Spirit still in search of maiden victory following defeat to St George City

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NWS Spirit FC’s tough season continued as St George City recorded a 2-1 victory in round 6 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition at Christie Park on Saturday. 

The loss saw David Perkovic’s troops remain at the foot of the ladder with the club yet to taste victory in 2024.

A game played with plenty of feeling, a Jason Romero penalty late in the first half gave them the points after both sides exchanged goals early.

Indeed, St George City were the side who started with more intensity in this one. Their first chance coming from who else but Jason Romero, four minutes in. Romero’s left footed effort saved by a diving Christopher Marques up high.

Their start rewarded with a goal before ten minutes. Presley Ortiz heading home at the back post after a flick on from a Petratos cross from the left.

Against the run of play, Spirit found an equalizer in the 16th minute. Kyle Shaw got free of his man from a corner on the right, heading home with a strong header.

A nice bit of play from the Spirit saw the hosts have their next effort in the 35th minute. Bradley Whitworth squaring it back to Jared Lum who put his right footed effort over the bar.

Romero soon responded from distance at the other end, his effort fizzing wide of the right facing post.

Romero finally found his goal in the 40th minute from the spot. The striker was brought down by Christopher Marques to win the penalty, Romero made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom right corner.

Both sides continued to have chances into the second half, a throw in routine from the right saw Jesse Michel’s effort go wide of the left post a minute after the resumption.

Romero then had the chance to double his tally at the other end in the 48th minute but was denied by Marques in the Spirit net who made himself big.

Oritz’s last involvement nearly resulted in a goal. Romero released him through one-on-one but couldn’t find a way past Marques in the Spirit goal on the hour.

Spirit still threatened for their own part. Jake Chidiac played a one-two down the right before a tempting ball across just evaded the head of Zachary Cianci at the back post in the 67th minute.

The hosts continued to push with a set piece in the 80th minute. Grant Cornwell had his shot around the body blocked on its path to goal.

While a break at the other end saw Jesse Photi and Nathan Roberts combine, only for the latter’s effort to be cleared off the line by Simon Nicholas. A set piece chance hitting the crossbar soon after.

The final few minutes saw no lacking feeling with City captain Tarik Ercan seeing red with five minutes left.

However, St George City held on late to take the spoils home.

Post game City coah Mirko Jurilj reflected on his sides performance.

“Three points is good and the win is good but not overly pleased, it was a funny game that one.

“There were moments where we could’ve killed the game off there and they had their moments. We are lacking cohesion in the front third and need to be a lot better there considering our quality.”

Spirit head coach David Perkovic was disappointed that his side had to chase the game once again.

“We can’t always be chasing the game, and we haven’t gone in front once this season. It’s another game where we were in the game, and we need to be better in both boxes.

“We started the season well defensively and the standard has slipped recently.”

Match Stats

NWS Spirit 1 (Shaw 17’)

St George City 2 (Oritz 10’, Romero 41’)

Saturday 16th March, 2024

Christie Park, Macquarie Park

Referee: Danny Horstead

Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris & Lindsay Edmonds

Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie

NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques (GK), 3. Kyle Shaw, 4. Jarred Mckinley (55. Jacob Sullivan 80’), 5. Bradley Whitworth (18. Zachary Cianci 45’), 8. Grant Cornwell, 11. Ollie Wiggin (9. Gianni Bouzoukis 80’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 17. Jake Chidiac 19. Jesse Michel, 20. Jared Lum, 21. Luiz Lobo

Substitutes Not Used: 31. Joel Wade, 36. Kyah Williams,

Yellow Cards: Marques 39’, Chidiac 85’, Jesse Michel 87’

Red Cards: Nil

St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny (GK), 3. Joshua Hong, 4. Solomon-John Manahan-Vaiika, 5. Fumoto Kamada, 8. Dominic Cox, 10. Jason Romero (19. Jesse Photi 82’), 11. Kosta Petratos (33. Louis Khoury 61’), 14. Paolo Mitry (7. Nathan Roberts 69’), 25. Brodie Clarkson, 30. Presley Ortiz (9 Yerasimakis Petratos 61’), 99. Matthew Keremelevski (6. Tarik Ercan 81’)

Substitutes Not Used: 13. Joseph Knowles

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Ercan

Player Ratings

3- Fumoto Kamada (STGC)

2- Jason Romero (STGC)

1- Dominic Cox (STGC)

By Justin Smith