Team of the Week – Round 9 – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
After every round of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Men’s season Team of the Week brings to focus the best players from that weekend.
A high-scoring affair in Sutherland saw Rockdale striker Dylan Macallister bag a hat-trick in the 4-2 win for the visitors. After withstanding a barrage of Shark attacking raids early on, it was Macallister who opened the scoring in the closing stages of the first half. Proving to be one of this season’s goal magnets, Macalister powered up a gear in the second term with a deft chip over the Sutherland goalkeeper. The former Hyundi A-League player completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute after pouncing on a great cross to seal the result and pick-up man-of-the-match honours.
Spartans couldn’t keep pace with an unstoppable Blacktown City outfit in a fiery yet one-sided local derby clash. City again proved why they have one of the most dangerous attacks in the competition, with their wingers and strikers having a field day in the 6-0 rout. Mitchell Mallia ran riot down the left edge, consistently weaving into space. After setting up the opening goal in the 2nd minute, Mallia got his own name on the scorers sheet with a well-deserved goal just before half-time. A quick-fire second-half brace from Patrick Antemli topped off an excellent day for City. The former Leeds and Wigan striker scored a wonderful goal that curled into the net before outclassing the Spartan defense to snag City’s sixth.
In a goal-fest at Melita Staidum, the Parramatta home side couldn’t keep pace with Hakoah. In a free-flowing game it was Hakaoh’s control of the midfield that ultimately won them the game, with a brilliant display from the experienced Paul Orgad. The veteran mid-fielder was the engine room for the Hakoah attack, even netting a goal himself in the 60th minute. For Parramatta, Gosue Sama impressed in a spirited first-half effort that saw him nail a spectacular header to level the scores before the break. However the striker couldn’t inspire his team to a win, going down 4-2.
A stellar all-round effort from defender Jacob Tratt lifted Sydney United 58 to a 2-1 win over Bonnyrigg. The former young Sydney FC recruit was hugely impressive in a tight affair, and showed glimpse of talent early on as his side struggled to get a shot past White Eagles ‘keeper James Chronopoulos. Despite their dominance, the United 58 attack was undone by some desperate leaps from Chronopoulos, tapping away some great shots. Panni Nikas was relentless in attack for United 58, constantly testing Chronopoulos in an intense battle. With only a one-goal buffer in the dying stages of the first half, it was Tratt who stepped up for his team. A superb cross from Nikas found its way to the youngster, who hit a beautiful strike from the edge of the area to give United 58 a hard-fought 2-0 lead. Despite a late fight back in the second half from Bonnyrigg, it was United 58 who took the spoils with an entertaining 2-1 win.
Manly Untied secured a tough win over APIA with a spirited comeback. The home side was indebted to a backline led by Luke Giverin and Keiran Paull, who showed class and determination to spark the epic 3-2 win. Giverin got the best possible start with a lovely goal in the 2nd minute. The former Manchester United youth player seemed to be everywhere as he provided stability in defense but also found time to challenge the opposition shot stopper. Man-of-the-match Keiran Paull was a rock in the backline, but was also clinical in attack as his pressure frustrated APIA into fouling the defender in the penalty area. With Brendan Cholakian’s spot kick finding the net, it sent the Manly crowd into frenzy.
A scoreless draw between Wollongong and Sydney Olympic provided some exciting thrills in the closing stages. Bailing Wollongong out of trouble on numerous occasions, Kota Kawase showed enormous stamina to continually foil Olympic’s attack. The Japanese defender left nothing in the tank and as the clock ran down, he came up with the highlight of the day. The Wolves defender threw his body in front of a Howard Fondyke strike that went like a bullet, blocking the shot that ultimately proved to be the final chance of the match.
-By Harry Easton
