Rangers clinch first victory for 2022
Mt Druitt Town Rangers took home their first win of the 2022 NPL NSW Men’s season with a 4-2 victory against Northbridge Bulls FC on Good Friday at Popondetta Park.
The maiden victory of the 2022 competition came in style, with four rapid-fire goals coming for the hosts after conceding the first goal.
Bul Juach fired home a brace, while Fumota Kamada and Jack Stewart added the other two goals in the win.
For Northbridge Bulls FC, they got the perfect start when Michael Ruhs fired home after six minutes but were stunned by the Rangers’ display.
Ruhs found the back of the net again in the first half to make it 4-2 before he clattered a spot-kick against the bar, leaving the visitors sitting rock bottom on the competition ladder.
In an important game for two sides on the wrong side of the NPL NSW Men’s ladder, the game got off to a cracking start.
Bulls’ midfielder Jed Drew flashed one wide of the mark as an early sign of intent.
The visitors were the first to find the back of the net in the sixth minute as Ruhs found some space inside the box, composed himself and arrowed into the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-0 to Northbridge.
Stung by conceding the goal, an inspired Rangers’ side sprang into action.
Kamada equalised for the home side only six minutes after the first goal as he took a cushioned pass inside the box and slammed home to make it 1-1.
The Rangers’ second goal came quickly after their first as Juach strode confidently into the box, took a touch then curled the ball onto the post then into the goal for Mt Druitt.
The Rangers were in full flow after their second goal and continued to create chances.
Juach was on the end of some neat interplay that forced Bulls’ custodian Levi Kaye into a save.
The home side quickly made it 3-1 through sharpshooter Stewart from the spot after John Roberts was fouled.
Kamada was the star for Mt Druitt in the first half – the attacker added an assist to his well-taken goal when he provided a wonderful, cushioned pass for Juach to complete his brace, leaving the home side ahead with a 4-1 scoreline in an impressive first half of football.
Before spectators caught their breath, it was 4-2 as the Bulls pulled a goal back.
Northbridge sprayed the ball out wide with a Drew threaded ball right onto the foot of Ruhs, the attacker made it a brace to give the visitors some hope.
There were further signs of hope for the Bulls just before the break following a hand ball inside the box.
Goal scorer Ruhs stepped up to the spot and thundered his effort onto the crossbar and away as everyone caught their breath.
Needing to find something to get back in the contest, the visitors were first to have an attempt in the second half through Ruhs. He showed off his acrobatic skills with an overhead kick which went straight to Rangers ‘keeper Robert Fanella.
Northbridge kept pushing forward as the game ticked over the hour mark.
Drew had the initial chance before it fell to Brodie Clarkson whose pair of efforts were blocked.
They had a further chance through substitute Mason Wells which was pushed wide.
Chasing the contest, the visitors continued to ring the changes with Stephan De Robillard coming on and curling an effort over the bar.
They kept pushing forward but the Rangers’ defence held firm for a precious three points.
Delighted in the post-match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers assistant coach Stamati Glaros enjoyed the Rangers getting some reward for their recent efforts.
“It’s a long time coming,” Glaros explained.
“We were clinical in the first half and held our nerve.
“The boys put in a massive shift and I can name names for fun after that.
“We’re looking to build from this now. We had this big emphasis on forgetting the previous games and focus on tonight.
“I’m proud of the lads tonight.”
For Northbridge Bulls FC assistant coach Kory Babington, he was disappointed about the result after the visitors had had such a strong start.
“We made it difficult, conceding in quick succession,” he said.
“Mainly in the transition moments which we didn’t deal with well.
“We started well getting the goal but the inexperience showed tonight.
Second half we battled well, especially if one of those goals goes in.
“Back to it next week, looking for the next win because we know we can do it.”
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 (Kamada ‘12, Juach ‘21, ‘29, Stewart ‘27)
Northbridge Bulls FC 2 (Ruhs ‘6, ‘33)
Friday 15th April 2022
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Amber Morris
Fourth Official: Jake Rose
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 3. Carlos Tchuda, 4. Travis Oughtred, 6. Louis Khoury (26. Rocco Fragale ‘74), 7. Jack Stewart (10. Diogo Barbosa ‘90), 9. John Roberts, 11. Fumoto Kamada, 12. Jake Trajkovski (21. Rhett De Silva ‘65) 17. Cooper Coskerie, 19. Bul Juach (18. Olayinka Sunimola ‘64), 20. Robert Fanella, 23. Tarek Elrich
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Matthew Symes, 13. Jorge Tavares
Yellow Cards: Fragale ‘82
Red Cards:
Northbridge Bulls FC: 2. Jack McLoughlin, 3. Nathan Dimou, 4. Andrew Sparacino, 8. Brodie Clarkson, 10. Rory Jordan, 13. James Cakovski (7. Mason Wells ‘69) 16. Oliver Jones, 17. Jed Drew (11. Stephan De Robillard ‘79), 18. Michael Ruhs, 19. Lachlan Sepping, 20. Levi Kaye
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Marcus Sparacino, 14. Abbas Karnib, 21. Sebastian Hernandez, 40. Griffin Barry
Yellow Cards: Jones ‘26, M. Sparacino ‘39, Clarkson ‘52, McLoughlin ‘56
Red Cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Fumoto Kamada (MDTR)
2: Bul Juach (MDTR)
1: Michael Ruhs (NB)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
