A Ray Miller-inspired Bonnyrigg White Eagles returned to winning ways as they prevailed 4-2 over Rockdale City Suns in a see-sawing PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
Goals from Bo Hyun-Chun and skipper David Vrankovic saw the hosts’ race to a dominant 2-0 lead after an impressive first-half showing but the White Eagles surrendered their advantage in disastrous fashion when Rockdale restored parity midway through the second stanza through Alexsandar Canak and Toufic Alameddine.
But the pendulum swung once more in an engrossing Heritage Round affair with Miller edging Bonnyrigg back in front with a gorgeous curling strike before Robbie Younis came off the bench to add a match-sealing fourth after a calamitous error from Rockdale gloveman David Bradasevic.
Despite relinquishing a vice-grip on the contest in the second half it was a performance in stark contrast to last weekend’s meagre 1-1 stalemate with Wollongong as a spritely Bonnyrigg outfit sprung out of the gates against the championship dark horses from Ilinden Sports Centre.
A purposeful and incisive start bore instant dividends for the hosts when Bo Hyun-Chun finished off a sweeping one-touch move on the edge of the area.
And the Korean architect soon turned provider when his floated corner delivery was flicked past Bradasevic by Vrankovic to put Bonnyrigg two-nil up.
The visitors had barely offered a whimper going forward and their first-half misery was compounded when Stephen Hesketh spooned a golden chance over the bar on the half-time whistle.
Second-best all over the pitch in the first, Rockdale quickly pulled a goal back minutes into the second when Alexsandar Canak capitalized on a poor Bonnyrigg turnover to prod home at the back post.
And the side were level within moments of Canak’s strike when Toufic Alameddine thrashed a low drive past White Eagles stopper James Chronopoulos.
There was palpable frustration from the Bonnyrigg Sports Club faithful after watching another lead slip at home, but the game turned again when Miller drove forward from midfield and unleashed a fine curling effort beyond Bradasevic to put the White Eagles back in front.
Rockdale rallied following Miller’s strike with several dangerous flashes across the Bonnyrigg goal but Robbie Younis sealed a crucial three points for Brian Brown’s men late on, pouncing on a mistake from Bradasevic to fire into an empty net.
Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid lamented his side’s collapse in the final quarter of the affair.
“The boys fought extremely hard to get back to 2-2 so to give away two soft goals from that point on is incredibly frustrating, especially to come all the way here and leave with nothing,” he said.
“It’s not a massive setback in the context of our season, we’ve played twelve matches and lost twice and we’re happy with the position we’re in”.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 (Chun 14’, Vrankovic 37’, Miller 70’, Younis 85’)
Rockdale City Suns 2 (Canak 55’, Alameddine 62’)
Saturday 21st May 2016
Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. CHRONOPOULOS James, 21. CHUN Bo-Hyun, 16. GALLAWAY Samuel, 17. GIL Mun-Soo, 10. KOKADO Yuta (36. KRADRIC Asmir 83’), 7. KONDEK Gregory, 15. MILLER Raymond, 19. PETERSON Aaron (9. YOUNIS Robert 79’), 4. ROBINSON Michael, 3. VRANKOVIC David, 6. ZONJIC Nikola
Substitutes not used: 18. JOVOVIC Alexander, 13. MCKENZIE James, 20. SAVICIC Steven
Yellow Cards: 7. KONDEK Gregory 19’, 4. ROBINSON Michael 74’, 36. KRADRIC Asmir 90’
Red Cards: N/A
Rockdale City Suns: 17. ALAMEDDINE Toufic (12. EL HAFIANE Idriss 80’), 1. BRADASEVIC David, 8. CANAK Aleksandar, 3. HESKETH Steven, 9. MACALLISTER Dylan, 10. MAKRILLOS Peter, 4. MCCLENAHAN Trent, 15. PETRILLO Nicholas, 5. REID Paul, 16. SAVOR Isaac
Substitutes not used: 22. BAZI Andrew, 19. SAVOR Patrick, 11. TANOSKI Hristijan, 14. LEKOSKI Aleksander
Yellow Cards: 15. PETRILLO Nicholas 9′, 6. RICCIUTO Blake 43’, 4. MCCLENAHAN Trent 51’, 3. HESKETH Steven 71’
Red Cards: N/A
Player Ratings
3 – Ray Miller
2 – David Vrankovic
1 – Bo Hyun-Chun
-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Jacob Windon
Archives for May 2016
HERITAGE ROUND – Olympic is part of my life: Andrea Hatzioannou
Andrea ‘THE LEGEND’ Hatzioannou is the epitome of football fans in Australia and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The fanatical Sydney Olympic supporter has been watching the side since he arrived from Greece as a 12-year-old.
But what the entire football family will forever remember him for his chants of “O-LYM-PIC” which echoed through the crowd at Olympic games.
From starting those infamous chants to more recently a devoted volunteer, the man affectionately known by his first name lives and breathes Sydney Olympic.
“It is part of my life,” Andrea told Football NSW.
“My father’s brother used to be the photographer for Panhellenic as we were called back then when I arrived. He took me to my first game and I have never left.”
Once known as Australia’s biggest sporting fanatic, the 64-year-old has gone onto become a gentleman and major asset to the game and the club.
His love for the game has never wavered, so much so he cannot put into words his feeling for the club.
“It’s hard to put into words what this club means to me. A lot of other Greeks play cards or go have a drink, all I ever wanted to do was support my team.
“I’ve been to most games for 52 years now, and only missed a few when I went on a holiday in 1982.
“Now I volunteer, I make sure the referees are taken care of at home games, I go and see the boys after a win.
“Even now my voice is gone from screaming after we beat Spartans last week.”
Sydney Olympic host APIA Leichhardt Tigers in this weekend’s Heritage Round at Belmore Sports Ground.
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
-By Chris Georges
HERITAGE ROUND: Susan Gatt flying the Wolves flag
Few clubs in Australia boast a history as intriguing and as decorated as the Wollongong Wolves.
The regional New South Wales outfit has never let itself be bullied by the big boys from the city.
From the regional leagues, to the state leagues and then to the biggest stage of them all in Australia, the Wolves have seen it all and Susan Gatt has been there for a lot of the ride.
Gatt arrived at the club in 1995 when her husband’s – then boyfriend’s – father was treasurer of the club.
And no matter what the club has gone onto achieve it has always maintained the community feel – a true representative of Wollongong.
“Wollongong is not on the national stage, but we still love our football,” Gatt said.
“It’s the biggest junior sport here, so you can’t go wrong if you’re starting so strong from the grassroots.
“And everyone knows the history of football here and the players that have come from here.
“The Matt Horsleys, the Scott Chipperfields – he was born and bred Wollongong and went overseas and played for the Socceroos. It’s a prominent city for football in Australia.”
The club enjoyed some trophy-laden years in the now defunct National Soccer League before returning to the Football NSW National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s 1 competition.
“I’ve always just worked in admin. When we were in the NSL there was more staff – maybe six or seven of us,” she said.
“So I have been here through lots of different stages.”
But nothing beat the high of winning the NSL Grand Final in 2000.
The Wolves travelled to now A-League outfit Perth Glory to contest the first showpiece of the millennium and pulled off what is now known as “doing a Liverpool” five years before the English Premier League giants did it in Istanbul in 2005.
The Wolves were 3-0 down at half-time before a Chipperfield goal sparked a remarkable comeback that culminated in a win on penalties.
“Going to Perth for that Grand Final was amazing,” Gatt said.
“I did not feel that way at half time, though! I just wanted to get back on the plane.
“But football is a funny game and I think the effort to come back just epitomised who we are as a club.”
The Wolves continue to show their fight as a club and Gatt could not be prouder to see coach Jacob Timpano at the helm.
“I remember him playing for us in the under-13 team,” she said.
“He’s come full circle and there’s a great feeling around the club at the moment.”
-By Matt Galea
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
HERITAGE ROUND: Sharks Legend George Souris continues to give back
George Souris has been around the block as far as football is concerned, but he has never felt as much as home as he does at the Sutherland Sharks.
Souris’ involvement with the club stretches back for almost a decade, when he arrived at the club after finishing his career in the National Soccer League.
The former Parramatta FC, Wollongong Wolves and Sydney Olympic player returned to state league football in 2008 when he arrived at the Sharks and while his playing days are behind him he remains as involved as ever.
Souris runs the club’s academy development squad and skills acquisition program.
“It’s my local club now. I live nearby and I’ve been involved at the club as a player in the state leagues and now in the NPL, we’ve won a title and it’s been a special journey,” Souris said.
“My son has come through with them and even though he is at the Western Sydney Wanderers now, all his SAP and his early development was with the Sharks.”
And when it comes to developing A-League players, no area in Sydney does it better than Sutherland.
You could construct whole starting XIs of players who have been through, or at least started in, the Sutherland system and are now in the A-League.
“There’s a lot of young talent here,” Souris said.
“There’s a lot of kids around the Shire and a lot of them and for the most part they are all good kids.
“Their natural athleticism makes them good to work with and as long as you can install the good football points into them and they are dedicated, they can go on to make it at an A-League level or beyond.”
The Sharks are pivotal to that progression and Souris says the club’s positive, family orientated atmosphere helps them to remain so popular and trusted within the local community.
“There is no politics here. Coaches are just allowed to coach, as long as they continue to do a good job,” he said.
“That’s half the reason we produce what we do. Coaches just get the job done here.
“Plus, just generally speaking, the club is a very good club. The parents involved are all very nice and respectful.”
-By Matthew Galea
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
HERITAGE ROUND: Traditions alive and well at Sydney United 58 FC
No matter their name or the level they have played that, Sydney United 58 FC have always remained true to their heritage.
Playing in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition under the guise of former junior, captain and Socceroo Mark Rudan the markers of this club’s great history are everywhere.
Tony Krslovic is another important part of the club’s illustrious history who continues to give back to the club he supported and played for at the highest level.
“I have supported this club for more than 40 years,” Krslovic said.
“I remember going to games when we were called Sydney Croatia and we were playing in the old New South Wales state leagues, going to places like the City Sports Ground and supporting the team.
“We were a very successful club in the 1970s. I remember grand finals, Wentworth Park and seeing the team play in front of crowds of 15-20,000.
“It was my dream to play for them, as it was for most kids of Croatian heritage.”
And play for United 58 FC he did.
But by the time he made his debut as a spritely 17-year-old, Sydney United 58 FC were playing in the old National Soccer League.
“I think it was 1987 that I made my debut. I remember the first game I played and it was against Adelaide City.
“It was a tough game, but I remember getting to school at 2pm the next day.
“It was pretty good. There were a few boys at schooled that played football. We had the Okon brothers with me at school so there was a bit of rivalry but it was a fantastic time.”
Krslovic would play with some extraordinary players in his time in the NSL.
“At one stage we had five or six internationals,” Krslovic – a former Socceroos himself – said.
“Graham Arnold, Robbie Slater, Graham Jennings and Wally Savor…they were fantastic players.
“Then we had the boys like Tony [Popovic] come through who were a few years younger than me.
“Zeljko Kalac, Mark Bosnich, David Zdrilic – it was a strong time for the club.”
Youth has always been a cornerstone of the club’s tradition, and Krslovic continues to contribute to that in a coaching capacity as the club’s PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Under 15 coach.
But he is happy to see that carried through across all levels of the club, particularly with Rudan coaching the seniors.
“It’s great to have him here as a coach, given he’s a former junior and captain,” Krslovic said.
“His history and ties to the club means he can continue to pass on the Sydney United 58 FC tradition to the next generation.”
-By Matthew Galea
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre