IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side Bonnyrigg White Eagles have finalised a massive coup by signing former Sydney FC club captain Terry McFlynn for the remainder of the season.
After spending nine solid seasons with the Sky Blues, McFlynn called time on his career with the Northern Irishman pondering his next moves as a footballer.
With several clubs chasing the midfielder, it was Brian Brown and the White Eagles that got there in the end snapping up Sydney FC’s fan favourite.
The 33-year-old has had a decorated football career commencing his football with the Queens Park Rangers before playing for the likes of Woking, Margate and Morecambe before arrive in Australia for the inaugural Hyundai A-League season in 2005.
McFlynn was capped by the Northern Ireland U19s and U21s side adding to his list of honours as a footballer.
It is understood that McFlynn will still have a role with the Sky Blues even after his retirement from the A-League and will look to help out new coach Graham Arnold at the helm.
It was the second Hyundai A-League player the White Eagles have snared as they welcomed back former defender David Vrankovic to the club after his time with the Melbourne Heart.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
Archives for May 2014
Denham heroics saves Sharks
CHANCE after chance after chance and yet none went in.
Football is a funny game like that and despite a lot of huffing and puffing the game between Sutherland Sharks and Rockdale City Suns remained scoreless throughout the 90′ minutes which was also the first leg of the Leader Cup.
They say there is such thing as an entertaining nil-nil draw and in defence of both sides, this was one of them.
Indeed were it not for a number of superb saves by Sutherland’s Nathan Denham, Rockdale City could have the match won and twice over in the opening 10′ minutes.
Instead the Sutherland number 1, clad in canary yellow, made save after save to keep his side in the match as Rockdale City threw the kitchen sink at Sutherland in a breathless opening.
Both sides each had a single glorious opportunity to win the game in the second half.
In the 55′ minute Panny Nikas picked out the young live wire Nicholas Olsen, but he lost composure at the vital moment and blazed his attempted finish over the bar.
In stoppage time of the second half, Rockdale City had an equally, if not better opportunity to win the game.
Substitute Idriss El Hafiane showed deft feet and speed of thought to dance his way into the area, but with just Denham between himself and glory, he smashed his shot over the bar.
Rockdale coach Branko Culina looked away in anguish. He said after the game that it was a night for heroes, but none were to be found.
Rockdale City started like a house on fire and were desperately unlucky not to score.
Sutherland ran into trouble when Nathan Elasi gave the ball away ever so cheaply in the 10′ minute.
The evergreen Paul Reid headed goalward, sliding the ball into Nick Taneski, but he was crowded out in the area.
Two minutes later, Takuya Murayama bombed forward down the right, crossing to Tony Lo, whose shot forced the first smart save from an alert Denham.
Then, a free kick from Sean Symons from the very edge of the area brought the very best out of Denham.
The left footed shot was curling towards the far corner but Denham saw it early and did wonderfully well to fly to his right and push the ball to safety.
It was a man of the match performance from the Sutherland custodian and he had to be on his toes on the half hour mark.
A quick free kick from Reid released Taneski whose shot was crisply struck but again repelled by Denham.
Sutherland had hardly had a kick and were struggling to retain any meaningful possesion.
A Paul Kohler snap shot from distance had Sutherland hearts in mouths but the veteran defender’s shot whistled wide of the far post.
Sutherland’s only meaningful attempt of the first half came in stoppage time, when Nikas struck a free kick from 40 yards that dipped and swerved with pace but David Bradasevic, in for the again-suspended Tomislav Arcaba, was equal to the task of repelling it.
The second half was a similar story.
Olsen’s superb opportunity was the first of the half and when he missed, one wondered whether there would be another chance as good.
Jordan Figon entered the fray, replacing Adamos Pierettis, and he was soon involved, cutting inside to shoot at goal, only to be denied by Bradasevic, who was showing no sign of nerves.
Perry Moustakas made his return from injury after a three game lay off, replacing the injured Matthew Gordon.
He stumbled, allowing Rockdale substitute Daniel Barac a free run at goal, but he was stopped by Olsen who was tracking back.
Sutherland skipper Nick Stavroulakis showed great anticipation and an acute sense of timing, single handedly shackling a threatening Rockdale counter attack that arose from a Sutherland corner.
Stavroulakis’ intervention was a timely one but the sort of which we have come to expect from the Sutherland midfielder.
Tony Lo connected with a sweet volley that could only find the hands of Denham, before Kohler finally beat the Sutherland keeper with a header from a Patrick Savor free kick.
The delivery was flicked on to Kohler, who was judged to have been in an offside position and the "goal" was ruled out.
Then, with seconds to spare, El Hafiane had his chance to be the hero of which his coach spoke, but it wasn’t to be.
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks 0
Rockdale City Suns 0
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Referee: Khodr Yaghi
Assistant referees: Craig Fisher and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Katie-Louise Patterson
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.Jacob Tratt, 3.Adamos Pierettis (12.Jordan Figon 68′), 5.Nicholas Littler, 6.Matthew Gordon (15.Perry Moustakas 65′), 9.Nathan Elasi, 14.Nick Stavroulakis (C), 16.Ethan Galbraith, 19.Nick Olsen, 23.Panny Nikas, 29.Mitchell Farmer
Substitutes not used: 22.Andrew Depta (GK), 8.Lukas Stergiou, 18.Jayden Koulizakis
Yellow Cards: Panny Nikas 70′
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 22.David Bradasevic; 3.Steven Hesketh, 4.Sean Symons, 5.Paul Reid (12.Idriss El Hafiane 55′), 6.Takuya Murayama, 8.Paul Kohler, 9.Tadhg Purcell (17.Hristijan Tanoski 78′), 11.Nikola Taneski (16.Daniel Barac 68′), 14.Patrick Savor, 20.Tony Lo, 23.Askin Oygur (C)
Substitutes not used: 24.Blake Horton (GK), 19.Themba Muata-Marlow
Yellow Cards: Tony Lo 65′, Nick Taneski 66′, Patrick Savor 73′
Red Cards: Nil
Player ratings:
3- Nathan Denham (Sutherland Sharks)
2- Takuya Murayama (Rockdale City Suns)
1- Sean Symons (Rockdale City Suns)
– By Matthew Lopez, National Premier Leagues Mens 1 Editor, at Seymour Shaw Park
Nikas scoring and setting goals
EIGHT goals in eight games is a fantastic return for any top of the line centre forward.
Factor in that he is playing in midfield and has half that amount in assists, and one begins to recognise that Panny Nikas may well be having his best season yet.
The Sutherland Sharks midfielder is a goal-machine, whether playing in the number 10 role or deeper alongside Nick Stavroulakis in midfield.
After a shocking first round against Blacktown Spartans, Sutherland have hit the stride in 2014 and Nikas is pleased that they have found their groove.
"Things are going really well, apart from the first game we haven’t been outplayed and things are starting to gel," Nikas said,
The Sharks number 23 attributes his metronomic consistency in front of goal to a desire to do well for the side and to chip in as much as he can.
"It’s just about contributing to the team, I love scoring and setting up goals," Nikas said.
"It’s about doing things so that when you come off the pitch after 90 minutes you know you’ve contributed."
Much has been made of the partnership between Nikas and Stavroulakis in midfield, with the latter doing the unheralded job of breaking up play and retaining possession. Without his contribution, Nikas wouldn’t be able to break forward as he does, something of which he is fully aware.
"In every team you need people to balance you out," Nikas said.
"Stav knows his role really well, he’ll assist and break up play, I know he’ll be there if I bomb on so I’m working with him to control the game."
Nikas has tasted the A-League at Central Coast Mariners and at North Queensland Fury, but the demise of the Fury couldn’t have come at a worse time. He returned to Sutherland and hasn’t yet received another opportunity.
"People have questioned whether I want to go to the A-League, it’s a stupid question," he said.
"I want to get there. I want to improve and refine my game, score more goals, make more assists and play better football."
One man who could help him get there is his coach, Robbie Stanton, who once again has Sutherland playing some beautiful football.
"I’ve been with Robbie for five or six years, I’ve seen him evolve as a coach, but his philosophy is that he always wants to play," Nikas said.
"That’s the difference with him. He always has time for his players.
"I think he’ll get higher recognition soon."
If Nikas continues in this vein for the rest of the season, then it is only a matter of time before he does, too.
– By Matthew Lopez, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Editor
Team of the Week – Round Eight
As adjudged by Football NSW journalists, here is Team of the Week for Round Six of the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 competition.
Some tough decisions this week, some stellar performances throughout the league.
FULL LINEUP
GK Matthew Nash (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
RB Travis Major (Blacktown City)
LB Adamos Pierettis (Sutherland Sharks)
CB Zach Cairncross (Blacktown City)
CB Michael Robinson (South Coast Wolves)
LM Corey Biczo (Blacktown Spartans)
RM Nick Olsen (Sutherland Sharks)
CM Adrian Ucchino (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
CM Matt Thompson (Marconi Stallions)
ST Peter Simonoski (South Coast Wolves)
ST Nikola Taneski (Rockdale City Suns)
Late Sharks winner breaks Olympic hearts
A LATE Sutherland Sharks winner was all she wrote as Robbie Stanton’s men claimed all three precious points with a 3-2 win in what was a high octane clash at Belmore Sports Ground against Sydney Olympic.
Olympic looked to draw first blood, but Sutherland defender Nick Littler was on hand to clear an early cross away for a corner.
Jacob Tratt received a caution when bringing down William Angel on the edge of the box and from the free-kick Yianni Sprakis looked for the back post, but Sharks’ ‘keeper Nathan Denham was able to pluck the ball from the air to alleviate the threat.
The visitors found the telling opening in the 16’ minute when Nathan Elasi was put through to centre for Adamos Pierettis to side-foot home with ease and give Sutherland the lead.
They didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser as Evan Kostopoulos drew Olympic level with a towering header in the 25’ minute to bring the game to life once more.
Dimitri Hatzimouratis showed little composure when clean through inside the box in the 32’ minute, as he skewed his shot well wide of Denham’s right upright.
A succession of corners up the other end kept Olympic under pressure but the end result was no addition to the score.
Olympic broke in the 35’ minute only for Harris Gaitatzis to side foot an effort across the face of goal.
Olympic should have gone ahead in the 38’ minute when Angel pulled the ball back, picking out Kostopoulos, but with three team mates unmarked in the box but his touch deserted him completely and another opportunity went begging.
Sutherland’s cavalier style was being sorely tested by a swaggering Olympic who were matching in every department.
A thoroughly entertaining action packed half came to a close with the scores locked and everything to play for in this big local derby, with Nick Olsen putting in a very strong shift for the visitors.
Olympic were caught offside immediately on the resumption with Hatzimouratis bearing down on goal followed quickly by Gaitatzis heading over as the home side looked to dominate.
Denham was forced to punch a Troy Danaskos free-kick clear, then needed to be sharp on his feet to gather the Christos Tomaras follow up.
Panni Nikas, finding space in the midfield, took a shot on and fired from distance that had Paul Henderson diving to his right to clutch a swerving ball at full stretch.
Olsen relieved Kostopoulos of the ball and made a darting run down the left but his whipped cross headed narrowly wide by Jamie McMaster.
Nikas was again involved in the 65’ minute when his free-kick, after McMaster had been brought down, slid past the angle of bar and post although Henderson looked to have it covered.
Olympic went straight up the other end and took the lead for the first time when Harris Gaitatzis beat the offside trap and coolly slotted past Denham.
Sutherland’s reply was swift and uncompromising when parity was restored in the 68’ minute.
Adamos netted his second of the match after a marvellous through ball by Sharks inspirational skipper Nick Stavroulakis and perhaps should have taken the lead less than 60-seconds later but for the heroics of Henderson tipping over a Nikas pile driver.
If the game had been entertaining to this point, it was now frenetic.
It wasn’t the physical derby of old with two evenly matched ball playing sides going hard at it and as ever in games such as these there was to be a twist in the tail.
Substitute Ethan Galbraith came off the bench 11’ minutes earlier and was superbly set up by Nick Olsen in the 87’ minute to net the winner, tucking the ball away in some style past Henderson.
Grant Lee stated after the final whistle: “It was a very good game, very even and a great battle.
“It was tactical, technical and at the end of the day you may say a draw would have been the correct result on the balance of play.
“We are obviously disappointed with the way we conceded our goals, very poor, naive, ball watching and not being strong enough and understanding where players are or being aggressive in our final third in making sure they don’t play in behind.”
There were many pointers to how Olympics’ season should progress as Lee continued: “For sure we have improved with what we have been doing in the last few weeks, the boys have done extremely well and it’s starting to show.
“We are getting better at what we do and we needed to reshuffle the squad a little this week with midweek cup games etc. but the guys need to stand up if they are to make it and back it up each week as these are things that happen at the highest level.
“That said, we are a young side and the guys are on a learning curve and we’ll get better as the weeks go by but disappointed not to get something from the game today.”
“The match came down to the little things today,” replied Sharks coach Robbie Stanton before continuing: “We conceded a couple of goals through transition, quick loss of possession in key areas and they hurt us but I looked at the way we scored our goals and it was through structured build up.
“I thought we were very good at getting the ball in behind, making the angled runs and the final pass was superb each time and we’ve spoken about putting that edge to our game and it paid dividends out there against Olympic.
“I was very pleased with the performance but it was a very even game and I feel that in the end we just took our chances better.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 2 (Evan Kostopoulos 25, Harris Gaitatzis 65)
Sutherland Sharks 3 (Adamos Pierettis 16’ 68’ Ethan Galbraith 87)
Sunday May 4, 2014
Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore
Referee: Ryan Shepherd
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Sebastian Brennan
Fourth Official: Roberto Batteo
Sydney Olympic: 1.Paul Henderson (g/k), 2.Brayden Sorge, 3.Troy Danaskos, 4.Brendan Hooper, 7.William Angel, 9.Dimitri Hatzimouratis (19.Go Shirai 75), 10.Harris Gaitatzis, 14.Peter Markovic ©, 15.Yianni Sprakis (39.Michael Gaitatzis 84), 23.Evan Kostopoulos, 33.Christos Tomaras (24.Amaury Gauthier 64)
Substitutes Not Used: 5. Brayden Treloar, 12.Kresimir Kardum
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham (g/k), 2.Jacob Tratt, 3.Adamos Pierettis, 5.Nick Littler, 6.Matt Gordon, 9.Nathan Elasi, 10.Jamie McMaster (16.Ethan Galbraith 76), 14.Nick Stavroulakis ©, 19.Nick Olsen, 23.Panni Nikas, 29.Mitchell Farmer
Substitutes Not Used: 8.Lukas Stergiou, 18.Jayden Koulizakis, 22.Andrew Depta (g/k), 28.Jacob Bandur
Yellow Cards: Jacob Tratt 14’ Ethan Galbraith 90+2
Red Cards: Nil
Player ratings:
3 – Nick Olsen (SS)
2 – Panni Nikas (SS)
1 – Evan Kostopoulos (SO)
– By Micky Brock, National Premier Leagues Mens 1 Reporter, at Belmore Sports Ground