NWS Spirit FC return to the winner’s circle with much needed victory over Hills
NWS Spirit FC breathed a massive sigh of relief following it’s 3-1 victory over Hills United FC in Round 10 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition at Christie Park on Saturday.
The hosts took full control of the contest in the second half which saw them take the three precious points.
In front of a good crowd, NWS Spirit FC opened the scoring after ten minutes. A lovely floated ball from Richie Darko on the right found Zachary Cianci at the back post who headed back across goal past the keeper and it was 1-0 to the hosts.
While at the other end, Sunday Yona and Anthony Frangie were busy for the visitors combining on the right side. Yona found Yu Okubo who couldn’t connect with his shot before it was cleared away before the quarter hour.
The equaliser for the visitors came after the half hour through guess who, Yona, with a wonderful chipped finish. Okubo was the orchestrator who lobbed the ball over the defence in the build-up which Yona took full control of.
Hills nearly took the lead before the break, Thomas Makko hitting the crossbar from the half way line after spotting Christopher Marques off his line in the 43rd minute. The visitors controlling the game in terms of chances towards the back end of the half.
After letting go of the lead earlier in the fixture, NWS Spirit FC came out from the break firing and almost claimed a second just seconds after the resumption. Cianci found Jesee Michel with the latter seeing his shot saved by Ryan Wood at the near post.
Michel went close again a minute later, his shot across goal missing the target. .
Yona had the visitors first chance of the second period in the 51st minute. The talented attacker switched on the afterburners before forcing Marques into a good save.
It was the hosts that finally got their reward with a strong second half as the took the lead in the 62nd minute. Jesse Michel finished with his head from close range after Jacob Chidiac and Ciani combining well once again on the right flank.
A chance at either end soon followed with Gianni Bouzoukis, who nearly capped off a superb team move while Jordan Lane saw a chance blocked at the other.
Hills had their best chance of the second half in the 77th minute. A cut back from the right-wing found Okubo who hooked his shot wide left of the target.
The missed chance proved costly shortly after as Ollie Wiggin scored from an acute angle after a lovely flick released him on the overlap just after the 80th minute.
Mitchell Smith nearly responded almost immediately as his shot, which was bound for the top corner, was saved by Marques a minute later.
The referee blew for full time much to the relief of the NWS Spirit players, coaching staff and spectators on hand to witness their 3-1 win.
NWS Spirit FC assistant coach Luca Falcone hailed his side’s good performances which took home vital points for the club.
“We spoke at half time about playing football that we can be proud of,” Falcone stated to Football NSW.
“We’ve been cautious when we’ve taken the lead this season and it was good to see goals from it.
“It was good to see a big crowd come out, the women did their job beforehand and we followed it up.
“The young ones in particular were excited and played their part to get the win.”
While Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly reflected on a game of two halves.
“I thought we were quite good in the first half, we had some good moments and controlled moments of the game.
“But from the first whistle of the second half, we were second best. Second to everything and they were first to every ball. We invited a lot of pressure on ourselves.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit 3 (Cianci 10’, Michel 62’, Wiggin 80’)
Hills United 1 (Yona 33’)
Saturday 13 April, 2024
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson & Lindsay Edmonds
Fourth Official: Hayden Kaye
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques (GK), 3. Kyle Shaw, 7. Richie Darko (21. Luiz Lobo 71’), 8. Grant Cornwell, 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 14. Jacob Sullivan (4. Jarred Mckinley 66’), 16. Ante Bakmaz (6. Corey Kavanagh 58’), 17. Jacob Chidiac, 18. Zachary Cianci, 19. Jesse Michel (9. Gianni Bouzoukis 66’)
Substitutes Not Used: 31. Joel Wade, 36. Kyah Williams
Yellow Cards: Sullivan 27’, Bakmaz 47’, Nicholas 93’)
Red Cards: Nil
Hills United: 1 Ryan Wood (GK), 2. Daniel Petkovski, 9. Yu Okubo, 11. Anthony Frangie (14. Samuel O’Connor 87’), 12. Jordan Lane, 13. Cam Philp, 15. Noah Casserly (4. Brian Jamba 64’), 17. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 24. Sunday Yona (20. Thomas Lopez 64’), 26. Tommy Makko (18. Mitchell Smith 78’), 27. Nicolai Muller (8. Eoin Montford 64’).
Substitutes Not Used: 21. Emlyn Cross.
Yellow Cards: Casserly 22’, Makko 70’, Lane 78’, Lopez 93’, Petkovski 93’, Montford 93’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Zachary Cianci (NWS)
2- Jake Chidiac (NWS)
1- Sunday Yona (HU)
By Justin Smith
