Round 12 Review – League One Men’s
Let’s check out what unfolded in what was a huge weekend of League One Men’s action as Round 12 came and went with some quality football and huge results the featured during the long weekend.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders 1-2 Bulls FC Academy
Bulls FC Academy played their way into equal fourth with a 2-1 victory over SD Raiders in our match of the round at Ernie Smith Reserve.
The Bulls got off to a great start with Atiya Waraga scoring six minutes in before SD Raiders hit back before the 25th minute through Sebastian Malfara. A second half Zane Helweh goal then proving the difference between the two sides.
As mentioned earlier, the visitors opened the games account early. A swift move forward opening up space in their attacking third for Flynn Madden to take a shot on goal. His shot palmed to the the feet of Atiya Waraga to finish just outside the six yard box.
Bulls having another chance less than two minutes later. Dean Bosnjak finding Madden with a cut back from the right, Madden’s shot taking a deflection before being saved. The hosts having trouble picking up the Bulls number ten in the early stages of this one.
Having withstood an onslaught of Bulls FC Academy pressure, the hosts found an equaliser twenty-three minutes in. A Seb Malfara free-kick from a wide left position causing enough doubt in the Bulls defence for it to find a way in to tie proceedings.
The hosts getting a bit more joy on their efforts to get inside the visitors box after scoring their equaliser.
It was still the academy side on top however and they had the next big opportunity after the half hour. A sloppy turnover in the defensive third allowing Zane Helweh through on goal. Helweh denied by a sharp stop from Michael Figueira. Raiders just about holding on until the half time whistle.
There was a vulnerability about the Bulls defence though and they nearly paid the price ten minutes into the second half. A Cooper Hanagan cross placed awkwardly between the keeper and defence. Ryoma Takagi the slipping it to a Charlie Ragg to his left who couldn’t finish past a back-tracking defence.
Bulls were still on top and they were the side to breakthrough after the hour. Zane Helweh picking the ball up on the left flank before cutting inside onto his right and finishing across goal in stunning individual fashion.
In response, SD Raiders nearly had a second equaliser five minutes later. Cooper Hanagan beating a couple of defenders before testing the glovework of Alexander Robinson who made a strong stop in goal.
The rest of the game played out in open fashion with chances at either end. Bulls going close for a third goal in the 79th minute through Joshua Damevski. While Tanakorn Rugsat nearly had an equaliser for SD Raiders in the 89th minute, only to be denied by Robinson with a good save.
Bulls FC Academy rising to fifth position after the weekend, six points below the SD Raiders above them.
SD Raiders 1 (Malfara 23’)
Bulls FC Academy 2 (Waraga 6’, Helweh 61’)
Elsewhere:
Bankstown City 3-2 Newcastle Jets
Bankstown City came from behind to topple Newcastle Jets in a high scoring affair at Jensen Park, Saturday evening.
In similar fashion to their round ten win at the same venue, Jonathan Grozdanovski starred with a hat-trick after Oliver Cockie and Janni Rafty scored for the Jets either side of half time.
Earlier on in proceedings, the Jets took a lead twice. Their first coming through Oliver Cockie with a finish inside ten minutes after following in a Christian Bracco shot. But they would end up paying a price for a lack of clinicalness before halftime. Jonathan Grozdanovski equalising just before the referees whistle.
The game then playing out in a more even fashion after the break until the Jets went ahead again through Janni Rafty after Alexandro Nunes slipped a ball to him.
Bankstown City then turning the game around in a little over five minutes. Grozdanovski adding his second in the 72nd minute before he converted a penalty in the 78th minute for his hat-trick and a well earned three points for the hosts.
Bankstown City 3 (Grozdanovski 39’ 72’ 78’)
Newcastle Jets 2 (Cockie 8’, Raffy 67’)
Rydalmere Lions 5-0 Northern Tigers
In a potential shock of the season, Rydalmere Lions ran riot prevailing 5-0 over Northern Tigers at Rydalmere Park.
Their third victory in four games, the win takes Rydalmere Lions into ninth position in a congested mid table and there’s no reason to think they won’t improve on it.
They opened the scoring just after the 15th minute combining well on the right wing to release Jihad Alsayed who found an unmarked Adil Toska to finish.
A lead which was doubled less than fifteen minutes later. Toska this time the provider to release Ahmed Taleb whose goal bound effort was turned in by a Tigers defender. Two-nil the halftime scoreline in Sydney’s West.
However that score-line would balloon out with three goals in the second half. Toska scoring the third with a superb strike into the roof of the net. Before Taleb and Alsayed combined for their fourth, Alsayed scoring after taking it past a few defenders.
Their fifth scored by Charlie Hildebrand who carried the ball from halfway into the box before his left footed strike from a wide angle found the back of the net.
Rydalmere Lions 5 (Toska 17’ 50’, Nakano OG 28’, Alsayed 64’, Hildebrand 86’)
Northern Tigers 0
Hakoah FC 5-1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Hakoah FC secured a pressure relieving three points and extended the woes of Bonnyrigg White Eagles with a 5-1 victory at Hensley Athletic Field.
Their first win since round four, things could have gone differently when Bonnyrigg found an equaliser before half time but Craig Sharpley’s side showed plenty of character running away with the game in the second half.
An even first half, both sides traded chances before George Tuson-Firth broke the deadlock with an excellent finish before the 35th minute. A lead which lasted three minutes before a Bonnyrigg equaliser, Daniel Bittar in the right place at the back post.
However the second half saw a different type of situation with the hosts running riot. Benjamin Fuchs scoring their go-ahead right before half time to set them on their way.
Before three goals in the last quarter saw the hosts run away with it with Tuson-Firth scoring another two to complete his hat-trick before Valentin Cuny marked his return to the side with a goal in the final ten minutes.
Hakoah FC 5 (Tuson-Firth 34’ 69’ 79’, Fuchs 44’, Cuny 85’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Bittar 38’)
Mounties Wanderers 0-2 Inter Lions
Our form team in the competition Inter Lions secured their third straight win with a 2-0 win over Mounties Wanderers.
Climbing into third with the victory, they are growing into a contender in the competition taking this one out courtesy of goals to Nicola Kuleski and Sam Armson.
After a good start to the game, Inter Lions broke through before the half hour after earlier chances for Owen Duke and Harry Rushton. The goal coming from the penalty spot after a Sebastian Portolesi run was halted illegally inside the box. Kuleski cool enough to finish past the keeper.
As such, Mounties then changed things up after the break and put the visitors under significant pressure in the fifteen minutes following half time. However that momentum was halted by a second goal for Inter from a set piece. A Samuel Hovar delivery headed home by Sam Armson who was impressive once again.
Mounties Wanderers 0
Inter Lions 2 (Kuleski 29’, Armson 78’)
Macarthur Rams 1-2 Blacktown Spartans
After three straight defeats, Blacktown Spartans returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Macarthur Rams, Saturday night.
The visitors got off to a positive start scoring twice before a weather interruption, the visitors holding off their hosts till late when Rams scored a consolation.
After a disappointing could of weeks, the Spartans came out with a point to prove and created a fair few chances on the Rams goal. Eventually breaking through from the spot after the 25th minute through Aedon Kyra. Kyra making no mistake after missing one last weekend.
That goal giving his side more confidence as they grabbed a second seven minutes later. Kyra scoring his second of the evening.
After an extended break due to lightning, Macarthur Rams then through caution to the wind and created many chances. However good keeping from Spartans keeper Justin Biega meant they were unable to bring themselves back into it. Emmanuel Gonzalez scoring a consolation goal with five minutes of regulation remaining.
Macarthur Rams 1 (Gonzalez 85’)
Blacktown Spartans 2 (Kyra 25’ 32’)
Dulwich Hill 1-0 Hills United
Dulwich Hill continued their own unbeaten run with a 1-0 win over Hills United at Arlington Oval, Saturday evening.
Despite being down on troops, the hosts have shown plenty of character in recent times picking up another three points courtesy of a Jack Mitsoulas goal in the first half.
The hosts took control of this one early, controlling possession well while creating a few good chances in the process. Most notable of which saw a Mark Younes header denied by a remarkable Ryan Wood save.
However they weren’t to be denied on the brink of half time, Jack Mitsoulas finishing from inside the box into the top right corner with Daniel Padoani the provider.
With a goal lead, Dulwich Hill then proved hard to break down for Hills with the hosts claiming their third clean sheet in five games.
Dulwich Hill 1 (Mitsoulas 44’)
Hills United 0
UNSW FC 1-1 Canterbury Bankstown
UNSW FC and Canterbury Bankstown shared the points in our round 12 opener at the Village Green, Friday afternoon.
The students took a lead in the first half through Mitchell Mattison before the visitors found an equaliser after the break courtesy of John Fotopoulos.
Starting both halves better than their visitors, UNSW took a lead after the quarter hour. Their goal from the second phase at a free kick. Gil Duffy hitting the post with an initial shot before Mitchell Mattison was on hand to tidy up.
Kevin Lopes also having a couple of chances in the first half. While Berries looked the most likely through Christian Torrelli, Joel Beattie and Fotopoulos.
Continuing to chase the game, Berries found their equaliser in the 67th minute. John Fotopoulos finding the top left corner with his strike to draw them level.
UNSW finishing the game on top but unable to apply the final ball with the visitors holding out for a point. Daniel Goni almost making it three with a late shot into the side netting.
UNSW FC 1 (Mattison 17’)
Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Fotopoulos 67’)
By Justin Smith
