Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Round 5 Review
Round five of the Futsal Premier League Open Men competition was a bumper weekend of action with six different fixtures.
Full of action right up till the final whistle, there’s a lot for us to cover so let’s get into it!
Featured Match: Mascot Vipers 5-5 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club
Our feature match of the weekend saw Mascot Vipers score two goals in the final minute to steal a point from their derby with Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
Yes, it happened again, Heffron Centre becoming the venue if you want drama in the Futsal Premier League Open Men’s competition.
As you would expect from a fixture like this, the match was played with intensity from the get-go. Both sides having early chances before Mascot Vipers got the opener.
Nathan Niski scoring the opener after combining with Ethan De Melo and Peter Politis in a swift passing move.
A lead which didn’t last long with a ball from the right releasing Vinicius Costa Janjacomo in a central position who finished his opportunity.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah making it 2-1 shortly after in a quick turnaround. Samuel Tzanakes lobbing the keeper from close range, Jonathan Lynch with that assist.
I said it was a frantic start, didn’t I? Mascot Vipers scoring the last of four quickfire goals immediately after that. Daniel Fornito with a simple finish on the spot after a Konstantinos Tsournakakis shot was saved in the build-up.
That score remaining till half time despite efforts at either end of the pitch.
The early stages of the second half saw Eastern Suburbs Hakoah take control of the fixture. Three goals coming in the first ten minutes of the second half.
Dylan Basger grabbing their third with their first chance of the second half after an Emmanuel Tzanakes shot drew a save.
Before Jonathan Lynch led a break forward and teed up Vinicius Costa Janjacomo for his second goal of the fixture.
The led extended to three goals soon after, Emmanuel Tzanakes the provider for Fabio Vieira Filho to finish at the back post. 5-2 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah who looked set for victory.
With nothing to lose at this point, Vipers employed an extra man in attack. Something that didn’t look like it would pay off as the Noah Felich and his defense held firm for four or five sets.
However, the pressure would eventually tell, a Thomas Quilligan cross from the left allowing Nathan Niski to scramble it home. 5-3 with under two minutes remaining.
Thomas Quilligan finally getting his reward from his position on the left, cutting in and finishing to make it 5-4 with around a minute remaining.
The final goal coming with 13 seconds left, Nathan Niski having his shot saved before a follow up was scored by Thomas Quilligan to cheers from the crowd. 5-5.
Mascot Vipers featured once again on the weekend (catch that review below), while Eastern Suburbs Hakoah will go again UTS Northside next weekend.
Mascot Vipers 5 (Nathan Niski 7’ 37’, Daniel Fornito 11’, Thomas Quilligan 40’ 40’)
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club 5 (Vinicius Costa Janjacomo 8’ 28’, Samuel Tzanakes 10’, Dylan Basger 24’, Fabio Vieira Filho 33’)
Elsewhere
Boomerangs FS 7-3 Macarthur Quake Futsal
A night where two of our sides secured their first win of the campaign, Boomerangs FS prevailed 7-3 over Macarthur Quake, Saturday night.
Described as a messy game with the Quake disrupting their hosts in possession, this one was decided on transition.
Seven of the goals coming in the first half with the Boomerangs holding a 4-3 lead at the break before they extended the lead after half time.
Boomerangs finding the net via seven different scorers in Maxx Green, Jono Ciminelli, Nick Rathjan and William Manalo in the first half. While Nicholas Dahl, Robert Tkatchenko and Callum Smith added goals in the second half. Jono Ciminelli and Nicholas Dahl probably the best two players for them.
While Alexander Nicolosi and Daniel Goni found the back of the net for the visitors in the first half.
Boomerangs FS feature again in this review before taking on Mountain Majik next weekend. While Macarthur Quake face Dural Warriors.
Enfield Allstars 2-1 UTS Northside Futsal Club
Enfield Allstars edged a tight contest with a late goal securing them their first victory of the season against UTS Northside.
Another example of a game going right down to the wire. Enfield Allstars scored a goal in the 37th minute to come away with three points for the first time in 2023.
A welcome boost with three games in hand, they could have had more goals if not for the efforts of Jett Griffiths in the UTS Northside goal who made several crucial saves throughout.
However, the breakthrough for Enfield Allstars came just before the half hour. Dominic Cox with the opener on 28 minutes.
UTS Northside hitting back seven minute later through Kyle Devine. Parity this time only lasting two minutes before Enfield Allstars grabbed a deserved winner through Bruno Pivato to secure the points.
They turn their attention to Macarthur Quake this Thursday night, while UTS Northside take on Eastern Suburbs Hakoah next weekend.
Mountain Majik Futsal Club 1-1 Dural Warriors
In the last of our round five action across the weekend, Mountain Majik and Dural Warriors settled for a share of the points at Valentine Sports Park.
A change of pace to other games involved in this review, this one was a low scoring affair with both teams keeping things tight.
Dural Warriors walking away happy with the share of the points after a courageous performance. Jack Wetney scoring a goal on the quarter hour to give them the lead.
Before Jaidyn Dunn scored an equaliser early in the second half, both sides then having chances throughout the second half to win the game.
Both teams feature below in Sunday evening action before Mountain Majik take a trip to the nation’s capital next weekend while Dural Warriors host Macarthur Quake.
R2 Catchup: Boomerangs FS 3-2 Dural Warriors
Boomerangs FS claimed their second win of the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Dural Warriors, Sunday afternoon.
Taking advantage of their two games at home, they scored a crucial goal in the 39th minute to claim their win whilst building on their win the day before.
While it’s a first defeat for Dural Warriors who had previously drawn their first three games. They’ll be glad to welcome back a few starters in upcoming weeks.
After a scoreless first half, the goals flowed after the break with Maxx Green scoring the eventual winner after grabbing the first goal. Robert Tkatchenko the other scorer in the match (bringing it back to 2-2 at the time).
Dural Warriors for their part putting in a valiant effort making the long trip down. Joshua Montgomery and Cameron Philp scoring their goals in the defeat.
R3 Catchup: Mascot Vipers 7-3 Mountain Majik Futsal Club
Finally, to wrap up a busy weekend in the competition. Mascot Vipers ran out 7-3 victors over Mountain Majik at the Heffron Centre.
Jumping into second place on the table with the victory, the win keeps morale high after a remarkable comeback the night before.
They took a two-goal lead into the break with two of those goals coming from Jacob Debian and the other goal coming from Peter Politis. While Jamie Dib put the Majik into the lead earlier in the contest.
The games pattern continuing in the second half with the Vipers keeping their visitors at arm’s length. Mikah Chilas adding another couple of goals joined on the scoresheet by Nathan Niski and Thomas Quilligan.
While the Majik scored twice in the second half through Anthony Haddad who picked up a brace.
By Justin Smith
