Round 24 Review – League One Men’s
The race for the top two heated up in Round 24 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition with each of the top four emerging victorious, Saturday night.
There was no shortage of drama in our match of the round, while Dunbar Rovers claimed a priceless victory at the other end.
Let’s review a chaotic weekend in this wonderful competition.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC 2-1 Mounties Wanderers FC
Hills United came from behind to win a tense affair with Mounties Wanderers in our match of the round.
After going behind in the early stages, a couple of experienced heads guided them to victory in Nicolai Muller and Eoin Montford to give them another win at home.
Hills were the first to settle into a rhythm in this one nearly opening their account inside five minutes. A long Nicolai Muller ball from midfield brought down by Cameron Philp whose second touch was a shot that Thomas Sutton had to save before Jamal Belkadi’s follow up was skied over the bar from close range.
Mounties Wanderers going one better with their first couple of opportunities. Shun Maeta having a shot cleared off the line. Before his second effort from a corner shortly after found the back of the net with a thumping header. Matthew Self with the corner delivery into the box shortly after the clock passed seven minutes.
The emphasis was now on the hosts to break their visitors down with the away side happy to sit back while occasionally threatening on the counter.
Anthony Vastag having the next notable chance for the Wanderers, Heading wide left of the target from a Matthew Self cross on 16 minutes.
While Hills were looking most dangerous in quick transition. Mitchell Smith denied by a deflection after another ball in behind in the 22nd minute.
Another chance falling their way ten minutes later. Nicolai Muller playing a give and go with Cameron Philp to his right before putting the ball over the bar under pressure in the 6-yard area.
While Vastag had an effort at the other end with three minutes remaining in the half, denied by a comfortable Ryan Wood save.
As the second half begun, Hills United were looking more dangerous creating chances after periods of possession to compliment those created in transition.
However, the best chance of the opening ten minutes of the second half fell to Mounties. Shun Maeta making a dangerous run into the area from midfield. Marko Filipovic picking him out before Maeta hit the crossbar.
That reprieve sparking the hosts into life, Mitch Smith denied by a block at close range in the 55th minute.
Before a key moment arrived in the contest on the hour mark. Darcy Ellem brought down for a penalty by Andre Schroeder. Nicolai Muller stepping up and converting with a powerful penalty down the middle. 1-1
Indeed, a triple sub had changed the game with the hosts missing a golden opportunity soon after. Nathan Rayner drawing a save from Sutton before squaring into the six-yard area, Thomas Makko missing his header to the left of the goal from close range.
With ten minutes remaining the game stepped up a level in tempo with Mounties going oh so close to a goal in the 83rd minute. Tong Murowal breaking through the line before squaring it to Zander Regan who was denied by the crossbar.
A game of fine margins with a lot on the line. It was time for an experienced head to step up. Eoin Montford finding the back of the net from close range at the set piece in the final minute of regulation at the back post.
Hills United move on to play Dulwich Hill next up with a seven-point lead over 2nd placed Canterbury Bankstown. While Mounties find themselves four points from safety behind Dunbar Rovers.
Hills United FC 2 (Nicolai Muller 62’, Eoin Montford 90’)
Mounties Wanderers FC 1 (Shun Maeta 8’)
Elsewhere
St George FC 2 (Jesse Spang 10’ 21’) v Northern Tigers FC 0
St George FC brought a sudden halt to the form side in the competition Northern Tigers prevailing 2-0 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
The result sees the Saints keep pace with the two teams a point ahead of them on the table. They proved too strong for the visitors with Jesse Spang scoring twice to give them a crucial victory.
As mentioned in the opening sentence, the loss brought an end to an impressive run of form for the Tigers. The defeat does make things difficult regarding a top two place but there will be a focus on finishing the season as high as possible.
Showing signs that they have recaptured some of their best form, the hosts got into their rhythm early and try as they might, the visitors had few answers.
Both goals coming in style with Jesse Spang on the end of two flowing team moves in the first half. And in a sign they learnt their lesson last week, they were able to see the game out In more comfortable fashion with Troy Danaskos nearly adding a third.
They face Rydalmere Lions next while Northern Tigers host Dunbar Rovers in round 25 action.
SD Raiders FC 0 v Canterbury Bankstown FC 2 (Joel Beattie 15’ 19’)
Canterbury Bankstown held onto second place with a victory over near neighbours SD Raiders, Saturday night.
Notching up their 14th victory of the season, Canterbury Bankstown kept their position in second place. Joel Beattie picked up a brace early in this one to lead them to victory over a side who would have been desperate to get something.
A case of a dip in form coming at the wrong time, SD Raiders now find themselves six points behind the top four. Bankstown City await them in round 25 action.
There wasn’t much between the two sides in the opening 20 minutes with Mark Cindric opening the game in terms of chances in the first half.
However, two goals around that period killed the game off in retrospect. Joel Beattie claiming both showing a good attacking instinct to react for the first, before the second came through a diving header.
With nothing to lose, SD Raiders came out from the break throwing everything at their visitors but they couldn’t find their way back. A Klime Sekutkoski penalty miss in the second half capping off a tough evening for the hosts.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 1 (Radovan Pavicevic 75’) v Blacktown Spartans FC 0
It was a good night all round for the top four sides with Bonnyrigg White Eagles claiming a narrow victory over Blacktown Spartans to keep their position in equal second.
In a physical game, the hosts had to be patient before finding the decisive goal through Radovan Pavicevic in the second half. They sit in third with two goals separating them and Canterbury Bankstown in the standings.
Making their hosts work for the three points, Blacktown Spartans will now turn their attention to finishing as high as possible on the table. They face Hakoah next weekend.
The turning point in this one came with changes in and around the half time break which changed the complexion of the game in favour of the hosts.
Their winning goal coming in the 75th minute through Radovan Pavicevic. Pavicevic capitalising on a Mason Versi header across the face with a volley into the far corner.
Bonnyrigg make the trek up to Pluim Park next weekend, while Blacktown Spartans return home to face Hakoah.
Dunbar Rovers FC 2 (Olivier Beltran-Woodward 22’, Daniel Goni 59’) v Rydalmere Lions FC 1 (Thomas Gittany 19‘)
A big victory in their fight for survival, Dunbar Rovers scored either side of halftime to overcome Rydalmere Lions at Fraser Park.
Moving back to four points above Mounties Wanderers below, the hosts secured their 7th victory of the season. Olivier Beltran-Woodward opened their account in the first half before Daniel Goni found the second.
It’s a disappointing result for Rydalmere Lions who sit in the bottom half of the table. They have one win in their past five fixtures. Thomas Gittany gave them a lead before they conceded three minutes later.
With an emphasis on improving their defensive shape, the hosts were eventually rewarded in this one. Falling behind to that Gittany goal in the 19th minute. Olivier Beltran Woodward won a penalty for his side three minutes later.
Before they found their all-important winner on the hour mark. Daniel Goni on hand to head the ball into the back of the net after Sunny Chang hit the crossbar with a free kick. Both sides enjoying chances in the second half but Dunbar held on.
Hakoah FC 3 (George Tuson-Firth 35’ 50’, Behnam Ghamoush Ramandi 67’) v Central Coast United FC 0
Dealing a blow to Central Coast United’s survival hopes, Hakoah FC secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in the early Saturday kick off.
Another step in the right direction, Hakoah FC secured another comfortable home victory with George Tuson-Firth scoring twice. Sitting in 11th with 29 points, safety is pretty much guaranteed with finishing as well as possible now the focus.
The loss leaves Central Coast United with a lot to do in the final six games sitting ten points from safety and six points behind a playoff position. They return home to face Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend.
This one played out in competitive fashion with both sides having chances in the opening half hour. Hakoah opening the scoring soon after through George Tuson-Firth, the striker running onto a long ball before making his way into the attacking box and finishing.
Unfortunately, that seemed to tilt the scales for the second half with Hakoah then adding a further two in the second period. Ben Fuchs setting up the second from a wide position, Tuson-Firth heading home. Before Behnam Ghamoush Ramandi added a third on starting debut Nick Drummond with the assist.
Bankstown City FC 4 (Nikola Todoroski 24’ 39’ 50’, Carlo Imola 86’) v Macarthur Rams FC 0
Keeping their home form going, Bankstown City had a night to remember securing a four-goal victory over Macarthur Rams at Jensen Park.
The hosts have found home form just when they needed too, this being their third straight victory at Jensen Park. Sitting in 10th position, they turn their attention to facing SD Raiders next weekend.
Unfortunately, it was a disappointing performance from a Rams perspective, they started well before fading off succumbing to their 12th defeat of the season.
All four of the goals came in similar fashion with Bankstown City finding particular joy with their cutbacks into the area. And Nikola Todoroski was in no mood to let them get away with it picking up a hat trick with two goals in the first half before adding his third on 50 minutes. With substitute Carlo Imola adding the fourth with five minutes remaining.
It was the credited as the first 90-minute performance since the coaching change and they reaped the rewards.
Inter Lions FC 2 (Billy Patramanis 55’, Owen Duke 72’) v Dulwich Hill FC 0
Inter Lions welcomed back some first team regulars claiming a two-goal victory over Dulwich Hill at Majors Bay Reserve.
After conceding five goals the week previous, a response was needed from Inter Lions and they claimed a important victory here with both Owen Duke and Billy Patramanis finding the back of the net.
A game Dulwich Hill will want to move on from quickly, they were outplayed and out enthused by their hosts. Missing a fair chunk of their first team, they face the competition leaders next weekend.
The hosts started well and were largely in control for the duration amassing 10 first half shots with Giusseppe Tilio and Owen Duke having the best chances.
They had to wait to the second half to open the scoring however, the Patramanis brothers combining for their first. Evan with the assist, Billy with the finish to put them ahead on 55 minutes. A lead which was extended by Owen Duke who made no mistake one on one with Fikret Berisha claiming an assist to give them a deserved victory.
By Justin Smith
