State League Two Round 10 Review
Match of the Round
Luddenham United v Sydney Cedars
Luddenham United and Sydney Cedars played out a goalless draw on Sunday Afternoon at Luddenham Oval.
Sydney Cedars commenced on the front-foot, attacking their opponent early on with S. Benegani dangerous out of midfield. However, Luddenham got the first shot away through D. Farre; his effort pushed directly at the goalkeeper.
A. Aliichan for the Sydney Cedars burst down the middle of the field playing a sensational one touch passing play with C. Martin which ended with a fine through-ball to A. Fayad in a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper; however, the very positive opening finished to the right of the goal.
Sydney Cedars looked dangerous as they began to take hold of some quality possession. The home-side gave away cheap possession in the midfield, and the wider players for the Cedars caitalised on the errors by putting in some deadly crosses into the middle of the penalty-area; pressuring the Luddenham defence.
A. Aliichan and S. Benegani were fatal in the midfield and A. Fayad joined in some good quality bursts out of midfield. Luddenham struggled in the middle, though their defence managed to hold their ground with the away side not capitalising on their chances.
In the 11? minute, D. Iria for Luddenham struck a half-volley over the crossbar, but it was the first time Luddenham put pressure on the Cedars defence.
A. Aliichan showed some great skill for the away side as frustration started to sink in for K. Ciappa Luddenham defender, fouling in a good free-kick position. A free-header was presented to the Cedars via the set-piece, though A. Fayad headed over the bar in the 17? minute.
1? minute later, W. Eindorae for the Cedars struck the ball from 30-metres, just missing to the right of goal. C. Galvez and D. Farre for the home-side were two of the hardest workers in the opening half for the home-side.
Sydney Cedars controlled the flanks; Luddenham struggled to pressure the wingers with crosses continuously coming in. Luddenham, every time they got into a promising attacking position, wasted the chances with some poor efforts on goal.
The home-side?s performance was lacking depth in the first-half. W. Elndorae in the 33? minute should have punished the home-side when he was in a good shooting position inside the box, but his chance sailed over the crossbar.
C. Galvez strike in the 38? minute finished inches wide, and again, Galvez was impressive for the home-side. Another chance followed for the home-side just before the break as D. Iria struck the crossbar in the final minute of the half with a venomous effort; arguably the best chance of the opening half.
The second-half saw Luddenham take charge as Sydney Cedars were outplayed for large spells. D. Montgomery found himself free following a cross from the left-flank, however his shot was pushed too far to the left.
C. Galvez was by far the best Luddenham player involved in every attacking form.
In regards to the Sydney Cedars side in the second-half W. Elndorae had the best chance to open scoring in the 52? minute. He found some space striking the ball low and hard to the right, however a heroic effort by M. Hartas saved the Luddenham side from conceding.
In the 61? minute Luddenham should have scored as S. Andrews made a sensational tackle on a Cedars defender winning the ball inside the Cedars 18-yard box. D. Iria grabbed possession in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, however his finish lacked the quality touch needed to open the scoring for the home-side.
In the 68? minute another great chance when substitute S. Urosevski headed the ball off a corner hitting the crossbar for the second time in the match, as the Sydney Cedars lost their captain through injury.
Sydney Cedars became frustrated with their second half performance as the home-side arguably deserved the lead after some impressive good quality football.
Cedars should have picked up a goal in the 78? minute, their best chance by far in the game when S. Benegani latched onto a left side cross striking a volley, but Hartas made what would definitely be considered the save of the year; he followed up again for the rebound saving a shot from C. Martin.
In the 88? minute substitute D. Lownds had the chance to be the hero when he struck a shot from 25-meters out, only just missing to the left leaving both sides scratching heads and both sides picking up a point each in what was an outstanding clash between both sides.
Andrew Montgomery was pleased with the effort his side showed today but he was disappointed that the chances were not turned into goals:
?It?s just one of those days when the ball doesn?t want to go in I thought we were the better side in the second half.
?We had some quality possession in the second half and we created some great attacking plays which I was really happy with, I think our side is progressing well but we need to turn our chances into goals.?
Match Statistics
Luddenham United 0
Sydney Cedars 0
Sunday 7th June 2009
Luddenham Oval
Luddenham United: Gk. M. Hartas; 2.L. Stanowski, 3.S. Andrews, 4. A.Chronopoulos, 5.K. Ciappa, 6.P. Corso, 7.T. Safadi, 8.D. Montgomery, 9.D. Farre (14.S.Urosevski 63?), 10.C. Galvez (13.A. Hartas 68?), 11.D. Iria (12.D. Lownds 74?)
Substitutes Not Used: 15.B. Pettit, Rg N. Serovski
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney Cedars: 1.Z. Bekbache, 2.B. Elsafade (6.M.Beicdache 58?), 4.A. Fayad, 5.N. Fayad (10.A. Alherez 85?), 7.A. Aliichan (15.A. Alwaeli 63?), 3.E. Gabr, 9.C. Martin, 13.W. Elndorae, 14.S. Benegani, 16.O. Hamzeh, 17.M. Fayad
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow Cards: E. Gabr 73?
Red Cards: Nil
Round Ten Review
Penang FC were under a cloud of injuries going into the game against high flying Hurstville but it didn?t prevent the home-side opening the scoring through T. Cohen in the 1? minute of play. Hurstville responded in the 14? minute through W. Tao and then just before half-time took the lead, again via Tao.
Penang FC were outstanding despite being down by a goal, but a send off in the first-half left the home-side to face the second period with a numerical disadvantage. It didn?t stop the youthful side as D. Vandenbroek slotted the equaliser to give the home-side a chance to seal a surprise result. However, in the 89? minute, the referee awarded a penalty to the away side leaving the home side with nine men and the visitors with a crucial win and the all important three points.
Tony Gallagher was proud of the performance from his young side, but felt his side should have had some more decisions go there way:
?I am very delighted with the way my team played, with the injuries we have we really stood up today and gave an outstanding performance.
?Sometimes you get the games where things don?t go your way and I thought today we should have had some decisions go our way.?
Bathurst and Prospect United played out a 1-1 draw at Alec Lamberton Field on Saturday afternoon. Prospect opened the scoring through J. McLeay in the 6? minute to take a 1-0 lead. In-form Bathurst responded with 17? minutes remaining with a goal by D. Miljkovic in the 73? minute, ensuring the side a share of the spoils. The home-side would consider this a crucial point in what was a tight clash on Saturday.
Hawkesbury captain Dean Bertenshaw, who celebrated his 400th game against Camden Tigers on Saturday, didn?t receive the perfect gift after his side were given a 4-0 drumming. Goals by G. Nortan in the 14? minute and by G. Mackechnie in the 37? minute gave the away side a solid lead at the break. The Tigers were on a mission and they continued to take control with a goal by A. Smutek in the 66? minute and D. Mackechnie all but sealed it in the 88? minute. Hawkesbury may have been defeated but the day still belonged to Dean Bertenshaw who achieved a milestone for the club. Coach Gary Lewis said they were outplayed by a better side: ?Early on we had chances to score but once Camden got to a 2-0 lead they took total control of the game, they were the better side on the day.?
All other games were washed out due to poor conditions.
-By Johnny Casni
