St George FC back in the top flight
St George FC said goodbye to League One Men’s football and hello to the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition for 2024 following its 1-0 2nd leg victory over now relegated Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Saturday afternoon – the historic club from Sydney’s South won 2-1 on aggregate.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers huffed and puffed but weren’t able to find the back of the net. They hit the woodwork twice through Olayinka Sunmola and Jacob Esposito then had defender Nikola Djordjevic sent off which made their job harder.
Historic club St George FC sealed with their return to the NPL NSW Men’s competition since 2014 in the first half. Jesse Spang’s 8th minute goal gave them the result but they did have to hold on with a steely defensive display as keeper Daniel Axford produced some fine saves.
The hosts tried to get off to a good start. They had a pair of set piece opportunities which were whipped in and cleared away by the defence.
St George FC struck the first blow in the 8th minute. Saints skipper Troy Danaskos had his effort blocked then the follow up hit the bar before Jesse Spang volleyed home for 1-0.
It was almost double delight for the visitors a minute later. Danaskos flew forward again and whacked an effort against the post.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers settled into their groove and hit the crossbar themselves. Sunmola rose highest and hit the woodwork.
The hosts kept pushing forward for an equaliser. Nikola Skataric had an effort go onto the roof of the net then Jacob Esposito had his shot blocked.
Esposito went the closest for Mt Druitt in the 41st minute. He tried to chip St George FC keeper Daniel Axford but it went agonisingly wide for the hosts.
Coming out of the break, St George FC felt just fine. Spang almost doubled the lead before his powerful shot was blocked away.
Sunmola tried to respond for Mt Druitt. He strode into the area well, turned and put his shot right at Axford who claimed easily.
It was an action-packed start to the half. Connor Quilligan unfurled an effort from outside the box which Mt Druitt keeper Dylan Niski punched away.
St George FC went close again for their second. Anthony Morabito cushioned the touch well before he played in Quilligan who forced a save.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were piling on the pressure with set pieces but Axford dealt with the attempts well.
The task was made harder for the hosts in the 76th minute. Nikola Djordjevic who scored the equaliser in the first leg was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers almost struck back despite being down to ten. Sunmola drove down the wing and the cross found substitute Abdelelah Faisal who hit the post.
The game was opening up the final stages. St George FC almost sealed the deal on the counter through Spang but he put it right at Niski.
Headed into stoppage time, Mt Druitt Town Rangers had a huge chance. Axford wasn’t able to gather the cross which allowed substitute Cooper Coskerie fire over the bar.
St George FC were able to hold out for the four minutes of stoppage time and sealed their return to the NPL NSW Men’s competition after nine years away.
Speaking afterwards, an emotional St George FC coach Jane Talcevski reflected on the journey that the side has taken to this point.
“It was a contested game and that is expected in such a high stakes game.
“If you know the story of St George FC and the difficulties we’ve had this has been a massive achievement.
“The display of football we have shown throughout the season has shown what this club is about.
“Now, we look forward to NPL NSW Men’s competition next season and doing it all over again.” said Talcevski.
St George FC will once again reignite its rivalry with St George City as the NPL NSW Men’s competition has added yet another derby for the upcoming season.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers bow out of the top flight having spent five years in the state’s premier competition.
The Rangers did have some highlights this season including their Australia Cup Round of 16 appearances and a semi-final in the Waratah Cup as the club will no doubt do its best to get back up to the top flight once more.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
St George FC 1 (Spang ‘8)
Saturday 9 September 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. Dylan Niski, 2. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika (22. Rhett Desilva ‘60), 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 5. Jacob Esposito (17. Cooper Coskerie ‘72), 7. Nikoa Skataric (18. Abdelelah Faisal ‘72), 8. Henry Davis (15. Anthony Gallo ‘72), 10. Kotaru Katsuta, 11. Jackson Bandiera, 21. Tarek Elrich, 23. Daniel Dias, 27. Olayinka Sunmola
Unused subs: 16. Bailey Jacobs, 20. Omid Ramezani
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: Djordjevic ‘76
St George FC: 3. Troy Danaskos, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Jesse Sprang (34. Sebastian Cerecedo ‘90+1), 8. Connor Quilligan (14. Richard Blanco ‘88), 10. Evangelo Souris, 11. Anthony Morabito (30. Justin Poon ‘88), 13. Mohamed Ahmed (32. Aedan O’Shea ‘58),15. Mitchell Heapy, 20. Daniel Axford, 27. Jayden Seeto
Unused subs: 1. Andrew Di Blasio, 29. John Stamos
Yellow cards: Morabito ‘4, Ahmed ‘51
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
