Round 17 Review – League One Men’s
There weren’t as many goals as we’ve come to expect in the FNSW League One Men’s competition, but there was plenty of drama in the weekend that was round 17.
Now a couple of games into the reverse fixtures, it’s only going to heat up with three weeks in the competition with each win or loss more important as we go on.
Highlighting the weekend was a match of the round which ended with two goals in injury time. While each of the top four sides took maximum points.
Read how below!
Match of the round: Dunbar Rovers FC 2-1 Dulwich Hill FC
Dunbar Rovers prevailed over Dulwich Hill in a game fuelled by late drama in our match of the round.
A goal from the spot to Reece Berelowitz looked to have Dunbar Rovers heading for victory before both sides found a goal each in stoppage time meaning Dunbar walked away with the three points.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to signal their intention in the encounter, Daniel Fornito playing through Jamie Dib within the first 30 seconds, Dib putting his shot over the top right corner of the net.
Indeed, that was a signal of things to come with both sides exchanging attacks at either end in the opening ten minutes.
The end of which saw Dunbar Rovers awarded a penalty, Jonny Ress sneaking around the by-line on the left before being brought down just inside the area. Reece Berelowitz making no mistake from the spot placing the ball into the bottom right corner.
Continuing on as it had done before the goal, Dunbar looked the team with the more confidence at this point as they put the visitors under considerable pressure over the next quarter hour.
While Dulwich Hill had their next couple of opportunities around the half hour. Emmanuel Zervas with a tame shot claimed comfortably before Daniel Fornito headed wide of the target seconds later.
Dunbar were having the more opportunities though with Jonny Rees drawing a save from the opposition keeper from a set piece out wide.
The set piece continuing to look the most likely avenue for the hosts, Daisuke Yamaguchi next up in terms of chances. His free-kick from 25 metres palmed over the bar by Jerome Narayan.
Opening the second half as they finished the first, Olivier Beltran-Woodward had a golden opportunity to double the Rovers advantage. Running onto a through ball before turning a defender inside out and putting his finish just wide of the left post.
Another opportunity falling the hosts way after the hour mark, Olivier Beltran-Woodward seeing his next shot saved by Narayan around the right post as he fought off a defender.
As time ticked on, the visitors got increasingly more desperate and a long throw into the box caused a bit of chaos with nine minutes remaining. An eventual shot going high over the bar.
And apart from the opening chance of the game earlier. They had their first clear cut chance in the 86th minute, Thomas Tranberg heading a Jake Fenech-Wickham cross over the bar with no one around him.
And they were to equalise in the first minute of injury time. A long throw flicked on at the near post before a sweet Daniel Fornito left footed half-volley flew into the net.
That equaliser just lasting over a minute before Dunbar Rovers retook the advantage. Laureano Gomez Castro controlling the ball from the left before teeing up Daniel Goni whose effort wrongfooted the keeper on it’s way into the back of the net.
An incident minutes later seeing tensions flare with four players carded and Liam Spiropoulos sent off.
The result moves the two sides to equal points after round 17, three points ahead of Mounties Wanderers in 15th position.
Dunbar Rovers FC 2 (Reece Berelowitz 12’, Daniel Goni 93’)
Dulwich Hill FC 1 (Daniel Fornito 91’)
Elsewhere
Central Coast United FC 1 (Zac Pezzutto 49’) v Hills United FC 2 (Mitchell Smith 35’ 63)
It was tough going but Hills United secured their first victory on the road since round nine, triumphing over Central Coast United away from home.
The result coming after a Mitchell Smith brace with a goal either side of half time as their unbeaten run stretches to another weekend.
Central Coast United on the other hand gave just about everything and on another night could well have claimed victory. Zac Pezzutto found the back of the net early in the second half and they probably should have had another one earlier in the contest.
The best chance of the first half-hour indeed fell to the hosts. Joshua Swadling hitting a stunning free-kick which hit the underside of the crossbar but was adjudged to have not crossed the line.
Hills United opening the scoring just seven minutes after that through Mitchell Smith who found his first of the night. Perhaps against the run of play against a desperate Pirates side.
Central Coast United hitting back early in the second half with a response from Zac Pezzutto.
But in contrast to the first half where the hosts were on top, Hills found another gear after the break finding another gear which led to Mitchell Smith’s second and eventual decider.
It’s an important game for both sides next weekend as Central Coast United travel to take on Dulwich Hill, while Hills United host Inter Lions.
Bankstown City FC 0 v St George FC 1 (Jay Mcgowan 28’)
Doesn’t matter how they come, St George FC claimed a vital 1-0 victory over Bankstown City on the road.
Time to bring out the cliché again, it was a game of two halves with St George FC in control for most of the first half before withstanding pressure in the second. Jay Mcgowan with the solitary goal 28 minutes into the contest.
Bankstown City once again showed their resilience and quality in the fixture without walking away with the result. They host Blacktown Spartans next weekend in round 18 action.
The first half saw St George control possession with Bankstown City allowing them too much space and respect.
The Saints finding the back of the net in the 28th minute Shunta Nakamura receiving the ball in midfield with a lovely touch and assist with Jay Mcgowan finishing in off beyond the defensive line into the bottom corner.
Once again, Bankstown City did respond to going down a goal in the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net. St George holding on for an important clean sheet and three points.
Blacktown Spartans FC 0 v SD Raiders FC 1 (Scott Cusick 9’)
Which sets up nicely for the other side set to feature in the R17 match of the round in SD Raiders who conquered the Spartans at Blacktown Football Park.
A game which saw two good sides in transition meet, SD Raiders were able to hold onto to a lead they took in the first half courtesy of a Scott Cusick goal.
While it was a frustrating outing for Blacktown Spartans who controlled the ball for long periods in the second half however couldn’t break down the visitors defense they move onto a away game against Bankstown City next weekend.
Another game where the first goal proved vital to victory, Scott Cusick the scorer once against for the SD Raiders with a goal inside ten minutes.
Goran Ljuboja’s side having another couple of chances before the break through Mark Cindric and Lucca Cervo to no avail.
The second half saw the game change once again with the Spartans camped in the SD Raiders half who looked to hit the hosts on the counter. However, the score was to remain 1-0 with Spartans left frustrated only creating a couple of chances in the second period.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Emmanuel Gonzalez 65’, Mark Rodic 70’) v Macarthur Rams FC 1 (Christian Torrelli 25’)
Five victories in a row, Bonnyrigg White Eagles came from behind to overcome Macarthur Rams at home.
Described as a tough encounter, the hosts had to be patient in this one with a much-improved performance coming in the second half. Emmanuel Gonzalez opened their account before Mark Rodic added a second.
Ultimately paying the price for not adding a second in the first half, Macarthur Rams walked away with their heads held high. Christian Torelli finding the back of the net to give them the lead in the first half.
It’s a rare fixture where both sides walk away relatively happy with the performance after a competitive game.
Macarthur for the most part had their best chancres in the opening half. Eventually rewarded with a goal on 25 minutes. A cutback finding Christian Torelli who finished off with the assistance of the post.
That followed by another couple of chances including a Michael Osei-Adomako one on one which was saved onto the post.
An improved performance then saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles score two goals in a five-minute period after the break. Emmanuel Gonzalez opening their account with a stunning first-time volley past the keeper.
A second following five minutes later from the spot. Mark Rodic putting it past the keeper to give the hosts the three points.
Both teams have a home game next weekend with Macarthur hosting Hakoah FC and Bonnyrigg hosting Dunbar Rovers.
Northern Tigers FC 4 (Kai Denton 10’, Ahmed Sweedan 74’, Lachlan Lloyd 75’, Travis Oughtred 89’) v Canterbury Bankstown FC 1 (Gino Cerasoli 90’)
Northern Tigers caught the eye with a three-goal victory over Canterbury Bankstown at North Turramurra.
It’s a long-awaited victory for the Tigers who tested out the new scoreboard and brought a five-goal winless streak to an end. Kai Denton opened the scoring before Ahmed Sweedan, Lachlan Llyod and Travis Oughtred all found the back of the net in the second half.
In contrast, it was a tough night for Canterbury Bankstown away from home with the hosts on hand to punish their mistakes on more than one occasion. Gino Cerasoli did manage to find the back of the net late on an otherwise miserable night.
It got off to the perfect start with Kai Denton finding the back of the net from the penalty spot. The game then going a long period before the next goal.
A period broken by a goal for Ahmad Sweedan who cut in from the right wing before placing it past the keeper.
Where there was a wait for the second, there was no such thing for the third. Lachlan Lloyd with a third. The victory topped off with a fourth goal to Travis Oughtred after a marauding run from deep.
A response did come from the Berries with Gino Cerasoli scoring perhaps of the pick of the goals late on but it was all too late.
Hakoah FC 0 v Rydalmere Lions FC 1 (Jacob Chidiac 84’)
Love a good 1-0 away win. Rydalmere Lions extended the woes of Hakoah FC with a narrow victory at Hensley Athletic.
In a tight fixture with neither side willing to give anything away, Rydalmere perhaps deserved the three points away from home on ambition alone. Jake Chidiac with the eventual goal to put them ahead in the fixture late.
Five victories in a row, Hakoah sit in 12th position after 17 rounds of the season. They’ll need to start picking up points soon or they’ll risk sliding into the bottom two.
It was clear that this one was going to be a grind early on, with hosts Hakoah wanting to keep themselves in it for as long as possible. Rydalmere creating chances but not taking them.
Changing the game plan for the second half, the introductions of Isaac Cunningham and Adil Toska seemed to spark the visitors. Eventually rewarded with a penalty on 84 minutes, Jake Chidiac making no mistake.
After the game, Rydalmere coach Anthony Harb singled out Kyle Sande and Mitchell Gibbs as their best performers on the night.
Inter Lions FC 1 (Owen Duke 70’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 1 (Matthew Self 71’)
Mounties Wanderers secured a valuable point away from home frustrating their hosts Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve.
Depending on how you see this, it was either a well-earned or frustrating result. The two goals coming within a minute of each other in the second half. Owen Duke finding the opening goal for the hosts before Matthew Self scored soon after.
The result perhaps more welcome for the visitors who added a little more breathing room over 16th spot with the point.
Inter Lions started the game well having three chances cleared off the line in the opening ten minutes of the fixture.
While Mounties did well to absorb the pressure and remain a threat on the counterattack at the other end.
Finally, the pressure paid off for Owen Duke 20 minutes into the second half. Smashing home the opener after a lead up involving several Inter midfielders.
However, a lapse of concentration nearly saw two goals at the other end. Matthew Self with the equaliser before a follow up shot a minute later went inches wide.
Inter then having two great chances to it, Daniel Georgievski going closest with his chip into an open net deflected off the line.
The hosts now turn their attention to the cup and a chance at the national stage against Rockdale.
While Mounties Wanderers host Northern Tigers in round 18 action at Cook Park.
By Justin Smith
