Sydney United 58 returned to the winners circle after their 2-1 victory over St George FC with a workman-like performance at the Sydney United Football Centre on Sunday
A brace of goals in the opening 25 minutes saw off the visitors on a brisk day in Sydney’s West.
It was the home side, who started the better, opening up the St George FC defence, like a can opener with their passing style. For their dominance though, there wasn’t an opening until Alec Urosevski was involved in play.
The diminutive striker pounced on a rebounded ball, breaking into the box before he was cut down by a challenge before he could get goalside. Referee Murray Wilson had no qualms about pointing to the spot and Mirjan Pavlovic coolly slotted home the penalty in the left hand corner.
After the initial burst by Sydney United 58, the Saints worked their way into the contest with a few chances of their own in the first half.
Saints skipper Juan Chavez was worked in for a shot, off a counter attack but he was denied by Anthony Costa, who had a rare save to make.
Chavez would rue his missed chance, as Sydney United 58 broke down the other end. It wasn’t the precise passing but a thunderous strike from Ante Tomic, who cut inside before sending the effort past a despairing Dion Shaw for a 2-0 advantage after 26 minutes.
Pavlovic almost doubled his goal tally in the 32nd minute, as a free-kick, numerous in the stop-start contest, flighted right onto his head. The attacker couldn’t crane his neck enough to loop it over Shaw, watching it land safely in his hands.
The teams would trade chances late in the first half, first from Ibrahim Haydar on a rare foray forward put an effort straight into the busy hands of Shaw.
Chavez got credit for his quick thinking after the ball found its way to the striker who tried a bending effort that went neatly over.
Sydney United 58 dominated the majority of the second-half without any luck in front of goal. Urosevski having the closest effort after his chest control but he blasted the effort high and wide.
St George FC weren’t without their chances, much like the first half, as they produced the first moment in the second half. George Codrea worked his way into the box before the defence blocked his effort from going goal bound.
The later the game wore on, the difference between the two sides was evident, as the 2013 NPL Champions carved out several chances through Pavlovic and Urosevski but weren’t able to test Shaw with any conviction.
It would be St George FC though, who had the final say in the game, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, a goalmouth scramble evolved and the ball broke out wide for Bruno Pivato, who tapped it home for a late consolation.
It was a crucial victory for Mark Rudan’s men who have had a torrid season in NSW’s top tier competition.
It was their fifth victory of the year and the win ensured them some breathing space from the Saints who sit in twelfth position with thirteen points.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 2 (Pavlovic ’15 and Tomic ‘25)
St George FC 1 (Pivato ’92)
Sunday 20th July, 2014
Sydney United Football Centre
Referee: Murray Wilson
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling and
Danny Horstead
Fourth Official: Adam Vainauskas
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Anthony Costa, 4. Nathan Sherlock, 6. Mitchell Stamatellis, 7. Mirjan Pavlovic (11. Luka Glavas ’89), 8. Ante Tomic, 9. Robert Mileski (41. Joel Chianese ’80), 10. Chris Triantis (2. Anthony Tomelic ‘70), 12. Ivan Pavlak, 16. Stjepan Paric, 18. Alec Urosevski 20. Ibrahim Haydar.
Substitutes not used: 19. Matthew Bilic, 30. Javyden Diacano,
Yellow Cards: Ante Tomic
Red Cards: nil
St George FC: 1. Dion Shaw, 2. Costa Andricopoulos (10. Bruno Pivato), 3. David Dascal, 5. Bill Tsanidis, 7. Christopher Gomez, 8. Nicholas Napoli (16. Johnathan Costano-Acero ‘), 11. Juan Chavez (34. Andreas Vais), 12. Aleksander Jovovic, 13. Lennox Tweneboa, 19. David Talevski, 23. George Codrea
Substitutes not used : 4. Daniel Mitwali, 21. Lucas North
Yellow Cards: David Dascal
Red Cards: nil
– By Justin Davies, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Reporter, at Sydney United Football Centre
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