Round 23 Review – League One Men’s
Another big weekend of FNSW League One Men’s action saw everything you want from a competition as both the top two and bottom two races hot up in round 23 of the competition.
In our match of the round, Central Coast United secured a big victory over Dunbar Rovers. While three of the top four sides drew potentially opening the door for teams below.
Let’s take a look at the action.
Match of the Round: Dunbar Rovers FC 1-5 Central Coast United FC
Don’t count them out just yet! Central Coast United claimed their first win since round eleven triumphing 5-1 over Dunbar Rovers at Fraser Park.
Their second victory of the season away from home, they found the net through five different goal scorers with Adam Woodbine the star with a goal and multiple assists.
As you would expect in a contest between two sides at the lower end of the table, the opening fifteen minutes was played at a frantic pace between two desperate sides.
Indeed, it took 19 minutes for the first shot in anger which came from the hosts. Daisuke Yamaguchi with a low direct ball forward which was controlled by Olivier Beltran-Woodward before his right footed strike caused the visiting keeper Cobe Preston a few issues before he regathered.
The first goal was always going to be an important one though and that fell the way of the visitors in the 23rd minute. A long-lofted ball forward flicked on by Josh Swadling into the path of Adam Woodbine. The striker scoring with a first-time effort over the keeper.
With the blood pumping, the pirates nearly had a second soon after. Swadling this time on the end of a chance denied by Evan Davis before an Adam Woodbine follow up missed the top left corner.
Central Coast United were indeed having a good period at this point and the pirates doubled their advantage on 35 minutes. Jack Ragen exchanging passes on the right before squaring it to Luke Corcoran to tap home from close range.
The Pirates adding a third before the break through Louis Bozanic in the 42nd minute. Bozanic flicking the ball home cleverly from a Josh Swadling free kick on the left for his first goal for the club.
Dunbar did have a chance to reduce the deficit before the break though, winning the ball in midfield before sending it forward, Ethan Dosanjh on the end of it seeing his shot deflected for a comfortable save.
With not many chances to speak off early in the second half, it looked like the pirates were managing the game well.
That was until Daniel Goni curled a through ball beyond the visitor’s defense. Olivier Beltran-Woodward pouncing on his opportunity with a shot sneaking past the keeper from close range under pressure. 3-1 Central Coast United.
Hopes of the comeback were dealt a blow with 17 minutes left. Adam Woodbine picking out Jordon Bennett at the far post with his delivery from the left wing to restore the three-goal advantage.
From there it was just a matter of Central Coast United seeing things out as the visitors added a fifth goal with ten minutes left. Cade Mapu with an easy finish with another assist going to Adam Woodbine.
Central Coast United travel to Hakoah FC next weekend, while Dunbar Rovers host Rydalmere Lions.
Dunbar Rovers FC 1 (Olivier Beltran-Woodward 62’)
Central Coast United FC 5 (Adam Woodbine 23’, Luke Corcoran 35’, Louis Bozanic 42’, Jordon Bennett 73’, Cade Mapu 85’)
Elsewhere
Canterbury Bankstown FC 2 (Gabriel Lopez 80’, Stefano Di Marino 84’) v St George FC 2 (Conor Quilligan 45’, Jesse Spang 61’)
Canterbury Bankstown staged a second half comeback to rescue a point from their game with St George FC, Saturday evening.
Having been two goals down as late as the 80th minute, the Berries struck twice in the final ten minutes to come away with a share of the points.
Leading the game and sitting in 2nd position on the live table until the late comeback, the result will be a sour one to take for St George FC. Their best period of the match came in the second quarter of the contest.
They started the game in terms of chances with a couple falling to captain Troy Danaskos in the early stages. However, it was even in terms of general play as the hosts looked organised in defense.
That was until the final fifteen minutes of the half where the Saints took a bit more control, rewarded with a Conor Quilligan goal from a corner.
After the break, it returned to a toss up with both sides wrestling for control. Despite this, St George did manage to add to their lead with another goal. Jesse Spang grabbing his first for the club in similar fashion to their first.
From there, Canterbury Bankstown threw caution to the wind and staged a comeback. Gabriel Lopez scoring from the spot after Nathan Manno was brought down inside the box. Before Stefano De Marino bent a free kick around the wall which the keeper could only parry into his own net.
Macarthur Rams FC 1 (Daniel Bittar 29’) v Hills United FC 2 (Thomas Makko 13’ 59’)
Competition leaders Hills United restored their seven-point advantage at the top with a narrow away victory over Macarthur Rams.
And it was a returning face in Thomas Makko who guided them to the victory with a brace either side of the break. Their first away win since late May, it was even more important with results falling their way elsewhere.
After conceding a goal early on, Macarthur Rams did well to make the visitors life difficult throughout. Daniel Bittar claimed an equaliser on the half hour but two set piece goals ultimately cost them.
Having been out of the side for eight weeks, Makko was able to find the back of the net from the set piece twice. The first coming from a corner before he scored a better goal from the edge of the box in the second half.
While Macarthur Rams found the back of the net through Daniel Bittar with a first-time strike from a cross floated in on the half hour.
Hills United move onto a fixture with Mounties Wanderers next weekend, while Macarthur Rams travel away to Bankstown City.
Hakoah FC 0 v SD Raiders FC 2 (Mark Cindric 64’, Thomas Todd 80’)
Fifth placed SD Raiders broke a four-game winless run with victory over Hakoah FC at Hensley Athletic Field.
Needing a win to keep pace with the sides competing for second position, they found two goals in the second half to get the win. The result seeing them move to within three points of St George FC in fourth.
The odds were stacked against Hakoah FC early in this one with Yianni Spyrakis sent off just after the quarter hour. Sitting in 13th position, there was little movement around them in that section of the table.
It took a while for the visitors to break through after the red card waiting until the 64th minute before Mark Cindric found the back of the net. A scoreline doubled 15 minutes later through a goal to Thomas Todd.
SD Raiders have a chance to really shake things up next weekend when they face Canterbury Bankstown. While Hakoah host Central Coast United.
Northern Tigers FC 5 (Kai Denton 5’ 45’ 51’ 71’, Cole Mutton 74’) v Inter Lions FC 0
Northern Tigers won the battle of the big cats with a thumping win over Inter Lions at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
It’s probably a good sign when you’re not playing your best football but still scoring five goals, right? Once again it was Kai Denton leading the charge with four goals on the night as the Tigers moved up to 6th position.
Despite what the scoreline suggests, Inter Lions weren’t that bad on the night. With multiple injuries affecting the squad, they had their moments but ultimately succumbed to one of the form sides in the competition.
The first four goals came from the one source in Kai Denton who remarkably has scored as many goals as a whole team in this division. His first a tap in on five minutes, his second coming in the dying stages of the half with “The Palestinian Wizard” Ahmed Sweedan coming up with the assist.
His third a brave header from an Ethan Oliver cross and fourth from a Shervin Adeli through ball. Cole Mutton then adding a fifth with fifteen minutes left.
Inter Lions on the other hand having chances in the first half through Fikret Berisha, Giuseppe Tilio and Sebastian Bellow.
Dulwich Hill FC 3 (Sena Sato 35’, Goncalo Paradanta 75’, Daniel Fornito 83’) v Bankstown City FC 1 (Asel Dehsabzi (OG) 4’)
Dulwich Hill gave themselves some valuable breathing room with an impressive victory over Bankstown City at Arlington Oval.
Another side who are down on numbers, Tony Valavanis handed several new acquisitions a run for Dulwich Hill and it paid off with the three points to take them 7 points clear of 15th.
Following Bankstown City however must be frustrating with an up and down form line. They opened the scoring before conceding three leading to defeat. However, no sides (apart from Dulwich Hill) below them were able to capitalise seeing them in a steady 11th place.
Having conceded early on in the game through an unlucky deflection, Dulwich Hill responded well equalising in the 35th minute. A good build up finished off by Sena Sato.
The player of the match from their perspective though was Goncalo Paradanta and he grabbed a go-ahead goal with 15 minutes remaining. The win capped off by Daniel Fornito marking his return to outdoor competition in style with a strike from out wide for the 3-1 margin.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Jordan Metcalfe 21’, Dale Howarth 44’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 0
Blacktown Spartans stemmed the wandering tide with a two-goal victory over Mounties Wanderers at Blacktown Football Park.
It’s a case of the hosts learning from their recent mistakes at home taking a foothold in the game and not letting go. Jordan Metcalfe opened the scoring for the Spartans before Dale Howarth also found the back of the net in the first half. Both scoring their first goals for the club (at least in first grade).
The visitors couldn’t quite manage a third victory on the spin meaning they still sit in 15th place. However, some favourable results elsewhere meant they didn’t lose ground on the teams above ahead of a tough Hills United challenge next weekend.
Noting afterwards that the new recruits to his side are beginning to settle into things. Spartans coach Ben Rollison was pleased with the performance noting they only looked threatened in transition in this one.
With some good chances coming even after they took a two-goal advantage in the first half. They have a big game next weekend against Bonnyrigg White Eagles. While Mounties also face a tough task against Hills United.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0 v Rydalmere Lions FC 0
Finally in our review, Bonnyrigg White Eagles were grounded in a scoreless draw with Rydalmere Lions in tough conditions.
A combination of blustery conditions and a bumpy pitch turned this one into a real battle on the field. However, both sides did well to create chances in unfavourable conditions which could have led them to victory.
However, it was the keepers who stood tall in this one with Luke Turnbull and Charles Samushonga both making some crucial saves.
Rydalmere coach Anthony Harb also noted in correspondence with us the performance of his young players stepping into the side. While midfielder Mitchell Gibbs was given their internal man of the match.
The result not really costing Bonnyrigg with results elsewhere ahead of another home game against Blacktown Spartans next weekend. While Rydalmere maintain their position in the mid table ahead of a clash next weekend against Dunbar Rovers.
By Justin Smith
