Sutherland Sharks secured their first win of the 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season in a 2-0 victory over Manly United at Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon.
Harry Callahan was the man of the moment for the home side in a rugged, yet evenly contested match, scoring in the 37th minute from a super through ball from Jason Madonis and again at the death through substitute Charlie Jones, who was on the pitch for less than two minutes.
The commitment couldn’t be faulted by either side in a niggling, disjointed affair as neither truly gained overall control, but Sutherland were able to grind out the win as Callahan’s double was unanswered by the Northern Beaches side.
Madonis was first to show and warmed the hands of Manly United’s Jack Greenwood in the 4th minute after a goalmouth scramble, but the resultant corner amounted to little.
Matt Sim replied in kind when spinning on the edge of the area from a Finn Ashton pass, but skewed his shot wide of the upright before Bruno Mendes skied one out of the ground.
Jesse Piriz received the first caution of the game when going in strongly on Sharks’ American striker Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu resulting in the Manly fullback having to watch his step for the remainder of the game.
It was proving a scrappy affair with neither team able to gain the upper hand, although the home side were showing some promise with both Nick Sullivan and Madonis causing pain to their opposition, particularly when utilising the pace of James Andrew on the flanks.
Callahan was fortunate, having already received a caution, not to be sent from the field when bringing down Tom Fay just outside the area in the 28th minute in what seemed to be a clumsier challenge than malicious.
Manly United were unable to capitalise on the free-kick opportunity, as their effort was headed wide.
Piriz found Sim with a long ball out from the back, who lashed a shot into the side netting, but a corner was given.
Jimmy Oates managed to get on the end of the corner kick and headed it sharply down, but Sharks ‘keeper Anthony Bouzanis was able to get a foot to at the base of the post and turn away.
Manly had their best opportunity of the game in the 37th minute, but Sutherland managed a counterattack that turned Callahan from hero from villain as he buried the ball past Greenwood to open scoring with a thunderous right-footed shot.
It was the first time this season the Sharks found themselves in the lead, again after terrific work from Madonis to set up the chance.
The visitors would feel aggrieved but could have no complaints at going behind as Sutherland had been making probing and making headway down their left-wing throughout the half.
Half time arrived with no addition to the scoreboard leaving both coaches to ponder what might have been.
From the restart Callahan, involved in everything during the first period, found space in the box and attempted to chip Greenwood only to see the ball clip the bar and go behind.
Manly quickly regained their composure and set about redressing the balance however, buoyed by the goal, Sutherland were swiftly out of the blocks and hungry for a second.
Manly United coach Adam Griffiths was first to ring the changes for Manly when replacing the impressive Finn Ashton and Tom Fay with James Georgaklis and Lucas Rainbird respectively in the 55th minute to provide different attacking options going forward.
Indeed, the visitors were racking up a catalogue of half-chances, but Mendes was left holding his head after spinning in the box but planting his shot wide of the framework just after the hour mark in what seemed like a gilt edge, if tricky, opportunity.
If the chances kept being created it would surely only be a matter of time until one was taken to restore parity.
The ever-reliable Sim attempted to curl one into the net in the 85th minute but Bouzanis read it well and gathered cleanly.
The Sharks replaced Andrew with Charlie Jones who, on for barely 90-seconds, set up Callahan for his second of the match to secure the points.
Sharks coach Nick Dimovski was delighted if not relieved at the whistle.
“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish,” he said.
“I don’t think Manly had too many clear-cut chances throughout and obviously defence has been our problem in the opening rounds, so it was pleasing to get our first points and clean sheet of the campaign.
“I think we deserved to win, the second goal came late but at least it came, but we’ll take the three points and hopefully it will prove the catalyst to ignite our season.
“I’m very pleased with Harry [Callahan] as I saw a lot of potential in him and believed he was capable of doing what he’s done today, and more if his progression continues.
“It wasn’t a pretty game at times, but a win is a win and that was important against a very tough Manly outfit.”
Manly coach Adam Griffiths said, “I think the best that can be said is that it was a scrappy game and could have gone either way, but it didn’t for us today.
“It’s always difficult here at Sutherland and we played some better football in the second half, but we’re not firing up top at the moment – we need to finish chances and find our scoring boots.
“We got stung on the counterattack when we were pushing and they are a hard working team.
“A draw might have been a fairer result but that’s football,” he concluded.
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Harry Callahan 37’, 90’)
Manly United 0
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Saturday, 20th March 2022
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Cameron Wright
Fourth Official: Amber Morris
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 2. James Baldacchino, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Harry Callahan, 8. Jason Madonis, 12. Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu (18. Mitch Smith 70’), 14. Chris Lindsay, 17. James Andrew (13. Charlie Jones 88’), 21. Michael O’Neill, 22. Nick Sullivan (10. Lachlan Everett 80’), 23. Mark Rodic
Subs not used: 3. Gabriel Contagiani, Nikola Taneski, 16. Jacob Cremen-Cowan
Yellow Cards: Harry Callahan 25’, Jason Madonis 59’, Chris Lindsay 75’
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 20. Jack Greenwood, 2. Keiran Paull, 3. Jesse Piriz, 4. Jimmy Oates, 5. Tom Fay (18. Lucas Rainbird 55’), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 11. Matt Sim, 12. Finn Ashton (6. James Georgaklis 55’), 14. Dejan Pandurevic (18. Mitch Smith 80’), 19. Alen Aganovic, 22. Bruno Mendes (29. Marcus Lal 88’)
Subs not used: 17. Zenden Hart, 24. Mitch Mattison
Yellow Cards: Jesse Piriz 16’, Bruno Mendes 76’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Harry Callahan (SS)
2 – Chris Lindsay (SS)
1 – Jason Madonis (SS)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock