Round 25 Review – League One Men’s
A pulsating match of the round and a title race, you couldn’t ask for much more as we rocket past round 25 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition.
Our match of the round delivered a six goal thriller while there were plenty of talking points elsewhere for us to cover.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC 3-3 Bankstown City FC
SD Raiders and Bankstown City played out an entertaining draw in our round 25 match of the round at Ernie Smith Reserve.
It was clear from the outset in this one that both sides wanted to attack on a cold night in Sydney’s south-west.
SD Raiders nearly opening the scoring with their second entry into the opposition box. Mihael Marcic sending a shot across the face of goal inside two minutes.
Both teams were having trouble settling down on a well-used grass pitch meaning there were not many chances in the opening quarter of action.
Bankstown City’s best chance falling on 23 minutes. The visitors working the ball down the right before Jeffrey Issa sent in a trademark cross which found Ante Tomic. Tomic’s header looking destined for the net before Mario Aleksik turned it round the post.
That chance opening the floodgates at either end. The opener scored by the hosts shortly after. Marcic winning a corner for his side with a ball in from the left. Before Sebastian Malfara delivered a floating ball which Marcic headed home from close range.
A lead which lasted just three minutes before a response. Again from the set piece, Ante Tomic placed his free-kick over the wall nicely, Aleksik only able to parry it into the path of Mark Moric who reacted first to slot it home on the half hour.
Indeed the set piece was causing all sorts of chaos at this point with SD Raiders adding a further two goals before the break.
Firstly, in similar circumstances to their first. Sebastian Malfaras delivery inviting a teammate to head home which captain James Letta obliged.
Before their third came from open play, Mihael Marcic released on the left after a flowing move, his cross finding Scott Cusick for the headed finish to make it 3-1.
The half finishing with a further couple of chances for the Raiders to extend their lead.
Needing to bounce back after a poor first half, Bankstown City came back into the game after the resumption. Firing a warning shot on 50 minutes through Jordan Morfitis. Raiders keeper Mario Aleksik only able to punch it to Morfitis who tried his luck from range. Denied by a wonderful Cooper Hannagan clearance on the line.
Like the first half however, it was after the 20-minute mark of the half when the game came back to life. Bankstown City halving the deficit in the 67th minute through Jonathan Grozdanovski. The attacker controlling a Jarred Mckinley long ball with his shoulder before rifling home with his right foot on the half volley. The ball kissing the inside of the right post on its way in.
The visitors then levelling things in the 71st minute. Jeffrey Issa interchanging passes on the right before delivering a sumptuous ball into the area. Jonathan Grozdanovski obliging, heading home to level things at 3-3.
From there, the best chance fell to the visitors and Ante Tomic who sent a free kick just over the top right corner of the target with five minutes left. While Lucca Cervo had an effort saved at the other end with a powerful shot fired straight at the keeper.
Ultimately though, the teams couldn’t be separated in a pulsating match of the round. SD Raiders take a trip up to Central Coast United next weekend. While Bankstown City have a date with Mounties Wanderers at home.
SD Raiders FC 3 (Mihael Marcic 27’, James Letta 33’, Scott Cusick 36’)
Bankstown City FC 3 (Mark Moric 30’, Jonathan Grozdanovski 67’ 71’)
Elsewhere:
Central Coast United FC 1 (Joshua Swadling 16’) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 2 (Emmanuel Gonzalez 13’, Mason Versi 22’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles notched a narrow 2-1 win away from home against a desperate Central Coast United side at Pluim Park.
The win for the visitors sees them move up to within a game of Hills United above them (with 3 points added to their points total midweek). They were in control of the game for the most part against a desperate opposition.
It’s another tough result to take for Central Coast United. With five games left, they are running out of chances to stay in the division.
A lot of the action in this one came in the opening half. Emmanuel Gonzalez opening the score on 13 minutes with a lovely finish inside the box.
The hosts who were a threat on the counterattack all night bounced back in fortunate circumstances soon after. Josh Swadling’s free kick taking a deflection off the wall wrong-footing the keeper before bouncing into the net.
Parity only lasting six minutes though before Mason Versi restored the lead with a stunning side footed volley from the edge of the area.
From there, the visitors controlled the game for the most part threatening to double their lead on a few occasions. While Central Coast United made them work on the counter on a few occasions.
Dulwich Hill FC 1 (Sena Sato 30’) v Hills United FC 1 (Jamal Belkadi 65’)
A brave Dulwich Hill side clung onto a point in their meeting with Hills United at Arlington Oval.
Coming under a lot of pressure in the first half, they took an unlikely lead into the half time break before taking it to the visitors in the second half.
Sena Sato scored their goal in the first half which eventually would see them come away with a point and they nearly took three with a late header drawing a save from Ryan Wood.
In contrast, it was a frustrating evening for Hills United. They were dominant in the first half, missing a couple of clear-cut chances through Wade Giovenali and Eoin Montford. Unfortunate to go down a goal on the half hour, the second half opened up as they chased a goal.
The goal eventually coming courtesy of Jamal Belkadi from close range, with Thomas Makko and Darcy Ellem combining in the build-up.
Hills United host Blacktown Spartans next weekend, while Dulwich Hill travel to face Rydalmere Lions.
Rydalmere Lions FC 2 (Dillian Kahale 40, Thomas Gittany 62’) v St George FC 3 (Troy Danaskos 51’, Evangelo Souris 56’, Justin Poon 95’)
How big could this late goal be? A 95th minute winner against Rydalmere Lions means that St George keep pace with the top two ahead of a massive game next weekend.
Described as an entertaining game to be at, it came down to a 95th minute Justin Poon goal to lead the visitors to victory after Troy Danaskos and Evangelo Souris.
Just lacking that killer instinct. It was another impressive performance from Rydalmere Lions and we could well be talking about a victory here.
It wasn’t to be however, they took the lead in the first half against the run of play before putting an improved performance after the break. Dillian Kahale and Thomas Gittany scoring their goals.
While the Saints were impressive in the first half despite being behind on the scoreboard. Eventually finding a way to win with their three goals.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 0 v Inter Lions FC 1 (Thomas Quilligan 16’)
Inter Lions walked away from Jensen Park with a confidence building victory over Canterbury Bankstown.
A second victory in succession and another clean sheet, Inter Lions have returned to form in recent weeks. Sitting in 8th position, they are now 7 points clear of the teams below after 25 rounds.
This result couldn’t have come at a worse time for Canterbury Bankstown who now sit six points below Bonnyrigg White Eagles in second. It was some run for Wally Savours side who went unbeaten in seven games leading into this one.
It was perhaps the visitors who settled first, a succession of corners leading up to what turned out to be the only goal of the game. A poor clearance falling to Thomas Quilligan who powered his shot into the back of the net.
They continued to create chances throughout the remainder of the first half before frustrating the visitors sitting back and countering in the second.
It wasn’t to be for the Berries on the night, Nic Petrillo going closest for them in the first half, before a penalty was saved in the second half, Anthony Costa denying Gabriel Lopez from the spot.
Macarthur Rams FC 1 (Anthony Proia 54’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 0
Macarthur Rams extended the woes of their visitors Mounties Wanderers with a single goal victory at Lynwood Park.
A big game at the wrong end of the table, both these sides threw everything at each other in a spirited affair.
Ultimately though, it was Macarthur Rams to take the three points which takes them to a season tally of 30 points which could well be enough to avoid a relegation playoff spot. While for Mounties Wanderers, it’s a third straight defeat meaning they are still four points behind Dunbar Rovers in 14th.
The first half was a bit of a scrap with the best chance falling to the hosts through Connor Spurway whose shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by the visitors keeper.
Out from the break, Macarthur were the better side in the second half, Lucas Lesnar and Anthony Proia going close before Proia found the winner.
The striker driving the ball home from inside the area after a cutback from the left. Macarthur Rams travel to Majors Bay next up while it’s getting close to must win territory for the Mounties when they take on Bankston City.
Northern Tigers FC 4 (OG 32’, Kai Denton 40’ 65’, Ahmed Sweedan 85’) v Dunbar Rovers FC 2 (Paul Gautier 75’, Lucas Brandow Vidal 87’)
Northern Tigers and Dunbar Rovers played out a pulsating fixture at North Turramurra with the host emerging victorious 4-2.
Despite struggling to put a 90 minute performance together, the Northern Tigers have formed a winning habit of late and it continued in this one. An important victory coming after a disappointing defeat in round 24 action.
On the other hand, Dunbar Rovers just couldn’t take some early chances which would have seen the game go a different way. They fought hard for their two goals through Paul Gautier and Lucas Brandow Vidal but will turn their attention to next weekend.
The difference a good striker can make in a team not at their best. That’s the takeaway from this one with Kai Denton grabbing another brace to add to his season tally. Denton joined by Ahmed Sweedan on the scoresheet who grabbed the fourth goal after Dunbar threatened a comeback.
Northern Tigers take on Hakoah FC next, while Dunbar host Canterbury Bankstown in round 26.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Jordan Metcalfe 24’, Riley Chapple 70’) v Hakoah FC 1 (Yianni Spyrakis 74’)
Blacktown Spartans secured back-to-back victories at home prevailing over Hakoah FC with a 2-1 score line.
Another step in the right direction for the Spartans, they move to 39 points so far this season sitting in 7th position. They started strongly in this one after a disappointing loss in round 24.
A loss which sees Hakoah FC drop to 12th position once again, they’ll be looking to get a few more positive results before seasons end.
With a strong start, the Spartans capitalised with a goal in the 24th minutes, Daniel Durkin finding Jordan Metcalfe with a cross for Metcalfe to calmly slot away his header. A result which stood till half time.
Losing Blake Ilitch to injury, Hakoah had a good period after the resumption but it was the Spartans to add a second, Riley Chapple with the goal from outside the area.
They were to come under a bit of pressure though with Yianni Spyrakis halving the deficit from the spot and Daniel Durkin handed a red card, but they held on for their 11th win of the season.
By Justin Smith
