Sharks bitten by late Manly winner

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Manly United left it late to snatch all three points in a dramatic 2-1 triumph over a gallant Sutherland Sharks outfit at Cromer Park on Saturday night.

In an evenly poised affair, it was the in-form Travis Oughtred who nodded home with two minutes remaining to ensure the Sharks were sent back to the Shire empty-handed.

A sixth minute flick from Nikola Taneski was cancelled out by a Lachlan Everett stunner on 32 minutes to ensure the match was level at the break.

Both sides enjoyed sustained periods of pressure during the second period; however it was the hosts who struck the decisive blow thanks to their towering centre half Oughtred.

The Champions’ resurgence continues following their nightmare start to the campaign, while Grant Lee’s men will hope they can recapture their recent form as soon as possible.

The hosts were off to a flyer after six minutes. Marley Peterson broke down the left wing, before releasing an inviting cross for Nikola Taneski to flick home.

However as the match drew on, the visitors began to graft their way back into the contest.

Leroy Jennings’ goal-bound header was cleared by Daniel Alessi on the quarter hour mark, before the breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute.

Lachlan Everett levelled things up in emphatic fashion, driving the ball into the bottom left corner.

Manly then upped the ante in the closing stages of the first half, looking especially threatening from the set piece.

They almost recaptured their lead in the 43rd minute through Sasa Macura’s deflected effort which struck the outside of the post.

It was the Sharks who flew out of the blocks in the second half, as Leroy Jennings released a venomous strike which rattled the crossbar two minutes in.

Paul Dee’s men then regained the ascendency, as Brendan Cholakian fired into the side netting after 61 minutes.

The introduction of Dylan Macallister a minute later almost brought the illusive breakthrough, but Sutherland custodian Ryan Norval was vigilant to deny his headed efforts on 62 and 83 minutes.

The visitors almost snatched it themselves in between the veteran’s attempts, as Catlin got down well to his right to keep out Jennings’ powerful 78th minute strike.

Cromer Park then erupted ten minutes later.

Nikola Taneski stood over a slightly angled free kick in moderate shooting range, but instead decisively opted to cross.

Travis Oughtred rose highest to nod the ball into the back of the net, and ultimately secure the result.

Manly United coach Paul Dee believed the score line was a worthy reflection of his side’s performance:

“I reckon we deserved it, we created a lot of chances, won a lot of possession and played a good game overall,” he said.

“That is a pleasing performance and I think it was a fair result in the end.

“We work on opportunities like that and it was great to see him (Oughtred) capitalise.”

Former Manly United boss Grant Lee reflected on what could have been on his return to Cromer Park.

“We had it there to win it, we just didn’t execute at critical moments.

“The energy and intensity we’ve been playing at in the last couple of weeks wasn’t there tonight which was a bit disappointing.

“I thought we let ourselves down, it was more the things we were doing ourselves that really hurt us which is disappointing.

“We had the game in our control, and we let it slip away.”

Match Stats

Manly United FC 2  (Nicola Taneski 6’, Travis Oughtred 88’)

Sutherland Sharks FC 1  (Lachlan Everett 32’)

Saturday April 28, 2018

Cromer Park, Dee Why

Referee: Hassan Jomaa

Assistant Referees: Joon Park, Raymond Osborne

Fourth Official: Matthew Riedy

Manly United: 20. Shaun Catlin, 2. Kieren Paull , 4. Travis Oughtred, 6. Dominic Ferguson (14. Mitchell Rooke 91’), 8. Sasa Macura, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Nicola Taneski, 12. Leigh Egger, 21. Joseph Fox (7. Marco Sama 70’), 23. Daniel Alessi, 33. Marley Peterson (9. Dylan Macallister 61’)

Substitutes Not Used: 19. Mark McManus, 30. Samuel Benton

Yellow Cards: Sasa Macura 37’, Travis Oughtred 55’, Dominic Ferguson 73’

Red Cards: Nil

Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Ryan Norval; 2. Jacob Tratt, 5. Bradley Bartels, 6. Lachlan Everett, 9. Adrian Vranic, 10. Joshua Da Silva (32. James Temelkovski), 12. Blair Brown, 13. Robert Watson, 15. Nick Littler, 17. Leroy Jennings, 20. Keisuke Hayashi

Substitutes Not Used: 4. Hayden Morton, 11. Hristjan Tanoski, 16. Ryoga Suyama,  21. Nikolas Loe,

Yellow Cards: Blair Brown 32’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3- Travis Oughtred (MU)

2- Brendan Cholakian (MU)

1- Leroy Jennings (SS)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Chris Curulli