Three points secured in Saints victory over Hills

St George FC defeated Hills United 1-0 in a tense match-up at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday night.
The victory marked a three-game unbeaten streak for the Saints as they continue to make a run away from the bottom half of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW ladder.
Nikola Skataric proved to be the hero on the night as his successful penalty in the 16th minute was all that separated both teams.
The hosts were on the front foot from the opening whistle. Peter Grozos found some space inside the box and skewed it wide in the 7th minute.
St George FC captain Troy Danaskos was involved in much of the attack. He roamed forward and cut it back for Harry Jones to shoot straight at Hills United FC keeper Ryan Wood.
The Saints had a chance to open the scoring from the spot after Anthony Morabito was fouled. Nikola Skataric stepped up and slotted home for 1-0 for St George FC in the 16th minute. It was the attacking star’s fifth goal of the 2024 campaign.
Buoyed by the goal, St George FC surged forward for another. Skataric back heeled it to Connor Quilligan who found Morabito to sweep wide.
Hills United FC were restricted to a few chances in the first half. Their best one came to Nicolai Muller whose free-kick went straight to St George FC keeper Andrew Di Blasio.
The Saints had a few half efforts to extend their lead late in the contest. Both Morabito and Skataric sending it wide.
The second half was a tight affair to start as the two sides felt each other out.
Hills United FC grew into the game and started to find their rhythm.
Both sides had chances from set pieces. Hills United substitute Antony Frangie hit the wall while Skataric for St George FC whipped it wide.
Frangie was a constant threat after being subbed on. He had a strike which Di Blasio tipped over.
The substitutes brought an extra spring into the Hills United FC attack. Sunday Yona thrashed an effort wide late on.
Hills United FC had a pair of late corners to try and equalise. The second of which brushed the bar as the opportunity went begging with the follow up.
The task was made harder when defender Daniel Petkovski was sent off in the 94th minute for fouling Grozos and it was to be one of the last plays as St George FC recorded a 1-0 win over Hills United.
Speaking post match, St George FC Jane Talcevski reflected on what was an important victory for the club.
“The first half we did well and probably could’ve scored a few more goals.
“We have to be more clinical in this league.
“The second half was a game of transition for both sides.” said Talcevski.
While for Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly, he reflected on the loss for his side in their fight for survival.
“We weren’t really at the races in the first half and were slow with and without the ball against a good team.
“I felt we improved in the second half but you can’t win games only playing one half.” said Casserly.
Match Stats
St George FC 1 (Skataric ’16)
Hills United FC 0
Saturday 20 April 2024
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson & Aisha Strutt
Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
St George FC: 1. Andrew Di Blasio, 3. Troy Danaskos, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 8. Conor Quilligan (30. Justin Poon ’84) 9. Peter Grozos, 10. Harry Jones (23. Evangelo Souris ’68), 11. Anthony Morabito (2. Caio De Godoy ’58), 18. Mark Rodic, 19. Nikola Skataric, 27. Jayden Seeto
Unused subs: 7. Jesse Sprang, 16. Sebastian Cerecedo, 20. Daniel Axford
Yellow cards: De Godoy
Red cards: nil
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 4. Brian Jamba, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 9. Yu Okubo (18. Mitchell Smith ’65), 12. Jordan Lane, 15. Noah Casserly, 17. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 19. Glen Kelshaw (8. Eoin Montford ’85), 20. Thomas Lopez (11. Anthony Frangie ’65) 26. Thomas Makko (13. Cameron Philp ’85), 27. Nicolai Muller (24. Sunday Yona ’45)
Unused subs: 31. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Smith, Petkovski, Montford
Red cards: Petkovski ‘94
Player Ratings:
3: Nikola Skataric (STG)
2: Troy Danaskos (STG)
1: Mark Rodic (STG)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)