Round 1 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20
Sutherland’s big victory over Manly United headlines the opening round of action in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s U20 competition.
There were also wins from defending champions Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC who opened their PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 20’s account against Rockdale City Suns.
The match of the round was at Sydney United Sports Centre where two of the championship hopefuls rounded out the first week of competition.
Match of the Round
Sydney United 58 v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 4.00pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over 10-man APIA Leichhardt at Sydney United Sports Centre in the opening round of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s U20 campaign.
Reds striker Luke Ivancic opened the scoring and later missed a penalty in a first half that saw APIA captain Stephan Adattini dismissed for a handball after blocking Anthony Vrlic’s goalbound effort on the line.
Jack Stewart doubled the advantage early in the second half for Sydney United who could’ve increased the deficit further but for some wayward finishing inside the final third.
While it was far from one way traffic and a generally spirited performance from the visiting ten men, APIA were starved of possession and chances in the second half and unable to force an way back into the contest.
The visitors will lament not making more of a promising start that saw a slew of opportunities missed inside the opening fifteen minutes.
APIA marksman Matthew Barko created the first chance of the game early on after chasing his own flick on but could only steer his shot wide one on one with Sydney United goalkeeper Lucas Pervan.
Barko then turned provider for Samuel Gulisano who sent a shot dribbling wide of the far post after breaking free inside the penalty area, before a superb counter attack was wasted at the death when winger Samuel Paslis spooned his effort over the bar.
APIA were punished for their profligacy when Ivancic nodded home Anthony Poljak’s cross from point blank range to put the Reds 1-0 up.
The visitors were placed firmly on the back foot soon after with Adattini’s dismissal, who was deemed to have illegally obstructed Vrlic’s goalbound effort inside the area.
The APIA defender was given his marching orders but Ivancic’s penalty was weak and comfortably gathered by Blake Tuxford low to the keeper’s left.
Tuxford’s penalty save had restored some hope for the Tigers but Sydney United 58 ensured it would be a mountain to climb for their opponents in the second half when Jack Stewart doubled the advantage early on.
A delightful piece of close control and shot from Reds midfielder Andre Schroeder saw the ball rebound off the foot of the post and straight into the path of Stewart, who made no mistake with the goal gaping.
The hosts created several changes to add a third with Schroeder himself unfortunate not to find the back of the net after seeing a sweetly-struck drive from close range blocked by Joshua Symons, but a combination of stoic APIA defending and several fine saves from Tuxford kept the scoreline at 2-0 and gave the Reds a dream start to the 2017 season.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 2 (Ivancic 29’, Stewart 50’)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0
Sunday 12th March 2017,
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
Fourth Official:
Sydney United 58: 34. Liam Ivancic (29. Matt Zanon 74’), 40. Lucas Pervan (GK), 41. Anthony Poljak, 35. Andre Schroeder, 37. Daniel Sestan (60’), 25. Jack Stewart (44. Luke Vlastelica), 2. Kristopher Vlismas, 12. Nathan Bertolissio, 39. Brady Smith, 42. Tony Yang, 28. Ante Vrlic
Substitutes Not Used: 31. Emilio Manos, 36. Ante Markovic
Yellow Cards: 37. Daniel Sestan 50’, 27. Joshua Briskoski 85’
Red Cards: N/A
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 32. Stephan Adattini, 29. Mathew Barkho, 38. Samuel Gulisano, 25. Aedon Kyra, 28. Benjamin Mccarron (36. Jack Armson 80’), 39. Samuel Paslis (35. Jackson Volarich 68’), 34. Nicholas Pogonowski, 1. Blake Tuxford (GK), 33. Joshua Symons, 30. Sean O’Connell, 23. Shervin Adeli
Substitutes Not Used: 31. Jordan Morfitis, 27. Antonio Tassone, 26. Christian Theuma,
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: 32. Stephan Adattini 38’
Saturday
Sutherland Sharks 5-2 Manly United, 4.30pm at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks opened their 2017 account in style by putting five past Manly United at Seymour Shaw.
There were debut goals for Matthew Stewart, Jake Borromeo and Lachlan Everett as Sutherland put Manly to the sword with Patrick O’Shea and Matias Da Silva Santos completing the 5-2 rout.
Manly’s Sipan Berti and Hamish Galbraith forced replies for the 2016 Premiers but it was a day to forget for United who begin the campaign at the foot of the table.
Sutherland will aim to build on their big victory when they host Blacktown City at Seymour Shaw next weekend while Manly United welcome Bonnyrigg to Cromer Park.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-3 Sydney Olympic, 5.00pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
A Nikita Andricopoulos brace has given Sydney Olympic the perfect start to their title defence after defeating Bonnyrigg 3-1 at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
Andricopoulos struck twice for the reigning champions alongside a Sebastian Malfara effort to dispose of the White Eagles, who netted in consolation through Jayden Whittle.
Bonnyrigg will look to pick themselves up next round in a tough visit to Cromer Park to face fellow competition heavyweights Manly United, while Olympic will target another three points when they face Wollongong Wolves in Belmore.
Sydney FC 3-1 Rockdale City Suns, 5.45pm at Lambert Park
Sydney FC made light work of Rockdale City Suns on their NPL 1 debut after cruising to a 3-1 victory over Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park.
A brace from John Iredale and an Alusine Fofanah strike ensured the Sky Blues opened the new campaign on the right note, while James Temelkovski scored on debut for Rockdale.
A trip to Melita Stadium to face Parramatta awaits Sydney next weekend with Rockdale set to entertain Sydney United 58 at Illinden Sports Centre.
Hakoah Sydney City East 1-3 Blacktown City, 1.00pm at Hensley Athletic Field
Blacktown City began the season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field.
City cruised to a three goal advantage courtesy of strikes from Lachlan Rose, Dan Machara and a Mason Ireland penalty before Hakoah’s Satchel Kolt forced a consolation late on.
Hakoah will search for their first points of the campaign when they face APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park next week while Blacktown head to Sutherland in an enticing encounter at Seymour Shaw.
Match abandoned: Parramatta v Wollongong Wolves, 5.00pm at Melita Stadium
Match was abandoned during the second half with scores at 1-1 due to an injury suffered by a Parramatta FC player.
-By Jacob Windon
