Round 12 Review – League Two Men’s
Round Twelve of the Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season saw a stunning match of the round, while teams across the table picked up vital wins.
The Match of the Round saw Inner West Hawks FC respond after three-straight defeats with a win at home over Hawkesbury City FC, while UNSW FC claimed all three points in dramatic fashion away to South Coast Flame FC to stay top of the table.
Elsewhere, the Newcastle Jets stayed in second place following an away win over Sydney University SFC, the Western Rage picked up their first win of the season away to Bankstown United FC, while Gladesville Ryde Magic came from behind at home to Parramatta FC.
Meanwhile, Hurstville FC earned an important win away over the in-form Fraser Park FC, while Prospect United SC continued their strong form with a win away over Camden Tigers FC.
Nepean FC had a bye this round.
Saturday, 22nd April 2023
Match of the Round: Inner West Hawks FC 4-1 Hawkesbury City FC
The battle of the Hawks saw a contest filled with goals, chances, and a red card, as Inner West Hawks picked up a strong 4-1 victory at home.
It was a chilly night at Arlington Oval as Hawkesbury tried to play in behind the hosts early, but Inner West’s defence held strong.
In the sixth minute, a Hawkesbury cross into the box evaded everyone, including Inner West goalkeeper Shunsuke Sugiura, as it went out for a goal kick.
Gregory Kondek tried his luck from 25 yards out with a direct free kick but was unable to score for the visitors.
However, less than 30 seconds later, the visitors hit the front.
A long ball down the field from Hawkesbury found striker Marco Turpeinen, who beat his defenders and found the back of the net with a strong finish to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
However, the chaos in the match had not yet started; it showed up from the kick-off following that goal.
In a bizarre 45 seconds following the goal, direct from kick-off, Inner West found the equaliser.
The hosts played forward and scored within second of kick-off, as Peter Phillips beat his defenders and shot at the Hawkesbury goal; it deflected off a Hawkesbury player as the own goal brought the match back level in spectacular circumstances, 1-1.
Following these goals, both sides looked to utilise their pace up front and in behind with long balls over the top.
In the 17th minute, a deflected long shot from Hawkesbury floated into the air and dipped just below the crossbar, as Sugiura tracked back and tipped the ball over the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Hawkesbury had appeals for a penalty waved away, as the match was played at a high intensity, with both sides going back-and-forth.
Hawkesbury’s players were quick on the break as they threatened the Inner West backline early.
Inner West had through balls cut out by Hawkesbury, who were comfortable in possession at the back as they looked for an avenue forward.
Inner West used the opportunity to press high and attempt to win the ball high up the field, which they did on a few occasions.
Hawkesbury had another chance in the 29th minute from a header, but it flew straight into the gloves of Sugiura.
A light drizzle descended onto the ground as the ball zipped across the pitch.
Turpeinen had another chance in the 33rd minute, which was slotted straight at Sugiura.
Inner West enjoyed a nice spell of possession, while Hawkesbury continued to look comfortable as they built from the back.
In the 36th minute, a cross-turned-shot from the right for Hawkesbury skimmed the top of the Inner West net as it went behind for a goal kick.
Under-20’s player and debutant Casper Liu was strong in defence for Inner West as he stopped a strong Hawkesbury counterattack a minute later.
Hawkesbury continued to press well high up the field as they forced another turnover inside Inner West’s own defensive third.
The visitors played well in between Inner West’s midfield and defensive lines as they piled on pressure.
However, after one minute of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle as the teams headed into the sheds level at half-time, 1-1.
Inner West skied a chance early in the second half before a decisive moment in the contest arrived in the 55th minute.
Gregory Kondek went in for a challenge against Sugiura, who attempted to claim a high ball.
Kondek tried to head the ball and collected the goalkeeper in the process.
As Sugiura lay on the ground, Kondek was shown a second yellow card by the referee, after he had picked up his first only five minutes earlier.
This was a turning point in the match as Inner West had more space to attack into following the red card, as well as more time on the ball in defence, as they looked to take control of the contest.
Then, in the 61st minute, they found the front for the first time in the match.
Stalwart Peter Yannopoulos found space in behind down the right as he was played in by Hesan Soufi.
He slotted the ball into the back of the net with a composed finish as he helped his side grab an important lead.
A minute later, Inner West got in behind again as they looked to effectively shut down the contest, but the shot was flashed across the left-hand post.
Inner West’s pressure was building, however, and it told in the 67th minute; a high-quality goal gave Inner West a two-goal lead.
Soufi received the ball up the field from the back for Inner West; he beat the Hawkesbury midfielders and stood up his defender before he curled the ball into the top-right corner with a strong right-footed finish from 25 yards.
Hawkesbury, despite being a man down, did not give up as they pushed for an avenue back into the match.
Inner West pushed for a fourth to wrap up victory as the match entered the final ten minutes; that goal came in the 83rd minute.
Inner West extended their lead after Yannopoulos got on the end of a ball played for him.
He beat his defender and attempted to fire a cross into the box.
The ball deflected back to him off the defender; he feigned to shoot twice as he skipped inside onto his right foot.
Then, he unleashed a powerful strike on his right foot, which found the top-right corner of the goal, just past the outstretched gloves of Hawkesbury goalkeeper, Daniel Schwarzer, as he grabbed a double; Inner West led 4-1.
Hawkesbury almost hit straight back from an offensive corner, as a strike from outside the box hit the crossbar and went behind.
A minute later, Hawkesbury tried their luck from range as Sugiura got down well to his right to claim the shot attempt on target.
In a desperate attempt for a goal back late, Hawkesbury continued to fire shots at the Inner West goal to no avail.
Hawkesbury were caught repeatedly on the break throughout the second half as Inner West capitalised on their extra-man advantage.
Inner West could have scored a fifth goal late but were unable to score off a break and from range in stoppage time.
Following two minutes of added time, the referre blew the whistle as Inner West claimed an important win at home over Hawkesbury in a come-from-behind victory, 4-1.
Speaking post-match, new Inner West Hawks Head Coach Bill Condoleon, who was appointed a few weeks ago, said his side took advantage of the extra-man.
“Sometimes teams play with a man over, they don’t take advantage of it – but we did,” Condoleon said.
With a chance in manager mid-season, his side are learning how they want to play moving forward and are willing to trust the process.
“The victory was important; now it’s like we’re doing a mini pre-season… I think we have a good mixture of experienced players and young players,” Condoleon said.
“The mood is gonna lift, training will be competitive… we needed that.”
Speaking on the debutant Liu, Casper spoke on how he coached him in a premiership-winning side when he coached the under-15s.
“I brought him up straight away because I know what he can do,” Condoleon said.
Speaking on the man who scored two goals in the match in Peter Yannopoulos, Condoleon said he was important to the team.
“Peter has been here since under-12s, I think he’s scored more goals than anyone else at this club, he’s got a winning attitude,” Condoleon said.
“He puts the ball into the back of the net, he fights, he’s vital to this team.”
Meanwhile, Dean Bertenshaw spoke on how his side pushed to get back into the match despite being a man down.
“[They] did well to exploit us on the counter as we still pushed hard for a win with ten men,” Bertenshaw said.
Inner West Hawks FC will hope to build on this victory as they travel to face the Western Rage next week, while Hawkesbury City FC will look to reply at home to Gladesville Ryde Magic in Round Thirteen.
South Coast Flame FC 2-3 UNSW FC
South Coast Flame’s club record-breaking five-match winning streak came to an end in dramatic fashion at home to UNSW FC, who returned to the top of the table.
Luke Del Velcchio kept the away side level early as he pulled off two strong back-to-back saves to deny the Flame.
Following that, in the 11th minute, Max Mcalpine released Mathias Da Silva Santos in a one-on-one; the shot rebounded back to Kevin Lopes, who scored a league-leading eighth goal of the season to give UNSW the lead, 1-0.
UNSW had many chances to score a second goal in the first half to no avail, including chances to Lachlan Hughes and Keegan Burke.
The Flame had a chance earlier through Jacob Gjorsevski but were unable to score.
Then, in the final minute before half-time, the Flame found the equaliser.
Alexander Alston had a shot which went wide from eight yards out; then, from the resulting goal kick, UNSW were punished trying to play out from the back.
Following a rebound in their defensive penalty area, Alston drove a left-footed shot across Del Velcchio and into the back of the net to level the scores at half-time, 1-1.
A minute into the second half, UNSW had a goal line clearance saved off the line and onto the post
Seiya Miyamoto pulled off some strong reflex saves to deny UNSW early in the second half, where the visitors would have banked on scoring, as he denied Burke and Da Silva Santos.
McAlpine also had a shot saved by the Flame’s goalkeeper, Seiya Miyamoto.
Then, the Flame took the lead through Gjorsevski in the 58th minute.
He curled a shot from just inside the box into the back of the net as he gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.
The lead only lasted about five minutes, however, as Da Silva Santos set up Lopes, who headed the cross back across goal as it went in off the post to level the match, 2-2.
Flame defender James Baldacchino let loose a shot from range, which forced Del Vecchio into a strong fingertip save.
Both sides searched for the winner and the winner arrived in the third minute of stoppage time.
Burke and Domenic Abruzzese played triangle interplay passes with each other on the edge of the Flame box; Abruzzese played Burke in behind as he slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net.
The UNSW bench went wild as the whole team celebrated the last gasp winner, as UNSW picked up a big three points away from home against the Flame, 3-2.
UNSW FC will look to sit on that result and performance as they have a bye in Round Thirteen, while South Coast Flame FC will look to bounce back next week at home to Nepean FC.
Sydney University SFC 0-2 Newcastle Jets
The Newcastle Jets backed up their impressive showing in Round Eleven with a 2-0 away win over Sydney University SFC this week.
Newcastle had more possession in the first half while University tried to fashion chances on the break.
The Jets found the breakthrough in the 44th minute, as Xavier Bertoncello picked up his fifth goal of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at half-time.
University settled into their style of play in the second half as they had better control of the ball and moved into threatening areas.
However, they were unable to find the finishing touch as Newcastle found a second goal through James Khoury on the counter in the 90th minute, as Newcastle picked up the 2-0 victory.
Despite moving the ball effectively and with purpose, University fell in defeat this week after their 5-0 victory over the Western Rage last week.
However, with players scheduled to make their returns soon for the students, they will hope to build stronger going forward.
Newcastle, meanwhile, stayed in second spot, one point behind UNSW, with a game in hand.
Sydney University SFC travel to face Hurstville FC next week, while the Newcastle Jets host Prospect United in Round Twelve.
Bankstown United FC 0-1 Western Rage
The Western Rage picked up their first win of the season as they beat a determined Bankstown United FC 1-0 away from home in a physical contest.
In a match of limited chances, Bankstown had more chances in the first half as Rage goalkeeper, Samuel Bortolazzo, pulled off a top reflex save from six yards out to deny the hosts.
Mitch Edmunds blasted a shot over the bar for Bankstown from an Alex Seguira cutback, before Marie Gauthier hit the post off a deflected free kick, as the hosts searched for a goal.
Mitchell Cross had a header saved by Samuel Bortolazzo in between the sticks for the Rage, as he pulled off a critical reflex save to keep the away side in the contest, 0-0 at half-time.
Two minutes into the second half, Tyron Geany cut the ball back to Mitchell Cross in the box, who missed the target from just outside the six-yard box.
Bankstown had another chance before the Rage grew into the match in midfield and attack.
Timothy Trainer played in the midfield for the first time this season after he was deployed in defence in matches prior this season.
He received the ball in midfield before he played a through ball in behind for Daniel Bortolazzo, who ran down the right wing.
He played the ball across the 18-yard-box to the feet of Brent Flavin, who scored with a left-footed snap-shot into the roof of the net; the Rage led 1-0.
Gauthier forced Samuel Bortolazzo into a strong right-handed save as Bankstown searched for the equaliser.
Two open headers, one by Lachlan Willmore and another by Isaac Schipp, failed to find the target as the hosts missed more opportunities.
Bankstown threw players forward in the final fifteen minutes in search of an equaliser, which opened up the match for the Rage to play on the counter.
Some balls did not fall Bankstown’s way in attack as they failed to find the goal.
Bankstown’s goalkeeper, Mitchell Evans, saved a one-on-one for the hosts off a shot from Oscar Felipe Nieto Rava, late in the match.
The tactical change of moving 20-year-old Trainer to midfield payed off, as he showed his might in midfield in a strong performance.
Despite Bankstown’s possession, shots and territory late, they were unable to break down a resilient Rage defence, as the visitors picked up and important victory, their first of the season as they moved to five points, 2-0.
Bankstown United FC will look to get some confidence in finding the back of the net ahead of their home match against Fraser Park next week, while the Rage will look to keep improving as they search for back-to-back victories when they host Inner West Hawks FC next week.
Gladesville Ryde Magic FC 2-1 Parramatta FC
Gladesville Ryde Magic FC won their third match in a row as they downed Parramatta FC 2-1 in a close encounter.
Parramatta had good possession early as Gladesville sat well in their shape.
Youssef Badr had Parramatta’s first chance, as he made a run from the left before his shoot was blocked by the Magic defence.
Magic were unable to find the final pass, as Parramatta had shots which missed or were headed away.
Yousuf Amini had a chance for the Magic which bounced across the face of goal, while Shin Takahashi had a strike for Parramatta which was headed away, as the teams were level at half-time, 0-0.
Five minutes after the break, Parramatta took the lead through Marco Sama as they looked for victory.
Amini was the main creator for the Magic as he set up chances which the Magic were unable to take.
Then, in the 72nd minute, Christopher Guyot took a corner which was flicked on by Chris Gaitatzis.
Parramatta were unable to deal with the corner as Kohki Hiyaoka got on the end of it to level the match for the hosts.
Seven minutes later, the Magic took the lead as Parramatta were unable to hold them off late.
A clearance by Magic goalkeeper Gabiel Koliomihos found Chris Gaitatzis, who crossed the ball into the box as Bailey Stevens slotted the ball away to give the Magic a 2-1 lead.
Parramatta were behind due in part to individual errors and were unable to forge a reply late on, as the Magic completed the comeback win over Parramatta, 2-1.
Gladesville Ryde Magic FC will look for a fourth-straight victory as they travel to face Hawkesbury City FC in Round Thirteen, while Parramatta will hope to return to form as they host Camden Tigers FC.
Fraser Park FC 1-2 Hurstville FC
Fraser Park lost for the first time in eight matches as Hurstville FC responded to defeat with a 2-1 victory away.
The visitors started with a lot of intent early; however, neither team were able to create many chances.
Jacob Botic tested Fraser Park goalkeeper Patrick Ferrara with a long-range effort as the Fraser Park custodian saved it.
Hurstville broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute after a clearance off a short free kick landed at the feet of Paul Gagro, who crossed the ball into the box for Jacob Botic, who scored with a header; Hurstville led 1-0 at the break.
The sides started even in the second half before another failed Fraser Park clearance let Jesse Gagro through, who scored to double the visitor’s lead.
Fraser Park clicked into gear after that as they put multiple attacks together, while Hurstville defended the switches in play.
Hurstville had a few chances to wrap up the match but were unable to convert.
They pulled a goal back after they forced a Hurstville mistake in the build-up play, as Alexander Nicolosi halved the deficit in the 75th minute.
Fraser Park held the ball after that goal as they searched for the equaliser, but Hurstville defended well to keep them out, as the visitors claimed an important 2-1 victory.
Fraser Park will hope to respond next week as they travel to face Bankstown United FC, while Hurstville will look to build on the victory as they host Sydney University SFC.
Camden Tigers FC 1-3 Prospect United SC
Camden Tigers FC fell to their third-straight defeat as Prospect United SC won their third match in a row, their fourth in five, with a 3-1 win.
Prospect found their first goal after 30 minutes, when Rhys Osmand found space in the 18-yard-box following a missed clearance from Camden’s goalkeeper, Michael O’Rourke, and timed his first-time shot into the top corner; Prospect led 1-0.
James Pelletier doubled the visitors’ lead in the 45th minute after he intercepted a pass between two Camden defenders, as he slotted the ball away.
Prospect’s Adam Sayour hit the crossbar late in the first half as the visitors had a 2-0 lead at the break.
Camden came out aggressive in the second half as they pinned Prospect back into their defensive third for large periods of the first twenty minutes.
Prospect goalkeeper Archie Cerasoli pulled off a strong save at full stretch low to his right to deny Camden.
However, shortly after, he was taken off after he sustained an injury, as 18-year-old Jackson Jarnett came on and replaced him.
Prospect caught Camden on the break in the 78th minute and were awarded a penalty after a lunging tackle from behind; Adam Sayour converted to give Prospect a 3-0 lead.
Camden scored a minute later through Marko Filipovic to make the score 3-1 and pushed late to create more chances.
However, Prospect defended well to close the match as they came away with the important 3-1 victory.
Camden Tigers FC will hope to respond next week as they travel to face Parramatta FC, while Prospect will be tested as they make the tough away trip to face the Newcastle Jets next week.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
