Sharks record vital victory at Manly
Sutherland Sharks FC lifted themselves off the bottom of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder with a tense 1-0 result against Manly United FC on Friday evening at Cromer Park.
Fresh from their dramatic seven-goal thriller, Manly United FC looked to cement their spot in the top four against the struggling Sutherland Sharks.
The home side dominated the first half but was unable to find the back of the net and fell to their second defeat of the season.
Friday’s result was a much-needed relief for the Sutherland Sharks FC with James Andrew converting the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Both sides in the battle of the beaches started the contest trying to open up the contest. The first chance fell to Manly United FC, Dejan Pandurevic found some space inside the box, headed wide and the flag was up.
Sutherland Sharks took a while to take a bite out of the Manly United defence.
Their first chance was a flicked header wide then Peter Simonoski found the net but again, the flag was raised by the officials to deny him.
Seiya Kambayashi was tireless running down the wing for Manly United FC. He earned the home side a corner with his run which fell to the feet of James Georgaklis who fired over the bar.
Manly United FC was potent on the counterattack in the first half. Luca Kmet and Pandurevic combined on the left before the pass went into the path of Scott Balderson who clipped one over the bar, as we headed to the break locked at nil-all.
Coming out of the break, Manly United FC had waves of attack on the Sutherland Sharks goal with the best chance falling to Jack Fulton who shot straight. The combination between him and Pandurevic cut open the Sharks.
Despite being on the back foot, Sutherland Sharks were first on the scoresheet. Jonathan Grozdanovski was taken down in the box to earn the spot-kick. Sharks top scorer James Andrew slotted it home to make it 1-0 as he notched up is seventh goal for the 2021 campaign.
Looking to respond immediately, Manly United pushed forward again. The chance fell to Pandurevic who flashed over which brought a groan from the home crowd.
Manly United FC coach Adam Griffiths went to his bench for some inspiration for an equaliser. The experienced Richard Cardozo forced Sutherland Sharks custodian Anthony Bouzanis into a photogenic save to preserve the lead.
The home side kept the Sharks under pressure to find an equaliser as the clock ticked into the final ten minutes. Kambayashi strode through the Sharks midfield and thrashed his shot just past the left-hand post.
Manly United tried to push forward in the seven minutes of stoppage time but Sutherland Sharks did enough to win the battle of the beaches and lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
Speaking afterwards, Manly United FC coach Adam Griffiths was disappointed to not take the points from tonight’s contest.
“It was a poor performance from the side. We had chances which we need to finish,” He said.
“It wasn’t our best effort but we have to keep a positive attitude and continue to work together as a team moving forward.”
Sutherland Sharks FC coach Nick Dimovski sung the praises of his side after what he described as his “toughest week” following the Rockdale loss.
“I’m proud of the team tonight. This has been the longest week of my life after the defeat to Rockdale. The way we bounced back, it showed courage under fire from the side,” he said.
“To beat a tough side like Manly United FC at home, I am delighted,” said Dimovski.
Match Stats
Manly United FC 0
Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (Andrew ‘61 pen)
Friday 23rd April 2021
Cromer Park, Cromer
Referee: M. Bailey
Assistant Referees: P. Teleki & A. Morris
Fourth Official: I. Covic
Manly United FC: 2. PAULL Kieran, 3. GEORGAKLIS James, 5. GALLAGHER Sam (8. FERGUSON ‘66), 7. FULTON Jack (23. DEVRIES ‘74) 12. KMET Luca (10. CARDOZO ‘74), 13. BALDERSON Scott (31. GIBSON ‘55) 14. PANDUREVIC Dejan, 15. PIRIZ Jesse, 16. KAMBAYASHI Seiya, 19. BENTON Samuel, 20. AGANOVIC Alen.
Substitutes not used: 1. MITCHELL Dylan, 18. RAINBIRD Lucas
Yellow cards:
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. BOUZANIS Anthony, 3. CONTIGIANI Gabriel, 5. PETRILLO Nic, 6. O’SHEA Patrick, 7. SIMONOSKI Peter (8. GREEN ‘63) 10. EVERETT Lachlan (25. MASCIOVECCHIO ‘79), 14. LINDSAY Chris, 17. ANDREW James, 22. SCIBILIO Patrick (13. JONES ‘90+1), 88. MCSTAY Christopher, 99. GROZDANOVSKI Jonathan (9. COX ‘79)
Substitutes not used: 4. HOOPER Brendan, 16. ROEBUCK Gerard
Yellow cards: Andrew
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3 – James Andrew (SS)
2 – Seiya Kambayashi (MU)
1 – Christopher McStay (SS)
By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
