MANLY United remain in the hunt for Semi Finals football with two rounds remaining after sensationally thumping Sydney United 58 FC 5-0 on Saturday night at Cromer Park.
It was an outcome few expected, but the home side were dominant in all areas across the park.
Midfielder Brad McDonald had the ball on a string and his partner in crime Daniel Bragg was also outstanding.
United took the lead after just 2′ minutes.
A long throw from Rhys Williams caused havoc in the box and defender Nathan Sherlock watched on helplessly as his mistimed header drifted into the back of the net.
With 10′ minutes played, United should have doubled their lead.
A sublime defence splitting ball from McDonald saw Jamie Lobb with only Justin Pasfield to bat, but the ex A-League gloveman was up to the task, denying Lobb from six yards.
Midway through the first half Manly scored again.
Chris Payne rifled home a volley at the near post which Pasfield had no hope of keeping out, such was its venom and accuracy.
Manly keeper Dylan Mitchell was chasing another clean sheet to follow up from last Saturday night versus Sutherland, and he did well to keep out a free kick from Koen Bosma on 35′ minutes.
The away side were given a ‘rocket’ by coach Mark Rudan at oranges and started the second half in determined fashion.
Panni Nikas was thrown into the fray and instantly Sydney United 58 looked menacing going forward.
Manly soon woke from their slumber and on 52′ minutes Daniel Saric almost beat Pasfield.
The Kiwi youth international glided past his defender with ease down the right before unleashing a shot which flashed past the far post.
Rudan’s men almost pegged one goal back on 55′ minutes.
Sam Gallagher was aware to the danger a Nikas free kick can provide, heading an effort off the line.
Manly grabbed a three goal buffer on 74′ minutes.
McDonald burst into space before unselfishly squaring the ball to Bragg, who had time to take a touch before smashing the ball home.
Moments later it was 4-0.
Saric teed up Payne and the striker did the rest, much to the delight of the home supporters.
With 89′ minutes on the clock, substitute CJ Arditti capped off a memorable night on the northern beaches with a spectacular finish following slick interplay with Adam Parkhouse.
Coach Paul Dee was a very happy man at the final whistle.
"Our boys didn’t need any motivation and their level of intensity from start to finish was first class,” he said.
"I am really proud of what we dished up overall.
"All we can do now is take each game as it comes."
Sydney United 58 FC assistant coach Jerry Bilokapic conceded the performance was not up to the club’s usual standard.
"The players need to look at themselves,” he said.
"We started poorly and things just snowballed, it was a bad day at the office.
"I am looking forward to the response from the boys in the FFA Cup on Tuesday night."
Match Stats
Manly United 5 (own goal 2′, Chris Payne 27′, 79′, Daniel Bragg 74′, CJ Arditti 90′)
Sydney United 58 0
Cromer Park
Saturday August 1, 2015
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho, Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Matthew McOrist
Manly United: Mitchell, Bragg, Gallagher, Lobb, McDonald, Oughtred, Pandurevic, (Ferguson 65′) Parkhouse, Payne, Saric, (Arditti 79′) Williams (Kuleski 24′)
Substitutes not used: Catlin, Castelnuovo
Yellow cards: Payne 72′
Red cards: Nil
Sydney United 58: Pasfield, Camera, Tomelic, Chris Triantis, Dragicevic, Bosma, (Nikas 45′) Kofinas, Paric, Peter Triantis, Bilic, Sherlock (Haydar 21′)
Substitutes not used: Cindric, Zuvela, Taneski
Yellow cards: Tomelic 66′, Peter Triantis 70′
Red cards: Nil
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