Late Tomelic winner spurs United 58 to victory over City
Stand-in captain and club stalwart Anthony Tomelic stepped up immensely for Sydney United 58 as he bagged a rare goal to ensure a 1-0 win over St George City on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The hosts came out strong as they produced their first chance in just the second minute after some good team play down the right eventually led to a good shot from just outside the box by midfielder Aidan Milicevic that forced a diving save out of goalkeeper Jack Kenny.
Milicevic had an even better chance in the 23rd minute after some great play saw him take the ball into the box, with the midfielder releasing a shot from near the penalty spot which forced a remarkable reflex save out of Kenny.
The visitors came agonisingly close to scoring themselves in the 27th minute when striker Marc McNulty was played through and opted for a lobbed shot over goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast, though his effort had just too much on it as it landed on the roof of the net.
City created another great opportunity from a free kick in the 35th minute with Paolo Mitry’s curling delivery receiving a delicate header from Matthew Wahby, which was parried out by an outstretched Prendergast.
Prendergast was called upon again in the 41st minute after Fumoto Kamada unleashed a first-time long shot that took a huge deflection and went up in the air towards the net, with the United 58 keeper tipping the ball over the crossbar.
Just like in the first half, United 58 produced a good early chance at the start of the second with Milicevic taking a shot in the 46th minute that was deflected out by Dakota Askew.
City was inches away from grabbing the first in the 61st minute when Paolo Mitry released a wonderful strike from range that was kept out only by the left post.
United 58 should have broken through in the 70th minute after Anthony Tomelic’s clearance from a corner played through Mario Shabow, though the midfielder was unable to shake off Askew who stayed on him and expertly prevented him from getting a shot off.
The hosts kept the pressure on and produced another fantastic chance in the 82nd minute through winger Leroy Jennings, whose shot into the bottom right was saved beautifully by Kenny.
They finally found their elusive goal in the 84th minute from a corner set piece wherein the ball fell towards Anthony Tomelic at the back post, with the midfielder and captain on the day striking it from a very tight angle into the bottom right.
Sydney United 58 coach Ante Juric praised the victory as an important one for the players, the staff and fans alike, noting the significance of it particularly after their disappointing loss to Rockdale last round.
“Every game in this league is hard. I don’t think we’ve had an easy game, so everyone needs to be up for it every week and today was no different,” Juric told Football NSW.
He noted the strong display from his players, particularly Anthony Tomelic, saying:
“(Tomelic) was one of our better players. He was disciplined in the middle, started a lot of our attacks, defensively was excellent, and scored as well…I think everyone stepped up today in terms of attitude and effort.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 1 (Anthony Tomelic 84’)
St George City FA 0
Sunday 18 May
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Patrick Teleki
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Sydney United 58: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Bailey Rule, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 9. Patrick Antelmi (37. Luke Zuvela 78’), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch, 12. Richard Darko (23. Mason Wells 63’), 14. Liam McGing, 17. Michael Glassock, 19. Aidan Milicevic (8. Mario Shabow 63’), 32. Leroy Jennings (22. Stephan De Robillard 90’)
Substitutes Not Used: 6. Thomas Makko, 31. Josip Orlovic
Yellow Cards: Bailey Rule 33’,
Red Cards: Nil
St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby, 3. Caio De Godoy (7. Nathan Roberts 72’), 6. Tarik Ercan, 8. Dominic Cox (16. William Kounnas 90’), 9. Marc McNulty, 10. Paolo Mitry (18. Goncalo Agrelos 78’), 11. Fumoto Kamada (12. Kai Kamikura 90’), 23. Dakota Askew, 25. Brodie Clarkson, 33. Louis Khoury (15. Nathan Grimaldi 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Cameron Kemp
Yellow Cards: Louis Khoury 38’, Jack Kenny 63’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Anthony Tomelic (SU58)
2: Jack Kenny (STG)
1: Dakota Askew (STG)
-By Dimitri Kallos
