Round 18 Review – League One Men’s
Round 18 of the Football NSW League One Men’s competition saw it return to it’s goalscoring best with some big results coming across the grounds, Saturday night.
In the match of the round, SD Raiders took a huge step forward in regards to their top two prospects with a victory over St George FC. While elsewhere, Hills United maintained their unbeaten run at the top and both Northern Tigers and Dulwich Hill both scored big results.
Match of the Round: St George FC 1-3 SD Raiders FC
SD Raiders claimed a clutch victory over St George FC in the race for a top two position at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Goran Ljuboja’s side were impressive in victory finding the back of the net through Scott Cusick, Mihael Marcic and Sebastian Malfara. While Jay Mcgowan scored an inspired effort late in the first half for the Saints who slip to fourth.
The visitors got off to the perfect start inside five minutes with Scott Cusick finding the back of the net. A corner from the left not dealt with before Cusick poked a left foot at it from a position in the right side of the box, the ball finding the far side netting.
SD Raiders were putting the hosts under a lot of pressure early, with Mark Cindric having another effort on goal soon after.
After their shaky start to proceedings, the hosts did find their grove as the clock approached the quarter hour. Their first attacking moment of note coming on 15 minutes, Anthony Morabito squaring the ball across the face, the Raiders defence doing just about enough to deny the hosts with Shunta Nakamura lurking.
Despite that possession and field position, the next chance fell at the other end. Riley Cox-Barlow released on the break in the 18th minute. His effort denied by the Saints keeper Daniel Axford.
The game had settled into a pattern at this point, with both sides exchanging periods of possession. Jay Mcgowan with the next chance of note for the Saints in the 37th minute. Mcgowan cutting in from the left before a powerful shot was tipped over the bar by the Raiders goalkeeper.
That serving as a warning shot as Mcgowan equalised a few minutes later. Receiving the ball after Alex Malfara won the ball and fed him to his left. Mcgowan curling the ball into the far bottom right corner from the top left corner of the box.
It was potentially a harsh goal to concede for the Raiders who perhaps had the better of the first half. And St George FC were looking to make good on their fortunes with the first clear chance of the second half.
A Troy Danaskos corner finding the head of substitute Reuben Awaritefe whose header on target drew a clutch save from Misha Marson in the visitors net.
It was the hosts on top of proceedings in the early stages of the second half, however they were struggling to create meaningful chances.
However, there were really chances at either end as Genki Kohyama was involved in a couple of chances for the visitors between the 60th and 70th minute.
SD Raiders taking the lead in the 74th minute through Mihael Marcic. Marcic first to react after a Riley Cox-Barlow shot drew a save from Daniel Axford to give them the lead again.
The emphasis was now on St George FC to bring themselves back level, something they couldn’t quite do. Anthony Morabito going closest just into injury time from range.
SD Raiders then adding a third goal in the fifth minute of additional time on the break. Sebastian Malfara picking it up just outside his own box before going coast to coast cooly finishing into the bottom corner.
St George FC 1 (Jay Mcgowan 44’)
SD Raiders FC 3 (Scott Cusick 5’, Mihael Marcic 74’, Sebastian Malfara 94’)
Elsewhere
Hills United FC 1 (Eoin Montford 25’) v Inter Lions FC 0
Competition leaders Hills United got their revenge for their only defeat this season overcoming Inter Lions by a single goal.
A close fought game, the hosts Hills United had the better of the first period however struggled to keep their shots on target with the exception of Eoin Montford who scored from the spot.
Inter Lions were always in the fight looking to capitalise on their Australia Cup momentum, they had their chances in the second half but came away frustrated.
After taking a while to settle in, Hills United were the side on top in the first half, with an Eoin Montford penalty separating the sides. Probably a deserved lead on the balance of play.
The game taking a turn with Inter Lions showing character and determination in the second period to nearly draw level. Ryan Wood having to be sharp to deny both Fikret Berisha and Owen Duke for the visitors.
It was to remain 1-0 however as Hills United have a big midweek fixture with Bonnyrigg White Eagles, while Inter Lions face St George FC next Saturday.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 3 (Zac Sfiligoi 29’, Emmanuel Gonzalez 52’, Maksim Jez 66’) v Dunbar Rovers FC 1 (Olivier Beltran-Woodward 7’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles came from a goal down to get the better of Dunbar Rovers at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
It sets up a must-see fixture this Wednesday night against Hills United in which a victory would take them to second. Back to this one though, Emmanuel Gonzalez scored once again while Zac Sfiligoi and Maksim Jez also found the back of the net.
Dunbar Rovers got off to the perfect start in the contest with an Olivier Beltran-Woodward goal in a period in which they dominated. However, they couldn’t hold out a confident Bonnyrigg side in the second half.
After falling behind early, the hosts showed plenty of grit to work themselves into the match. Equalising through Zac Sfiligoi before the break before performing much better in the second half.
Emmanuel Gonzalez adding their second with a goal from just inside the box before a great team goal capped it off. Maksim Jez finishing it off with a header.
Bonnyrigg host Hills United Wednesday night, while Dunbar Rovers return home to face Macarthur Rams.
Bankstown City FC 1 (Jordan Morfitis 49’) v Blacktown Spartans FC 3 (Robert Eremugo 61’, Emmanuel Dolo 79’, Jovan Blagojevic 94’)
Blacktown Spartans bounced back to winning ways overcoming a poor Bankstown City side at Jensen Park.
Sitting on 29 points in sixth position, a win was needed to keep them in touch with the teams above. They found the back of the net through Robert Eremugo and Emmanuel Dolo before Jovan Blagojevic put the cherry on top in added time.
It was a tough night for Bankstown City who couldn’t hold on to a winning position once again. They took the lead in the second half through Jordan Morfitis but quickly lost control of it after that.
You could be forgiven for thinking that this would be a frustrating night for the Spartans falling a goal down after perhaps having the better of the contest in the opening half.
However, their pressure finally told with a Robert Eremugo finish after a switch of play after the hour.
After which it was time for the substitutes to make an impact in the final stages. Emmanuel Dolo putting them ahead with just over ten minutes left.
Before Jovan Blagojevic finished it off with another one in extra time, they will turn their attention to Dulwich Hill who visit Blacktown Football Park next weekend.
Macarthur Rams FC 2 (Daniel Bittar 58’, Christian Torrelli 87’) v Hakoah FC 3 (George Tuson Firth 71’ 74’ 92’)
There wasn’t a more needed win than this one. Hakoah FC snapped a five-game losing streak with victory over Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park.
Struggling for goals in recent weeks, George Tuson-Firth stepped up when his side needed him most with a hat-trick on the night. The victory moving them away to a more comfortable mid-table position after 18 rounds.
It was a game which really took flight in the second half with Macarthur Rams perhaps unlucky to come away with nothing. They took the lead through Daniel Bittar before the hour before Christian Torrelli equalised later.
This one took a while to get going with both sides feeling each other out in the first half.
In need of a goal to give the game life, Rams opened the score through Daniel Bittar who found himself on the end of a cutback before the hour mark.
Next to step up though was Hakoah FC and George Tuson-Firth in particular. The first coming in transition with Nicholas Tooley leading the attack before finding the striker to finish.
The second and pick of the lot coming in style a few minutes later. Tuson-Firth receiving the ball on the right edge of the box, setting himself and finding the top left corner.
Transitional moments were a clear pattern here with both attacks on top in that aspect, Christian Torrelli bringing the Rams back in such a moment.
However, Hakoah would come out with a much needed win in injury time. Tuson-Firth completing his hat-trick with the third goal after they won the ball high up the field.
Rydalmere Lions FC 0 v Canterbury Bankstown FC 2 (Gion Cerasoli 59’, Cian Mcnamara 66’)
They just won’t go away! Canterbury Bankstown returned to fifth position with a two-goal victory on the road against Rydalmere Lions.
Two goals around the hour mark led Wally Savour’s side to victory with Gino Cerasoli finding the target for the second time in as many weeks, the captain joined by Cian Mcnamara on the scoresheet.
Three defeats in their past five, it’s a worrying form line for Rydalmere Lions who are caught up in mid-table. Sitting almost three wins behind the top two, they’ll need to get themselves on a winning run sooner rather than later.
A case of being punished for not taking their chances, Rydalmere controlled proceedings for much of the opening half.
Canterbury Bankstown slowly working their way into the fixture and with reinforcements from the bench, went on to find the back of the net twice.
The first coming from a set piece, substitute Jairo Torne Fernandez whipping the ball in for Gino Cerasoli to finish.
Indeed that substitute saw the Berries begin to find more space in the front third which played a part in both goals with Cian McNamara doubling their tally. McNamara on the end of a through ball putting it past the keeper.
Canterbury Bankstown go on to face Mounties Wanderers next weekend, while Rydalmere Lions will want to see their performance turn into a result against Bankstown City.
Dulwich Hill FC 6 (Emmanuel Zervas 9’ 43’, Jamison Power 30’, Jacob Palamidas 60’, Micaiah Te Rata 65’, Thomas Tranberg 92’) v Central Coast United FC 0
Simply ruthless, Dulwich Hill showed no mercy with a six-goal victory over Central Coast United at Arlington Oval.
In control of the match from start to finish, it was a high energy performance from Dulwich Hill with five different goal scorers finding the back of the net.
The hosts goals were spread throughout the contest as the home side put on a show. Their first coming inside ten minutes through Emmanuel Zervas. Zervas combining with Daniel Fornito before finding the back of the net.
Their lead added too on the half hour through a great Jamison Power header from the set piece. Before Zervas found the back of the net once again, breaking through the defence before rounding the keeper and applying the finish.
A tough half to take, things got worse for the visitors on half time, Geordie Howe given an early night with a straight red card.
Dulwich Hill capitalising with a further three goals. Jacob Palamidas with the pick of them with a strike from 30 yards with found the top corner. Before captain Micaiah Te Rata and Thomas Tranberg rounded things off with the fifth and sixth goal.
Dulwich Hill make the trip west to Blacktown Football Park next weekend, while Central Coast United have another tough ask ahead of them against Northern Tigers.
Mounties Wanderers FC 0 v Northern Tigers FC 4 (Kai Denton 15’ 22’ 75’, Shervin Adeli 36’)
Finally to finish this weeks review, Northern Tigers made it two victories in a row with a comfortable victory over Mounties Wanderers.
A weekend for hat-tricks and high scores, Kai Denton grabbed another three goals to add to his season tally. The young striker joined by Shervin Adeli on the scoresheet.
With 16 goals in 20 matches, Kai Denton Is proving vital to the fortunes of Northern Tigers this season scoring almost half their goals in season 2023. He opened the scoring on the quarter-hour before adding to his tally seven minutes later.
It was a clinical first half for the visitors who put the game beyond doubt in the 36th minute through a Shervin Adeli goal.
Their fourth goal added with fifteen minutes of regulation left with Kai Denton finishing his hattrick before exiting the pitch shortly after.
Northern Tigers sit in 8th position with Central Coast United next up while Mounties turn their attention to Canterbury Bankstown.
By Justin Smith
