Round 1 Review – NPL NSW Men’s 20s
The rising stars of the NPL NSW Men’s competition kicked off over the weekend as round 1 of the NPL NSW Men’s 20’s took place with the Match of the Round taking centre stage at Belmore Sports Ground between Sydney Olympic and the Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday.
Match of the Round
Sydney Olympic v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 12.40pm at Belmore Sports Ground
Milan Parenta’s first half penalty gave Bonnyrigg White Eagles a 1-0 victory over Sydney Olympic in a tight contest at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday afternoon.
The Bonnyrigg forward converted from the penalty spot after Stephen Athanaseris fouled Daniel Krkovski inside the box shortly before half time following a dominant opening stanza from the visitors.
Despite Olympic mustering an impressive second half display in which the Blues will lament a series of missed chances Bonnyrigg bravely held on to notch their first win of the season.
It could’ve been a lot more comfortable for the visitors who after a disjointed opening to the match began to dominate with Parenta enjoying a handful of chances to score before eventually breaking the deadlock.
The White Eagles forward saw a low drive and a near post header parried by Olympic gloveman Ezequiel Consoni while the goalkeeper was also on hand to bail out Yahya Elhindi whose poor backpass sent Parenta through on goal.
Parenta was gifted another opportunity when Olympic defender Stephen Athanaseris fouled Daniel Krkovski inside the box and coolly sent Consoni the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.
Olympic ended the first half in mild disarray but started the second stanza with admirable determination and were inspired by the substitution of attacker Dylan Woznicka who took the game by the scruff of the neck for the hosts.
After claims for a penalty were waved away the match’s best opportunity arrived after more exciting wingplay from Woznicka whose cutback from the byline was missed by Taewoo Jung from in front.
Another gilt edged opportunity fell to Brian Sutomo following more enterprise from Woznicka who saw a shot from close range blocked before Sutomo blazed over the rebound.
Olympic continued to press for an equalizer with Bonnyrigg players firmly on the back foot but visitors held steadfast for a vital away victory.
The Blues face a tricky test at APIA Leichhardt next Sunday afternoon while Bonnyrigg will be eyeing off consecutive wins when they host Marconi on the same day.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Parenta 38’)
Sunday 11th of March 2018
Belmore Sportsground, Belmore
Sydney Olympic: 21. Stephen Athanaseris, 28. Ali Dulleh, 29. Ericson Ehiozee, 13. Yahya Elhindi, 32. Adam Histodoulou, 27. Taewoo Jung, 17. Benjamin Morrison (40. Dylan Wozniczka 53’), 26. Billy Patramanis, 37. Ahmad Safdari (38. Brian Sutomo 45’), 41. Louie Zacharapoulos, 20. Ezequiel Consoni
Substitutes not used: 31. Liam Flack, 34. Joshua Hronopoulos, 43. Kamran Qayumi
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 23. Amar Adilovic, 24. Michael Borg, 25. Taylor Cambaz (37. Mohammed Shah 86’), 26. Jordan Cracknell, 27. Damian Cupac (28. Peter Kim 72’), 30. Daniel Krkovski, 31. Dean Krkovski (29. Nikola Kremenovic 88’), 4. Nikola Krljar, 35. Milan Parenta, 40. Max Rowston, 34. Alexander Zarafetas
Substitutes not used: 33. Francesco Terranova, 73. Connor Evans
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
Saturday
Marconi Stallions 1-2 Sydney United 58, 5.00pm at Marconi Stadium
Although Marconi’s first grade secured a victorious return to the top flight later in the evening there was no such triumph for the 20s who were defeated 2-1 by Sydney United 58 at home on Saturday evening.
Brandon Stojcevski found the back of the net for Nahuel Arrarte’s side but goals from Kyle Cimenti and Sam Perre edged out a tight contest for the visitors.
The Reds’ scorers on the day could prove to be a formidable duo this campaign with Perre continuing an impressive vein of 2017 form that saw the attacker score six goals in seven matches at the back end of last campaign.
Marconi get their chance to respond when they visit Bonnyrigg White Eagles next Sunday afternoon, while United 58 can make it two results in a row at home to Blacktown City in Edensor Park.
Sydney FC 3-1 Hakoah Sydney City East, 5.45pm at Lambert Park
Hamish Lamberton’s brace proved decisive as Sydney FC defeated a valiant Hakoah Sydney City East outfit 3-1 at Lambert Park.
The former Sydney United 58 striker marked an impressive debut with a double while former Hakoah attacker Jordi Swibel also netted for the Sky Blues.
Reece Kilpin was on the scoresheet for the visitors who battled hard in the second half but were eventually punished late on as Hakoah rallied for an equalizing goal.
Giancarlo Italiano’s men will eye off a crunch contest with defending champions and fellow championship contenders Sutherland next week at Seymour Shaw.
Hakoah’s home affair with Manly United offers up their next chance to get off the mark.
Sunday
Wollongong Wolves 2-1 Blacktown City, 1.00pm at WIN Stadium
Wollongong began the new campaign in style thanks to a 2-1 victory over league heavyweights Blacktown City at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In a heated encounter on the south coast James Ford’s side netted through James Markovic and Tory Musumeci to gain a confidence boosting win.
Cooper Coskerie grabbed a goal on debut for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything on an off-day for Blacktown.
Wolves welcome Rockdale City Suns next Sunday afternoon hoping for two wins on the trot, while Blacktown City have a tough encounter with Sydney United 58.
Rockdale City Suns 1-1 Sutherland Sharks, 3.00pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
James Temelkovski rescued a point for defending champions Sutherland Sharks who resumed their title defence by drawing 1-1 at Rockdale on Sunday afternoon.
The former Rockdale player netted 14 goals for the Suns in 2017 but came back to deny his former side a valuable opening day win after Giuliano Airoldi put the hosts into the lead.
An understrength Sharks side will be pleased with their response but hope to field their strongest line up when Sydney FC come calling at Seymour Shaw next Saturday afternoon.
Rockdale meanwhile will head down to Wollongong next round buoyed by a positive result and display against the competition heavyweights.
Postponed: Manly United v APIA Leichhardt Tigers
-By Jacob Windon
