Payne at the double as Hakoah downed by ruthless Reds
A brilliant Chris Payne double has helped Sydney United 58 to a 3-1 victory against Hakoah Sydney City East at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday.
The win stretches The Reds winning streak to four with Miro Vlastelica’s side leapfrogging Blacktown City to take third place.
Payne was in inspired form for the home side with his goals in either half, alongside a Mat Sim strike, the difference for United 58 against a determined Hakoah outfit.
The visitors netted only six minutes into the contest through Anthony Frangie, but it would prove to be only a brief moment on top for Hakoah.
Payne levelled after 26 minutes before he found the net again alongside Sim in the second half to secure the win.
Gavin Rae’s Hakoah side raced out of the block from the opening whistle taking only one serious attack to get on the scoreboard.
Anthony Frangie broke free of his marker to head home after a well delivered corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
United 58 looked to fire back almost instantly and fired narrowly right of the post with consecutive efforts from Panny Nikas and Matt Sim.
A brilliant ball from Frangie in the 13th minute gave Hakoah a brilliant chance to double their lead but United 58 shot stopper was able to deny striker Amaury Gauthier one-on-one.
The home side began to settle into the match and it was obvious as they pushed their opponents deep into their own half.
In the 26th minute United 58 capitalised as Chris Payne pinched the ball off a Hakoah defender inside the penalty area before firing into the net from close range to level the scores at 1-1.
A powerful Orchard half volley from 30 yards out forced Manos into action but the shot sailed ever so marginally wide.
It would be the final action of the half as the two sides went into the break on level pegging.
Sydney United got off to a fast start in the second stanza and were unlucky not to have taken the lead in the 50th minute when James Coombes made and incredible last ditch clearance to deny Payne.
However, it wouldn’t be long until they did find the net again.
Bouzanis made an incredible one-on-one save to deny Chris Payne in the 58th minute but it was cleaned up by Sim who dribbled back into the box before firing past a scrambling shot stopper to make it 2-1.
Hakoah were desperate to equalise and had a flurry of chances in quick succession which all sailed wide of the goal.
With the visitors pushed high, United 58 took advantage and stretched their lead to 3-1 in the 75th minute.
Patrick Antelmi’s driving shot from just inside the penalty area cannoned off the upright and Payne was on hand to tap it in from only two yards out.
Hakoah pushed on as the minutes ticked away and were denied in the 77th minute as Manos made a brilliant double save after efforts by Frangie and then Cox.
In the 89th minute Hakoah forced another brilliant diving save from Manos who refused to be beaten
Despite their efforts it wasn’t to be for Hakoah with United 58 holding out until the final whistle to secure all three points.
A beaming Vlastelica praised his side’s mindset after they fought back from conceding an early goal.
“The boys showed a lot of character. As a team are in a good space at the moment and the boys are enjoying their football which makes everything much easier,” he said.
“We adjusted things at half time because we needed to keep the ball a bit more. It made a big difference after the break and played a big part in getting the win.
“The most important thing for me is that we are putting in good performances each week and so far the rewards have come.”
Hakoah boss Rae rued yet another defeat after giving up a lead.
“Once again we just couldn’t keep it together for 90 minutes and we paid the price,” he said.
“Our first half I was really impressed with but in the second we gave up some sloppy goals and weren’t able to get back into the contest.
“It is very frustrating because I know the team can take it to any team in the competition. However until we can maintain our performance for the full 90 minutes we are at risk of results like we have had in recent weeks.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58: 3 (Payne 26’ 75 Sim 58’)
Hakoah Sydney City East: 1 (Frangie 6’)
Saturday, July 7 2018
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: K Ams
Assistant Referees: L Greenshields & P Teleki
Fourth Official: H Sappey
Sydney United 58 FC: 2. Christian Gonzales, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 6. Chris Payne, 8. Mathew Sim, 9. Patrick Antelmi (3. Jordan Roberts 80’), 11. Yianni Perkatis, 12. Shannon Cole, 15. Tariq Mair (Nick Stavroulakis 68′), 18. Glen Trifiro, 21. Thomas Manos, 23. Panny Nikas
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, 7. Naim Rahimi, 13. Sam Perre,
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Hakoah Sydney City East: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 3. Michael Kouta, 5. Mitchell Stamatellis, 6. Cameron Draper, 11.Jordan Crighton, 14. Anthony Frangie, 16. Joshua Orchard, 19. Dominic Cox, 20. James Combes, 21. Amaury Gauthier, 60. Takayu Noji
Substitutes not used: 33. Jordan Lewis, 27. Jordan Makridopoulos, 8. Oliver Green 17. Harry Jones, 13. Robert Ezekiel
Yellow Cards: Gauthier, Frangie
Red Cards: N/A
