Manly United sink Sydney FC further into relegation battle
Manly United have continued its recent good form following a gritty 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Sydney FC at Cromer Park on Friday evening.
The Northern Beaches outfit have now gone four successive matches unbeaten as the club have slowly turned the corner following a tough start to the 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s season.
With a heavy influx of youth representing both Manly United and Sydney FC, the first half began in an enthralling fashion.
The action kicked off in the 2nd minute of the match when Rocco Pelle was called into immediate action as he successfully stopped a barnstorming run from Matthew Scarcella. However, not long after that, the hosts settled into the match as Manly had opportunities via Blake Bamgbose and Connor Rose, both attempting bicycle kicks to no avail.
Manly continued to press and were at it again in the 24th minute as Rose got himself into a sizeable position to score, only for an equally as commanding headed clearance from Joseph Calusic seeing the chance go to waste.
Eleven minutes later Scarcella and Mitchell Glasson strung some threatening passes together, before the visitors saw a goal disallowed for offside on the 37th minute mark.
Following a scoreless draw at the break, the hosts hit the lead via the penalty spot.
Will Kennedy handled a Connor Rose ball as referee Jake Rose pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Peter Kekeris who made no mistake with FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos given no chance and it was Manly United who drew first blood, 1-0.
Manly continued to push as a swift and fast long-range effort from Saxon Hillyer in the 63rd minute went wide of the goals.
The chances continued for Manly United with Miguel Bauza going close in the 72nd minute as he saw his venomous strike sail wide of the post.
It was to be the final major talking point of the game as Manly United hung on to record a 1-0 win much to the dismay of Sydney FC who have fallen further behind on the ladder.
Man of the moment Peter Kekeris was thrilled about his side’s crucial victory and hailed some of his side’s squad members following the win
“Our average age is 23.
“We’ve had some new faces and injuries meaning it’s taken time for us to gel, but we have gotten our playing style down pat now and we are very lethal from the counterattack.
“Whilst we are a top club and it’s in our DNA to bring the Boys through the youth teams, coach Patrick Zwaanswijk is all class, he backs them, and they repay the favour by stepping up and performing well.
“As for my goal, it came off my foot well. I saw Alexander Zaverdinos go the right way but stutter for a second. I’ve gotten three from three and I’m confident in myself. I’ll keep on practicing penalties and hopefully keep on putting them away.”
Match Stats
Manly United 1 (Peter Kekeris 50’)
Sydney FC 0
Friday 31 May 2024
Cromer Park
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Blake Sanchez-Cruz and Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Manly United: 1.Levi Kaye, 2.Kieren Paull, (3.Zac Sfiligoi 83’), 4.Jesse Piriz, 6.Saxon Hillyer, 7.Peter Kekeris, (8.Joseph Fox 79’), (9.Benjamin Koop 65’), 11.Connor Rose, (12.Miguel Bauza 65’), 19.Alen Aganovic, 22.Blake Bamgbose, 25.Rocco Pelle, 29.William Faulder, (39.Stefano Rossello 79’), 45.Bilal Belkadi
Unused subs: 31.Jay Coates
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 3.Tyler Williams, 4.Joseph Calusic, 5.Zachary De Jesus, (7.Oscar Fryer 67’), 8.Lachlan Middleton, 9.Bailey Callaghan, 10.Tiago Quintal, (13.Jacob Brazete 60’), (16.Pearson Kasawaya 60’), 18.Matthew Scarcella, 19.Mitchell Glasson, 22.Will Kennedy, 24.Wataru Kamijo, (29.Joseph Lacey 67’), (34.Blake Bolwell 84’), 40.Alexander Zaverdinos
Unused subs: 30.Mason Hartnig
Yellow cards: (Tiago Quintal 77’, Zachary De Jesus 83’, Will Kennedy 90+2’)
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Peter Kekeris (MU)
2: Connor Rose (MU)
1: Mitchell Glasson (SFC)
-By Tobias Canning
