Manly down Rangers in important win
Manly United secured a massive victory to keep its head above water in a 2-1 win over relegation threatened Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Saturday evening.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers battled hard but missed out on the points which might be crucial to their survival in the top flight. They had a sniff for a draw when Cooper Coskerie headed home in the 69th minute but weren’t able to find another goal.
Manly United FC took home three vital points with a pair of goals in the second half. Connor Rose tapped home a Seiya Kambayashi free kick then Harry McCarthy finished off a slick move just after Mt Druitt had equalised.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers started fast in this vital contest. Rhett Desilva found space and fizzed his shot wide of the left post.
The visitors found their rhythm and were denied by some strong Mt Druitt Town Rangers defending. Both McCarthy and Benjamin Koop had chances blocked.
Back in the NPL NSW Men’s competition after his stint with the Central Coast Mariners, Olayinka Sunmola was bright in the first half. He rampaged down the left before his cut back to Shunta Nakamura who swept the ball wide.
Nakamura was involved again for the hosts. He created space for the shot and sent it into the waiting arms of Manly United FC custodian Levi Kaye.
Both sides were keen for a goal before the break. McCarthy went close again for Manly United FC then Sunmola had a pair of opportunities but the game was 0-0 at half-time.
Manly United FC were the first on the scoresheet. Seiya Kambayashi curled a free kick which Mt Druitt keeper parried into the path of Connor Rose to tap home for 1-0 in the 50th minute.
It was almost double delight for Manly United FC. Hunter Elliott was played into the box and thrashed his effort into the side netting.
The visitors continued to hunt for the second. McCarthy threaded a great ball to Finn Ashton whose effort was deflected wide of the mark.
Kambayashi went close again from a set piece. He lobbed the free kick in which was taken well by Dylan Niski.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers struck back from their own set piece. It was sent in and Coskerie rose highest to head home in the 69th minute for 1-1.
Before the celebrations could end, Manly United FC made it 2-1. Kambayashi and substitutes Matthew Sim and Bruno Mendes combined for McCarthy to slot home.
Substitute Will Harvey tried to bring the host back level. He was found well in the box but blazed his effort over the bar.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers threw everything at the visitors to find the equaliser but Manly United FC headed home with three points and a 2-1 win.
Speaking post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery reflected on the loss for his side.
“It was a disappointing result in a game we had everything to play for.
“We felt a bit off tonight after a pair of good performances.
“In the end, we let ourselves down in front third execution and conceded twice through two mistakes.” said Montgomery
While in the other sheds, Manly United FC coach Patrick Zwaanswijk was delighted with the result at a place which always proves tough for visiting sides.
“It is a win which has been a while in the making for us.
“We’ve played well but let ourselves down with the finishing.
“The scoreline is probably deserved for us but we could have made it easier in the first half by taking some chances.
“APIA is a good team but we matched them before so we’ll need to be clinical when we get chances.” said Zwaanswijk.
Match Stats
Saturday 15 July 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Chris Hughes
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Thomas Dale
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Coskerie ‘69)
Manly United FC 2 (Rose ‘50, McCarthy ‘71)
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 2. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika, 4. Cooper Coskerie, 6. Jared Macerola (12. Wil Harvey ‘60), 8. Henry Davies, 10. Kotaro Katsuta, 11. Jackson Bandiera, 20. Dylan Niski, 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Rhett Desilva (15. Anthony Gallo ‘60), 27. Olayinka Sunmola, 40. Shunta Nakamura
Unused subs: 5. Jacob Esposito, 25. Vasos Kartambis, 41. Ivan Sunjic, 42. Bailey Jacobs
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Manly United FC: 3. Jesse Piriz, 6. Finn Ashton (18. Lucas Rainbird ‘69), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 9. Benjamin Koop (11. Matthew Sim ‘69), 14. Connor Rose (10. Bruno Mendes ‘57), 19. Alen Aganovic, 20. Levi Kaye, 22. Belal Belkadi (39. Stefano Rossello ‘80), 23. Harry McCarthy, 29. Hunter Elliot, 32. Saxon Hillyer (12. Kristen Santich ‘80)
Unused subs: 93. Montgomery Partington
Yellow cards: Belkadi ‘53
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Seiya Kambayashi (MUFC)
2: Harry McCarthy (MUFC)
1: Cooper Coskerie (MDTR)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
