State League Division Two Round 8 Review
Match of the Round
Gazy Lansvale v Camden Tigers
Camden Tigers picked up three crucial points against Gazy Lansvale on Sunday afternoon at Cherrybrook Park.
A 42? minute goal by in-form Camden striker G. Hackechnie was enough to give the away side a 1-0 win.
Camden Tigers began the game in similar fashion to how they started against White City last weekend and that was with the likes of G. Nortan and T. Spain in the mix early on holding quality possession. The home-side was rattled early on and it showed in the opening 2? minutes when a deadly cross by Nortan found the head of T. Spain; however his effort sailed inches over the crossbar. Camden striker G. Hackechnie was causing problems for the likes of M. Barnett at the back with the Gazy side unable to control possession early on.
In the 9? minute Camden came close again, this time off a strike by captain B. Green from outside the 18 yard box. Green?s effort missed to the right of goal, but despite the missed chances Camden continued to dominate in the midfield with the likes of F. Wilson and H. Merdanovic applying much pressure. Camden was looking to pounce with their confidence high after last weekend?s emphatic first-half against White City.
Despite the away-side causing problems, Lansvale began to settle and displayed some patient football with F. Wilson and A. Rashid beginning to link-up for the front men. In the 12? minute the home-side created their first real chance and it should have been 1-0; a shot by forward H. Merdanovic was saved well by Camden Goalkeeper M. Johnston, followed by a follow-up shot by A. Rashid that was again saved by Johnston, keeping his side in the game with some brilliant saves.
In the 17? minute a side volley by A. Rashid tested M. Johnston again and this time he pushed the ball away for a corner. H. Merdanovic nearly slotted a sensational shot passed Johnston in the 22? minute but the shot finished inches wide, to the goalkeeper?s left. The home-side continued to dominate in the midfield in the latter stages of the half with F. Wilson and H. Merdanovic causing havoc for the Camden midfield.
Both sides had their chances in the first-half and just when the home-side thought they were taking control of the game, Camden striker G. Hackechnie struck in the 42? minute. His effort was nicely placed to the left of the goalkeeper, giving his side a 1-0 lead. It was his fourth goal in two games after his impressive hat-trick last week against White City. The game went into half-time with the away-side leading but the game was far from over for the home-side.
Camden again began with a burst of energy in the second-half and the home-side?s frustration began to show. The visitors should have made it 2-0 in the 50? minute; a cross by A. Judge found B. Green in the middle, striking a header just over the bar. It was a free header, one which could have dented the spirit of the home-side.
The pressure did arrive from the home side in the 60? minute; a shot by M. Kiemo looked like going in but again M. Johnston made a crucial save. The Camden defence was on the back foot and the home-side kept charging in, and in the 70? minute, the Camden goalkeeper topped it off with a sensational save after H. Merdanovic?s cross to Jirjiuazim in the middle was pushed away by Johnston.
Gazy Lansvale threw everything at the Camden defence but the chances wouldn?t turn into goals as F. Wilson and the likes of S. Stevoski from the defence pushed forward in search of a goal. However, the desperation paid off for Camden in the defence. The away-side should have scored a second in the 86? minute when T. Spain had a free header to seal the game but his attempt pushed way to the left of goal. Despite the miss, the Tigers went on to collect the three points in what was anyone?s game on the day.
Lansvale manager Safet was disappointed that his side couldn?t put their chances away:
?I thought we had an excellent first-half and then we lost concentration allowing a goal right before half- time.
? We had many chances to equalise, we played well but we have a problem were we can?t finish the plays we set up, and we have to improve on this – but at the end of the day it was a good game and it could have gone either way.?
Match Stats
Gazy Lansvale 0
Camden Tigers 1(Hackechnie 42?)
Sunday 24th May, 2009
Cherrybrook Park
Referee: Terry Goodhe
Gazy Lansvale: 1.A. Kurtovic, 4.Ellehayfim, 9.N. Alemic (3.A. Chandab 21?), 18.C. Vargas 61?), 15.S. Stevoski, 10.H. Merdanovic, 11.F. Wilson, 7.Jirjiuazim, 17.F. Mahmic (M. Kiemo 56?), 6.E. Yokhanna, 8.A. Rashid, 2.M. Barnett
Substitutes Not Used: Gk. D. Porley, 14.J. Omerbigovic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Camden Tigers: 1.M. Johnston, 2.C. VanMierlo, 3.M. Steck, 4.C. York, 5.A. Judge(2.C. Vanmierlo 74?), 9.T. Spain, 11.G. Mackechnie (8.J. Cook 77?), 12. B.Green, 14.G. Nortan, 15.A. Smutek, 10.M. Hilt
Substitutes Not Used: 1.R. Caldicott, 13.D. Mugridge, 7.D. Hackechnie
Yellow Cards: A. Judge 73?
Red Cards: Nil
Round Eight Reviews:
Due to the wet weather, most matches were washed out this weekend. Two matches that did go ahead saw competition leaders Gladesville, who were held 1-1 to Hurstville City on Sunday afternoon at Magdala Park. The away-side struck first with Michael Di Meglio scoring in the 46? minute, however a 65? minute penalty converted by Johnny Martinez gave the hosts a point leaving them without a win in two games, but still undefeated for the year.
Colo Colo and Sydney Cedars played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon. Goals by L. Escalante in the 34? and I. Sanhueza in the 79? minute gave the home side a crucial point in what was a tight affair. C. Martin scored a late equaliser for Sydney Cedars ? W. Wlndoroe had the Cedars ahead earlier on in the match. Both sides should be delighted with the result as they have picked up some good results in the past three weeks leaving them as solid contenders for this years? final series.
-By Johnny Casni
