Round 11 Review – League One Men’s
A couple of remarkable comebacks highlighted Football NSW League One Men’s round eleven action as we enter the second third of the season.
Yes it’s fair to say that St George FC and Inter Lions players and fans alike won’t forget this weekend any time soon.
While elsewhere Blacktown Spartans took a point from our competition leaders and Central Coast United jumped off the bottom of the table.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 2-3 Central Coast United FC
New coach bounce? Central Coast United snapped their winless streak with a victory over SD Raiders away from home.
In a see-sawing open fixture, it was the Pirates to walk away with a much-needed win to take them off the bottom of the table, while SD Raiders drop down to 8th position after 11 rounds.
The hosts kicked off the game in terms of chances five minutes in. A corner causing a bit of havoc in the opposition box with Klime Sekutkoski and Mandlenkosi Ndlovu both having an effort inside the area.
While Cade Mapu’s pace created the pirates first opening shortly after. Mapu from the left linking with Adam Woodbine who was prevented by a Ndlovu block inside the six-yard box.
After a competitive opening to the fixture, SD Raiders were given an opportunity to open the scoring after being awarded a penalty for a handball. Mark Cindric from the spot putting it wide of the right post on 16 minutes.
Despite the game’s openness, there wasn’t much to speak of in regards to clear cut opportunities in the opening half hour. That was until the visitors opened the scoring after the half hour. The SD Raiders defense unable to deal with a lobbed Joshua Swadling through ball before Adam Woodbine found the net. Woodbine showing composure in the area to roll it into the bottom right corner.
Joshua Swadling once again involved with the second. Swadling’s assist with a low ball across from the left parried into the path of Adam Woodbine who grabbed a second with an easy finish into the back of the net for a two-goal advantage.
The first half then concluded with the Raiders resuming their pressure in their front third to no avail, clinical finishing the difference between the two sides.
Out from the break, the hosts came out firing and were rewarded early in the half. Mark Cindric finishing from close range, Scott Cusick finding him with a low cross from the right.
It was all one-way traffic at this point with Noah Chianese following up soon after with a chance as they continued to push.
Cindric however was their main threat and he put an effort over the bar on the turn as the clocked ticked past the hour mark.
Central Coast United were slowly settling down into the half though and they restored their two-goal lead in the 64th minute. Their third goal coming in a lovely counter attacking move, Cade Mapu interchanging passes with Adam Woodbine in the build up before squaring it to Duncan Steward to finish off at the back post.
Now needing two goals again, SD Raiders continued to look for a way back into the contest with Sam Kelly denied by Jarrod Dodds on 74 minutes.
While Central Coast United had a few opportunities of note to add a fourth on the break, Zac Pezzuto perhaps going closest in the 84th minute, his shot deflected wide.
SD Raiders going on to make things interesting a minute later, Scott Cusick with the flick on header into the back of the net from a corner.
The Raiders having a couple of further half chances without making Cobe Preston work, they face Mounties Wanderers next weekend while Central Coast United host Canterbury Bankstown.
SD Raiders FC 2 (Mark Cindric 51’, Scott Cusick 86’)
Central Coast United FC 3 (Adam Woodbine 33’ 40, Duncan Stewart 64’)
St George FC 4 (Alexander Malfara 54’, Jay Mcgowan 61’ 71’ 90’) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Zac Sfiligoi 39’, Aaron Peterson 45’)
Two memorable comebacks took place across the league Saturday evening. The first of which saw St George score four unanswered second half goals to overcome Bonnyrigg White Eagles at home.
The visitors carried their good momentum across from the week before with Zac Sfiligoi and Aaron Peterson finding the net late in the first half.
However, the half time break gave the hosts a chance to recover, and boy did they take it. Alex Malfara opening their account nine minutes into the half before Jay Mcgowan added a trio of goals to take St George to within a point of Hills United ahead of next weekend’s top two match up.
Described as a game of two half’s, Bonnyrigg White Eagles took the lead from the set piece from the right. Zac Sfiligoi heading home from close range to put them in the lead. A lead which was doubled just before the break through Aaron Peterson for the two-goal advantage.
Goals change games however and St George halved the deficit courtesy of Alex Malfara soon into the second half. Malfara finding top bins with his strike from the edge of the area.
The equaliser coming shortly after that from the spot, Jay Mcgowan stepping up to convert just after the hour.
Suddenly the pressure was all on the visitors and St George went ahead ten minutes later. Some good football in the build up leading to Mcgowan’s second of the evening. Before a late sealer came in additional time, Mcgowan taking home the game ball with a second half hat-trick.
St George make the trip to Landen Stadium in R12 action for a top of the table clash against Hills United. While Bonnyrigg White Eagles face Bankstown City at Jensen Park.
Macarthur Rams FC 3 (Christian Torelli 36’ 44’, Anthony Proia 51’) v Inter Lions FC 4 (Oliver Green 25’ 77’, Thomas Quilligan 81’, Nicholas Paras 96’)
While in Sydney’s South-west, Inter Lions avenged their 2022 League two grand final defeat with a s tunning second half comeback against Macarthur Rams.
In dramatic fashion, the visitors scored three goals after the 75th minute to claim victory with Oliver Green, Thomas Quilligan and Nicholas Paras all finding the back of the net. Paras with the winner in the 96th minute which sends them up the table into 5th position.
The defeat is a tough one to take for Macarthur Rams having held a comfortable lead up until the 75th minute. Christian Torelli scored twice in the first half before Anthony Proia added a third in their first game after the club parted ways with Brett Hewit.
After a cagey start to the fixture, Inter Lions were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after Jack Green was brought down inside the area. Oliver Green stepping up to slot it home.
Despite conceding, Macarthur Rams were value for their two goals when they came late in the half. Both via Christian Torelli who first finished a counterattack at the back post before launching a piledriver to make it 2-1 just before the break.
Macarthur were a constant threat on the counter and that brought about the third goal five minutes into the second half. Anthony Proia scoring his 10th of the season.
Once again though it was the visitors bench who were to make a difference to proceedings. Their impact apparent straight away leading to a remarkable comeback.
Oliver Green grabbing a brace from the spot with 13 minutes left. Thomas Quilligan scoring the equaliser with nine minutes left.
Before a winner came deep into stoppage time, Nicholas Paras stepping up from a free kick to finish the comeback off to the delight of the traveling support.
Northern Tigers FC 2 (Scott Browning 61’, Luca Kmet 69’) v Hakoah FC 0
Northern Tigers continued their upward trend of recent times with a 2-0 victory over Hakoah FC at North Turramurra.
And once again, the victory came with a clean sheet for the hosts who move up to third on the ladder. Scott Browning opened their account midway through the second half before Luca Kmet joined in on the action to make it three victories in a row.
Probably not panic stations yet but the result is a tough one to take for Hakoah FC who find themselves closer to the bottom end of the table than the top. They host Dunbar Rovers next weekend hoping to return to winning ways.
It wasn’t always going the Tigers way in the fixture though with Hakoah perhaps edging the first half of it creating some good passages of play and chances.
Unfortunately for them though, they got no reward and the second half saw an improved Northern Tigers effort. Their pressure on the ball creating chances after the break with their first goal coming through Scott Browning. Browning heading home after a Charles Abou Serhal set piece was headed across goal by Oliver Scott.
One goal stretched out to two shortly after, the ball played from back to front before Luca Kmet finished off.
Northern Tigers next face Rydalmere Lions while Hakoah FC return home to host Dunbar Rovers.
Blacktown Spartans FC 1 (Franco Scarcella 23’) v Hills United FC 1 (Jamal Belkadi 53’)
Blacktown Spartans held competition leaders Hills United to a draw in a competitive outing at Blacktown Football Park.
The hosts came out of the gates strong taking the lead in the first half before being reduced to ten players. From there it was about holding on for the point against a strong Hills United side.
Speaking of, Hills will look back on this one as a missed opportunity, the visitors not capitalizing on a few chances in the second half to walk away with the winner.
This one started off even with both sides exchanging chances on goal. The breakthrough coming through Franco Scarcella halfway through the first half with the ball coming in from the right wing.
Things took a turn just before the break though when Nathan Rayner was brought down by Michael Figueira who subsequently received a red card for his challenge.
Rayner then instrumental in the leveller after the break as the game continued in a similar pattern of play. Rayner teeing up Jamal Belkadi for the back post finish on 52 minutes.
Up a man, Hills continued to push for a winner with Mitchell Smith and Daniel Paodini both having further chances while Spartans threatened on the counter. Spartans coach Ben Rollison crediting his sides efforts after the game in correspondence with football nsw.
Both these sides have big games coming up in round twelve. Blacktown Spartans travelling to face Inter Lions, while Hills United host St George FC in a 1v2 battle.
Dulwich Hill FC 0 v Rydalmere Lions FC 1 (Ahmed Taleb 62’)
Something satisfying about a 1-0 victory away from home, Rydalmere Lions walked away with one against Dulwich Hill in Sydney’s Inner-West.
The victory marks a return to winning ways for Rydalmere Lions who came into this one on the back of two defeats. Ahmed Taleb with the decisive goal past the hour.
There were some encouraging signs for Dulwich Hill who really pushed for an equaliser after conceding on the hour mark, coach Tony Valavanis praising his sides resilience and effort throughout the fixture.
Before the decisive moment, it was a close game with both sides trying to play their brand of football making for an entertaining watch.
The goal opened things up however and despite the efforts of the hosts, they couldn’t quite find the equaliser in time.
Rydalmere Lions host Northern Tigers next up while Dulwich Hill travel to Macarthur Rams.
Mounties Wanderers FC 0 v Bankstown City FC 1 (Jonathan Grozdanovski 46’)
After a tough result last weekend, Bankstown City responded with a 1-0 victory away from home against Mounties Wanderers.
As the saying goes, “once bitten twice shy”, Bankstown City were desperate to make sure of their victory after last weekend. Jonathan Grozdanovski scored the solitary goal of the evening early in the second half before they showed defensive desperation to hold onto the result.
From a Mounties Wanderers perspective, it was a game of missed opportunities with one lapse of concentration at the other end costing them dearly at the other end.
The visitors opened the scoring shortly into the second half through Grozdanovski who hit a first-time volley into the bottom right corner, assist going to Matthew Moric who did well to take the ball from midfield into attack.
From there the visitors showed desperation in defense to see out the fixture, signs of a lesson learnt from last weekend.
Bankstown City return home to host Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend while Mounties Wanderers make the short trip to SD Raiders.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 0 v Dunbar Rovers FC 0
Finally, Canterbury Bankstown and Dunbar Rovers shared the points in their round eleven meeting at Jensen Park.
Described as a game where both sides stood tall, the pattern of the game was established early in this one. Canterbury Bankstown on the one hand controlling possession, while Dunbar Rovers on the other hand looking threatening on the counter.
The best chance of the first half falling to the hosts through Nathan Manno whose header lacked conviction from close range.
After break, the pattern of the game continued with the game coming to life in the final quarter hour of proceedings. Canterbury Bankstown having two shots off the line blocked while Dunbar Rovers applied some pressure of their own with a few late corners.
Overall though, the draw was probably a fair result as both sides turn their attention to next weekend.
By Justin Smith
