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Wollongong Wolves have ended Marconi Stallions’ finals hopes with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.
It was a game to remember for Wollongong’s Peter Simonoski who netted a hat trick in the victory as he denied Marconi the chance of finals football in their first season back in the NSW top flight.
The Wolves striker slotted one in the first half before he added a pair of delightful chipped efforts in the second stanza to finish the season with a tally of 12 goals.
It was a bittersweet end to the season for Wollongong who displayed the high quality football they are capable of but were unable to consistently deliver this campaign as they once again missed out on the post season.
Knowing they needed to better whatever result Rockdale City Suns produced against Sydney FC, Marconi took the first chance of the contest. James Andrews found space inside the box, but the striker snatched at the chance which saw it sail wide.
Playing for pride, Wollongong Wolves put together some nice passages of play in the first half. Nick Montgomery and Simonoski tried a clever free-kick routine that sailed wide.
Wollongong would make the Stallions task tougher when Simonoski once again combined with Montgomery and Steven Hayes to open the scoring.
A precision pass from Hayes curved into the box and found the striker free on the left to slot home and make it 1-0.
Marconi’s attack sparked into brief life after the goal. Sean Rooney put his free-kick the wrong side of the post, quickly followed by shots from Marko Jesic and Andrew which didn’t trouble the keeper as the scoreline remained at 1-0 going into half time.
Peter Tsekensis played his cards quickly after the break. He sent on Peter Triantis and Hassan Jalloh to try and revive the stagnant Stallions attack. They continued to stall as the best chance fell to Rooney whose effort deflected wide as the groans grew across Marconi Stadium.
Wolves continued to find space behind the Stallions defence. Montgomery burst into the box but was denied well by Stallions keeper Nenad Vekic. Next, Simonoski arrowed his shot wide as the visitors looked more likely.
They would find a second in the 77th minute. Some more neat interplay between the attack force, allowed Simonoski to dance into the box before he chipped Vekic making it 2-0 to Wollongong Wolves.
Simonoski completed his hat-trick in the 81st, as Montgomery lofted a terrific ball into the path of the striker, Simonoski showed poise to repeat his chip from earlier to finish the Wolves season on a massive high.
Afterwards Stallions coach Tsekenis was blunt in his assessment of both his squad this afternoon, and in the important matches across the season.
“Truth be said, there have been a few huge games for us this season where I’ve challenged the team to stand up, and show them what they’re made of, they have failed. So I’ll looking at the transfer market for players to win games and play for the big occasion,” he said.
“It’s a good season back but not good enough for a club like Marconi.
“We need to be better, and I need to bring players that show some passion for the jersey alongside some self-pride. They need to come to win.”
A delighted Jacob Timpano enjoyed seeing his Wollongong Wolves side show that they can compete against the top five, albeit too late in the season.
“It’s been a disappointing season for us,” Timpano said.
“We’ve lacked consistency and that killer instinct. Today we showed that killer instinct and if we could’ve had a few more goals earlier this season it might be different, but that’s how football goes.”
Dylan Macallister has signed off his illustrious career with a hat-trick as Manly United cruised to a 5-1 demolition of Bonnyrigg White Eagles in front of a jubilant Cromer Park crowd on Sunday afternoon.
It was the visitors who took the lead early on courtesy of a JeWook Woo header, however Macallister equalised five minutes later and it was all one way traffic from there.
The veteran was gifted an opportunity from the spot by an Aaron Avery handball in first half stoppage time, which saw the visitors reduced to ten men for the remainder of the contest.
A 50th minute Nikola Taneski strike granted the hosts some additional comfort, before Sam Wilson nodded home confidently to ensure the three points inside the final five minutes.
However there was still time for a fairytale conclusion, as one last goal from Macallister raised the Cromer Park faithful onto their feet, as he snuck home his third to acquire the match ball one last time.
It was a deserved high to cap off a disappointing season for Manly, who were unable to defend their Championship title, while the result added insult to injury for their opponents Bonnyrigg, whose relegation was confirmed.
Bonnyrigg continued their fast-starting habits from last week’s clash with APIA Leichhardt, opening the scoring after ten minutes.
JeWook Woo rose highest off a set-piece, releasing a powerful header that nestled inside the back of the net.
However, it did not take Manly long to strike back, and it was their evergreen talisman who etched his name on the scoresheet.
Scott Balderson maintained possession well, before slipping the ball through to Macallister, who narrowly evaded a charging James Chronopoulos to poke Manly level after a quarter of an hour.
Despite requiring a few minutes of treatment for what looked to be a hand injury, the marksman soldiered on.
From there, the contest settled as both sides grappled in pursuit of the advantage. And in the final breaths of the first period, it was offered on a plate for the hosts.
A Jamie Lobb corner was deflected goalwards, forcing Aaron Avery to palm the ball away.
Referee Bradley Wright was left with no choice but to point to the spot and show the White Eagles defender a straight red card.
Macallister stepped up and thumped home into the bottom left corner to complete his side’s first half turnaround.
It did not take Manly long in the second half to exploit the additional pockets of space presented by their ten man opposition.
Nikola Taneski slammed home a third after 50 minutes, with Balderson the provider yet again.
The hosts then pushed for the jugular, as chances to Scott Balderson, Joseph Fox, Leigh Egger and a rocket of a free kick from that man Macallister sailed agonisingly wide.
Brendan Cholakian denied by the woodwork on 73 minutes, before Macallister came within inches in the same fashion, as a trademark header struck the crossbar.
Substitute Sam Wilson then attempted a similar effort on 85 minutes, and his header was able to evade Chronopoulos, placing the result beyond doubt.
But there was still time for one last magical moment.
Nikola Taneski broke down the right wing, and the whole of Cromer Park seemed to inhale a collective breath as his cross was brought down via Macallister’s chest.
Despite pressure from two Bonnyrigg defenders and the goalkeeper, the number nine was able to guide the ball into the back of the net, capping off an outstanding career in the perfect way.
The applause continued as Macallister was then substituted from the field, emotionally bringing the curtain down on his playing days.
The result sealed seventh spot for Manly United, just three points adrift of the all-important top five.
Bonnyrigg, on the other hand, suffered a fourth straight defeat to round out a disappointing campaign, however have a glamour clash with Western Sydney Wanderers in the FFA Cup round of sixteen to look forward to in two weeks time.
Their skipper Tynan Diaz reflected on a gutting end to the campaign, while offering his plaudits to Macallister.
“It was bitterly disappointing,” he said, “and was the story of our season I guess.”
“Cheap goals, poor defending and not enough desire cost us today. It was a sad way to see the season go out.
“I would like to say congratulations to Dylan Macallister on his hat-trick today, which we shouldn’t let happen obviously!
“It was a good way to see a good footballer go out.”
The man of the moment then summed up what was a day to remember.
“I have been available for every match of the season this year, the staff have done really well to keep me fit and injury free,” he said.
“All I was hoping for today was that my body would hold together, and I may have broken my hand but we got the win.
“I scored a couple of goals, with my family and friends here, so I couldn’t have asked for a better finish.
Macallister said he foresees continued involvement with Manly United in the future.
“I am passionate about the sport, the area, and the young players involved,” he explained.
“I am going to be involved in the club, and the first grade squad in some capacity.
“I’m a local Northern Beaches boy, football has been my life and it will continue to be.”
Match Stats:
Manly United FC 5 (Macallister 15’, 45+1’ Pen, 90’, Taneski 50’, Wilson 85’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Woo 10’ )
Sunday August 12, 2018
Cromer Park, Dee Why
Referee: B. Wright
Assistant Referees: J. Bell, P. Teleki
Fourth Official: H. Sappey
Manly United FC: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 2. Kieren Paull, 3. Jamie Lobb, 4. Travis Oughtred, 6. Dominic Ferguson (8. Sasa Macura 77’), 9. Dylan Macallister (14. Mitchell Rooke 90+1’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Nicola Taneski, 12. Leigh Egger, 13. Scott Balderson (5. Sam Wilson 71’), 21. Joseph Fox
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Shaun Catlin, 23. Daniel Alessi
Yellow Cards: Kieren Paulo 37’
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. James Chronopoulos, 2. Aaron Avery, 4. Nikola Krljar, 7. Tynan Diaz, 9. Aaron Peterson, 10. Shervin Adeli (26. Jordan Cracknell 86’), 11. Asmir Kradic (38. Milan Parenta 60’), 13. James Mckenzie, 18. Mun-Soo Gil, 20. Benjamin Tosi (28. Peter Kim 70’), 22. Jewook Woo
Substitutes Not Used: 21. David Bradasevic, 24. Michael Borg
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Aaron Avery 45’
By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Chris Curulli
Rockdale City Suns has scraped into the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW finals series after a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
A brace from Rockdale’s Jonathan Grozdanovski helped the side to a 2-1 lead at the half-time break, before a 91st minute equaliser from Sydney’s Jeremy Cox levelled the scores.
Despite coming away from the match with only a point, it was enough for Paul Reid’s side to secure a top five finish thanks to Wollongong’s 3-0 thrashing of Marconi Stallions.
Sydney FC finish the season on the bottom of the ladder but have secured their safety in the NSW top flight for another season by their overall performance on the Club Championship ladder.
Rockdale will next week take on fourth placed Blacktown City in the first elimination final.
Heading into the match needing to better the result of Marconi, Rockdale immediately took the initiate, going up within the opening two minutes through Jonathan Grozdanovski.
Rockdale’s Alec Urosevski started the attacking play for the hosts as he set up Harris Gaitatzis who fired an effort at Sydney gloveman Duro Dragicevic.
However, Dragicevic was unable to control the shot and the ball fell directly into the path of Grozdanovski who tapped home to fire Rockdale into the lead.
Sydney managed to level the scores in the 13th minute through Jerry Skotadis.
Skotadis initiated the play with a ball to Jeremy Cox before receiving the ball back in front of goal and firing past the keeper.
The hosts had a golden chance to take the lead in the 29th minute through an Alec Urosevski free-kick, but the winger fired his effort just over the bar after it deflected off the wall.
Rockdale reclaimed the lead eight minutes later thanks once again to Grozdanovski.
The striker claimed his second of the afternoon through a moment of individual brilliance.
Grozdanovski received the ball just outside the Sydney FC box before working his way through two defenders and firing an effort into the bottom right corner to give his side a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Despite sitting at the foot of the NPL NSW ladder, Sydney FC were refusing to lie down.
Giancarlo Italiano’s Sydney side came out in the second half with new found energy and an eye for goal.
The Young Sky Blues came agonisingly close to levelling the scores in the 52nd minute after a cross from Skotadis found the head of Cox but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
Four minutes later Sydney had another golden opportunity to equalise through a well placed shot from Brendan Curtis, but Ante Covic was more than equal to it with an acrobatic save.
Rockdale tried to turn the tables and pushed for a third goal.
In the 88th minute Grozdanovski was put through on goal but a sprawling save from Dragicevic stopped the Rockdale front man from his hat trick.
With Rockdale confident that they had done enough for victory as the clock ticked into added time, Sydney FC had one last trick up their sleeve.
A great ball into the box from Skotadis on the left wing found Cox who tapped home an equaliser at the death.
Rockdale City Suns player-coach Paul Reid was disappointed to not claim all three points but was relieved his side was able to secure finals football.
“We should have killed it off before they equalised,” he said.
“At half time we saw Marconi were struggling in their game but I was stressing to the players that we need to do everything to win our game so we control our own fate.
“It’s obviously disappointing to concede late on, we had numerous chances to go 3-1 ahead but at the end of the day our aim was to get into the finals.
“[Blacktown] are always tight encounters, we played them in the finals series last year, so we know what each other are all about and it’s going to be a really good game.”
Meanwhile, Sydney FC coach Giancarlo Italiano was pleased with the performance put in by the side, noting that he was pleased with how some of the elder members of the squad played.
“It was a great performance all round, for a large part of the match we created numerous amounts of chances, especially in the first half,” he said.
“I thought our structure was good, we played very well [but] the second half when it opened up a little bit, we chased the game. Rockdale hit us on the counter a couple of times but our keeper was outstanding.
“It was good to see some of the older boys in the last year eligible for 20s contributing for the draw and it was well deserved.”
By National Premier Leagues Reporter Cal Behrendt
It was a dream finish for Sydney Olympic on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 victory against Sydney United 58 securing them the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership.
Luck was on the side of the Abbas Saad coached outfit, as APIA Leichhardt TIger’s shock 2-1 loss to Hakoah Sydney City East ensured the historic club their first league premiership since 2011.
A goal to Alejandro Sanchez after only ten minutes gave the Blues the perfect start and they held on against tenacious opposition.
United 58 were reduced to 10 men on the cusp of the half time interval after Petar Markovic was sent off and had a goal disallowed for offside in the 74th.
As word travelled around the ground of APIA’s defeat, Olympic’s fans were building up for wild scenes at the final whistle. And what a party it was at Belmore Sports Ground.
Sydney Olympic started off the game strong, with Alex Sanchez hitting the back of the net in the 3rd minute before the flag was raised.
Sanchez made a speedy run through the Sydney United 58 defence to let off the shot but was called offside and the goal denied.
The Spaniard wouldn’t wait long to hit the back of the net again, this time earning the home team the lead in the 9th minute.
Radovan Pavicevic made a brilliant intercept to run down the line and curve the ball to Sanchez who took a tight turn and finished in style.
Pavicevic made another impressive run in the 10th minute, crossing the ball into Burgess who sent his shot high.
Sanchez looked for another in the 12th minute, catching John Hall out of position, but his shot was deflected by Sydney United 58’s defence.
Pavicevic looked to extend the lead in the 34th minute, sending a powerful shot towards the sticks but Hall managed to get a touch and send the ball out for a corner, holding the home side at 1-0.
Peter Markovic earned himself a trip to the sheds early, receiving a red card in the 44th minute after bringing down Sanchez on his run towards goal.
Sanchez took his free kick outside the box, but Hall collected the low strike to deny the striker his second of the day.
Sanchez came straight back into it after the break, powering forward in his attempt to extend the lead, but Sydney United 58 held strong in defence.
Panny Nikas looked to equalise for the visitors in the 51st minute, taking a free kick from a dangerous position, but his ball flew above the crossbar.
Nikas tried a second time to get his team on the scoreboard in the 67th minute, earning a free kick after a handball outside the box.
Patrick Antelmi gave Olympic a scare in the 74th minute, tapping a ball from Nikas into the back of the net before being called offside.
Max Burgess let off a stunner in the 78th minute, sending a shot blazing towards the sticks, but Hall stretched to his limits to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Sydney Olympic Head Coach, Abbas Saad, expressed his pleasure in the effort of the players for the entirety of their Premiership winning season.
“The boys played really well, we created so many chances we just didn’t take them.”
“I thought the boys were fantastic and really, truly deserve it.
“They’ve had a fabulous season.
“To lose it at the last game would have been hard to take so I’m really happy for them.
“It’s not easy taking over 3 or 4 days before the season starts.
“I haven’t coached in the league for more than 10 years or so.
They’re a great bunch of boys there’s a lot of talented youngsters in our team.
“They just needed man management, a bit of confidence, and just to go out there and play their football and they’ve done that all throughout the year.
“I think they’ve entertained, they play a great brand of football and that’s down to they boys’ application and attitude all throughout the year.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 1 (Alejandro Sanchez 9’)
Sydney United 58 0
Sunday August 12, 2018
Belmore Sportsground
Referee: S Lucas
Assistant Referee: A Giev & A Hosani
Fourth official: M Bailey
Sydney Olympic: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 7. Will Angel (6. Nikola Kuleski 53’), 8. Jason Madonis (19. Darcy Burgess 72’), 9. Radovan Pavicevic, 10. Max Burgess, 11. Jinya An, 12. Zac Mackenzie, 14. Alejandro Sanchez Lopez, 18. Brendan Hooper (5. James Demetriou 84’), 23. Riley Woodcock
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Eze Consoni, 33. Niko Tsattalios
Yellow Cards: Nikola Kuleski,
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58 1. John Hall, 3. Jordan Roberts, 5. Peter Markovic, 8. Matthew Sim, 9. Patrick Antelmi, 11. Yianni Perkatis (32. Ante Vrlic 68), 12. Shannon Cole, 13. Sam Perre, 15. Iariq Maia, 18. Glen Trifiro (33. Vlastelica Luke 68’), 23. Panagiotis Nikas,
Substitutes Not Used: 21. Thomas Manos, 7. Mohammad Rahimi,
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards: Peter Markovic 44’
By National Premier League Writer Madeline Riley
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