Tense affair at Melita Stadium

The finals hopes of Parramatta FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles are still in limbo after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in their rescheduled Round 19 PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s clash at Melita Stadium on Wednesday.

Luke Turnbull was the star of the show for the home side with his astute keeping ensuring Parramatta went home with a point despite wave after wave of Bonnyrigg attack.

Bo Hyun Chun opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes but the head of Ibrahim Haydar nodded home not long after to level the scores.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the second half but it wasn’t to be.

Bonnyrigg and Parramatta now need to win their final three games to stand any chance of playing finals football.

It was a cagey start to the match with neither side truly taking control of proceedings.

It took until the 15th minute for the first genuine chance of the match.

Gosue Sama spurned a gilt-edged chance from only six yards out when he skied Tom Mallet’s pin point cross over the cross bar.

It was a miss the home side would pay for with Bonnyrigg scoring only moments later.

Bo Hyun Chun fired home from close range after a pin point through pass to give Bonnyrigg a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The goal proved to be the kickstart the home side needed and Parramatta were soon on the ascension.

Ante Tomic had a great chance to equalise in the 27 minute but James Chronopoulos was too good and denied the shot at the near post.

Ten minutes later Parramatta had the goal they so desperately needed.

Ibrahim Haydar jumped high above his marker and nodded a looping header into the back of the net.

Both teams went into the break locked at 1-1 after a frustrating final few moments of the half.

It was a very similar story in the second half with sloppy play restricting both teams.

Ibrahim Haydar had a chance to double his tally in the 53rd minute but he headed over the bar.

Bonnyrigg returned fire in the 56th minute when Aaron Peterson fired over the bar.

Parramatta’s Daniel Rezo was the next to have a shot on goal, but the midfielder missed the target.

Yuta Kokado spurned his shot in the 63rd minute as both teams continued to attack.

The final 20 minutes of the match belonged to Parramatta goal keeper Luke Turnbull.

The shot stopper was in inspired form to deny wave after wave of Bonnyrigg attack as the visitors clamoured for victory.

David Gullo had one last chance to win the match but he was unable to get his shot away before it was smothered by Chronopoulos.

Parramatta coach Franco Consenting rued what could’ve been after his side was forced to settle for a point

It was a fair result in the end but we could’ve done more,” he said.

“In the end we squandered plenty of chances with our final pass.

“Luke Turnbull was outstanding tonight and kept us in the game at times. I’m extremely happy with his performance.”

Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown said it was just another chapter in what has been a frustrating season for his side.

“It was a much that summed up our season. We created quite a few chances but couldn’t find the back of the net when it mattered.

“I couldn’t be happier with the effort from the boys tonight but it doesn’t win you games.”

Match Stats

Parramatta FC: 1 (Haydar 36’)

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1 (Chun 20’)

Round 19, Wednesday July 27 2016

Melita Stadium, Sefton

Parramatta FC: 1. Luke TURNBULL, 2. Ryan JOHNSTONE, 3. Blade RICHARDS, 7. David GULLO, 8. Daniel REZO, 9. Gosue SAMA, 10. Marco SAMA, 11. Ante TOMIC (13. Nicholas CHYMIAK82’), 17. Joshua GERSBACH (15. Christopher CARBONI 89’), 18. Tom MALLETT, 20. Ibrahim HAYDAR

Substitutes not used: 12. Tomislav BOROVICKIC,Mitchell LONG, 40. Jayden DIACONO

Yellow Cards: G Sama, Gersbach, Mallett

Red Cards: N/A

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. James CHRONOPOULOS, 2. Alex ander MANSUETTO (3.David VRANKOVIC 75’), 4. Michael ROBINSON, 6. Nikola ZONJIC, 10 Yuta KAKODO, 15. Ray MILLER, 16. Sam GALLAWAY. 17. Mun-Soo GIL, 19. Aaron PETERSON, 21. Bo Hyun CHUN, 31. Martin LO

Substitutes not used: 9. Robert YOUNIS, 7. Greg KONDEK, 20. Stevan SAVICIC, 13. James MCKENZIE 

Yellow Cards: Mansuetto, Kakodo,

Red Cards: N/A