Tigers Hold Firm As St George FC Denied In Playoff First Leg

Northern Tigers and St George FC played out a frantic 0-0 draw in the first leg of the NPL Men’s NSW/League One Men’s Promotion/Relegation Playoff at North Turramurra Recreation Area on Saturday evening.

In a contest played at high intensity from the opening whistle, St George will arguably walk away the more disappointed of the two sides after creating the better chances throughout the 90 minutes.

However, the Saints were repeatedly denied by a standout performance from young Northern Tigers goalkeeper Matteo Scali, who produced a series of crucial saves including a penalty stop to ensure the Tigers head into next weekend’s second leg with the tie perfectly poised.

The Saints had the first chance of note after just six minutes when Chris McStay attempted to produce a spectacular half-volley under pressure.

The St George talisman struck the ball sweetly, but Scali was equal to the challenge, producing an excellent save to keep the scores level.

Top-quality goalkeeping would prove a feature at both ends during an entertaining opening half.

Scali was called upon again in the 15th minute when St George were awarded a penalty.

Jaiden Casella stepped up from the spot, but the young Tigers goalkeeper showed remarkable composure, getting down low to his right to deny the St George attacker and keep his side alive.

The save appeared to give the hosts confidence, with Northern Tigers beginning to create opportunities of their own after the 20-minute mark.

Sebastian Cerecedo produced a wicked ball from the left flank, with Connor Rose arriving at the back post but heading wide.

The Tigers then came close again when Alexander Brown was denied from point-blank range.

Brown took the ball around his man following an Oliver Scott cross before getting his effort away, only for St George goalkeeper James Husoy to palm the ball away.

It was arguably Northern Tigers’ best period of the match in terms of creating opportunities.

St George gradually regained the ascendancy before the break in what had been a free-flowing first half.

McStay and Casella combined to create the final opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, but Casella was unable to get enough on his finish to direct it towards goal.

The second half had a very different feel.

Where the opening period had been an open and free-flowing contest, the second stanza became more about heart, determination and the willingness of both sides to put their bodies on the line.

That did not stop McStay from nearly producing one of the goals of the season just a minute after the restart.

The St George talisman connected with an outrageous volley that had Scali beaten, only for the crossbar to come to the Tigers’ rescue.

Northern Tigers continued to search for an opening of their own, with their best opportunity of the second half coming just after the hour mark.

A cross-field ball found Connor Rose in space, but Husoy produced a crucial intervention to deny the Tigers attacker.

With 15 minutes remaining, the St George coaching staff turned to their bench with a double substitution, and the change helped shift the momentum towards the visitors.

The Saints finished the contest on top and looked increasingly likely to find the decisive breakthrough.

One of their best opportunities arrived when St George broke forward on a three-on-one attack.

McStay drove down the right before finding substitute Harrison Farrow inside.

Farrow’s effort appeared destined for the bottom corner, but once again Scali was there.

The young goalkeeper produced another outstanding save before immediately claiming the rebound to prevent St George from making the breakthrough.

It was the latest in a string of interventions that ultimately kept the Tigers level and ensured the tie remains completely open heading into the return fixture.

Neither side could find the decisive goal in the closing stages, leaving everything to play for when the two teams meet again next Saturday evening.

St George will know they created enough opportunities to take an advantage into the second leg, while Northern Tigers will take enormous confidence from the way their defence and goalkeeper stood firm under pressure.

With promotion and survival on the line, the second leg at Barton Park promises to be another tense and absorbing encounter.

Northern Tigers 0

St George FC 0

By Justin Smith