Sydney United 58 FC secure valuable victory
It only takes one kick and it was a very good one from Anthony Tomelic that won the match for Sydney United 58.
A sensational free kick the United midfielder won the match for Sydney United 58 against Bonnyrigg White Eagles, the goal proving to be the major highlight of a huge second half.
The first half won’t be remembered for anything at all, with both sides getting bogged down in the tactics of the match.
The second though, sprung to life with chances at either end and a superb goal to win the match from Speer.
After substitute Robert Mileski was fouled on the edge of the area, Tomelic thumped a free kick that arrowed past Bonnyrigg keeper Matthew Nash and into the bottom corner, sparking celebrations from the players, the bench and the home support.
It gave United a very important win against one of the other sides expected to be at the pointy end of the competition come the end of the year.
Diego Barcena was called into action in the 3′ minute when a low cross from Tynan Diaz was safely claimed by the in-form Bonnyrigg keeper.
It was a promising start to a half that ultimately delivered very little.
Both United and Bonnyrigg were afraid to take too many risks in an insipid 45′ minutes that did nothing to prove either of these sides as the competition heavyweights that we know they are.
On the half hour mark, United should have taken the lead, perhaps marginally against the run of play.
A cross from Ivan Pavlak dipped over Nash’s head and looked to be heading into the top corner.
Luka Glavas tried to turn it in, but succeeded only in keeping the ball out of the net and giving away a free kick for handball to boot.
It was the clearest chance of the opening half, though there wasn’t much with which to compare.
The second half saw a huge increase in ambition for both sides.
Brian Brown made the first move, sending on Mitchell Long for Alexander Mansuetto just 5′ minutes into the second half.
A minute later, a corner from Chris Tadrosse curled in towards Diego Barcena’s goal, but Alexander Canak could only head over the crossbar.
It signalled their intent and it was Canak taking the initiative again when his shot from distance was well saved by the alert Barcena.
United hit back when a shot from Mitchell Stamatellis whistled narrowly over from a tight angle, before Adrian Ucchino struck the post for Bonnyrigg with Barcena beaten.
The first 15′ minutes of the second half had already delivered far more than the 45′ in the first, but the game’s decisive move came from United coach Mark Rudan, when he sent on Mileski after 65′ minutes.
It was his run that drew a foul on the edge of the area and with Tomelic and Matthew Bilic standing over, it was Tomelic who hit thumped it home and United was ahead.
Bonnyrigg tried to hit back and peppered the goal, Ken Chun stinging the palms of the busy Barcena with a spectacular volley from the edge of the area.
The visitors thought they were level when Diaz’s corner looked to have looped over Barcena and over the line, but referee Kurt Ams deemed that the goalkeeper had been fouled.
Canak lit up another shot from distance that whistled over the bar, before Bilic attacked down the United left without managing to create a chance.
Josip Jadric down the right was also causing problems, but he too couldn’t find the end product to go with his endeavour.
United thought they had a penalty in the 87′ minute, but it was eventually un-awarded in a moment of controversy.
A free kick from Chun was punched away by the excellent Barcena and when Glavas broke he had Jadric in support.
He left Ucchino for dead and when Jadric was pulled back, referee Ams pointed to the spot.
With Glavas standing over the ball, the referee changed his mind, instead awarding a free kick on the edge of the box that Bilic hammered into the defenders.
Luckily for United, it mattered little as they closed out a hugely important win against the White Eagles and fellow competition heavyweights.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Anthony Tomelic 68′)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Sunday 30th March, 2014
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling and Nick Backo
Fourth Official: Lachlan Daniel
Sydney United 58 FC: 1.Diego Barcena; 2.Anthony Tomelic, 4.Nathan Sherlock, 6.Mitchell Stamatellis, 11.Luka Glavas (C) (7.Richard Darko 90′), 12.Ivan Pavlak, 13.Josip Jadric, 14.Mitchell Speer, 15.Blass Segarra (9.Robert Mileski 65′), 17.Theo Kofinas, 19.Matthew Bilic
Substitutes Not Used: 41.Jayden Diacono (GK), 3.Ben Jurman, 16.Stepjan Paric
Yellow Cards: Luka Glavas 27′, Diego Barcena 83′, Nathan Sherlock 85′, Theo Kofinas 90+3′
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Alexander Mansuetto (10.Mitchell Long 50′), 5.Chris Tadrosse, 6.Nikola Zonjic, 7.Tynan Diaz (17.Mitchell Osmond 80′), 8.Alexander Canak, 9.Robert Younis (26.Tarik Ercan 80′), 12.Dylan Fox, 14.Jordan Crighton, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 21.Bo Hyun Chun
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Tristan Prendergast (GK), 4.Dillon Vorster
Yellow Cards: Tynan Diaz 40′, Alexander Canak 75′, Adrian Ucchino 87′
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Josip Jadric (SU)
2- Alexander Canak (BWE)
1- Robert Mileski (SU)
– By Matthew Lopez
