Round 9 Review – League One Men’s
Some important results highlighted round nine of the Football NSW League One Men’s competition as we entered our third month of the competition.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles picked up a point away from home against Blacktown Spartans. Northern Tigers returned to the winners circle breaking St George FC’s winning streak and Hills United took the outright competition lead with a victory over an improved Mounties Wanderers.
Match of the round: Blacktown Spartans FC 2-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
Blacktown Spartans and Bonnyrigg White Eagles shared the spoils after a see-sawing match of the round at Blacktown Football Park.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles will perhaps come away the happier of the two sides after an 82nd minute equaliser away from home through Zac Sfiligoi after Brad Bartels found the net earlier.
While the Spartans will walk away perhaps disappointed having taken a lead twice in the contest. The first coming in the opening minute before they again took lead on the hour but couldn’t hold on.
It couldn’t have started any better for the hosts opening the scoring in the opening 20 seconds through Franco Scarcella. Daniel Durkin with the assist from the right, Scarcella the man arriving on the scene to finish from the goal mouth.
Durkin following up with an effort of his own two minutes later, his effort going wide right of the target by a matter of inches.
After struggling early, Bonnyrigg then settled in the contest with their first chance of the match coming through Ryan Attard who made a smart run through the defense just inside the quarter hour, his shot comfortably saved.
With an even better chance falling five minutes later, Aaron Peterson with a quick touch sending Brad Bartels through who couldn’t apply the finish past Michael Figueira. The Spartans keeper diving down to his right.
The visitors were looking the more likely and they were rewarded with their efforts with a drought breaking goal for Brad Bartels who combined with Aaron Peterson before a powerful finish into the back of the net.
However, the break reset things with Blacktown Spartans returning from the sheds looking more composed.
And they took the lead through Daniel Durkin, Hyungmin Yang with a corner into the area which was finished by Daniel Durkin who scored from close range amongst a sea of legs perhaps against the run of play.
Spartans coach Ben Rollison had by this point introduced Emmanuel Dolo to the action who was a threat going forward on the break, forcing a save from Luke Turnbull in the 64th minute.
The sealer almost came just after 70 minutes though with Anthony Younis slamming a shot into the crossbar from a set piece at the back post.
That chance proving all the more important when a goal came at the other end, Ryan Attard delivering a pinpoint free kick from a deep right position which was met by Zac Sfiligoi who headed home past the keeper for the equaliser on 82 minutes.
From there, the best chance fell to Aaron Peterson who found himself through one on one, but he couldn’t slip it past Michael Figueira. That leading to a goalmouth scramble in which the ball was somehow kept out in the final minute of regulation. Emmanuel Gonzalez seemingly getting the last touch before Figueira claimed it.
Both sides then pushed for a winner but the draw was probably a fair result all things considered. Blacktown Spartans sit in a top four position after nine rounds with Hakoah FC next up, while Bonnyrigg sit in 12th with a midweek fixture with Rydalmere looking a crucial one at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Franco Scarcella 1’, Daniel Durkin 61’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Brad Bartels 45‘, Zac Sfilgoi 83’)
Mounties Wanderers 0 v Hills United FC 1 (Mitchell Smith 61’)
Hills United took the outright competition lead with a hard-fought victory over Mounties Wanderers at Cook Park.
In a tough encounter in Sydney’s south-west, substitute Mitchell Smith scored the decisive goal with first touch of the game off the bench to give them the eventual victory, their fifth in a row.
It’s a positive response for Mounties Wanderers who pushed their visitors to the limit at home with a couple of early chances in the first half nearly giving them a surprise lead.
As mentioned above, Hills United keeper Ryan Wood had to be alert to prevent their hosts taking a lead in the first half with a couple of outstanding saves.
However, the visitors weathered the storm and started creating chances of their own after the break, Mitchell Smith breaking the deadlock on the hour, taking the ball into the box before finishing low and hard into the back of the net.
The hosts never gave up but they couldn’t find an equaliser while Nathan Rayner and Jamal Belkadi had opportunities at the other end.
Hills United host Dulwich Hill next weekend, while Mounties Wanderers host Macarthur Rams.
Central Coast United FC 1 (Zac Pezzutto 27’) v Hakoah FC 3 (Samuel Young 2’, Connor Shaddock 12’, George Tuson-Firth 64’)
Hakoah FC extended the woes of Central Coast United after two early goals put them in control of this one at Pluim Park.
In a remarkable start, Samuel Young opened the scoring inside 120 seconds before Connor Shaddock and George Tuson-Firth added to their tally.
Sitting in the bottom two, it was important a response came from Central Coast United however conceding inside the opening five minutes wasn’t in the plan. Zac Pezzutto once again found the back of the net for the pirates but they couldn’t pull back the two goal advantage.
From the outset, the visitors came out looking for blood with two goals in the opening 15 minutes. Samuel Young scoring the first after a Finley Hayhurst shot cannoned off the crossbar. Young heading home the rebound.
Their second coming in the 12th minute. A cleared corner falling to the “Irish Kaka” Conor Earley who picked out Connor Shaddock at the back post to head home.
Central Coast United at the other end having their best chance of the opening stages a couple minutes later. Joshua Swadling playing a give and go with his left winger heading across the face. And they equalised on 27 minutes, Adam Woodbine taking it upon himself to break through the defense before squaring it to Zac Pezzutto who found the back of the net.
It was an entertaining contest from that point with both sides having their chances as the minutes ticked on but Hakoah took the game beyond doubt after the hour mark after regaining control. George Tuson-Firth adding the third goal from the spot. Tuson Firth sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Central Coast United travel down to face Bonnyrigg next weekend, while Hakoah FC take on Blacktown Spartans on Good Friday.
Rydalmere Lions FC 4 () v Dunbar Rovers FC 0
Three victories in a row, Rydalmere Lions continued their purple patch of form with a 4-0 trouncing of Dunbar Rovers.
The hosts took control of the fixture in the first half and didn’t take their foot off the throttle going into half time with a 3-0 lead, Tom Chidiac then claiming the final goal in the second half to put it beyond doubt, his first for the club.
It’s a bit of a reality check for Dunbar Rovers after their round eight victory, they’ll be keen to put this one behind them before next weekend.
The first goal came from an unlikely assist from centre back Tony Spaseski who found Ahmad Taleb with a 40 metre pass, Taleb then taking it around the keeper before finishing.
However, man of the match had to go to Mitchell Gibbs whose work ethic impressed and led to the second goal for Jake Chidiac.,
With the game beyond doubt, the hosts took advantage of it to introduce Andre Taouil and Tom Chidiac to proceedings with Tom Chidiac picking up the final goal with the assist going to Dillian Kahale.
Rydalmere Lions next face St George FC next weekend while Dunbar Rovers host Northern Tigers in the match of the round.
Dulwich Hill FC 0 v Inter Lions FC 2 (Fikret Berisha 43’, Lachlan Everett 94’)
Inter Lions picked up their first away victory of the season with a confident 2-0 victory over Dulwich Hill.
With two sides desperate for a win, it was Inter Lions who would secure their fourth victory of the season with two goals in the late stages of either half, Fikret Berisha scoring the first before Lachlan Everett made sure of things late on.
It was by no means a bad performance from the hosts who threatened their visitors in the opening stages of either half with Daniel Fornito in particular singled out as a dangerous opponent for the hosts to handle.
Confident after their victory last weekend, Inter Lions applied the pressure early with Fikret Berisha and Oliver Green looking lively. But they had to wait to take the lead with the goal coming in the 43rd minute through Berisha, his shot back to goal unstoppable on it’s way into the back of the net.
After the break, Dulwich Hill had to respond and had their best period of the contest shortly however the Lions defense was proving resolute.
The visitors sealing the result through Lachlan Everett in the 93rd minute after he combined with Tom Quilligan in the build-up.
Inter Lions face Canterbury Bankstown FC next weekend at home while Dulwich Hill have a tough ask against Hills United.
Northern Tigers FC 3 (Kai Denton 79’ 85’, Lachlan Lloyd 83’) v St George FC 0
Northern Tigers secured a vital 3-0 home win over St George FC at North Turramurra in a hotly contested game in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs.
The action all came late in the piece with the hosts scoring three goals in the last 15 minutes securing victory. Kai Denton with the first and third goal separated by a Lachlan Lloyd goal in between to give the Tigers their first victory in a month.
While in contrast, it’s the first defeat for St George FC since round one of the competition ending a five game winning streak. They’ll look to rebound against Rydalmere Lions next weekend.
It was a good night for the hosts who have been without a few key players in recent times. Notable inclusions of Scott Browning and Rhys Williams providing a boost which they took advantage of on the day.
Kai Denton continued his hot start to the season scoring his eight and ninth goal of the season, his first coming in the 79th minute, his second in the 85th, with captain Lachlan Lloyd scoring his second in the 83rd minute.
Northern Tigers take on away at Dunbar Rovers next weekend while St George host Rydalmere Lions at Rockdale Ilinden in round ten action.
Macarthur Rams FC 2 (Anthony Proia 26’ 79’) v Bankstown City FC 1 (Nikola Todoroski 76’)
An Anthony Proia double secured Macarthur Rams a victory over Bankstown City at Lynwood Park, Saturday night.
After a few poor results, the victory is certainly welcome for Brett Hewit’s side who took advantage of their return home after a few tough results away. Anthony Proia adding his fifth and sixth goal of the season either side of half time.
It was an eventful second half of the fixture with a red card shown to Bankstown City on 56 minutes. They secured an equaliser through Nikola Todoroski but couldn’t hold on with a man down afterwards.
Both sides started this one well however it was Macarthur Rams to take the lead in the 26th minute, a short corner unsettling the Bankstown defense before a delivery found Anthony Proia at the near post who turned it home.
Things appeared to be out of control for the visitors when they were reduced to ten with the concession of a penalty when James Mckenzie conceded a second yellow on 56 minutes. However, the visitors rallied and found an equaliser with just over a quarter hour left. Nikola Todoroski heading home from a delightful Ante Tomic cross.
The final blow was struck by Anthony Proia though with Dimitri Petratos linking with Anthony Proia who applied a smart finish into the bottom corner.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 3 (Jairo Torne Fernandez 14’ 67’, Joel Beattie 24’) v SD Raiders FC 1 (Noah Chianese 6’, Genki Kohyama 89’)
Round nine of the League One Men’s competition went out with a bang as Canterbury Bankstown and SD Raiders went toe to toe at the Crest in a shootout with the hosts eventually prevailing 3-2.
After conceding early, the hosts Canterbury Bankstown took control with three unanswered goals before the visitors SD Raiders made things nervy late after both sides were reduced to ten men.
It wet conditions at the Crest, the visitors started well and struck first opening the score through Noah Chianese six minutes in.
Despite conceding early, The Berries responded with three unanswered goals either side of the half time break. Jairo Torne Fernandez scoring the first and third of the evening, his first described as a really good finish in the 14th minute. Before round things off with their third after the hour mark.
Those two goals separated by a Joel Beattie goal on 24 minutes, a defensive mix up leading to that one, Beattie applying the finish from long range.
The game was competitive and both sides were reduced to ten with fifteen minutes left, Nathan Manno and Sebastian Malfara sent off for their respective sides.
And the visitors added further stakes with a goal to bring the margin back to one through Genki Kohyama.
Canterbury Bankstown were to hold on though jumping their opponents on goal difference in the league standings.
By Justin Smith
