St George City continued its surge for a top six finals series spot defeating Hills United 3-1 further worsening the visitors plight to stay alive in the NPL Men’s NSW competition on Saturday evening at Penshurst Park.
The hosts blew away Hills United FC in the first half. Jesse Photi opened the scoring in the second minute then Kosta Petratos scored from the spot in the 19th minute then made it 3-0 in the 29th minute to round off the blitz.
Hills Custodian Ryan Wood did have a bright moment making a penalty save from Jason Romero in the second half then substitute Thomas Lopez made it 3-1 in the 81st minute but it was a mere consolation as the club continued its fight for survival.
The action started almost immediately as the hosts opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Jesse Photi was inside the box, cut inside his defender and found the bottom corner for 1-0.
St George City were keen on more and were pushing forward for a second. They had a few tame efforts at Wood who held his own underneath the Hills sticks.
The hosts through their determination doubled their delight in the 19th minute from the spot. Kosta Petratos was fouled inside the box with the attacker making no mistake and it was 2-0 to Mirko Jurilj’s side.
Brodie Clarkson looked to continue the strong start for the hosts as he threaded through a ball for Dominic Cox who blazed over.
Kosta Petratos then made it 3-0 for St George City in the 29th minute. He started the move then followed up Romero’s shot to poke home his second of the match.
St George City were simply ruthless in the first half. Cox had a pair of efforts fizz wide then Paolo Mitry also saw his effort sail agonizingly close to the goal.
Hills United FC had a few half chances from set pieces but weren’t able to trouble St George City custodian Jack Kenny.
The hosts kept up their work to start the second half in strong fashion. Photi had a superb first touch before he thrashed wide of the left post.
Next it was Romero searching for a goal. He weaved past the defenders before he bent the ball wide of the mark.
St George City had a chance to add a fourth from the spot. Romero stepped up and was denied by a plunging Wood to deny him.
Hills United FC pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. The free kick was curled in and fell to substitute Thomas Lopez to slot home for 3-1.
St George City went close again to a fourth from a slick move. It was flicked into the path of Kosta Petratos who couldn’t turn it home for what would have been a memorable hat-trick.
Post match St George City coach Mirko Jurilj reflected on an important three points for his side as they pushed for a spot in this year’s NPL Men’s Finals Series.
“The first half was good but second half wasn’t.
“We could’ve had a few more in the first half and limited them to a few chances.
“We were in a low block to repel them but the final half hour wasn’t good enough by our standards but it was a good three points to pick up.” said Jurilj.
While for Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly, the former Socceeroo discussed that it was a tale of two halves from his side in this contest.
“It was a tough game, they were all over us in the first half.
“They were all over us on the ball and anticipated things which made it tough.
“You have to take your hat off to them, we will need to regroup and do what we need to secure three points next week.”
Match Stats
St George City 3 (Photi ‘2 K. Petratos ’18 ‘29)
Hills United FC 1 (Lopez ’81)
Saturday 3 August 2024
Penshurst Park
Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Hayden Michlmayr & Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Damien Delovski
St George City: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Cameron Fong, 3. Caio De Godoy, 4. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika, 5. Fumoto Kamada, 8. Dominic Cox, 10. Jason Romero (27. Zakariya Hammoud ’86), 11. Kosta Petratos, 14. Paolo Mitry, 19. Jesse Photi (7. Nathan Roberts ’72), 25. Brodie Clarkson
Unused subs: 17. Joshua Keremelevski, 21. Ryan Reid, 32. Mitchy Jomaa, 34. William Wright
Yellow cards: Kenny ‘80
Red cards:
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 6. Isaac Hovar (13. Cameron Philp ’68), 8. Yerasimakis Petratos (11. Anthony Frangie ’86), 9. Yu Okubo, 15. Noah Casserly (2. Rainer Smahel ’68), 16. Lachlan Seeping, 19. Glen Kelshaw, 22. Byron Ginn, 26. Thomas Makko (77. Dimi Petratos ’68), 27. Nicolai Muller (20. Thomas Lopez ’45)
Unused subs: 31. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Muller ’27 Ginn ‘71
Red cards:
Match Points:
3: Dominic Cox (SGFA)
2: Kosta Petratos (SGFA)
1: Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika (SGFA)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
