Round 13 Review – League One Men’s
The Football NSW League One Men’s competition never disappoints! Round thirteen a stunning 32 goals in 7 games on a wet evening Saturday night.
Indeed, it was that kind of weekend where you take the formbook and throw it out the window as the most unpredictable competition in NSW came to the floor again. Let’s make our way through it one game at a time.
Match of the round. Hakoah FC 1-5 Mounties Wanderers FC
Mounties Wanderers secured a thumping 5-1 result over Hakoah FC at Hensley Athletic, Saturday evening.
Nick Porreca’s side started with intensity taking a two-goal lead before the break before three late goals secured the result. Jesse Spang starring with a hat-trick.
Hakoah FC on the other hand did have chances to draw level after Samuel Young scored early in the second half. However, it wasn’t their day as they will quickly turn attention to next weekend.
The visitors made their intentions clear from the outset, pressuring their hosts on the ball which created the first chance of note inside five minutes. The ever-busy Bruno Pivato finding Asmir Kadric with his ball through. Kadric drawing a save from Nikolas Loe who got his legs in front of the shot.
And they kept control of the game right up until the opener on 19 minutes. Fletcher Williamson bursting through the defence on the left before squaring it to Jesse Spang who produced a tidy finish with his right foot from close range to give the Wanderers a lead.
Hakoah on the other hand were looking most likely to create something down the right through Nicholas Drummond. However, they were struggling to test the opposition keeper.
Mounties were having no such issue at the other end though as they found their second in the 38th minute. An Andre Schroeder free kick from deep on the left wing headed back central for Jesse Spang to hit a sweetly timed volley into the bottom left corner, a superb finish.
The next goal was going to prove important and the hosts introduced some fresh faces at the break. And it quickly paid off with a couple of chances in the space of a few seconds which led to their first goal.
Ben Fuchs central to both, firstly sending an early ball into the area from deep which found Samuel Young. Young’s header on target saved well by Thomas Sutton in goal to his right.
Before the two combined soon after, Cam Philpot keeping the ball in play before Fuchs second cross found Young who beat the keeper to the ball heading into an open goal.
And they could’ve had an equalizer not long after with a corner causing all sorts of chaos five minutes later. Both Samuel Young and Nicholas Drummond unable to apply a shot through a sea of legs.
Indeed, they were on top for this portion of the match but the equaliser was just evading them while Mounties were threatening in transition.
Hakoah once again going close in the 75th minute. Cam Philpot sending across a lovely cross from the left which saw Nicholas Tooley’s shot saved superbly.
That chance proving a costly miss second later. Mounties Wanderers building up down the left with a similar ball finding Zander Regan who made no mistake to make it 3-1.
Momentum swinging firmly in their favour with a lovely team goal coming soon after, Shun Maeta producing a lovely bit of skill in the build up before teeing up Jesse Spang for his hattrick.
The fifth set up by the same man Maeta with a chip over the keeper allowing Bruno Pivato to head home. 5-1.
Mounties Wanderers face Hawkesbury City in the cup midweek before hosting our round fourteen match of the round with Bonnyrigg White Eagles. While Hakoah FC face a trip to Hills United next weekend.
Hakoah FC 1 (Samuel Young 54’)
Mounties Wanderers 5 (Jesse Spang 20’ 38’ 79’, Zander Regan 77’, Bruno Pivato 80’)
St George FC 4 (Harry Jones 28’, Anthony Morabito 31’ 45’, Troy Danaskos 80’) v Central Coast United FC 4 (Cade Thomson 53’, Nathan Chakanesta 61’, Matthew Crowell 85’, Matthew Smale 95’)
A comeback for the ages! Central Coast United came back from a three-goal half time deficit to take a point from their fixture with St George FC.
Yes, a late Matthew Smale goal (not that he intended it) gave them a priceless point on the road after Cade Thomson, Nathan Chakanesta and Matthew Crowell found the net earlier.
This all coming after St George FC looked to have responded well to last weeks defeat to Hills United. They found the net through Anthony Morabito with a brace, Harry Jones and Troy Danaskos.
The Saints raced out to a lead courtesy of three quick goals in the first half. Harry Jones opening the score just before the half hour, a long period of possession resulting in the goal in which Jordan Wang squared the ball to Jones to finish inside the area.
Their second following three minutes later, another similar period of possession seeing Troy Danaskos pick out Anthony Morabito central to head home.
The third coming through Morabito again, a defensive mistake pounced on with an easy finish.
Needing a response, Central Coast United to their credit never gave up with the next couple of goals falling their way. Cade Thomson capitalising on a good period of pressure for their first. Cade Mapu forcing a mistake with the press before laying it off for Thomson to finish.
Nathan Chakanesta adding a second eight minutes later. A cross-cum-shot finding its way in at the far post, the delivery coming in from the left.
Suddenly it was all for the taking in a competitive fixture. However, it was St George to add a fourth goal, Troy Danaskos stepping up from the set piece with a lovely finish over the wall.
All over right? Not so fast! The evergreen Central Coast United general manager Matthew Crowell finding the back of the net at the far post from a set piece on 85 minutes.
The equaliser coming deep into stoppage time, Matthew Smale sending the ball back into the area for the keeper to fumble under pressure with the ball ending up in the back of the net to make it 4-4. Football eh?
Dulwich Hill FC 4 (Jamison Power 3’ 37’, Macaiah Te Rata 45’. Harry Browell 72’) v SD Raiders FC 3 (Lucca Cervo 6’, Noah Chianese 17’ 40’)
It was a weekend for ending winless streaks, Dulwich Hill secured a narrow victory over SD Raiders at Arlington Oval.
A result which has been coming in recent times, the result gives Dulwich Hill some breathing room above the bottom two. Jamison Power scored their opening two goals before Micaiah Te Rata and Harry Browell added to their tally.
While for the SD Raiders, it continues an inconsistent run of form. They held a lead twice in the first half before being pegged back by their hosts. Lucca Cervo and Noah Chianese the scorers for them.
Six goals in the first half, no one was short on entertainment in the opening 45 minutes here.
Never undervalue the importance of set pieces in a match, that’s how Dulwich Hill scored their first two goals here. Identical finishes coming from Jamison Power 35 minutes apart for the hosts.
However, in between those goals came two goals for SD Raiders. Lucca Cerva scoring his second goal of the season (cup included) to level things before a more familiar face in Noah Chianese added their second.
Noah Chianese then going on to score their third to give them a lead once again 40 minutes in.
However, they wouldn’t take said lead into the break with Micaiah Te Rata adding the hosts third goal of the game in first half injury time.
As often happens in games like this though, the scoring dried up and the outcome was to be decided by one moment. Harry Browell stepping up for Dulwich Hill to score a great goal from 25 yards out and hand them a fourth victory of the season.
Northern Tigers FC 2 (Lachlan Lloyd 54’, Cole Mutton 72’) v Macarthur Rams FC 3 (Christian Torrelli 47’, Daniel Bittar 74’, Jarrad Wiley 80’)
Under new leadership, Macarthur Rams snapped a three-goal winless streak with a victory away from home against Northern Tigers.
With the recent announcement of Darren Jones as head coach, the Rams came from behind for the victory courtesy of goals to Christian Torrelli and Daniel Bittar.
While Lachlan Lloyd and Cole Mutton found the net for the hosts putting them ahead 2-1 at the time. Two defeats in a row seeing them join a crowded midtable pack.
The first half of this one can best be described as an arm wrestle with both sides struggling to maintain possession for long periods and only creating half chances.
However, the game came to life in the second half with the intensity noticeably lifting after the resumption.
Macarthur rewarded first taking the lead early in the second half through Christian Torrelli, Torrelli finding the bottom right corner from his shot inside the area.
That clicked the hosts into gear though with an equaliser following five minutes later. The Tigers catching their visitors in transition before a cut back found Lachlan Lloyd who levelled things up on 53 minutes.
Then going on to take the lead through a Cole Mutton second. The fullback unleashing from range into the top right corner of the net to make it 2-1.
The Rams however never gave up and were rewarded with two goals in the ten minutes following. Christian Torrelli stepping up once again involved in the second beating his man and getting to the by-line before his cross found Daniel Bittar at the far post.
And the eventual winner coming through Jarrad Wiley. Wiley picking up the ball out right before cutting inside and finishing with his left taking a deflection on its way towards goal.
After the match coach Darren Jones credited a performance in which his side showed tremendous character coming from behind for a crucial three points going forward.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Jovan Blagojevic 20’, Riley Chapple 78’) v Rydalmere Lions FC 0
Blacktown Spartans reclaimed third position on the table with a victory over Rydalmere Lions at Blacktown Football Park.
A well-deserved win, they took the lead through Jovan Blagojevic before Riley Chapple added a second with 12 minutes remaining for a 2-0 win.
It’s been a tough week for Rydalmere Lions. We all now how much a midweek cup game can take a toll and despite an even start, they struggled to keep pace with their hosts.
A goal either side of halftime secured the result for Ben Rollison’s side who last tasted victory back in round eight. Rollison getting the result against his former employer in convincing style.
Jovan Blagojevic opened the scoring just after 20 minutes with a header, the build up coming down the right to give them the lead.
Before the Spartans took control of the match in the second half. Riley Chapple scoring the second from a free kick in the 78th minutes securing the win while Emmanuel Dolo had a chance to add a third goal after that.
The Spartans now face a midweek trip up to Pluim Park to face Central Coast United in a cup tie. While Rydalmere also face Central Coast United in the league next weekend.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 1 (Jairo Torne Fernandez 50’) v Hills United FC 1 (Nathan Rayner 26’)
Hills United held on for a point against Canterbury Bankstown in a close-fought contest at Jensen Park, Saturday night.
Yes, you read that opening line right as the competition leaders were lucky to take away a point away from home. Jairo Torne Fernandez gave the hosts Canterbury Bankstown a crucial leveller and it could’ve been more on the night.
Hills United on the other hand scored with pretty much their first chance of the game through Nathan Rayner. A few chances late could have seen them take the three points, but they could be considered lucky to get a point.
The hosts Canterbury Bankstown were very energetic and aggressive from the start keeping a high tempo which meant their visitors struggled to play themselves in.
So, the Hills United goal definitely came against the run of play. Jamal Belkadi combining with Nathan Rayner who finished for the opening goal of the contests.
It continued to play out in a similar pattern going into the second half and the Berries got their deserved equaliser early in the second half. Jairo Torne Fernandez picking up the ball on the left side of the box before his shot with bend on it left the keeper no chance.
The scoreline meant the final ten minutes became a nail bitter with both sides having chances for the win.
Canterbury Bankstown face Bankstown City at the same venue next weekend. While Hills United return home to host Hakoah FC.
Dunbar Rovers FC 1 (Reece Berelowitz 88’) v Bankstown City FC 1 (Jonathan Grozdanovski 18’)
Finally, Dunbar Rovers and Bankstown City had to settle for a point from their fixture at Fraser Park, Saturday night.
A weekend where all the bottom four took something, a point could well prove crucial for Dunbar Rovers come the end of season. Reece Berelowitz found the back of the net with two minutes remaining.
In contrast, it’s another fixture where Bankstown City have had to settle for a point after holding a lead. Jonathan Grozdanovski found the back of the net in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on.
As mentioned previously, the first goal of the game came through Jonathan Grozdanovski with a nice finish inside the area after the ball made it’s way into the box from the right.
The visitors finding most joy in transition with Dunbar controlling good periods of possession. A pattern which maintained into the second half before the hosts had to switch it up looking for an equaliser.
Dunbar’s response coming with two minutes regulation remaining. A cross from the left met by Berelowitz at the back post from close range to level things up.
Dunbar Rovers face Inter Lions next weekend, while Bankstown City host Canterbury Bankstown at Jensen Park.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Inter Lions FC to be rescheduled to a later date. Check the competitions page for updates.
By Justin Smith
