reece Berelowitz 24’)
Off the bottom of the table for the first time in a while, Dunbar Rovers put together a professional performance to overcome Central Coast United 2-0 at Pluim Park.
They were strong right across the park, fully deserving of the win with their goals coming from Daisuke Yamaguchi and Reece Berelowitz in the first half.
For Central Coast United, it was a tough watch as they struggled to get a foothold in the game with not many chances coming across the 90 minutes.
It was a frantic start to the fixture with both sides going full pelt for the opener. Central Coast United having the opening chance inside two minutes, a quick transition finding last weeks hero Zac Pezzutto who was denied by Evan Davis rushing out from his goal.
A goal can change things though and Dunbar found one in the eighth minute of action direct from a corner. Daisuke Yamaguchi the scorer, his in swinging effort from the right side sneaking in at the near post without a touch.
It’s rare that we can speak of game management from such a early stage but it was definitely the case in this one. Dunbar controlling possession for large spells from this point forward.
While Central Coast United for all their efforts were struggling in the attacking third, a long wait before their next notable chance late in the first half.
And by that point, they were down by two goals. The hosts failing to close down Yamaguchi outside the area, Yamaguchi finding Reece Berelowitz central who duly obliged with the delivery finding the net with his head to give them a two goal advantage.
United needed a goal before half-time and it nearly came in first half injury time, Duncan Stewart scrambling the ball to his right from a central position which found Jin Sung Lee. His effort drawing a reaction save from the keeper.
We spoke about it earlier, but it’s worth repeating again, the second half was very much a case of Dunbar frustrating their hosts, with the best chance of the early stages falling to them. Olivier Beltran-Woodward heading wide of the goal six minutes in.
The closest United came in this period being a nervy moment for Evan Davis under pressure from Cade Mapu ten minutes into the half.
For the most part it was manageable for the visitors though and any hopes of a comeback were dashed with the dismissal of Luke Cocoran with a little over 15 minutes remaining.
Dunbar Rovers will be in high spirits as they make the trip to Rydalmere next weekend. While Central Coast United have a lot of work to do before Hakoah FC visit next Saturday.
Hills United FC 4 (Jamal Belkadi 22’, Glen Kelshaw 42’ 57’, Wade Giovenali 49’) v Macarthur Rams FC 0
Hills United put together their best performance of the season to prevail over Macarthur Rams at Landen Stadium.
With four straight victories, Luke Casserly’s side have certainly found the winning formula at both ends. Keeping their third clean sheet in four games, Jamal Belkadi, Glenn Kelshaw and Wade Giovenali all found the back of the net in the victory.
The Rams on the other hand are just struggling to produce consistently, something flagged pre-season, they’ll look to regroup before Bankstown City visit them next weekend.
Once again, there was plenty to like about the way Hills approached this and they opened the scoring through Jamal Belkadi on 22 minutes.
The club man of the match went to captain Glen Kelshaw who scored a brace. His first coming just before half time after Thomas Makko set him up in a quality build-up. His second an exclamation mark with over half an hour left.
With Wade Giovenali also contributing with a goal in between, Giovenali combining with Brian Jamba who claimed an assist.
Outside of the goals, Nicolai Muller was also mentioned as an important contributor to the victory, pulling the strings in midfield. Hills United face Mounties Wanderers next Friday night, while Macarthur host Bankstown City.
SD Raiders FC 3 (Riley Cox-Barlow 53, Mihael Marcic 74’, Sebastian Malfara 92’) v Hakoah FC 1 (Nicholas Tooley 28’)
SD Raiders came from behind to pick up a fourth straight win over Hakoah FC at Ernie Smith Reserve.
On a heavy pitch with the recent weather, it took a little while for the hosts to acclimatise but once they did, Goran Ljuboja’s side proved too strong with three second half goals leading them to victory.
In contrast, it’s a disappointing result for Hakoah who held a lead at the break. Struggling for consistency, they’ll turn their attention to Central Coast United next weekend.
As mentioned prior in this section, it was the visitors to claim the lead in this one. A turnover at the back resulting in a gift for Nicholas Tooley who made no mistake with the finish.
SD Raiders did threaten on occasion in the first half, but they stepped it up a gear after the break. Riley Cox-Barlow opening their account eight minutes into the half from a corner, Cox-Barlow heading home.
A goal which flipped the momentum in front of goal, another set piece leading to the hosts second, Mihael Marcic tapping home from a Scott Cusick cross to give them the advantage.
An advantage which was added too late in the piece, Sebastian Malfara stepping up to convert from the spot to give them the points.
St George FC 3 (Lachlan Mailey (OG) 4’, Anthony Morabito 56’, Conor Quilligan 61’ ) v Canterbury Bankstown FC 2 (Daniel Axford (OG) 81’, Steven Sohn 91’)
St George FC survived a late scare overcoming a nine-man Canterbury Bankstown side at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Talk about a nervy finish! Some desperate defending late on in this one ensured the Saints maintain their position on top of the table after Anthony Morabito and Conor Quilligan found the back of the net early in the second half.
Having been reduced to ten early in the second half, a lot of credit has to go to Canterbury Bankstown in this one. Substitutes Jairo Torne Fernandez and Steven Sohn both scoring in the late stages of the fixture before they were reduced to nine deep into injury time.
This one can be separated into the first 80 minutes and the final ten. Let me explain!
The first 80 saw the hosts in the box seat. Their first coming inside five minutes with Jay Mcgowan playing a key role in the goal with it going down as a Lachlan Mailey own goal.
Despite being on the back foot, the Berries hung in there till half time, though those efforts looked to be in vein when Gino Cerasoli was sent off early in the second half.
St George taking advantage with two quick goals shortly after. Anthony Morabito with the second from close range before Conor Quilligan added a third with a well-placed shot.
From there it looked like a matter of just playing the fixture out until it wasn’t… Canterbury Bankstown scoring twice in the space of ten minutes with ten men. Jairo Torne Fernandez perhaps scoring their first (though it’s gone down as a Daniel Axford own goal), before fellow substitute Steven Sohn also found the net.
And they nearly had a third with Nathan Manno denied by a last ditch tackle and a clearance off the line deep into injury time.
However, the Saints were to survive and face an important clash with Northern Tigers next weekend, while Canterbury Bankstown host SD Raiders next weekend.
Inter Lions FC 1 (Jack Green 89’) v Northern Tigers FC 0
Inter Lions broke Northern Tigers hearts with a late goal for victory at Majors Bay Reserve, Saturday night.
After a couple of frustrating 3-2 losses, the result is more than welcome for Inter Lions who secured their first clean sheet of the season. They did have to be patient though with the winner not coming till the end 89th minute courtesy of Jack Green.
It’s the third loss in the space of four games for Northern Tigers who are struggling to find the back of the net with just two goals in their last four games. They host St George FC next weekend in what’s shaping to be a crucial match.
Despite the tight nature of the scoreline, both sides had opportunities in the opening half. Nicholas Paras going close for the hosts denied by a last-ditch deflection inside the opening five minutes. While Kai Denton had a chance at the other end, Denton beating the offside trap only to be denied by a stunning Anthony Costa save.
The second half saw Inter take more of a foothold with Paras once again denied by a last ditch tackle on the hour. However the pivotal moments came towards the back end of the game, Shervin Adeli seeing red on 85 minutes which was followed a few minutes later by a winner for the hosts.
Thomas Quilligan playing Jack Green through with a pinpoint pass in his own half, Green taking the ball the rest of the way before smashing it into the bottom corner.
It’s the third victory of Inter Lions season who face Dulwich Hill next. While Northern Tigers host St George FC.
Mounties Wanderers FC 0 v Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Emmanuel Dolo 53’ Daniel Durkin 82’)
Blacktown Spartans returned to the winner’s circle and condemned Mounties Wanderers to a sixth consecutive defeat in their round eight fixture.
Serving as a course correction after two defeats in a row, Emmanuel Dolo broke the deadlock before Daniel Durkin rounded things off with his second league goal of the season.
After parting ways with coach Harry Tsironis last weekend, the Mounties started the fixture strongly before fading away as the fixture went on. They have a tough ask against Hills United next Friday night.
The Spartans weathered an early storm in the opening quarter hour before slowly gaining the ascendency in the contest with a few good chances falling to Ben Rollison’s side before the half time break.
With the pressure eventually paying off soon after the resumption, Emmanuel Dolo coming off the bench to score a goal of the season contender from long range.
Not content with just the one goal, the Spartans pushed for a second and found it through Daniel Durkin. The striker combining with fellow front man Jovan Blagojevic for the goal, Blagojevic setting up the goal down the right.
Mounties Wanderers host Friday night football next weekend against Hills United, while Blacktown Spartans return home to host Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Bankstown City FC 3 (Matthew Moric 15’ 28, Mark Moric 40’) v Dulwich Hill FC 1 (Thomas Tranberg 41’)
A first half attacking blitz saw Bankstown City secured their second victory of the season over Dulwich Hill by a 3-1 scoreline.
In the said first half, it was the Moric brothers who did the damage in terms of scoring while Ante Tomic showed why his a player to watch in the competition setting up a couple of the goals.
For Dulwich Hill, it was a bridge too far this time, Thomas Tranberg found the back of the net late in the first half to bring it back to a two goal margin but they couldn’t do further damage.
After a shaky start to the fixture, the first goal settled the hosts down. Matthew Moric the scorer after an initial Ante Tomic shot was saved before a failed clearance. Moric arriving on the spot at the right time to power home.
I say settled down, it also clicked them into gear with the second of the night coming thirteen minutes later. Matthew Moric scoring his second after Ante Tomic produced a bit of magic down the left with his incursion down the left by-line.
Followed by a third on 40 minutes, Mark Moric scoring the third with Tomic claiming another assist to put them three up.
After last week come from behind victory, there was a sign of life before half time with Thomas Tranberg scoring what would prove a consolation goal.
However, Bankstown were able to reset after the break and held onto the two-goal advantage. They have a midweek cup game ahead of them before taking on Macarthur next weekend. While Dulwich Hill host Inter Lions.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Rydalmere Lions FC washed out.
By Justin Smith
