Round 29 Review – League Two Men’s

The penultimate round of the 2024 Football NSW League Two Men’s season saw the Newcastle Jets go within one match of an unprecedented unbeaten season, while the battle for 2^nd promised to go down to the final matchday following Round 29.

The Match of the Round this week saw the Newcastle Jets complete an unbeaten home season and move within one match of an unprecedented unbeaten regular season after their comeback win over Fraser Park FC.

Saturday, 17^th August 2024

Match of the Round: Newcastle Jets 5-3 Fraser Park FC

The Newcastle Jets came from behind twice to keep their dreams of an unbeaten season alive heading into the final matchday following a 5-3 home win over Fraser Park FC in a goal-fest.

Both teams had early big chances, with a shot in the first minute from Fraser Park’s Gregory Ehiozee cleared off the line by the Jets defence, while in the 15^th minute at the other end, a shot from the Jets’ Lucas Johnson, who came off the bench early for Amos Okumu, who left the field injured, hit the left post.

The Jets took the early advantage in the 18^th minute when a ball into the box from the left saw an initial shot saved by Fraser Park goalkeeper, Connor Gilbert, before the Jets’ Wil Southcombe put the ball into the back of the net off the rebound for a 1-0 Jets lead.

Newcastle could have scored a second when Janni Rafty got in behind the Fraser Park defence and took a shot on goal, but his effort was well saved by Gilbert to his left for a corner.

Fraser Park hit back quickly in the 26^th minute when Harry Skotadis was played in behind and settled on the right side of goal, before he slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner to level the match at 1-1.

The visitors were running hot and were awarded a penalty six minutes later when Skotadis got in behind and was fouled while chasing a ball he had chipped in behind.

The penalty attempt from Fraser Park was saved before Stavros Palapanis put the ball into the back of the net on the rebound to take a surprise 2-1 lead.

Newcastle struck back before half-time, however, with a goal in the 44^th minute – Johnson played a ball in behind to Xavier Bertoncello, who slotted the ball home calmly to level the match at 2-2 at half-time.

Fraser Park came out quickly in the second half when, in the 52^nd minute, Paul Turrin rose the highest from a corner and headed the ball home to give Fraser Park the lead yet again at 3-2 to the shock of the home crowd.

Newcastle did not let their heads drop, however, and responded in the 57^th minute when Rafty ran at the Fraser Park defence and fired a precise right-footed shot from outside the box which found the bottom-left corner to level the contest at 3-3 in a goal-fest of a match.

Both goalkeepers were called into action in the 64^th and 66^th minutes, respectively, with both Gilbert and the Jets’ Jordan Baylis making good saves to keep their sides in the contest.

Both teams fired shots from there to find the match-winner, with a chance in the 81^st minute to Fraser Park saved by Baylis before the ball was cleared off the line by the Jets’ Makye Buettner, who was making his Jets’ debut.

Newcastle held their nerve and were rewarded in the 86^th minute when substitute Murray Peart received the ball following some good combination play and torpedoed a shot into the back of the net from inside the box to give the Jets the lead for the second time in the match, despite the best effort of Gilbert to keep the Jets out multiple times in the contest.

A crucial save from Baylis in the 90^th minute ensured they kept their lead late, before the Jets wrapped up the match with one second left on the match clock.

Unselfish build-up play from the Jets saw a ball squared to substitute William Eick, who slotted the ball from the left into the far-right bottom corner to seal a 5-3 win for the Jets and an unbeaten home season.

Speaking post-match, Newcastle Jets’ Head Coach Damian Zane wanted to give credit to the whole squad, with many players stepping up throughout the season to get them to where they are now.

“It is a testament to the whole squad… we have a lot of players doing a lot of training with the [Jets’ A-League Men’s] team and fatiguing, and we are conceding some goals, but we are still finding a way to win games, which is a really good sign as a club.”

Being one match away from an unprecedented unbeaten season, Zane said he is using it as motivation for his players and is not shying away from it.

“At the end of the day, my job was to get the team promoted, produce A-League players… so I have told the players that this is for them, they are going to remember if they go through the competition undefeated… it would be really special for them as a group and something they deserve for everything they put in.”

The Jets face Hawkesbury City FC, who they lost to in the final match of the 2023 season, and Zane is aware of the challenge they will pose to his side.

“I guarantee you they will be out to spoil the party, but we are going to prepare as we always do… [the players] really deserve to go undefeated.”

The win for the Jets saw them move to 71 points for the season as they look to go undefeated for the whole year, while the loss for Fraser Park saw them drop from 11^th to 13^th.

The Jets will hope to complete an unprecedented unbeaten season when they travel to face 12^th-placed Hawkesbury City FC next week in the final round, while Fraser Park will hope to climb two places to end the season when they host 14^th-placed Sydney University SFC.

Newcastle Jets 5 (Wil Southcombe 18’; Xavier Bertoncello 43’; Janni Rafty 56’; Murray Peart 86’; William Eick 90’)

Fraser Park FC 3 (Harry Skotadis 26’; Stavros Palapanis 33’; Paul Turrin 52’; Stavros Palapanis 33’ missed pen)

Friday, 16^th August 2024

Bankstown United FC 4-2 Parramatta FC

Bankstown United FC responded to their last-start defeat with a 4-2 home win over Parramatta FC to ensure their fight for 2^nd this season went down to the final matchday.

The hosts started strong and took control in the early moments, and they were rewarded in the 13^th minute when Mitchell Cross was released down the left flank and cut into the Eagles’ box, before he slotted the ball past the onrushing Jameson Hinwood in the Parramatta goal to give Bankstown a 1-0 lead.

Cross completed his double for his 34^th goal of the season just five minutes later when Cross found space in the box and got on the end of a ball from close range to double Bankstown’s lead at 2-0.

Parramatta worked their way back into the match with some half-chances but right on half-time, in stoppage-time, Marie Gauthier converted a chance in front of goal to give Bankstown a 3-0 lead at the break.

After the break, Parramatta fought back and got a goal back through Muamer Mesanovic in the 54^th minute to make the score 3-1.

Bankstown struck back late in the match, however, to seal the victory when substitute Corey Freeman found himself free at the back post and converted his chance for his 10^th goal of the season and gave the hosts a 4-1 lead.

Jordan Parfait grabbed a late consolation goal for Parramatta in the 80^th minute to reduce the deficit, but Bankstown kept their fight for 2^nd place in a good spot in a 4-2 win.

The win for Bankstown saw them stay in 2^nd on 57 points, two ahead of 3^rd-placed Mounties Wanderers FC and five ahead of 4^th-placed Inner West Hawks FC, who both have a match in hand and play each other in a catch-up match mid-week, while the loss for Parramatta saw their four-match losing streak end as they fell from 7^th to 8^th.

Bankstown will hope their destiny for 2^nd is in their own hands when they host 6^th-placed South Coast Flame FC in their final match of the regular season, while Parramatta will hope to have their say on the promotion race when they host 3^rd-placed Mounties Wanderers FC.

Bankstown United FC 4 (Mitchell Cross 13’, 18’; Marie Gauthier 45+2’; Corey Freeman 78’)

Parramatta FC 2 (Muamer Mesanovic 54’; Jordan Parfait 80’)

Saturday, 17^th August 2024

Central Coast United FC 0-3 Hurstville FC

Central Coast United FC’s five-match winning streak came to an abrupt end at the hands of Hurstville FC, who responded to back-to-back losses in style to keep their hopes of a top-half finish alive in a 3-0 away victory.

Hurstville started the match strongly, winning the ball and forcing turnovers with their press, and created numerous chances but were not able to finish them early.

Hurstville continued to hold the ball, while Central Coast looked to play long and almost capitalised in the first half.

The visitors had a big chance to take the lead in the 33^rd minute when Alexander Morabito crossed a ball to Andre Guzman, who had his headed effort saved well by Pirates’ goalkeeper, Zayd Husain.

Hurstville did take a 1-0 lead in the first half when, from the resulting corner, Mouhamed Hamdache fired a shot at Husain, who saved the ball into the path of Guzman, who finished off the rebound to give Hurstville the advantage at the break.

Hurstville lifted after the break, too, and continued to force turnovers, led by Samuel Shainfeld and James Tsokos, which allowed Jonathan Maras to get on the ball more.

Guzman won a penalty in the 50^th minute, which Stephan Perak stepped up for and finished off to give Hurstville a 2-0 lead in the match.

Guzman wrapped up his and Hurstville’s night when the ball fell to him from a corner, and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give Hurstville a 3-0 away win.

The loss for Central Coast saw their five-match winning streak end as they stayed in 5^th, one point ahead of 6^th-placed South Coast Flame FC, while the win for Hurstville saw them return to 7^th, one point ahead of 8^th-placed Parramatta FC.

Central Coast United will hope to end the season on a high and in 5^th when they travel to face 11^th-placed Prospect United SC, while Hurstville will hunt a top-half finish when they travel to face 4^th-placed Inner West Hawks FC.

Central Coast United FC 0

Hurstville FC 3 (Andre Guzman 33’, 80’; Stephan Perak 50’ pen)

Sydney University SFC 1-3 Mounties Wanderers FC

Mounties Wanderers FC took their hopes of a 2^nd-placed finish into the final match week with a big 3-1 away win over Sydney University SFC.

The visitors started the match well in the 8^th minute when a through ball from Alistair Mckie found Brima Kamara, who slotted the ball home to give Mounties an early 1-0 lead.

Mounties created more chances in the first half but were unable to capitalise, but University did make the most of their big chance in stoppage-time when Joseph Roddy capitalised off a Mounties defensive error and slotted the ball home to level the match at 1-1 at the break.

Mounties struck back after half-time in the 57^th minute when Nikola Todoroski finished off a move involving build-up play from Kamara and slotted the ball home to give Mounties the lead once again at 2-1.

University did not allow Mounties to get into a rhythm, but Mounties kept pressing for a third goal and were rewarded in the second minute of stoppage-time.

Kamara grabbed a second assist to go with his goal when Anthony Windsor scored with a classy finish to wrap up the 3-1 away win for Mounties.

The loss for University saw them stay on 17 points in 14^th place, while the win for Mounties saw them stay in 3^rd on 55 points, two points behind 2^nd-placed Bankstown United FC with a match in hand.

Sydney University will hope to end their season strongly when they travel to face 13^th-placed Fraser Park FC, while Mounties have a massive mid-week catch-up match at home to 4^th-placed Inner West Hawks FC on Tuesday, 20^th August at 8pm, before they hope to have their promotion hopes in their own hands when they travel to face 8^th-placed Parramatta FC in Round 30.

Sydney University SFC 1 (Joseph Roddy 45+1’)

Mounties Wanderers FC 3 (Brima Kamara 8’; Nikola Todoroski 57’; Anthony Windsor 90+2’)

Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-4 Prospect United SC

Prospect United SC ended their seven-match winless streak with a come-from-behind victory over Gladesville Ryde Magic, who played their final match of the season match with plenty of young talent on display.

Prospect had eight shots in the first half, with five of those going wide and three blocked by Magic defenders in the box.

Gladesville were strong in transition and had their best moments when they hit the crossbar from range, as well as a chance where they forced Prospect goalkeeper Jude Azar into a strong save to keep the match level at 0-0 at half-time.

The Magic took the lead to start the second half in the 50^th minute when a long ball over the top found Daniel Sramek, who slotted the ball home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Prospect equalised in the 63^rd minute when Jahnbek Bulut headed an effort on goal which went through the hands of Magic goalkeeper Nicholas Carr and into the back of the net to level the match at 1-1.

Prospect took a 2-1 lead in the 66^th minute when Jakob Petterson, who had entered the field of play three minutes earlier, slotted the ball home at the far post with his first touch of the match.

The Magic struck back in the 81^st minute to level the match at 2-2 when a direct free-kick from Hugo Delhommelle found the back of the net.

Prospect hit late, however, and in the 88^th minute took a 3-2 lead when Joshua Jessup scored off the bench to give Prospect the lead for the second time in the match.

The victory was secured for Prospect in the 90^th minute when Adam Filippone found his way onto the scoresheet to give Prospect a 4-2 away win over the Magic.

The loss for the Magic was their tenth in a row as they ended their season in last place on 12points, while the win for Prospect saw them move up from 13^th to 11^th on the ladder ahead of their final match.

The Magic’s season had ended on defeat, but they will hope to return stronger next season, while Prospect will hope to pick up a big win to end the season when they host 5^th-placed Central Coast United FC.

Gladesville Ryde Magic 2 (Daniel Sramek 50’; Hugo Delhommelle 81’)

Prospect United SC 4 (Jahnbek Bulut 63’; Jakob Petterson 66’; Joshua Jessup 88’; Adam Filippone 90’)

Hawkesbury City FC 3-3 South Coast Flame FC

Hawkesbury City FC came from behind with two late goals to snatch a 3-3 draw at home to South Coast Flame FC.

The Flame dominated the early exchanges with Jacob Poscoliero dominating the setup play for the visitors.

South Coast took a 1-0 lead in the 17^th minute when a clearance from the Hawks fell straight to the Flame’s Jyden Harb, who smashed the ball home first-time to give the Flame the advantage.

Both teams had chances for goals in the first half, with the Flame’s Samuel Alston forcing Hawkesbury goalkeeper Daniel Schwarzer into a good save, while the Hawks’ Zane Hickman headed over from inside the box.

After half-time, Michael Trajkovski scored his 24^th goal of the season after he got on the end of a low cross from Benjamin Caroutas to give the Flame a 2-0 lead in the 47^th minute.

Hawkesbury responded in the 56^th minute when Harry Drew was played in behind and finished off the chance into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit to one goal at 2-1.

The Flame re-took their two-goal advantage in the 61^st minute when substitute Jay De Gouveia slid Trajkovski through, before Genki Iwata took advantage of another failed Hawkesbury clearance and finished off his chance to give the Flame a 3-1 lead.

Hawkesbury pushed for late goals and found one in the 80^th minute when substitute Vincent D’Ermilio finished off following fast build-up play to reduce the deficit to one goal.

The Hawks restored parity late in the contest when Duncan Stewart was fouled in the box in a one-on-one with Flame goalkeeper Jordan Bruce – D’Ermilio scored from the spot to level the match at 3-3.

The Hawks had a chance to take the three points late when D’Ermilio almost completed his hat-trick, but his volley went inches wide of the goal.

South Coast had a late chance to steal victory when they received the ball at halfway with all the Hawks’ players in the attacking box, but they were unable to fashion a shot on goal as the match ended 3-3.

The draw for the Hawks saw them stay in 12^th ahead of the final match week, while the point for the Flame saw them stay in 6^th with a shot at a 5^th-placed finish up for grabs in Round 30.

The Hawks will hope to be the only team to defeat the Premier, the Newcastle Jets, when they host them in the final round of the regular season, while the Flame will hope to have their say on the promotion battle when they host 2^nd-placed Bankstown United FC.

Hawkesbury City FC 3 (Harry Drew 56’; Vincent D’Ermilio 80’, 84’ pen)

South Coast Flame FC 3 (Jyden Harb 17’; Michael Trajkovski 47’; Genki Iwata 61’)

Inner West Hawks FC 3-0 Camden Tigers FC

Inner West Hawks kept their hopes of a 2^nd-placed finish alive with a strong 3-0 home win over Camden Tigers FC, who had their three-match winning streak snapped.

The first half was an even affair, with both sides having a few chances on goal, but neither side was able to take advantage as the teams entered half-time scoreless.

The Hawks started the second half with intent and hit the lead in the 49^th minute when a corner from the Hawks saw a scramble in the Tigers’ box, before a shot from Takuma Hirano took a deflection off the Tigers’ Abdu Elmir with the own goal giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

Inner West doubled their lead in the 61^st minute when a cross into the box from Takuma Hirano found Peter Yannopoulos, who finished off his chance well to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.

The Hawks wrapped up the 3-0 victory with a similar fashion for their third goal – this time, Hesan Soufi crossed the ball into the box for Tomohiro Ishii, who finished off his chance to wrap up a big 3-0 home win for the Hawks.

The win for the Hawks kept them in 4^th, five points behind 2^nd-placed Bankstown United FC with a match in hand, while the loss for Camden saw them all-but confirmed for a 10^th-placed finish in 2024.

Inner West have a crucial catch-up match away to 3^rd-placed Mounties Wanderers FC on Tuesday, 20^th August at 8pm, before they look to still be in the hunt for promotion when they host 7^th-placed Hurstville FC in Round 30.

Inner West Hawks 3 (Abdu Elmir 49’ own goal; Peter Yannopoulos 61’; Tomohiro Ishii 79’)

Camden Tigers FC 0

Granville Rage had a bye in Round 29 and dropped from 8^th to 9^th.

By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa (@_dylancosta)