Sharks hold league leaders United 58 scoreless
Sydney United 58 were held by a dogged Sutherland Sharks FC side in a pulsating 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Sitting at the top of the ladder, United 58 were frustrated by the Sharks defence on an afternoon where they celebrated club stalwart Matthew Sim who notched up his 100th game for the club
Custodian Danijel Nizic saved a penalty but the home side’s potent attack was blunted today.
The point keeps Sydney United 58 at the summit of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder.
United 58 held much of the ball in the opening stages but couldn’t break down Sutherland Sharks.
Sutherland was potent on the counter and tried to find their top goalscorer James Andrew on several occasions in the first half. Andrew cut inside for the first shot of the game but it flew wide of the goal.
Despite their bright opening, The Sharks almost gifted the first goal to league top scorer Patrick Antelmi.
He latched onto a loose pass but took a tame effort which was repelled by Sharks custodian Gerard Roebuck.
In a tight first half where chances were at a premium, the Sharks tried to circle from a set-piece that was taken by Chris Lindsay. He dipped the effort over the wall but Sydney United custodian Danijel Nizic made a fine stop to keep it at 0-0.
Both sides tried to break open the contest but the game remained a battle between the two midfields with the only half-chance falling to Sharks Oliver Green which he sliced over. The game waited for the spark as it went to the break deadlocked at nil-all.
Coming out of the break, the Sharks almost took an immediate bite out of Sydney United 58. Andrew was fouled inside the box for a penalty. The Sharks main man stood over the spot-kick but was denied by a superb diving save from Nizic.
United 58 started to press forward and try to chip away at the rock-solid defence of Sutherland.
Antelmi again found space inside the box, powered his shot at the near post but again Roebuck was there to gather.
The visitors continued to sense there might be an upset and created chaos with their corners on a brisk afternoon. They almost profited from another which pinballed like Sonic the hedgehog with bodies flying everywhere but United 58 cleared their lines.
Antelmi continued to look the most likely for the home side. He burst forward into space, had a shot against a defender which fell to substitute Jackson Khoury who couldn’t turn home as the game entered the final ten minutes.
Having a fervent crowd behind them, Sydney United 58 pushed forward to find the winner as the clock ticked closer to the 90th minute.
Payne tried to curl one home for the home side but it fell into the grateful hands of Roebuck as the teams shared the points.
United 58 coach Tomi Vidovic paid tribute to Matthew Sim for his milestone achievement on an afternoon in which the home side was held at bay.
“He has been a great servant to the club for the last five years. It is a big achievement especially at such a historic club like Sydney United 58 to reach 100 games. He should be quite proud of his service to the club.” said Vidovic.
“Sutherland Sharks came here with a plan tonight and credit to them, they executed it well against us. We had some chances in that second half but now we move onto next week and our next game.”
Sutherland Sharks coach Nick Dimovski praised his side for what he considered was their best performance of the season.
“I thought we were very good today against the champions. I asked them to play the full 90 and gee didn’t the Sharks deliver a good game of football in the west tonight,” said Dimovski.
“I think that is our best performance of the season and could’ve nicked it. We had a clear-cut penalty which was saved but even Roberto Baggio missed for Italy. James Andrew has carried the team this season and we probably shouldn’t have left it to him to win this game.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 0
Sutherland Sharks FC 0
Sunday 30 May 2021
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: M. Bailey
Assistant Referees: S. Quinn & L. Jones
Fourth Official: A. Naji
Sydney United 58 0
Sutherland Sharks FC 0
Sydney United 58: 1. NIZIC Danijel, 2. GONZALEZ Cristian, 3. ROBERTS Jordan (22. FRAGOGIANNIS ‘75), 4. VLASTELICA Adrian, 6. PAYNE Christopher, 8. SIM Matthew, 9. ANTELMI Patrick, 10. CLUT Devante (7. KHOURY ‘75), 14. AGAMEMNONOS Andreas, 16. POSCOLIERO Jacob, 18. TRIFIRO Glen
Substitutes not used: 15. MAIA Tariq, 20. IVANCIC Jordan, 21. ORLOVIC Josip, 25. VLASTELICA Luke
Yellow cards: Poscoliero, Payne
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 3. CONTIGIANI Gabriel, 4. HOOPER Brendan, 6. O’SHEA Patrick, 8. GREEN Oliver, 9. COX Jeremy (99. GROZDANOVSKI ‘84), 10. EVERETT Lachlan, 13. JONES Charlie (22. SCIBILIO ‘77), 14. LINDSAY Chris, 16. ROEBUCK Gerard, 17. ANDREW James (7. SIMONOSKI ‘70), 88. MCSTAY Christopher
Substitutes not used: 1. DENHAM Nathan, 12. SUTHERLAND Harry, 21. SAUER Luke
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
*Player Ratings have now been hidden
By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
