Round Six of the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 saw all matches played over the weekend with some great individual performances earning them their places in the Team of the Week.
Sydney Olympic’s Paul Henderson kept his third clean sheet of the 2015 season which saw him take the number one jersey.
Even though he was on the losing side, Bonnyrigg White Eagles captain Chris Tadrosse was his side’s best player on the park with his marauding runs down the left. Sydney United 58’s captain Ibrahim Haydar has been a rock at the back for his side this season and the skipper showed that again, earning his place in defence.
With his keeper already in the team, Sydney Olympic’s Leigh Egger has been an integral part of the Blues’ defensive record, contributing greatly to the three clean sheets. The Blacktown Spartans battled hard on Saturday night, taking all three points and not conceding a goal with youngster Spiros Agathos at the top of his defensive duties.
Mitchell Stamatellis put in a man of the match performance for Sydney United 58 on Sunday in his first match back from injury, governing the midfield and putting himself about all over the pitch. Franco Parisi has been in red-hot form this season for APIA Leichhardt Tigers and seems like he has turned the clock back which showed against the Sharks in a masterful display.
Mitchell Long has been instrumental for the Blacktown Spartans this season with the experience he brings to a relatively young side. His goal helped the Spartans to a 3-0 win on Saturday night.
Parramatta FC’s Juan Carlos Chavez has been a constant threat in attack and was one of Franco Consentino’s most dangerous players on the weekend.
Blake Powell has shot his APIA Leichhardt Tigers side to third spot on the ladder, scoring eight goals so far this season, leading the scorer’s charts. Blacktown City’s speedster Danny Choi also takes his spot in a front three after his man of the match performance on Sunday.
Archives for April 2015
PS4 NPL NSW Men’s Grade 20s Round 6 Review
ROUND six of the Grade 20s competition played out this weekend; with rain again interrupting the fixture list as Bonnyrigg White Eagles’ match with Sydney United 58 FC was washed out on Sunday afternoon.?
The Match of the Round saw APIA Leichhardt Tigers dig out an unlikely win against first-placed Sutherland Sharks at Lambert Park.
Match of the Round
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1-0 Sutherland Sharks FC, Sunday at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers stunned league leaders Sutherland Sharks with a 1-0 win at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon; a solitary goal from Lachlan Scott in the 60th minute after a scoreless first half enough to earn his side their first win since the opening round.
The Sharks looked to begin strongly, and held possession between the midfield and defence while APIA chased down every pass.
It made for a cagey few opening minutes, as the visitors looked to settle, and the home side attempted to stop them from doing just that. APIA had the first shot of the match after five minutes when the ball fell to Mathew Cook in front of Andrew Depta’s goal, but he sent his effort well off target.
Poor finishing, perhaps, was the defining feature of a first half in which neither side could find a breakthrough. Both played high defensive lines when in possession, making quick breaks difficult, and long shots preferable. Sutherland’s Brendan Curtis came close to scoring the opening goal when he charged down a clearance from APIA goalkeeper Christopher Moore, but the ball spun out of the tackle and bounced just wide of the post.
Curtis arguably had the best chance of the first half with ten minutes remaining before the break: played in behind the APIA defence with a fine long pass from deep, he controlled the ball well but flicked his shot wide again under pressure from the onrushing Moore. Jeremy Cox was next to go close for the visitors with a shot that rebounded for Jordan Roberts, who could only hit the bouncing ball high over the crossbar. The half ended with yellow cards from APIA defenders Tyson Rhodes and Adrian Vlastelica, each booked for cynical fouls in the midfield.
The second half began with the same intensity as the first had ended, and Jayden McLeod and Roberts were both shown yellow cards for the visiting side, while Stephen Kayes was booked for APIA. Lachlan Scott nearly managed to give his side the lead in the flurry of cautions after short free kick came to him in the six yard box on the hour mark, but he shot wastefully over the bar after swivelling to find an angle.
He made up for his mistake only minutes later: Depta charged out to punch clear a cross but misjudged the ball and deflected it down for Scott, who hit a low drive into the empty net, making sure of his finish as the Sharks defenders slid in desperately to block the shot. Another series of yellow cards followed the goal, with Richard Blanco and Leo Malfara booked for the Sharks, and APIA were gifted a number of free kicks in their attacking half but were unable to add to the scoreline.
The final ten minutes saw the Sharks with the majority of possession as they pushed for an equaliser, though they struggled to find space for shots of any substance as APIA looked to close out a win. A late Sutherland corner was cleared, and the final whistle sounded on their first loss of the 2015 season.
APIA coach Danial Cummins was delighted with his side’s performance, saying that the momentum has been building for the result. "The boys played well – they played smart, and for the last twenty minutes they fought really well to hold onto the lead.
"We feel like this result’s been coming for a few weeks now – we’ve been playing good football; we just haven’t been scoring and we’ve perhaps been a bit naive in defence, but we’ve worked hard on that and we’ve got the rewards today."
"Lambert Park always a hard place to come and get a result," said Sutherland Sharks coach Allan Edmonson. "I’ve never found it easy coming here.
"I think we still created the majority of the chances, but in the end they capitalised on a mistake with a goalkeeper under pressure and scored a goal. We missed a couple of chances and could’ve won, but it doesn’t always work out like that."
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1 (Scott, 60′)
Sutherland Sharks FC FC 0
Sunday April 19, 2015
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: Vlastelica, McCarron, Cox, Cook, Moniaci, Scott, Ribeiro, Moore, Coleandra, Kayes, Rhodes
Substitutes: Adattini, Alassmi, Koliomihos, Perez, Zvezdakovski
Yellow cards: Vlastelica, Cook, Kayes, Rhodes
Sutherland Sharks FC: Benham, Blanco, Curtis, Kakavelis, Hughes, O’Shea, Loe, Cox, Depta, McLeod, Roberts
Substitutes: Gioiosa, Malfara, Nikas, Akol, Evans
Yellow cards: Blanco, Kakavelis, Malfara, McLeod, Roberts
Saturday
Marconi Stallions FC 4-1 Blacktown Spartans FC, Marconi Stadium
Marconi cruised to a 4-1 win over the Spartans on Saturday afternoon, with two goals from Ryan Peterson, and one each from Noah Chianese and Jack Press, moving the Stallions into first place ahead of the Sutherland Sharks (though the Sharks have a game in hand).
Sunday
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Sydney United 58 FC, WASHOUT
Manly United FC 2 -3 Sydney Olympic FC, at Cromer Park
Lachlan McLean scored twice for the home side but it wasn’t enough as Manly United fell to a 2-3 loss to Sydney Olympic. Manly slip to third as a result of their defeat but remain two points ahead of Olympic in fourth.
Parramatta FC 0-1 South Coast Wolves FC, at Melita Stadium
South Coast Wolves won their third away match in as many weeks at Melita Stadium on Sunday afternoon; with Jordan Murray scoring the only goal of the game for the visitors.
The Wolves pull ahead of Parramatta on the table with their win – both sides were level on seven points heading into this match.
Rockdale City Suns FC 2-2 Blacktown City FC, at Ilinden Sports Centre
Goals from Rockdale’s whiz midfielder Michael Loupis and Isaac Savor were cancelled out by strikes from Blacktown City’s Jonathan Grozdanovski and Nikolas Dimitriadis in a 2-2 draw at the Illinden Sports Centre, a result which sees Blacktown City remain unbeaten in four matches.
Rockdale’s first point since March sees them go in front of the Blacktown Spartans in second-last place.
– by Max Grieve, PS4 National Premier Leagues Grade 20s Reporter
United 58 swoop over White Eagles
IT WAS a game that caught fire early, as three goals were scored in the opening 18 minutes.
The last of those, by Panni Nikas, decided the match, as Sydney United 58 came from a goal down to claim all three points against Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Substitute and recent new recruit and former Golden Boot winner, Richard Cardozo iced the cake, scoring only minutes after coming on as late substitute.
United’s comeback was sparked by Bonnyrigg’s opener, scored by Chris Tadrosse in the second minute, a lead that only last three minutes before Chris Triantis levelled.
Nikas had the final say, continuing his golden run since returning from a foot injury. It was his first NPL start for United 58 and he certainly showed his worth with the winning goal.
Referee Stephen Lucas awarded a free kick to Bonnyrigg to the left of the area, with only 60 seconds on the clock.
Ray Miller stood over it, and knocked it short to the skipper Tadrosse. His left footed cross looped over United 58 keeper Justin Pasfield, nestling in the top corner. Pasfield complained bitterly that he had been fouled, but it was hard to see where.
It was an explosive start and the perfect tonic for the home side.
It didn’t last long though, as some slack defending from the White Eagles allowed United to hit back straight away.
The in-form Matthew Bilic raced down the left, before whipping in a delicious ball to the back post. Triantis was on the spot, unmarked, and headed firmly past James Chronopoulos to level the score.
There was much to like about the tempo of the match, and Nikas was lively, relishing his first start.
It was another headed goal that put United ahead, and this time Triantis was the architect.
His cross from the right found Nikas, again unmarked, and suddenly United led.
Triantis was booked for simulation shortly after, and Robbie Younis had a shot whistle over.
The Bonnyrigg striker had another chance that he spurned early in the second half, before a cross from Reece Caira deflected onto the back post and out to safety.
Bonnyrigg were chasing the game and creating openings, but none they could take.
In the 71st minute, Younis had a free kick that he hit over the bar, and that truthfully would probably have been saved by Pasfield had it been on target.
The White Eagles thought they’d equalised seven minutes later, when Pasfield saved a shot from Younis, only to see Caira turn in the rebound. The celebrations were cut short though, as Caira was offside when Younis took his shot.
Bonnyrigg pushed and pushed, but they were undone by a sucker punch three minutes from time.
Cardozo, on only six minutes earlier, tapped in after Chronopoulos denied Mitchell Stamatellis.
The celebrations were in full swing on the United 58 bench, and the points were the Reds’.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Tadrosse 2′)
Sydney United 58 FC 3 (Triantis 5′, Nikas 18′, Cardozo 87′)
Sunday April 19, 2015
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Andrej Giev and Danny Horstead
Fourth Official: Peter Liaros
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: Chronopoulos; Jenner (Gil 67′), Fox, Spruce, Tadrosse (C), Mansueto, Canak (Doyle 74′) , Miller, Caira, Peterson (Kokado 72′), Younis
Substitutes not used: Zonjic, Savicic
Yellow cards: Caira 78′
Sydney United 58 FC: Pasfield; Dragicevic, Kofinas, Haydar (C), Camera, Stamatellis, Paric, Bilic (Cardozo 81′), Triantis (Proia 67′), Nikas, Zuvela (Tomelic 90+2′)
Substitutes not used: Tomic, Diacono
Yellow cards: Triantis 21′
Player ratings:
3 – Mitchell Stamatellis (SU)
2 – Ray Miller (BWE)
1 – Justin Pasfield (SU)
– by Matthew Lopez, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor, at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 Round 6 Review
SYDNEY United 58’s win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the Match of the Round keeps them atop the table.
But Blacktown City are looming large in their rear view mirror, two points behind but with a game in hand. Elsewhere, APIA-Leichhardt bounced back by beating Sutherland, while Rockdale City Suns and South Coast Wolves both remain winless.
Round 6 Review
Marconi Stallions 0-3 Blacktown Spartans, at Marconi Stadium
The pain goes on for the Marconi Stallions, who turned in a terrible performance at home to the Blacktown Spartans.
Ben De Haan’s side were much improved from the one that drew with South Coast Wolves the weekend previous, and were it not for Marconi goalkeeper Sam Nastic, they could have run up a cricket score.
Mitch Long and Benjamin Tosi scored within a minute of each other towards the end of the first half, and Joshua Da Silva added a third in the second half.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-3 Sydney United 58 FC, at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
This game started explosively as Bonnyrigg White Eagles took the lead within 120 seconds of kick off.
Chris Tadrosse’s cross/shot deceived United keeper Justin Pasfield, sailing into the top corner to send the home fans into raptures. It didn’t last long though, as Chris Triantis equalised in the fifth minute, heading in a cross from in-form wide man Matthew Bilic.
They were two sloppy goals but it made for great entertainment. United went ahead in the 18th minute when Panny Nikas, making his first start for the Reds, headed in a cross from Triantis.
Bonnyrigg chased the game in the second half and had their fair share of opportunities, but United stung them late on with a counter attack. Richard Cardozo, on his debut for United, tapped in after James Chronopoulos saved a Mitchell Stamatellis cross.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2-1 Sutherland Sharks, at Lambert Park
APIA returned to the winners’ circle, turning in a much stronger performance than they did against Blacktown City, to record a win against Sutherland Sharks.
It was a former Sutherland player who scored the winner, with Blake Powell’s 25-yard rocket proving the difference.
APIA went ahead through Corey Biczo, who was making his first NPL start for the Tigers, only for Seonjin Park to equalise moments later.
Powell’s wonder-goal opened up the game and APIA could have put the game away as Franco Parisi revelled in the open spaces in midfield. Former Sutherland wingers Nathan Elasi and Nick Olsen both had more than once chance to seal the game, but they couldn’t find the back of the net as APIA held on to win anyway.
Manly United 0-2 Sydney Olympic, at Cromer Park
Manly welcomed Sydney Olympic to Cromer, full of confidence after two wins on the bounce.
Olympic brought the back to earth with a bump, coming away 2-0 winners, although they were owe their goalkeeper Paul Henderson, who pulled off a number of agile saves.
Manly had their chances, but found Henderson too tough to beat. Harris Gaitatzis scored the first for Olympic, and Taiga Soeda wrapped it up in the last few minutes, on a day where Olympic coach Grant Lee, defender Leigh Egger, and attacker Scott Balderson, all returned to the ground they once called home.
Rockdale City Suns 1-1 Blacktown City, at Ilinden Sports Centre
For winless Rockdale City, this could be the one that got away.
The Suns led at home and looked for all money to break their duck, only for a late goal to earn the visitors a share of the points.
After an uneventful first half, Hristijan Tanoski gave Rockdale City the lead only ten minutes into the second. It was thanks to good work from the lively Alec Urosevski, that Tanoski found himself in position to convert an easy finish.
Rockdale City looked good value for their lead, but the reigning champions wouldn’t lie down and they pulled a rabbit out of the hat when Joe Gibbs levelled the score with only six minutes remaining, to maintain Blacktown City’s unbeaten start to the season.
Parramatta FC 0-0 South Coast Wolves, at Melita Stadium
The conditions were fairly dire but they are no excuse for the performances served up by Parramatta FC and South Coast Wolves.
Parramatta are without a win since round one and South Coast Wolves are without one at all, and those droughts didn’t end in this nil-all draw at Melita Stadium.
Neither Luke Turnbull in the Parramatta goal or Thomas Manos in the Wolves on were unduly tested in a match that had zero-zero written all over it from the start.
One positive from the match was Kelly Jones making her debut as an NPL Men’s 1 referee, and she did an excellent job in her first match in the top division.
– By Matthew Lopez, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor
Tigers return to winning ways at Lambert
APIA Leichhardt Tigers have taken all three points from Lambert Park, beating the Sutherland Sharks 2-1 in their round six clash.
With both teams being last start losers, it shaped as a important affair for both teams and possession was evenly shared in the early stages, as both teams felt each other out.
Two goals in two minutes broke open the match after an even opening.
After retaining possession for a period of time in the Sutherland half, APIA’s Nathan Millgate played a wonderful ball down the right flank to Corey Biczo who, one-on-one with the keeper, calmly slotted between his legs to take the Tigers into the lead on the 15 minute mark.
Just minutes later, play opened up inside the box for the first time for Sutherland and with no defensive pressure on Seogjin Park, he was able to shoot for goal, curling his shot into the top corner to get the Sharks back on level terms.
After the score came back to a stalemate, Sutherland dominated possession for the next period of the match, but were unable to take any of the opportunities they made, as they looked to go ahead.
One of these chances came in the form of Sean O’Connell, who came from the right side and made a nice run through the middle of the field. After taking the ball onto his left foot he shot from just outside the box but the effort was just wide.
It wasn’t long before the scorers were troubled again though. 42′ minutes in Blake Powell took a long range shot from 25 yards which was struck beautifully and managed to scream past the outstretched hand of Andrew Depta to put the Tigers back in front. It was an absolutely cracking shot from distance.
Just moments before the break in added time, Nicholas Littler, who was already on a yellow card from earlier in the half, came in for a late challenge and was subsequently sent from the field as referee Kurt Ams issued him his second yellow.
APIA missed a golden opportunity just after the break to take the game away from Sutherland as the ball was crossed into the box from the right side, and with an open goal in front of him and looking for a brace, Blake Powell pulled his shot just over the bar.
With just eight minutes to go before the break a ball came in from the right flank into the box and it was looking as though it would be tapped in by Nathan Elasi but he couldn’t stretch his foot far enough and the ball sailed past the goal mouth.
Sutherland had a great opportunity to snag a draw in the final moments of the match as the ball was cut back into the box from the left. Substitute Aleksandar Jovovic had a chance to score, but sprayed the ball over the crossbar.
After the match, Tigers assistant coach Rod Williams was happy with how his team performed.
"I thought it was a great, well structured performance, the boys trained hard all week and I think it showed on the park," Williams said.
"Unfortunately we missed a few opportunities but in terms of the bonding and how we are playing, especially after last week, we were able to turn it around today and play some really good football".
Meanwhile, Sutherland coach Steve O’Connor conceded that crucial errors cost his team.
"I thought we played well in the first half and were on top of the game, we gave them a sucker punch goal at the back which has cost us," he said.
"Those things change the game, I thought we were comfortable and we were causing them problems. We’ve been like that in a few games and that’s cost us, as well as players being sent off."
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 2 (Biczo 15′ Powell 42′)
Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (Park ’17)
Sunday 19th April 2015
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Christian Layland and Matthew Reidy
Fourth Official: Matthew McOrist
APIA Leichhardt FC : Norval; Biczo (Olsen 65′), D’Apuzzo, Millgate, Parisi, Petkovski (Elasi ’21), Powell, Studman, Symons, Ucchino, West (C)
Substitutes not used: Bazi, Kayes, Rhodes
Yellow Cards: D’Apuzzo 51′
Sutherland Sharks: Depta; Figon (Antoniou ’64), Gordon, Hayes, Littler, Mitwali (Lokolingoy), O’connell, Park, Seongiin (Jovovic ’69) Tratt, Mcstay
Substitutes not used: McKenzie, Evans
Yellow Cards: Littler 23′
Red Cards: Littler 45+1′
Player ratings:
3- Franco Parisi (ALT)
2- Blake Powell (ALT)
1- Sean O’Connell (Sutherland)
– By Jack Hislop, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at Lambert Park.