Round 12 Review – League One Men’s

No room for compromise! There were eight winners and eight losers in round 12 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition.

Our match of the round saw Canterbury Bankstown extend Dunbar Rovers woes. While elsewhere, UNSW broke Hakoah’s unbeaten run, Bulls FC Academy returned to winning ways and Bonnyrigg White Eagles took out a local derby.

Match of the Round: Canterbury Bankstown 1-0 Dunbar Rovers

Canterbury Bankstown edged a tight match of the round with a 1-0 victory over Dunbar Rovers at Jensen Park courtesy of a Taiga Kawano strike early in the second half.

The start of this one saw both sides happy to suss each other out exhanging spells of posession. Dunbar opening the game in terms of chances through Daisuke Yamaguchi who tried his luck from inside the centre circle after seven minutes. Berries keeper Robert Fanella retreating to claim it.

Indeed it was the visitors who were looking the more threatening throughout this period.with Samuel Tzanakes doing well to add to their attacking threat from midfield.

Canterbury Bankstown having their first chance in response after the 10th minute. Taiga Kawano finding Bonmyeong Koo with a long ball beyond the defence who was unable to generate enough power on his header despite beating the keeper to the ball.

Dunbar responding with a chance of their own soon after, Reece Berelowitz showing good control before his shot was saved by Fanella who grasped it with both hands.

While Marco Turpeinen was proving an aerial threat for the hosts inside the opposition area, a few half chances coming his way in the opening half hour. However, his best chance of the half came at his feet with a shot from the right side of the box flashing across the face of goal after the 35th minute after a build up down the right.

The best chance of the half falling the Berries way in the 43rd minute. Captain Gino Cerasoli winning the ball high up the pitch before his shot bound for the top right corner was saved by Benjamin Wrigley.

Finishing the first half on top of proceedings, the hosts then carried that momentum into the second and were rewarded three minutes into the second half. Gino Cerasoli winning the ball inside the centre circle before releasing Tiago Kawano. Kawano cutting in off the left before applying the right footed finish which wrong footed the keeper.

Needing a response, Dunbar went close soon after. Paul Gautier doing well to create some space for himself inside the area before a left footed strike drew a save from Fanella three minutes later.

Things opening up as both sides chased the second goal of the fixture. The action on the field seemingly then taking a breather heading into the final 20 minutes, Dunbar looking to apply pressure up field while the Berries looked to threaten in transition with Cian McNamara and Brendon Mandividza introduced.

McNamara firing over the bar from the edge of the area in the 73th minute after Mandizvidza couldn’t get his shot up.

While Dunbar had their best chance of the second half up until that point soon after. Samuel Tzanakes picking up the ball in an advanced position before taking the ball into the area, his shot taking a touch off the goal frame.

The visitors continuing to push as Reece Berelowitz forced another save from Robert Fanella diving to his left, Berelowitz with a curling effort. The striker placing the ball into the back of the net shortly after, however the goal was ruled out due to offside.

Canterbury Bankstown having the final chance of the game, Taiga Kawano hitting a free-kick sweetly over the wall denied by a spectacular save from the visiting keeper.

The hosts coming away with the three points from a tight contest. They face Nepean FC next weekend, while  Dunbar Rovers continue their pursuit for their second win against Northern Tigers.

Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Kawano 48’)

Dunbar Rovers 0

Elsewhere

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-1 SD Raiders 

Bonnyrigg White Eagles continued their rise up the table with a 3-1 victory over local rivals SD Raiders at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.

Now with as many wins this season as losses, they took the lead in the first half before two late goals secured the three points for the soaring Eagles.

They opened the scoring just after the quarter hour perhaps against the run of play. A corner delivered in from the left which made its way to the back post, a low Dean Evans ball across the face finished by Brad Bartels.

An equaliser for SD Raiders coming before the break through Jairo Torne Fernandez who came off the bench earlier in the first half. This after Mihael Marcic and Yonatan Sebhatu both had good chances earlier in the

In front of a good crowd, the hosts were able to find another gear late on scoring two goals. Maksim Jez continuing his impressive scoring run, Mason Versi. Before the pick of the goals came from a free-kick, Dean Evans strike from favourable territory sending the crowd home happy.

Bonnyrigg moving to within a point of the SD Raiders, with a big fixture against Bulls FC Academy scheduled for Tuesday night.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Bartels 16’, Jez 86’, Evans 94’)

SD Raiders 1 (Torne Fernandez 47’)

Bulls FC Academy 3-0 Rydalmere Lions

That bounce back ability! Bulls FC Academy secured a three goal victory in a tough contest against Rydalmere Lions.

The young Bulls were close to their best against a Rydalmere Lions team under the guidance of Abbas Saad in their dugout. Craig Noone’s substitutes making a big difference late in this one.

Despite being in control of the first half, the hosts struggled to break down a well organised Rydalmere Lions team which Saad took over days prior. While James Coombes was proving a thorn in their side doing well to isolate the academies defense.

However, it always felt like a goal was coming for Bulls FC Academy and they broke through before half time with the first of two Flynn Madden goals. the returning Federico Gagliano assisting that goal.A scoreline which remained the same before the hosts substitutes made an important different. One of which in Dean Bosnjak find the second goal (his first for the senior side). Before Zane Helweh assisted Flynn Madden for their third goal in the final ten minutes of regulation.

Bulls FC Academy next travel to Bonnyrigg midweek, while Rydalmere have an important clash in the lower mid-table against Dulwich Hill.

Bulls FC Academy 3 (Flynn Madden 40’ 81’, Bosnjak 68’)

Rydalmere Lions 0

UNSW FC 2-0 Hakoah FC

Probably the most surprising result of the weekend, UNSW FC broke Hakoah FC’s unbeaten streak with an impressive victory at the Village Green.

Opening up a gap between themselves and the bottom two while breaking a four game winless run, the students picked up their fourth home win of the campaign.

Followiing on from a midweeks cup loss against Rockdale Ilinden, the visitors had a promising start to this one. Nicholas Drummond busy in leading their attack. While Jack Fulton looked most likely for the hosts in the opening half at the other end.

Indeed it was a tight tussle for the opening 65 minutes or so with chances at a premium until respective benches were called upon. Substitute Kevin Lopes opening the games account with his first touch of the evening with a composed finish into the bottom left corner.

A lead which was soon doubled with the play stretched, Keeghan Burke putting the game beyond doubt with a goal in the 82nd minute. His shot taking a significant deflection on it’s path towards goal.

That win a big relief for the hosts as they look ahead to a clash with Bulls FC Academy next weekend. While Hakoah will look to bounce back in a big game against Mt Druitt Town Rangers next weekend.

UNSW FC 2 (Lopes 79’, Burke 82’)

Hakoah FC 0

Blacktown Spartans 0-2 Mt Druitt Town Rangers

Mt Druitt Town Rangers were good enough to pick up their 9th win of the season over Blacktown Spartans despite being reduced to ten men late in the first half.

Having gained a reputation as a hard team to peg back after taking a lead, the Town Rangers were good enough to hold on to their lead established in the opening period.

Spartans were the side to have the first couple of chances though through both Suleyman Bangura whose shot just cleared the bar before Aedon Kyra put his effort wide.

Costly misses as it turned out with the visitors scoring twice in quick succession. Andre Martins scoring from a set piece before Daniel Wong added a second five minutes later.

A red card changing the game just before the break with Spartans creating the majority of the chances in the second period, though Mt Druitt did continue to threaten in transition, holding out for their victory.

The Spartans next face Macarthur Rams while Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be hoping for a more routine week after sickness disrupted the build up to this one.

Blacktown Spartans 0

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Martins 18’, Wong 25’)

Macarthur Rams 2-1 Northern Tigers

Macarthur Rams continued their four game unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory over Northern Tigers at Lynwood Park.

The Rams now have three victories in their last four games helping them move clear of the bottom two. Back to this one, the two sides exchanged first half goals before the game settled down in the second half scoring wise.

A fixture played with plenty of intensity, there wasn’t much between the two sides in this one. The first goal coming courtesy of John Fahmi in the 13th minute. Fahmi’s powerful right footed strike finding the top corner with the likes of Alex Gollan, Jacob Esposito and Nathan Manno all playing a role in the build up.

Tigers weren’t going to lie down though and they found an equaliser from the spot with four minutes of the half left. Shervin Adeli making no mistake.

However, the Rams were able to find what turned out to be a decisive goal two minutes later, Jaidyn Dunn slotting his effort past the keeper after beating two defenders inside the box.

The visitors unable to peg the hosts back a second time in this one despite controlling possession and chances in the second period, the Rams defense led by Alex Gollan holding firm.

Macarthur Rams face Blacktown Spartans next in round 13 action while Northern Tigers host Dunbar Rovers.

Macarthur Rams 2 (Fahmi 13’, Dunn 43’)

Northern Tigers 1 (Adeli 41’)

Inter Lions 3-1 Dulwich Hill

Returning to the winners list, Inter Lions secured a 3-1 win over Dulwich Hill at Majors Bay Reserve, Saturday evening.

When the hosts for this one do win, they seem to do it by a 3-1 margin recently and so was the case again here with John Theo’s side proving too good.

Described as a tactical battle, the visitors started the better of the two sides and were rewarded with a goal inside the first 20 minutes. Daniel Fornito marking his return to the starting side from Futsalroos duty with a goal.

However the momentum of the game changed seven minutes later with a defensive mistake allowing Fikret Berisha grab an equaliser. Inter finishing the first half on top with a couple of chances to put the game beyond doubt.

The visitors unable to change the momentum adfter the break with Inter firmly in control, grabbing their second through Ahmad Taleb who bundled a ball home from close range. Before Fikret Berisha sealed the game with a powerful drive from just inside the area.

A well deserved three points for Inter Lions which has solidified their position in eighth.

Inter Lions 3 (Berisha 24’ 71’, Taleb 57’)

Dulwich Hill 1 (Fornito 17’)

Nepean FC 0-1 Bankstown City

Finally, Bankstown City picked up a narrow victory over Nepean FC to kick off the round in our Friday night kick off.

After an early goal in this one, both sides struggled on a difficult pitch to play their football with Bankstown City coming away with a narrow victory.

That’s not to say there wasn’t entertainment to be had in this one with both side trying their best. The solitary goal coming from the spot with Chris Payne converting a penalty inside five minutes.

From there, Mabior Garang had multiple chances to extend the advantage. While Nepean kept pushing for an equaliser throughout. They had a goal disallowed in this one which pretty much sums up the past month for Stephen Appleby’s side.

Nepean are next in action against Canterbury Bankstown, while Bankstown City host our match of the round against Bonnyrigg White Ealges.

Nepean FC 0

Bankstown City 1 (Payne 3’)

By Justin Smith