A fourth goal from his last three matches has seen Patrick Antelmi and Sydney United 58 score an extremely competitive 1-0 victory over the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney United Sports Centre in Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
The opening half began largely one way as Shunta Nakamura wasn’t afraid to vehemently press the opposition, additionally creating several great solo runs. However, in the 5th minute the Central Coast found their footing and countered swiftly as Donatien Niyonkuru weaved his way through the hosts defence only to be thwarted at the last step as Oliver Kalac raced off his line to push the ball away.
Just three-minutes in, Sydney United 58 witnessed Nakamura evade several Defenders only to fire just over the bar. Whilst moments later he placed in a beautiful long ball, only to see Stephan De Robillard also edge his attempt over the bar.
The game continued in a pulsating pace, however a trip on Harry Menham in the box saw the Central Coast awarded a spot kick in the 17th-minute. Unfortunately Mariners’ always reliable and club top scorer Luka Smyth put too much force into it as he skied it over the goal post.
The Mariners continued to attack as a 32nd-minute run saw Smyth weave in and out of Liam Mcging and Dejan Bakrdanikoski dangerously. And ten minutes prior to the half ending, Nakamura looked certain to score, only for Parker Williams to kill the opportunity at the last possible second with his impactful clearance.
The games fist yellow brought the second half into action as Rocco Smith bowled over Carlos De Oliveira on the 55th minute mark with both gunning for the ball.
It took just four-minutes for Sydney united 58 to utilise their momentum stringing some rich passes together before Antelmi slid the ball in past Dylan Periac-Cullen to open the scoring.
Tensions boiled over in the 71st-minute as Antelmi and Rocco Smith got tangled up with one another in the heat of the moment, as both teams heavily remonstrated to the match officials. Antelmi received a yellow for his involvement and Smith was sent off for his.
On the 77th minute mark, Antelmi was close to doubling his account, however Peraic-Cullen cut it down at the far post.
The ball then flew right down the other side of the field where the Mariners valiantly pushed for an equaliser, only for Tariq Maia to jolt away the ball with a brilliant clearance, putting his body on the line.
The match ending closely after.
Experienced United 58 defender and skipper Adrian Vlastelica was happy wit his side securing the three precious points at home.
“The Mariners are a young mobile team with a lot of energy, legs and pace. It was something we had to be extremely wary of.
“The clean sheet was the most important aspect as we haven’t had one of those in a while, and having Patrick ‘Patty’ Antelmi score was excellent.
“Whenever we’re at home, we aim to put on a great performance for our fans, especially with the conditions that were presented to us.
“We only scored one goal which was disappointing, but the clean sheet was the majorly important.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 1 Patrick Antelmi 59’
Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Sunday 26 May 2024
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Brodie Merchant
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Thomas Dale
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
Sydney United 58: 1.Oliver Kalac, 3.Christian Gonzalez, 4.Adrian Vlastelica, 5.Anthony Tomelic, (6.Adam Zevras 72’), (7.Jordan Ivancic 68’), 8.Shunta Nakamura, 9.Patrick Antelmi, 10.Carlos De Oliveira, (13.Alessandro Lacalandra 68’), 14.Liam Mcging, 15.Tariq Maia, (19.Aiden Milicevic 68’), 21.Dejan Bakrdanikoski, 22.Stephan De robillard
Unused subs: 12.Marco Arambasic, 17.Matthew Nikolovski
Yellow cards: Patrick Antelmi 72’, Jordan Ivancic 90+4’
Red cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: (2.Michael Paragalli 75’), 4.Andre Parkes, 5.Harry Menham, 6.Jordan Small, 8.Lucas Scicluna, (9.Nicholas Duarte 61’), 10.Luka Smyth, 11.Donatien Niyonkuru, 12.Taye Hedley, 22.Rocco Smith, 34.Parker Williams, (35.Haine Eames 68’) 36.Bailey Brandtman, 40.Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Unused subs: 20.Jai Ajanovic, 28.Ahmad Elhelou, 32.Cher Deng
Yellow cards: Rocco Smith 55’, Nicholas Duarte 85’, Jordan Small 89’
Red cards: Rocco Smith 72’
Player Ratings:
3: Shunta Nakamura (SU58)
2: Patrick Antelmi (SU58)
1: Donatien Niyonkuru (CCM)
-By Tobias Canning
