Round 10 Review – League Two Men’s
Round Ten of the Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season saw a Grand Final rematch, while a derby threw up a six-goal thriller.
The Match of the Round saw the Newcastle Jets claim a statement victory away to Nepean FC in the Grand Final rematch, while the University derby saw late drama as Sydney University and UNSW FC shared the spoils.
Meanwhile, Bankstown United FC and Parramatta FC could not be separated, Gladesville Ryde Magic beat Camden Tigers FC, while the Western Rage and Hurstville FC played out a draw.
Elsewhere, Fraser Park FC survived an Inner West Hawks FC comeback as they were victorious, while South Coast Flame FC moved up to second as they defeated Hawkesbury City FC at home.
Prospect United SC had a bye this round.
Friday, 7th April 2023
Match of the Round: Nepean FC 1-4 Newcastle Jets
The Newcastle Jets had a statement victory in the Grand Final rematch as they beat fellow competition heavyweights Nepean FC 4-1 at Wanderers Football Park.
Nepean’s top scorer and main man up front, Bradley Whitworth, signed with a club in New Zealand, which means Nepean will have to adapt their play without him for the rest of the season, or at least until the transfer window opens in June.
It was a windy Wanderers Football Park with lightning in the surrounding suburbs which greeted the two teams in this encounter.
The Jets started brightly, as clever ball movement saw their forwards use good hold-up play to play balls back into the midfield from the space created.
In the 5th minute, the Jets created a chance after they held onto possession, as a long shot from range was saved well by Nepean goalkeeper, Justin Biega.
The save parried out to Christian Bracco for the Jets, who sliced his shot wide.
The Jets got back and defended well when Nepean threatened to counter early, as they snuffed out attacks.
The slick ball and player movement from the Jets helped them beat the Nepean press early in the match.
Nepean’s compactness in between the midfield and defensive lines stopped Newcastle from creating chances in between the lines, as the Jets worked hard to create space.
In the 22nd minute, a cross-turned-shot from the Jets flew just over the crossbar as Biega scrambled back, as he watched it fall over the bar.
A few minutes later, Mathew Crossley delivered the ball into the box from the right off a corner, as the resulting header in the middle floated over the bar, as the crowd held their breath.
Biege commanded his troops in defence as the Jets continued their attack down the left flank.
However, the breakthrough came for the hosts in the 30th minute, as a strong counterattack from Nepean saw them score a good team goal.
Rory McGeown played the ball down the field for another Nepean player, who held the ball up well outside the box and beat his marker.
He then squared the ball into the middle for Andre Cavallaro, who did well to control the ball, before he turned and slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner with a strong right-footed finish to give Nepean a 1-0 lead.
In a bizarre change of fortunes weather-wise, the rain started pelting down as soon as the ball hit the back of the net; both sides had to adjust to the new weather conditions in the torrential downpour and cold.
Five minutes later, Jack Hoban made a strong run down the left flank for Nepean as a long ball found him.
He evaded the slide tackle of a Jets defender as he worked his way to just outside the box; however, his right-footed effort flew just over the Jets’ crossbar.
The pitch became increasingly waterlogged as the half wore on.
The Jets’ captain, Adam Zervas, worked well in tight spaces between the lines as he looked to threaten in attack.
Moonib Adus almost got on the end of a through ball played in behind for him in the 37th minute, but his first touch led the ball to Biega.
A minute later, the Jets had another shot on goal, which forced Biega into a smart save to send the ball over the crossbar for a corner.
Five minutes before half-time, Ezra Palombini was played in behind down the right flank; he beat a few challenges as he made his way into the box, before his right-footed shot was sliced wide of the left-hand upright.
The rain ceased for a few minutes, before it returned for the final few minutes of the half.
Then, in the dying embers of the first half, in the cold and pouring rain, the Jets found the equaliser.
A pinpoint cross from the left, around 25 yards from goal, fell directly onto the head of Xavier Bertoncello for Newcastle, who calmly guided the header into the far-top-right corner of the goal.
That was the final meaningful action of the half as parity was restored; the teams headed into the sheds, as the rain ceded once again, level at half-time, 1-1.
However, the lightning in the surrounding suburbs grew greater as the rain and wind affected the ground increasingly.
Suddenly, the lights at the ground shut off during half-time; they did not turn back on for around 30 minutes, which caused a major delay to the start of the second half.
The lightning died down a bit and as soon as the lights turned back on, the players made their way back onto the field for the second half.
The wind and rain were nowhere to be seen as the second half eventually started.
Then, in the 48th minute, the Jets took the lead for the first time in the match.
The Jets made their way in behind the Nepean defence, as Biega came out slightly in the Nepean goal.
Bertoncello saw and realised that movement from Biega, as he chipped the goalkeeper from just inside the right side of the box as the ball flew into the bottom-left corner to give the Jets a 2-1 lead.
In the 53rd minute, three back-to-back shots from the Jets were either blocked or cleared off the line as they piled the pressure on Nepean.
The Jets continued their attack as they made their way down the right again a few minutes later; however, the final shot was blazed over the crossbar.
Nepean were pinned back repeatedly by the Jets as they struggled to have any possession in the first fifteen minutes of the second half.
In the 64th minute, the Jets’ Moonib Adus made a strong run down the line on the left; he crossed the ball into the middle for Bertoncello, whose effort rattled off the crossbar.
However, the Jets earned a two-goal cushion in the 72nd minute in spectacular fashion.
Newcastle continued their domination of the match as Palombini received the ball in midfield and dribbled his way through Nepean.
He beat four players, including a midfielder, two defenders and the goalkeeper, with silky footwork, tight ball control and dribbling.
Once he rounded the goalkeeper, he calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed finish with what was a goal of the season contender.
They almost scored a fourth two minutes later, as Palombini fired a shot towards the top-right corner, which was saved miraculously by Biega.
However, in the 75th minute, Newcastle did score their fourth and ended any hopes of a late Nepean comeback.
Kyle Mcseveney capitalised off an error from Biega as he slotted the ball home off a rebound and gave the Jets a strong 4-1 lead.
The fog descended onto the ground after that as visibility became harder.
Every Newcastle player displayed their quality as they showed why they deserved the lead in the match.
Nepean had their first real opportunity of the half in the 80th minute, as a run down the left led to a cross played in for Harrison Fox, whose tame finish was collected calmly by Jets’ goalkeeper, Noah James.
Nepean tried their luck from distance as they looked for any consolation late.
The Jets looked to pile on the pain as they tried a long shot in the closing minutes.
Newcastle’s midfield was in control for the majority of the second half, particularly Palombini and Zervas, who continuously used their tight dribbling skills and calm first touches to set the mood in midfield.
The full-time whistle went as the Jets earned an important 4-1 victory away over Nepean.
Speaking post-match, Nepean FC head coach Steven Appleby said the delay to the second half worked against his side given the relative training schedules of the two teams.
“[Newcastle] were always going to be on the front foot when they came back in the second half, where we were not, and I knew that was going to happen, but we had to be better in our decision-making when it was,” Appleby said.
Appleby spoke about the difference between the first and second half.
“In the first half, I thought it was quite a decent game and both sides were competitive… but the second half, we were just below par, simple as that,” Appleby said.
Appleby also spoke about the players they currently have out and while he said it is not an excuse, he said his side is fatigued.
“Not making excuses for the last four weeks, we’ve had five major players out injured and also losing Brad [Whitworth], who went and played professionally in New Zealand,” Appleby said.
“The window does not open ‘til June, so there’s nothing we can do from losing a player like that to bringing someone in,” Appleby said.
In his absence, as they look to find a way forward without their top scorer, Appleby gave his thoughts on how his side can improve.
“What we have got to try and do first of all is [have] better decision in our passing and our ball retention; until we do that, we are gonna put ourselves on the back foot, whatever we do,” Appleby said.
“So, hopefully we will get a few more players back in the next couple of weeks, but we’re still underdone.”
As for how Nepean will bounce back from here, Appleby had a simple answer.
“We have got to get back into training… get them in a good groove, again, ready for next week,” Appleby said.
“That is part of your job as a coach, there’s frustrating periods, one hundred percent, but it is just one of those tonight [which] was definitely against us with the delay to the second half, as well, so it did not help.
“The ability, what they show in training and what they have showed in previous games, there is [the faith], but the decision-making and the leadership out there needs to be better, simple as that.”
Nepean FC will hope to bounce back next week as they travel to face Parramatta FC at Melita Stadium, while the Newcastle Jets will hope to continue their momentum as they host Inner West Hawks FC in Round Eleven.
Saturday, 8th April 2023
Sydney University SFC 3-3 UNSW FC
Sydney University SFC snapped their losing streak as they drew 3-3 with league leaders UNSW FC in a derby match that lived up to its name at the Sydney University Football Ground.
UNSW took an early lead in the opening five minutes of the match after Keeghan Burke crossed the ball into the box for Callum Fitzpatrick, who slotted the ball home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Both sides had their chances as Sydney University looked to control the match and were unlucky not to find an equaliser.
However, UNSW played well in the first half and could have had more to show for it, if not for a ball that was cleared off the goal line by Sydney University in the first half.
UNSW started the second half with a bit of complacency as Sydney University started the second half strong.
The host’s backline combined well as a crossed was played into the box for Sydney University players to attack.
In the 57th minute, a missed header from a UNSW defender let the ball through to Jack Lapi, who applied the finishing touch to level the score at 1-1.
Three minutes later, Sydney University took the lead through Caelan Hinckson.
A throw-in taken by Sydney University from in front of the UNSW bench led to them going down the other end of the field before a ball was squared across in the box.
Hinckson was waiting there as he got ahead of the UNSW defence to slot the ball home; Sydney University led 2-1.
Sydney University looked to have the three points wrapped up with fifteen minutes of regulation time left after a similar goal to their second occurred.
Tom McCoubrie threaded the ball across the goal for Brett Wilson, who positioned himself to tap the ball home as he gave Sydney University a 3-1 lead.
UNSW had missed chances throughout the second half, as Max Mcalpine missed a good chance, while Kevin Lopes had a one-on-one chance saved by Jasper Sarkies in the Sydney University goal.
UNSW had their chances throughout the match but did not take them.
However, in the second minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match, a cross played in from the left found Dylan Walz, who scored with a good finish to give UNSW hope late.
Then, in the 94th minute, UNSW found the equalising goal after they were awarded a penalty.
Lopes stepped up and dispatched the ball home as it just snuck past Sarkies as the full-time whistle went; UNSW came from behind in a dramatic late finish to secure a draw with Sydney University.
Sydney University SFC are next in action at 7:30pm on Tuesday, April 11th in the fourth preliminary round of the Australia Cup, as they travel to face fellow League Two side Hurstville FC at Penshurst Park.
Sydney University SFC will look to turn a lead into three points as they host the Western Rage next week, while UNSW FC will look to continue their charge at the top as they host Gladesville Ryde Magic in Round Eleven.
Bankstown United FC 0-0 Parramatta FC
Bankstown United FC responded from back-to-back defeats, while Parramatta FC’s unbeaten streak extended to six matches as the sides shared the spoils in a match of limited chances at Padstow Park.
Bankstown hit the post in the first half, but it rebounded off the post before it was cleared away by the Parramatta defence.
Bankstown goalkeeper Mitchell Evans made an important save after Parramatta’s Marco Sama got free and unleashed a shot; Evans touched the ball behind for a corner.
Sunny Chang and Marie Gauthier both had first-half chances for Bankstown, but their efforts could not beat Parramatta’s goalkeeper, Jameson Hinwood.
In the second half, Hinwood was on hand again for Parramatta as he helped a shot from Nicolas Karperos over the crossbar for a corner.
Moments later, Mitchell Cross thought he had given Bankstown the lead, but the flag went up for offside in the build-up.
As the match drew closer to the end, Parramatta had a few notable chances from free kicks which Bankstown defended strongly.
In the closing minutes, Jack Slane was played in behind for Bankstown, but his shot went just wide of the post.
Neither side were able to find the breakthrough in the tough encounter, as they match ended 0-0.
Bankstown are next in action at 7:45pm on Tuesday, April 11th, in the fourth preliminary round of the Australia Cup, where they will return to Padstow Park to face Illawarra Premier League side, Wollongong Olympic FC.
Parramatta FC, meanwhile, travel to face League One side Hakoah Sydney City East FC in the Australia Cup at 7:30pm on Tuesday, April 11th, at Hensley Athletic Field.
Bankstown United FC will hope to build off their first clean sheet of the season as they travel to face Prospect United SC in Round Eleven, while Parramatta FC will hope to make it seven unbeaten as they host Nepean FC.
Gladesville Ryde Magic 3-0 Camden Tigers FC
Gladesville Ryde Magic responded from their defeat in Round Nine with a strong 3-0 win at home to Camden Tigers FC, who failed to score in a match for the first time this season.
The Magic welcomed back veteran goalkeeper, 51-year-old Kiriakos Tohouroglou, who made his first appearance of the season.
He provided confidence and guidance to the Magic’s young defence, which included two teenagers in their first season of first grade.
The first opportunity of the match fell to the Magic as Kohki Hiyaoka launched a shot after a long ball into the box, but it was saved well by Camden goalkeeper, Michael O’Rourke.
In the 17th minute, the Magic were awarded a penalty.
The penalty attempt was saved by O’Rourke before the ball fell at the feet of youngster, Bailey Stevens, who slotted the ball home to give the Magic a 1-0 lead.
Camden had a powerful strike at goal after, but the effort hit the post and went out for a goal kick.
Camden tried to create space by utilising an overlapping fullback on the left, but the Magic defence held strong.
Camden also tried to utilise long throw-ins into the Magic penalty area, but the Magic defence saw them out as the Magic led 1-0 at half-time.
Camden utilised long diagonal balls to the left and flooded the Magic box with players, but the host’s defence stayed strong.
In the 72nd minute, the Magic put a combination of passes together as Stevens was unleashed on the right; he finished the move off for his second goal of the night and gave the Magic a 2-0 lead.
Six minutes later, the Magic were awarded a penalty as Stevens stepped up to try and complete his hat-trick.
For the second time, O’Rourke saved the penalty, but the rebound fell to Stevens, who calmly slotted the ball home for a hat-trick as the Magic won the match 3-0.
Gladesville Ryde Magic rose to fifth with the win and will hope to continue to charge up the ladder as they travel to face ladder-leaders UNSW FC next week, while Camden Tigers FC will look to return to form away to Fraser Park FC in Round Eleven.
Western Rage 0-0 Hurstville FC
In a scrappy match at Rydalmere Park, the Western Rage picked up their second point of the season as they and Hurstville FC played out a goalless draw.
The Rage started the sharper of the two sides in the first ten minutes.
However, as the half worse on, Hurstville had more control of the ball as they took over the match.
Jesse Gagro had the best chance of the half to score as he won a header which beat the Rage goalkeeper, before it bounced off the crossbar.
Hurstville had a few shots, themselves, from around the box but were unable to find the back of the net.
The second half turned into a cagey affair.
The Rage looked to play long and play off their striker but were unable to fashion a big chance on goal.
The Rage had their moments to score from set pieces but were unable to find that finishing touch.
Hurstville enjoyed more of the ball in the second half as they drove the Rage back.
However, the Rage were very compact defensively as they set up in a low block as they denied Hurstville opportunities to score.
Neither side were able to find a breakthrough as the sides shared the spoils, 0-0.
The Western Rage enjoyed success earlier in the week, however, as they progressed in the fourth preliminary round of the Australia Cup courtesy of a 2-1 win over Canterbury Bankstown FC, who currently sit fifth in the FNSW League One Men’s competition.
Second-half goals from Daniel Bortolazzo and Brent Flavin saw them through as they held on late to progress.
Hurstville are next in Australia Cup action in the fourth round as they host fellow League Two sides Sydney University SFC at Penshurst Park at 7:30pm on Tuesday, Aprill 11th.
In the league, the Western Rage host Sydney University SFC in search of more points to build on this clean sheet, while Hurstville will hope to build on a third match unbeaten as they host South Coast Flame FC in Round Eleven.
Inner West Hawks FC 1-2 Fraser Park FC
Inner West Hawks FC lost their second match in a row as Fraser Park FC moved their unbeaten streak to six matches, including four wins in a row, as they emerged victorious away 2-1.
The Hawks started the match strongly as they pressured Fraser Park’s defence as Peter Yannopolous and Hesan Soufi got in behind down the wings.
However, Fraser Park took control of the match from there as they scored through a long shot from outside the box from Nico Muscio in the 29th minute, who scored to haunt his old club.
Fraser Park then earned a penalty before half-time as Angelo Pezzano clipped Fraser Park’s Daniel Bosnich from behind.
However, the penalty from Fraser Park was missed by Shu Torihara it went over the bar, as Fraser Park led 1-0 at half-time.
The second half started evenly as the Hawks equalised through Andre Guzman in the 67th minute after a scrap in the box.
The Hawks dominated possession, but Fraser Park created chances on the break, but struggled to hit the target.
However, just seven minutes later, Fraser Park took the lead again from a set piece.
A free kick was lifted into the box, which the Hawks’ defence failed to clear, as Torihara was on hand to volley the ball through a crowd of players into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season, as he gave Fraser Park a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks continued to dominate possession as Fraser Park kept creating chances on the break.
The Hawks had a chance to equalise once again late through Emanuel Koumis, but Fraser Park goalkeeper Nikola Bratic come out well with a low driven stop to deny the Hawks, as Fraser Park took home the victory, 2-1.
Inner West Hawks FC are next in action in the fourth preliminary round of the Australia Cup as they travel to face a team who competed in the Cup final last season, NPL NSW Men’s side Sydney United 58 FC.
In the league, Inner West Hawks FC will look for a positive result as they travel to face the Newcastle Jets, while Fraser Park FC host Camden Tigers FC in Round Eleven.
South Coast Flame FC 2-0 Hawkesbury City FC
South Coast Flame FC moved up to second on the ladder as they won four matches in a row for the first time in the Men’s team’s history after they dispatched of Hawkesbury City FC at home, 2-0.
In a match in tough windy conditions, the Flame signalled their intentions early as Adam Voloder had a shot which skimmed the outside of the post.
A few minutes later, a quick Flame break saw Voloder square the ball to Jay De Gouvea, who skied the ball over the bar from close range.
Hawkesbury first real chance came from Predrag Bojic, whose on target free kick was saved well by Flame goalkeeper, Seiya Miyamoto.
Voloder had another chance for the Flame, while Marco Turpeinen had a header for Hawkesbury which flew straight at Miyamoto.
Just before the break, Harry Drew had a golden chance to put the visitors in front as he got in behind, but his effort was sliced wide as the sides entered the sides level, 0-0.
The Flame started the second half strong as a long ball eluded the Hawkesbury defence; Jacob Gjorsevski danced around a few defenders before he curled a shot into the far post from the edge of the box; the Flame led 1-0.
Drew and Kai Mcloughlin combined well for the Hawks a few minutes later but were unable to find a finish.
A minute later, Miyamoto produced a double save to deny Hawkesbury before the flag was put up for offside.
Both sides pushed hard towards the end of the match and in the 74th minute, Voloder had a shot saved.
The rebound fell to Alexander Alston whose shot was saved with a strong save by Hawkesbury goalkeeper, Daniel Schwarzer.
However, the Flame were not done yet as, in the third minute of stoppage time, Lucas Ayala found space on the right.
He smashed the ball past Schwarzer to seal the result in the dying minutes of the match, as the Flame won 2-0.
However, Hawkesbury City FC had a good match earlier in the week, as they beat League One side SD Raiders 1-0 away from home in the fourth preliminary round of the Australia Cup courtesy of a headed goal from Harry Drew in the 55th minute from a Vincent D’Ermilio cross.
South Coast Flame FC will look to push now they sit in second place as they travel to face Hurstville FC next week, while Hawkesbury City FC will look to regroup as they have a bye in Round Eleven.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
