Former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Martin Lo is revelling in his new-found confidence at Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC.
The diminutive midfielder might have only played nine senior games for the club’s senior outfit this season, but he has proven one of the club’s best performers in the last two months and now he has Sydney United 58 FC in his sights ahead of this weekend’s PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s Preliminary Final.
"There’s a good feeling in the group," Lo said.
"The season didn’t go as well as we thought it would but we turned it around and we managed to make it into the top five and finals and things have been going really well.
"We’re in a good position now and now we want to make this season a fairytale season."
As the White Eagles faced a run of seven games without a win in the regular season and looked unlikely to make the Finals Series at all, Lo was one of several youngsters Brown turned to in an attempt to turn the club’s season around.
Lo has been a constant in the club’s improved run of form and he says he has to thank his coach for trusting him and his fellow youngsters like Asmir Kadric.
"He has shown a lot of faith in the younger boys," he said.
"We’ve been training well, playing well in the under-20s and he has given us an opportunity which we’ve taken and he has just kept giving us more games.
"He always told us if we kept working hard, we would get our opportunity and once we’d proven ourselves we’d get a chance."
Coming off a pro contract at Western Sydney Wanderers, moving to the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s with Bonnyrigg has been something of a sea change, but the youngster is learning plenty.
"It is a lot more tough physically than the National Youth League was," Lo said.
"I would say that [playing in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s and being at the Wanderers] is quite similar. The only think that the A-League has is a bit more structure, but the NPL is very competitive.
"There’s definitely quality in this league that has not been seen in the A-League and in terms of quality, I don’t think it’s that much different. There’s a lot of good talent."
And this weekend’s opponents rank among the best.
Sydney United 58 FC were far and away the best team in the home-and-away season, winning the premiership by nine points.
But they find themselves in a tough spot against Bonnyrigg in the Preliminary Final, having lost to Blacktown City FC in the Major Semi Final.
United have beaten the White Eagles twice this season, but that will only make Bonnyrigg hungrier to win when it counts most, according to Lo.
"Those games will be our motivation," Lo said.
"They’ve done us twice this season and we’re looking to get them back. Especially at this stage of the season.
"It’s a big game, maybe the biggest I have played in."
-By Matt Galea
Purchase tickets to the Grand Final of the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s
Preliminary Final Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20
The penultimate fixture of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s U20 season falls on Sunday morning with Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Sydney Olympic facing off at Edensor Park in a bid to confirm their attendance at next fortnight’s Grand Final.
In keeping with what has been a thoroughly unpredictable campaign, the preliminary final has offered up an unlikely match up – but one that should be hugely anticipated and an encounter that will undoubtedly be fiercely contested by both.
For Sydney Olympic, the fifth-place finishers from the normal season and rank outsiders to claim the championship at the beginning of the finals series, the meeting with Bonnyrigg looks to be symbolic of the Belmore club’s season – and how they’ve managed to time their run to the finals so expertly.
When the White Eagles defeated Olympic 2-1 at Bonnyrigg Sports Club in Round 18, the Blues looked consigned to a hugely disappointing mid-table finish. The defeat left John Theodoropoulos’ side in ninth position and five points away from a finals berth, a seemingly impossible deficit to overcome.
But nearly two months on from that loss, Olympic approach Sunday’s preliminary final with considerable momentum following seven wins in a row, and having beaten competition heavyweights Sutherland Sharks and APIA Leichhardt Tigers in consecutive elimination finals they are shaping up to be tricky customers for Bonnyrigg.
Key to this late season revival has been the emergence of the consistency that was sorely lacking over the first half of Olympic’s campaign. Captain and central defender James Combes has marshalled an ever-improving back four with impressive nous, while in Nikita Andricopoulos and Michael Loupis Olympic possess two diminutive attackers able to produce moments of brilliance from anywhere.
It leaves Bonnyrigg, who have been handicapped by the losses of Asmir Kadric and Martin Lo to the first-team, with plenty to consider when they arrive at Sydney United Sports Centre. Stephen Sigmund’s side gave Premiers’ Manly one of their toughest tests of resolve all season in last week’s grand final qualifier but were unable to capitalize on a series of well-constructed opportunities and the absence of Kadric will surely be felt again on Sunday.
In this minor reshuffle of the team, Bonnyrigg have promoted exciting youngster Luke Ivanovic to lead the line in recent months and the forward has deputized steadily with six goals from 11 appearances. With the likes of Harrison Bagot dictating play from midfield and Leon Faria offering an attacking presence from fullback the White Eagles offer plenty of quality needed to scupper the Olympic fairytale.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Sydney Olympic, Sunday 10.30am at Sydney United Sports Centre
-By Jacob Windon
Purchase tickets to the Grand Final of the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s
Blacktown City book Grand Final ticket
A Danny Choi penalty in the 89th minute has booked Blacktown City a ticket to the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final with a 3-2 win against Sydney United 58 – it was the club’s third final in three years.
Choi fired home in the dying stages to wrap up an incredible fight back from the visitors despite being down 2-1 at half time.
Sydney United 58 must now beat an in form Bonnyrigg White Eagles to confirm their place in the decider on September 11.
Blacktown City struck after only three minutes through Connor Evans but Nick Stavroulakis and Chris Payne ensured the home side had a half time lead.
However, Blacktown is renowned for their fighting spirit and respond with aplomb in the second stanza as Patrick Antelmi and then Choi fired home to lock down a Grand Final Berth.
From the opening whistle Blacktown City went on the offensive.
Three minutes in they were on top.
Connor Evans pounced on a pass from Patrick Antelmi and blasted past the outstretched arms of United 58 shot stopper Thomas Manos to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Blacktown’s ferocious attack caught the home side off guard as Mark Crittenden’s side looked to make its mark early.
It took 15 minutes of the first half to expire before the Reds managed to fight their way back into the match.
Yutaro Shin though he had levelled for United 58 in the 17th minute when he fired into the back of the net from inside the 18-yard box. However, the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.
Mark Rudan’s Sydney United 58 had awoken and they had a point to prove.
In the 33rd minute Chris Payne sent the home fans into raptures when he out jumped his marker to head home from point blank range.
But the celebrations ended as soon as they started with the offside flag once again denying the home side.
The disappointment spurred Sydney United on and they were able to finally break through but through an unlikely source.
Sitting on the edge of the 18-yard box, Nick Stavroulakis latched onto the ball and hammered into the back of the net after a failed Blacktown City Clearance.
It was a huge goal for Stavroulakis who, although not noted for his scoring, battled hard and got his just reward with a rare goal.
Moments later it was 2-1 for the home side.
Panni Nikas was awarded a penalty after he suffered a kick to the head by Zach Cairncross in the 45th minute. Chris Payne obliged by hammering his spot kick into the back of the net.
It was the perfect end to the half for Rudan’s men but the Reds knew the match was far from from over.
As expected it was one-way traffic at the start of the second half with Sydney United 58 pushing hard to wrap up the result.
Nenad Vekic was in inspired form for Blacktown making save after save to keep the visitors in the match.
It was all Blacktown needed and in the 70th minute Patrick Antelmi levelled the scores with a long range drive from 25 yards out.
The game became an end to end battle after Antlemi’s goal with each team trading chances.
Roberto Speranza made a miraculous goal line stop to prevent Shin from giving the home side the lead in the 80th minute.
The game took a twist in the dying stages when Masato Mochizuki took down Blacktown’s Riku Sasaki in the penalty area with only one minute left in regulation.
Referee Chris Young was quick to award a penalty to the visitors and Danny Choi stepped up with the match riding on his spot kick.
United 58 keeper Manos dived and saved the City wingers shot but could only parry it into the path of Choi who kept his composure to volley in the rebound.
Choi was kept quiet for most of the match but had his chances although youngster Kristopher Vlismas did hold his own marshalling the South Korean star.
Sydney United 58 battled for a late equaliser and threw everyone forward.
A long ball into the box with only second left in added time was United 58’s last true chance of the game. Defender Jacob Tratt broke free from his marker but his header sailed inches wide.
The final whistle was music to Blacktown’s ear’s with Mark Crittenden’s side Grand Final bound.
Blacktown City defender Matt Lewis said he was overjoyed to win such a hard fought match.
“Oh we are all over the moon,” he said.
It was a great game and to fight back like we did is a testament to all the boys.
“Down 2-1 at half time Critto (coach Mark Crittenden) said just keep focused and take our chances.
"It was end to action but we were able to get it done. It’s a great feeling.”
Sydney United 58 midfielder Panni Nikas said it was a difficult result to stomach.
“We played very well today and paid the price for a few moments of ill-discipline,” he said.
“Despite going down early in the match we never panicked and earned our half time lead.
“To concede late like we did was heartbreaking but we have another chance next week and we are confident we can return to our winning ways against Bonnyrigg.”
It sets up a huge match next weekend as Sydney United 58 will take on the Bonnyrigg White Eagles while City have the pleasure of a week off before the big clash at Leichhardt Oval on the 11th of September.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 2 (Stavroulakis 43’ Payne 44’)
Blacktown City 3 (Evans 3’ Antelmi 72’ Choi 89’)
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Sunday, August 28 2016
Referee: Chris Young
Assistant referees: L Greenshields & R Osbourne
Fourth official: B Abraham
Sydney United 58: 21. Thomas MANOS, 2. Kristopher VLISMAS, 3. Masato MOCHIZUKI, 6. Christopher PAYNE, 7. Yutaro SHIN (11. Nikola TANESKI 78’), 10. Robert MILESKI, 14. Nicholas STAVROULAKIS, 18. Glen TRIFIRO, 20. Tomislav USKOK, 23. Panni NIKAS 24. Jacob TRATT
Substitutes: 4. Eddy BOSNAR, 19. Matthew BILIC, 29. Daniel DIAZ, 30. Luke BABIC
Yellow Cards: Stavroulakis 60’ Uskok 64’, Mileski 73’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City: 1. Nenad VEKIC, 3. Giorgio SPERANZA (21. Riku SASAKI ), 4. Roberto SPERANZA, 6. Matthew LEWIS, 7. Travis MAJOR, 8. Sasa MACURA, 9, Joey GIBBS, 10 Connor EVANS (17. Lewis BEUMIE 78’), 11. Danny CHOI, 16. Patrick ANTELMI, 19. Zach Cairncross (15. Shane D’Cunha 63’)
Substitutes: 20. Tristan PRENDERGRAST, 12. Jonathon GROZDANOVSKI
Yellow Cards: Vekic 90’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Nenad Vekic
2- Nick Stavroulakis
1- Connor Evans
Finals Series Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20s
Manly United booked their place in next fortnight’s Grand Final with a professional 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg, while Sydney Olympic left it late to deal a knockout blow to APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Major Semi Final
Manly United 2-0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Saturday 5pm at Seymour Shaw
Manly United are one step away from clinching the 2016 championship after outlasting a spirited Bonnyrigg White Eagles outfit 2-0 in Saturday’s major semi-final at Seymour Shaw.
Nathan Separovic’s first half penalty was the only difference between the two sides for the majority of the fiercely contested encounter, with Manly only sealing the game late on via a brilliant counter attacking goal from Jacob Caban.
It wasn’t a performance of vintage quality from the Premiers, yet Manly underlined their championship credentials in albeit convincing fashion with Andrew Christiansen’s side at their most canny to repel a flurry of Bonnyrigg pressure in the second half.
The White Eagles will feel they deserved a goal from their endeavour alone – short on numbers and star power, Bonnyrigg created a series of golden chances throughout the match and were only denied a second half equalizer by the slenderest of margins.
Midfielder Andrew Guzman saw what looked like a certain goal cleared off the line shortly after the half-time interval, while stand-in forwards Luke Ivanovic and Dalibor Malesevic will rue a pair of opportunities to level the scores immediately after Separovic’s strike from twelve yards.
Deputizing for first-team starlet Asmir Kadric, it was a physical mismatch for Ivanovic up against a resolute Manly rearguard but the forward toiled diligently on a tough afternoon alongside fellow youngster Malesevic.
The same could not be said about Manly’s Alexander Partridge, who consistently tormented Bonnyrigg down the left hand side with fullback Luke Debrot hauling the jet-heeled winger down in the box after half an hour.
Separovic’s duly converted from the spot despite the best efforts of Bonnyrigg custodian Stevan Savicic, but the White Eagles should have forced an instant reply.
Andre Guzman’s clipped ball from the right evaded the Manly defence and goalkeeper Mackenzie Syron but Malesevic couldn’t readjust his body in time and saw the ball bounce over the crossbar.
The White Eagles continued their search for an equalizer after the restart and it took a fine diving save from Syron to deny Leandro Guzman from outside the box, while Andre Guzman’s shot was cleared off the line at point blank range from the resulting corner.
Defender Taylor McDonald sent a crashing header over the post late on for Bonnyrigg while Malesevic’s goalbound effort was sensationally blocked by a pair of desperate Manly challenges.
The Premiers had remained steadfast during the second half onslaught and finally pieced together an attacking foray of their own five minutes from time, with substitute Jacob Caban finishing off a brilliant transition with a confident steered finish to send Manly to Leichhardt Oval.
Match Stats
Manly United 2 (Separovic 30′, Caban 87’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Saturday 27th of August, 2016
Seymour Shaw, Miranda
Manly United: 30. Todd Balneaves, 23. Hamish Galbraith, 12. Henry Gallagher, 24. Aidan Hancock (26. Charlie Baker 64’), 27. Brandon Lemay, 25. Alexander Partridge (7. Jacob Caban 78’), 34. Edward Rinaldi, 28. Mitchell Rooke, 36. Nathan Separovic, 33. Rory Spiers (35. Julian Rinaldi 78’), 1. Mackenzie Syron
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Jesse Piriz
Yellow Cards: 24. Aidan Hancock 20’
Red Cards: N/A
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 23. Damian Cupac (29. Zoran Kolundzic 85’), 24. Luke Debrot (30. Nikola Krljar 85’), 26. Leon Faria, 27. Andre Guzman, 28. Leandro Guzman, 11. Luke Ivanovic, 36. Dalibor Malesevic, 33. Andrija Mandic, 14. Taylor Mcdonald (29. Zoran Kolundzic 90’), 20. Stevan Savicic, 22. Harrison Bagot (8. Amar Adilovic 90’)
Substitutes Not Used: 50. Jordan Geddes
Yellow Cards: 22. Harrison Bagot 27’
Red Cards: N/A
Minor Semi Final
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1-2 Sydney Olympic, Sunday 1.30pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Manoli Nicolau’s late strike saw Sydney Olympic come from a goal down to secure passage to next weekend’s preliminary final after defeating APIA 2-1 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues looked on course for a disappointing minor semi-final exit when APIA captain Dominic Cox broke the deadlock from the penalty spot early in the second half following a controversial penalty decision.
Cox’s opener provoked a determined response from Olympic, with skipper James Combes taking vengeance on his role in the earlier penalty concession with an emphatic header from a corner that was turned home amidst a crowd of bodies by Jake De Marigny.
Having forced an equalizer through sheer grit, Nicolau completed the comeback in fortunate circumstances when his long-range strike took a hefty deflection off APIA defender Paul Galimi before looping over a stranded Blake Tuxford.
Olympic have now won six games in a row and face Bonnyrigg White Eagles in next Sunday’s preliminary final, while an eliminated APIA side will sorely lament their failure to capitalize on a slew of chances created in their last two defeats.
George Sidis’ side were convincing victors over Olympic in their previous meetings this season but there were no signs of a rollover in Edensor Park as the competition outsiders once again highlighted their newfound resilience.
Just as in last Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat to Bonnyrigg, it was a contest in which the Tigers ultimately paid for their profligacy in front of goal.
Competition top scorer Duncan Stewart endured a similarly frustrating afternoon, sending an early one on one opportunity wide and forcing Ezequiel Consoni into a comfortable stop late in the first half.
The APIA marksman also flashed a glancing header inches past the post in the opening forty five minutes as the Tigers edged closer to breaking the deadlock.
A tame encounter was ignited early in the second stanza when APIA were awarded a penalty for an altercation in the box between Combes and Matthew Stewart.
What appeared an innocuous challenge near the byline gave Dominic Cox the chance to open the scoring and the APIA captain duly converted from twelve yards to further incense the Olympic faithful.
Fortunately for the visitors it proved the contest’s turning point, with Combes playing a key role in the Olympic equalizer fifteen minutes later after a gigantic leap to win the ball from Michael Loupis corner set up De Marigny with a simple finish from close range.
APIA pushed to reassert their dominance and should’ve retaken the lead when Adrian Vlastelica blazed over the crossbar after the Tigers defender found himself free at the back post.
But substitute midfielder Nicolau provided the knockout blow on the cusp of full-time with his long-range effort deceiving Tuxford to ensure the Blues return to Sydney United Sports Centre in next Sunday’s grand final qualifier.
“The boys showed a lot of character to come back from that” said a relieved John Theodoropoulos after the match.
“We felt APIA were probably a little bit rattled from last week.
“To beat them after losing twice earlier in the season is very satisfying.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Cox 57’)
Sydney Olympic 2 (De Marigny 73’, Nicolau 87’)
Sunday 28th of August, 2016
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: M. Bailey
Assistant Referees: R. Osborne & M. Howeth
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 36. Stephan Adattini, 28. Matthew Cook, 8. Dominic Cox, 3. Paul Galimi, 38. Samuel Gulisano, 26. Benjamin Mccarron, 31. Duncan Stewart, 30. Matthew Stewart (33. Patrick Bentley 74’), 50. Blake Tuxford, 37. Julian Francis Van Den Berg, 17. Adrian Vlastelica
Substitutes Not Used: 29. Christopher Phillips, 35. Cameron Stephan, 32. Dario Travia, 40. Matthew Williamson
Yellow Cards: 36. Stephan Adattini 65’
Red Cards: N/A
Sydney Olympic: 82. Nikita Andricopoulos (81. Aedon Kyra 83’), 38. Stephen Athanaseris, 50. James Combes, 85. Ezequiel Consoni, 15. Jake De Marigny, 16. Oliver Green, 40. Steven Katsionis, 52. Michael Loupis (39. Manoli Nicolau 66’), 51. Sebastian Malfara, 37. Eoin Montford, 84. Brian Caulker
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Evan Davis, 49. Adrian Hadjisocratous, 48. Peter Liasko
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
-By Jacob Windon
Finals Series Round 2 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
Only three teams remain after week two of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Finals series with Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Blacktown City the big winners.
Blacktown City confirmed their Grand Final berth to be held on Sunday 11th September at Leichhardt Oval with a last minute victory against Sydney United 58, while Bonnyrigg White Eagles built on its recent incredible league run of form with a 5-0 thrashing of Manly United.
The loss eliminated Manly United and sets Bonnyrigg up with sudden death clash with Sydney United 58 in the Preliminary Final on Sunday.
With only two games in the season left the stakes couldn’t be any higher.
Manly United 0 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 at Seymour Shaw Park
Bonnyrigg White Eagles sent Manly United crashing out of title contention with a comprehensive 5-0 victory in a remarkable PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Minor Semi-Final at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday evening.
It capped off a better end to the weekend for the White Eagles who only days ago were knocked out of the Westfield FFA Cup after going down 3-0 at the hands of Blacktown City on Wednesday evening.
Two goals apiece by Aaron Peterson and Robbie Younis; and one by Sam Gallaway, destroyed a Manly side which was overwhelmed by a relentless and clinical opponent.
Bonnyrigg’s goals came in a brilliant seven-minute period in the second half, where everything they touched turned to gold.
Manly had no answers for the Bonnyrigg onslaught and with it so went their season.
Manly captain Brendan Cholakian tried his best to inspire a comeback but with his side down by five it was too little too late as Bonnyrigg clung onto victory.
Sydney United 58 2 – Blacktown City 3 at Sydney United Sports Centre
A Danny Choi penalty in the 89th minute has booked Blacktown City a ticket to the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final with a 3-2 win against Sydney United 58 – it was the club’s third final in three years.
Choi fired home in the dying stages to wrap up an incredible fight back from the visitors despite being down 2-1 at half time.
Sydney United 58 must now beat an in form Bonnyrigg White Eagles to confirm their place in the decider on September 11.
Blacktown City struck after only three minutes through Connor Evans but Nick Stavroulakis struck a rare goal and Chris Payne ensured the home side had a half time lead.
However, Blacktown is renowned for their fighting spirit and respond with aplomb in the second stanza as Patrick Antelmi and then Choi fired home to lock down a Grand Final Berth.