State League One Round 21 Review

The Magic have established a 5 point lead over Mt Druitt Town Rangers going into the final round, and will no doubt be favourites to win the Championship Finals series as well and take out the double.
Elsewhere, Balmain, Northbridge and Schofields all won ? and all have an additional game to be played prior to the final round next weekend ? so will be confident of squeezing a spot somewhere in the top five, even though three does not go into two.
We review all the thrills and spills of Round Twenty One, with a special focus on the tension filled Balmain SC ? Inter Lions clash.
Match of the Round
Balmain SC ? Inter Lions 1-0

There was plenty of tension in the air at Lambert Park on Saturday evening, when Balmain SC hosted Inter Lions in a local derby with so much at stake for both clubs.

Balmain came into the clash on the back of a disappointing 0-1 loss to the Camden Tigers at the same venue just four days earlier, missing out on a great chance to sneak into the top five, and giving their opponents on the night that very same outcome. So this was a must win for Balmain if they were to harbour any chance of playing semi final football in 2012.
Inter Lions on the other hand had surged into Premiership contention on the back of a remarkable string of results, and found themselves just three points behind competition leaders Gladesvile Ryde with two matches left to contest. Anything but a victory here would give the Magic an opportunity to clinch the Premiership against UNSW on Sunday, the following day, and members of the Gladesville contingent were present at Lambert to see how things unfolded.
Balmain were a little shy of resources, missing the services of midfield workhorse, Robbie Bruno, as well speedster Uri Kaye, with Aidan Barrett still recovering from that sickening injury a few weeks back. Inter Lions were without the tigerish Nicky Ruoco in the midfield, as well as Miguel Martinez, one of their best this year in the attacking third, and he was sorely missed on a disappointing night for the Lions.
A dramatic opening saw Balmain force an early corner, and they should have taken a subsequent lead when an unmarked Hill skied a half volley well over from right in front.
Joel Cook had a good chance just five minutes later, playing a swift one-two with Johnny Buonavoglia on the edge of the Inter penalty area, before hitting his angled shot wide of the near upright.
Inter were then forced to make a couple of early substitutions, with Mansueto and Gonzalez suffering injuries and making way for Givernaud and Mazzarolo within the first half hour, forcing some strategic amendments to the game plan. Sean Givernaud and Adrian Vizzari slotted in wide right and left in the backline, and along with skipper Milan Bosnar, settled down to try and halt the home side?s early onslaught.
Vizzari, in fact, has been in great form of late, officially the highest scoring defender in the Division with seven goals in 2012, but his job today looked more likely to be stopping goals rather than scoring them.
Inter almost broke the deadlock in the 32^nd minute, with Daniele Chiandotto weaving his way along the Balmain goal line as he left a couple of defenders in his wake, his low shot diverted wide by the ever alert Balmain keeper, Daniel Conway.
Balmain responded minutes later when Tom Sowden sent over one of many inch perfect  crosses on the night, and Buonavoglia placed his header literally centimetres over the crossbar, much to the angst of the home bench.
Balmain kept up the pressure and on 43 minutes an interchange of passing on the left hand flank resulted in a deep cross by Joel Cook, Sowden getting his head to the ball only to watch it bounce inches wide of the far upright.
Half time provided both sets of players a quick reprieve from the tension filled encounter, played on a pitch that resembled far from a football field. Very little grass was visible on the dusty surface, and the players found it difficult to control the leather as it bobbled up at almost every opportunity, making a swift passing game almost impossible to effect.
The second half started where the first finished off, with Balmain almost scoring once again. Tom Sowden reached another great cross from Joel Cook on 47 minutes, and his textbook downward header bounced over the bar as the home side looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Inter?s few opportunities during the opening 45 minutes were thwarted by the referee?s assistant?s flag, but they had a great chance in the 57^th to take the lead. Jacob Di Mento sliced a through ball into the box for brother, Domenic, to run onto, but Balmain?s skipper, Daniel Conway, was down sharply to save the low shot and keep the scoreboard at nil all.
Jamal Boutkabout had been a menace up front for Balmain with his big frame, and Inter?s goalkeeper, Roberto Maiorana, did well to save the big man?s snapshot on the hour mark, minutes before Boutkabout was substituted with what looked like an elbow injury.
The match then produced a series of events that proved instrumental in the final outcome. Dario Espejel committed fouls in the 61^st and 68^th minutes that left referee, Mr Paul Faithfull, no option but to issue two cautions and a subsequent red card.
Balmain, which had showed the greater ascendancy all night, simply lifted another notch with the extra man advantage, and duly took a deserved lead in the 74^th minute with a move that was promising a goal all night.
Tom Sowden once again found himself down the right flank on the end of a swift passing movement, sending over a deep cross that Joel Cook met at the back stick, his downward header bouncing into the top corner at the near post to put the home side in front.
If Inter needed a spark to raise their game, this was it, and they responded within a couple of minutes with an opportunity that should?ve produced a goal. Marco Mazzarlo threaded a needle with a pass that split open the Balmain backline, yet Domenic Di Mento squandered the chance to equalise, his low shot expertly parried by the advancing Balmain keeper, Daniel Conway.
Another Inter passing movement in the 78^th minute defied the surface it was executed on, and saw the ball land in front of Mazzarolo, the midfielder skying his shot much to the relief of the home fans.
Inter Lions became more desperate as the clock wound down, and the gaps defensively were exposed in injury time, with substitute Vincent Leto so unlucky not to extend the lead, his low grass cutter flashing an inch wide of the far post.
But that was all she wrote, with Balmain left to fight another day as their finals aspirations were kept alive with a desperate and hard working performance. It wasn?t pretty from the home side, but it didn?t need to be, as Daniel Conway had a solid game between the sticks when called upon, Joel Cook and Tom Sowden very effective down either flank, and Buonavoglia involved in most raids in the attacking third.
For Inter, their chance of the Premiership is gone given the Magic?s victory against UNSW, but they have plenty to look forward to, and will be playing semi final football in 2012 as a reward for their inspiring season.

Match Stats
Balmain SC                     1 (Cook 74?)  
Inter Lions                      0  
Saturday August 11^t, 2012
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Paul Faithfull
Assistant Referees : M.Kimberley & R.Clarke

Bench: J. Woods, Z. Elrich, W. Angel, V. Rigoli, I. Johnson.BALMAIN SC: 1.D.Conway (capt), 2.T.Hyde, 3.G.Hill, 4.K.Baker, 6.J.Cook, 13.T.Sowden (7.V.Leto 85?), 10.J,Buonavoglia, 20.C.Modena (17.L.Cole 45?), 5.A.Cacciotti, 15.A.Leris, 12.J.Boutkabout (18.W.Donato 65?).
Substitutes Not Used: 40.L.Vitale, 14.K.Enyi.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
INTER LIONS: 1.R.Maiorana, 2.A.Mansueto (12.S.Givernaud 11?), 3.J.Gonzalez (13.M.Mazzarolo 29?), 4.M.Bosnar (capt), 5.A.Vizzari, 6.P.McMullen, 7.D.Chiandotto, 8.D.Espejel, 9.J.Guttierez (14.S.Riva 80?), 10.G.Di Mento, 11.D.Di Mento.
Substitutes Not Used: 21.L.Soto.
Yellow Cards: 8.D.Espejel 61? & 68?
Red Cards: 8.D.Espejel 68?.

State League One Round Twenty One Review
Stanmore Hawks vs Northbridge FC 2-3
A real six pointer at Arlington Oval saw Northbridge FC come from behind to overcome  Stanmore, winning by with the odd goal in five.
The Hawks were backing up from a 3-1 midweek victory against Schofields, where goals from Steve Biviano, John Rimmer and David James gave them a valuable three points in their quest to keep their season alive.
At Arlington it was the Hawks who took the lead after just 11 minutes via the veteran, Rafael Bove, but Northbridge were back on level terms when Klages netted just ten minutes later.
Saikawa then stunned the home fans by edging Northbridge in front just seven minutes before the break, and that?s the way the score remained until after the half time break.
John Rimmer continued his recent uplift in form by equalizing for Stanmore just four minutes into the second half, but it wasn?t to be their night. When Mathew Bell once again put Northbridge in front on 54 minutes, this time they were able to hang onto their lead and grab the spoils in a tension filled clash.
Nick Paradisis? send off weakened the Hawks further, and already missing Steve Biviano for this clash, the Hawks just didn?t have sufficient manpower to work their way back into the game.
In a bottleneck of a competition ladder, Northbridge?s three points lifts them to 29 and 5^th  spot, heading into the final week where they play Fairfield City Lions in a rescheduled Round 5 clash on Wednesday, before finishing their commitments against Hurstville ZFC in the final round next weekend.
Stanmore?s chances of playing finals football are all but over following the 2-3 reverse, but whilst they have a mathematical chance, they will fight until the last minute of next week?s final match against Schofields.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Fairfield City Lions 5-1
The traveling Macrae-Fogarty show was back on home territory at Popondetta Park on Saturday evening, with Fairfield City Lions the recipients of a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Mt Druitt Town Rangers, effectively extinguishing their semi final aspirations in 2012.
The Rangers edged in front 2-0 in a solid first half display ? no prizes for guessing the goalscorers, with Macrae (11^th) and Fogarty (42^nd) grabbing their customary goal a game before the break.
Macrae grabbed his second just before the hour mark, before the Lions showed some life with Ardahan Kumrulu netting in the 68^th to pull a goal back for Fairfield.
But it was to be Fogarty?s day in the end, the speedster notching his hatrick with further goals in the 77^th and 90^th minutes to round off a resounding 5-1 win for Mt Druitt.
The goals see Todd Macrae and Daniel Fogarty locked in a head to head battle at the top of the scorers charts with 22 goals apiece after Round 21, whilst the bigger picture sees Mt Druitt climb to 40 points and second on the competition ladder, one in front of Inter Lions ahead of their clash next week at Leichhardt Oval.
Camden Tigers vs Hurstville ZFC 1-1
Camden Tigers threw away a great chance to consolidate a semi final position when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Ron Dine Reserve on Saturday evening against last placed Hurstville ZFC.
Camden had a brilliant 1-0 away victory at Lambert Park against Balmain midweek, with Adam Smutek grabbing the all important winner, and were red hot favourites to continue their form against a Hurstville side that has struggled all season.
Vinnie Finocchiaro edged Camden in front on the hour mark, and all looked good for a valuable three points until Paul Gagro popped up with an equalizer for Hurstville just four minutes before the end to give the visitors a share of the spoils.
The point sees Camden move to 30 on the ladder, and 4^th spot, ahead of next week?s showdown against Balmain SC at Ron Dine Reserve.
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs UNSW 1-0
Congratulations to Gladesville Ryde Magic, 2012 Premiership winners in State League One, following their 1-0 triumph over UNSW at Magdala Reserve on Sunday afternoon.  
UNSW proved worthy rivals for this season defining match., but alas, they were to be undone by the slightest of errors from one of their best on the day, as their goalkeeper, John Duggan, was momentarily unsighted and failed to get down to an Alistair McKie free kick that smashed past his shins in the 81^st minute and into the net.
The only score of the match was clearly the highlight of the afternoon for the home crowd and, as with any goal that defines a Premiership, was celebrated well into the night.
Perhaps the tone of the afternoon was set in the opening minute when a Magic attack down the right side of the field saw the eventual cross headed back to midfielder, Johnny Martinez, on the edge of the box. Martinez steadied himself before driving the shot goalbound, but the raging breeze had other ideas and skewed the ball safely away for a goal kick.
UNSW played their usual possession game and were intent on playing the ball out from the back on every possible occasion. The rare long ball out of defence from the ?students? when the wind was at their back usually ran straight through to the opposition keeper, or across the Magic goal line for a harmless goal kick.
UNSW?s Patrick Lloyd and Tony Vidovic worked hard all day in the centre of the defence, with both centre backs strong in the air and determined in the tackle. Their distribution forward and their support for their midfield and frontmen frustrated the Gladesville team for much of the game.
In the 16^th minute Gladesville?s lanky striker Stephen Lloyd slipped Peter Doherty away with a delightful through ball down the left hand side of the field. Doherty cleverly beat his man before chipping the ball to the far post to find Lloyd backing-up, and he duly hit his shot just over the bar in a lunging effort that brought applause from the partisan crowd.
The UNSW striking pair of Stuart Meney and Rocky Luca worked tirelessly all afternoon and were ever alert to opportunities, keeping the Magic?s backline under pressure with their sharp control  and excellent vision. In the 30^th minute Luca did well to anticipate a delightful through-ball down the right hand side of the penalty box, but his attempted cross on the turn sailed over the bar.
Whenever strong winds are the dominant weather feature during a match the ball is frequently skied into the air, sometimes as a release of pressure but just as often almost as a sign of desperation in dealing with a bouncing ball. Strength in the air for either team would be paramount in dealing with the conditions today. For the Magic, Lachlan Harte proved as steadfast as a rock right across the paddock but his strength in the air was instrumental in dealing with a number of dangerous situations. Combining with centreback Alex Morris the pair nullified much of the aerial attack from UNSW, subsequently releasing the ball well to their midfielders and forwards.
Indeed the midfield pairing of Harte with Christian Care proved a very effective foil to the UNSW midfield. As UNSW looked to switch play across the middle of the park, it was Harte and the terrier like Care who maintained constant pressure on the attackers and foiled many promising attacks with timely tackles or well-judged interceptions. In the 48^th minute Care displayed his creative talents with a cheeky chip over an on-rushing defence that set Andrew McKie in a one on one situation with UNSW keeper Duggan. Unfortunately for the Magic McKie was adjudged to have been offside and the opportunity was foiled.  
Attacks from both sides rarely amounted to much with the final pass often going astray under intense defensive pressure. A rare exception was a quick switch of play by Gladesville in the 53^rd minute that put Ali McKie through on goal on the right hand side of the box. His low shot from an acute angle could only find the side netting.
Despite facing into a formidable breeze the Uni forwards worked intelligently to create their own chances. In the 60^th minute Stuart Meney displayed clever footwork just inside the opposition half to beat two defenders before carrying the ball forward, drawing the remaining defenders and releasing his striking partner Rocky Luca on the edge of the area. Luca?s driving shot was only parried by the Magic keeper, Kyriakos Tohouroglou, and he muscled it out for a corner as Meney zeroed in on the rebound. 
Again in the 63^rd minute Gladesville?s hard-working Doherty cut inside from the left wing and laid a neat pass to Martinez. The 25-metre shot from Martinez rocketed over the crossbar with goalkeeper Duggan stretched to the limit.
Around the 75^th minute the Magic eventually started to apply some sustained pressure on the University goal. A number of freekicks were given away from some desperate defending by UNSW, and eventually, young Alistair McKie stepped up to drive a low grass-cutter from 20 metres through a forest of defenders? legs, scraping past Duggan?s shins as it found the back of the net.
The Magic players sensed that it might just be the goal to claim the Premiership and rejoiced accordingly. The home supporters on the hill joined in the celebrations and over the next 14 minutes cheered the entry of Club Captain Tommy Nastoulis as a substitute into the fray, praying for the final whistle in the meantime.
UNSW stuck to their task and bolstered their conviction as they scrambled forward for an equalizer. Magic almost caught them on the break on a number of occasions. Andrew McKie ran onto a through ball from substitute Scott Tonkin in the 83^rd minute but with Duggan charging out from goal the hurried shot went wide of the target. In the 88^th minute Lloyd and Tonkin combined cleverly to create space before Tonkin launched a left-foot screamer from outside the box that, again, found Duggan at full stretch to push the ball away for a corner.
In the 95^th minute time was called by the referee and the State League One Premiership Trophy found a new home for the off-season.
For UNSW, the loss sees them fall outside the top five, albeit on goal difference, and they will be all on deck next week to tackle Southern Bulls at David Phillips Field and force their way into the semi?s.
The Magic visit Fairfield City Lions as 2012 Premiership winners, hoping for a clean bill of health as they prepare for the forthcoming finals series.                                                                                                                             
Southern Bulls vs Schofields Scorpions 1-3
Schofields Scorpions recovered from their 1-3 midweek loss to Stanmore Hawks by defeating Southern Bulls by the same scoreline on Sunday afternoon at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Will Stuart put the Scorpions into the lead by scoring on 20 minutes, but Rafid Hermiz equalized for the home fans in the 31^st, and that?s the way it stayed until late in the match.
Adam Anderson took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and grabbed a brace of goals on 75 and 89 minutes to give Schofields a valuable three points.
The Scorpions have moved to 27 points, and are occupying 9^th spot, but remarkably have a great chance of making the semi finals, needing to win against Balmain on Thursday in a rescheduled fixture, before taking on Stanmore Hawks next Sunday in the final round.
-By Frank Speranza