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Sydney United 58 clinch finals series spot

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Sydney United 58 has clinched fourth spot and a home final with a brilliant 3-1 win against Manly United at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday. 

The win sets up a thrilling clash against fierce rivals Marconi Stallions in week one of the playoffs.

First half goals to Matthew Bilic and Peter Simonoski set the tone for United 58 with substitute Patrick Antelmi securing a vital three points when he volleyed home in the 81st minute.

Manly looked to put a spanner in the works when Scott Balderson scored against the run of play on the cusp of half time, but it proved to be nothing more than a flash in the pan.

The match also marked retiring United 58 great Petar Markovic’s final regular season match after the veteran defender announced he was calling a close to his playing career which has spanned 22 years at the club.

It was a fast start to the match with the home side playing an expansive brand of football to open the contest.

Tariq Maia thought he’d found the opener 11 minutes in but his snap shot from inside the box clanged against the upright and away to safety.

However, the home side wouldn’t have to wait long to take the lead with Matthew Bilic rising above his marker to nod a Matt Sim cross into the back of the net in the 13th minute.

It was a one sided match with United 58 dominating possession and forcing Manly onto the back foot.

The visitors were struggling to make inroads and failed to mount a shot on target in the opening 25 minutes.

The pressure was mounting on Manly and United 58 striker Simonoski made the home side’s advantage count by firing home from just inside the penalty area to double their lead to 2-0.

With Sydney United 58 seemingly coasting their way to the interval, Manly unexpectedly struck back.

Brendan Cholakian won the ball in midfield before releasing Adam Parkhouse down the wing to fire in a cross which an unmarked Balderson nodded into the back of the net.

The goal turned the match on its head as a reignited Manly attack pushed for an equaliser before half time.

Manly had renewed vigour after the break and looked far more threatening in attack.

Cholakian and Parkhouse were the danger men for Manly and forced Manos into two saves early in the half.

United 58 defender Tomislav Uskok nearly cost his side with his attempt at a headed clearance going inches away from landing into the back of his own net with Manos tipping the ball over the bar with a last ditch effort.

Brad McDonald spurned a gilt edged chance in the 72nd minute when he dragged his shot wide after being found in the centre of the penalty area unmarked after some amazing dribbling from Massimo Forlico.

Despite all Manly’s efforts their hopes of taking a point away from the last match of the season were dashed in the 81st minute courtesy of a brilliant poachers finish from Antelmi.

The United 58 substitute was in the right place at the right time to bury the ball into the back of the net after a brilliant assist from Sim.

Retiring United 58 club great Markovic was introduced off the bench and nearly made an instant impact with a lung busting run through midfield before firing straight at the keeper.

Manly tried gallantly to close the gap in the dying seconds but it wasn’t to be as United 58 held on for a hugely important victory.

United 58 veteran Markovic was all smiles at full time with the result postponing his retirement from the club another week.

“Today was an amazing experience and to get the result in front of so many passionate fans was an incredible experience,” he said.

“We knew we had a job to do today and we got exactly the result we needed.

“It was a very special moment to be recognised by the club and the fans. Now we get a home final and a chance to do it all again.

“The finals are a different beast and I’m confident this Sydney United team has the parts to go all the way,”

Although his side was on the wrong side of the 3-1 final score, Manly coach Paul Dee was looking to the positives after the match.

“Obviously it isn’t the way you want to end your season but I thought there was plenty to take out of that game ahead of our FFA Cup match in Brisbane later this month.

“Sydney United had everything to play for and were at home so it was always going to be a tough ask.

“I was really happy with our young players today and I felt they made the most of the opportunity they were given.

“With the league season over we can now move our focus to the FFA Cup and hopefully with our injured players coming back hopefully we can make a really deep run in that competition.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC: 3 (Bilic 13’, Simonoski 31’, Antelmi)

Manly United FC: 1 (Balderson 33’)

Sunday, 11 August 2019

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: M Weiner

Assistant Referee: L Greenshields & J Park

Fourth official: S Quinn

Sydney United 58: 21. Thomas Manos, 3. Jordan Roberts, 7. Peter Simonoski, 8. Matthew Sim (6. Petar Markovic 84’), 12. Liam Rose, 14. Tomislav Uskok, 15. Tarik Maia (11. Yianni Perkatis 63’), 17. Matthew Bilic, 18. Glen Trifiro (9. Patrick Antelmi 70’), 20. Cristian Gonzalez, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis.

Substitutes not used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, 19. Joshua Macdonald.

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 4. Travis Oughtred, 5. Sam Gallagher, 6. Joseph Fox (31. Maximillian Rogers 61’), 8. Dom Ferguson (21. Finn Ashton 88’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (47. Massimo Forlico 70’), 13. Scott Balderson, 17. Lewis Miccio, 23.Bradley McDonald, 30. Lucas Rainbird

Substitutes not used: 3. James Georgaklis, 32. Makenzie Syron.

Yellow cards: Gallagher 29′

Red Cards

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

 

 

 

 

Round of 16 FFA Cup Match Details Announced

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The details of the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 16 fixtures have been confirmed today with the first match broadcast Live and Exclusive on FOX SPORTS being the local derby between the Edgeworth Eagles and Newcastle Jets at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday 21 August.

The three other matches on the night will see the Marconi Stallions hosting Melbourne City FC at Marconi Stadium, Olympic FC up against Adelaide United at Perry Park and the Moreland Zebras taking on the Magpies Crusaders FC at CB Smith Reserve.

The second match night of the FFA Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday 28 August will feature another derby when Sydney United 58 welcome the Western Sydney Wanderers FC to Campbelltown Stadium as the FOX SPORTS live broadcast match.

The other fixtures on the night include Brisbane Strikers meeting Manly United FC at Perry Park, Adelaide Olympic FC facing Hume City FC at the VALO Football Centre and Brisbane Roar FC tackling the Central Coast Mariners at Dolphin Stadium

All matches will also be streamed on www.foxsports.com.au, Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and the MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers.

You can also follow all the action on twitter using the hashtags #FFACup #MagicOfTheCup

Ticketing information for each of the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 16 matches will be released in due course by each home club. Please visit www.theffacup.com.au for further details.

 

FFA Cup 2019 Round of 16 – Fixture Schedule

 

Date Home Team Away Team Venue Kick-off Time
(Local)		 Kick-off Time
(AEST)
Wednesday 21 August 2019* Edgeworth FC (NNSW) v Newcastle Jets Jack McLaughlan Oval, Edgeworth, NSW 7:30pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 21 August 2019 Marconi Stallions FC (NSW) v Melbourne City FC Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park, NSW 7:30pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 21 August 2019 Olympic FC (QLD) v Adelaide United Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD 7:30pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 21 August 2019 Moreland Zebras FC (VIC) v Magpies Crusaders FC (QLD) CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner, VIC 7:30pm 7:30pm
Date Home Team Away Team Venue Kick-off Time
(Local)		 Kick-off Time
(AEST)
Wednesday 28 August 2019* Sydney United 58 FC (NSW) v Western Sydney Wanderers FC Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah, NSW 7:30pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 28 August 2019 Brisbane Strikers (QLD) v Manly United FC (NSW) Perry Park, Bowen Hills, QLD 7:30pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 28 August 2019 Adelaide Olympic FC (SA) v Hume City FC (VIC) VALO Football Centre, Angle Park, SA 7:00pm 7:30pm
Wednesday 28 August 2019 Brisbane Roar FC v Central Coast Mariners Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe, QLD 7:30pm 7:30pm
Note: Details are subject to change

* Broadcast LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS

Road trip vibes for Ferguson and Manly United

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Manly United and Dom Ferguson are eagerly anticipating the club’s first inter-state trip in FFA Cup history which will see them lock horns with the giant-killing Brisbane Strikers.

The Northern Beaches club secured passage to the last 16 with a dramatic penalty-shootout triumph over NPL NSW rivals Mount Druitt Town Rangers last month.

Standing in their way of a Quarter Final spot are former NSL champions Brisbane Strikers, who pulled off a momentous upset with a penalty shootout victory of their own over A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix.

Unlike Manly, who are tasting Round of 16 action for the first time, the Strikers have previously reached this stage of the tournament in both 2014 and 2016.

However having narrowly missed out on the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Championship Series, Paul Dee’s men will be fired up with their season on the line when they travel to the sunshine state.

Dominic Ferguson revealed the excitement within Manly’s camp upon confirmation of their maiden FFA Cup away trip.

“We’re pretty stoked with the draw,” the midfielder said.

“It’s the first away trip for us (in the FFA Cup) and now’s a good time to get across the border and see what we can do.

“Everyone’s at the club’s really excited about it.

“We’re a pretty close squad and to have an away trip like this is pretty special.”

Ferguson and Manly are quietly fancying their chances against the Strikers and beyond.

“We’re actually pretty confident,” he revealed.

“After looking at the teams left in the FFA cup, I’m pretty confident we can do a job against most of them.

“We have got our hopes up heading up to Brisbane and do think we have a real shot at reaching the quarters.”

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

 

APIA cement second spot

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APIA Leichhardt Tigers laboured their way to a tight 1-0 triumph over a spirited Manly United outfit at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

Despite only bearing a solitary goal, the Northern Beaches crowd were treated to an entertaining affair where both sides retained position well and experienced periods of domination.

In the end, they were split by a second-half Chris Payne strike which brought up 20 goals for the former Manly striker this campaign.

The result all but sealed second spot for APIA, whilst striking one last dagger in the heart of Manly’s fading finals aspirations.

In a high-stakes affair, it was the visitors who sprung out of the blocks early doors.

Their opening sight on goal arrived four minutes in, courtesy of a Sean Symons free kick which fell narrowly wide of the mark.

John Calleja’s men continued to knock on the door, winning a remarkable nine corners inside the first twenty minutes of the contest.

However they failed to break Manly’s resolve, with Dylan Mitchell proving to be up to the task time and time again for the hosts.

Chris Payne looked to cause his former club some headaches, but his first opening of the afternoon on 13 minutes was comfortably captured by Mitchell.

Having withstood APIA’s early pressure, Manly then began creating some chances of their own.

The 23rd minute saw an onrushing Ivan Necevski snatch the ball off the toes of Adam Parkhouse, before Brendan Cholakian steered a dangerous-looking header high and wide a minute later.

APIA then regained the ascendency and called Mitchell back into action.

A rapid counter-attack 34 minutes in saw Corey Biczo turn his man inside out and unleash a drilled effort that the Manly custodian parried wide with a smart save down low to his right.

Five minutes later, Mitchell made an even more spectacular stop to deny Payne, who had capitalised on a defensive slip-up to find himself with acres of space inside the penalty area.

The botched one-on-one saw both outfits head into the sheds in a stalemate, despite an entertaining opening stanza.

The second half kicked off in the same fashion as the first, however this time it was Manly peppering the APIA net.

No less than three efforts were cleared off the line during a frenetic five minute period following the fifty minute mark.

As the corners stacked up for the hosts, Parkhouse had his close-range effort bundled away, before Cholakian mustered a powerful volley that was effectively palmed to safety by Necevski.

Joe Fox’s effort 54 minutes in sparked a chorus of appeals from Manly, however the ball was adjudged to have not crossed the line by the officials.

And after Manly came within centimetres of the lead, the tide began to turn yet again.

Corey Biczo’s pace on the counter was appearing troublesome for Manly, however his front-post attempt on 59 minutes could not surpass Mitchell.

The match was appearing to take a similar pattern to the 2017 Championship decider between the same two clubs, which despite 120 minutes of similar end-to-end action concluded scoreless.

However this time around, a marksman in fierce pursuit of the competition’s golden boot had other ideas.

The match was approaching its final ten minutes as Sam Mcillhatton won the ball high up the field and expertly fed it into a lurking Chris Payne, who was eyeing off a clear path on goal.

The striker still had plenty of work to do but went about it with ease, as he cut inside the final defender and rolled the ball into the bottom corner with a composed outside-of-the-boot finish.

The goal made it an incredible 20 in total for the campaign, as Payne continues to breathe down the neck of current competition top-scorer Thomas James.

A desperate Manly outfit then tried to salvage their season to no avail against a compact APIA defensive unit, who professionally took the sting out of the contest to ensure they would travel home with all three points in the bag.

Post-match, APIA boss John Calleja was pleased by his side’s capability to secure a snatch-and-grab three points.

“I thought we were very good in the first half, we had the majority of the ball and the play,” he reflected.

“We were probably a little nervy in the final third.

“Manly came out well in the second half and really put the pressure on, as you would expect in a desperate type of game where we were fighting for second and they were fighting to stay in the semi-finals conversation.

“There were a couple of goal-line clearances, and Ivan made a couple of saves to keep us in the contest.

“We then fought our way back and maybe against the run of play Chris Payne broke away and scored.

“Overall, I feel the boys did well and I thought Manly played well too.

“It was a really good game.”

For a disheartened Paul Dee, the unfortunate lack of result despite a promising performance encapsulated the Northern Beaches club’s disappointing campaign.

“It’s a consistently disappointing message that I’ve been delivering,” the Manly coach reflected.

“We had chances to take that game and it was a really silly error on the halfway line that led to a goal against the run of play that left us on the receiving end of a 1-0 loss.

“We were significantly down on troops today, and some of the young boys that came in did really well.

“I was happy with a lot of what happened today, but just disappointed that we didn’t take our chances in front of goal.

“We still have the FFA Cup to think about and look forward to.”

Manly will learn their fate in the FFA Cup Round of 16 draw on Wednesday night, before travelling to Edensor Park to round out their league campaign against Sydney United 58 on Sunday.

APIA, who are now guaranteed to finish in second spot, will face Mount Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park before enjoying a home final in the opening week of the finals series.

Match Stats

Manly United FC 0

APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Payne 77’ )

Sunday 4th August, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why 

Referee: B. Abraham

Assistant Referees: J. Adabjou, R. Osborne

Fourth Official: B. Merchant

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 4. Travis Oughtred. 5. Sam Gallagher, 6. Joseph Fox (31. Max Rogers 68’), 8. Dominic Ferguson, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse, 13. Scott Balderson (47. Massimo Forlico 72’), 17. Lewis Miccio, 23. Bradley McDonald, 30. Lucas Rainbird (7. Sam Wilson 87’)

Substitutes not used: 3. James Georgaklis, 32. Mackenzie Syron

Yellow Cards: Balderson 42’

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 1. Ivan Necevski, 3. Paul Galimi, 6. Christopher Payne (19. Dominion Nasrabadi 81’), 7. Tynan Diaz, 8. Corey Biczo, 10. Franco Parisi (14. Lachlan Hughes 92’), 12. Sam Mcillhatton, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino, 21. Michael Kouta

Substitutes not used: 17. Samuel Gulisano, 20. Michael Trajkovski, 22. Luke Turnbull

Yellow Cards: Symons 65’

Red Cards: Nil

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

 

 

Suns keep finals series ambitions alive with win at Manly

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Rockdale City Suns snapped their five-game losing streak with a clinical 2-0 victory over fellow finals hopefuls Manly United at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon. 

In what was a fiery, high-stakes affair from the outset, both sides forged their fair share of opportunities during a scoreless first period.

After the interval, deadly strikes from Jonathan Grozdanovski and substitute Aleksander Canak were enough for the visitors to overcome a wasteful Manly outfit.

The result inflicted a dent within Manly’s finals hopes, whilst concurrently launching the Suns right back into contention as they join Paul Dee’s men on 26 points.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that Suns striker Nikola Taneski was eager to come back to haunt his former side.

The attacker, who made the switch from Cromer to Illinden just a few weeks ago, almost registered the opener just two minutes in as his glanced header drifted narrowly wide.

Taneski was faced with another clear sight on goal after 12 minutes, but his close-range effort was weak and unable to escape the grasp of Manly custodian Dylan Mitchell.

Manly, who on Wednesday night became the first National Premier Leagues NSW side to secure passage into the FFA Cup Round of 16, then began to establish a foothold in the contest.

Charles Mendy, who converted the decisive penalty at Popondetta Park, looked to play an instrumental role yet again as he rifled a left-footed effort marginally high and wide in the 17th minute.

He came even closer four minutes later, as Adam Parkhouse found space down the left flank and delivered a precise low cross that Mendy flashed wide with the goal at his mercy.

In a high-tempo first period, the tide swayed back towards the visitors in its closing stages.

Rockdale believed that they should have been awarded a penalty after 35 minutes, yet continued to push forward to create their best chance of the match moments before the break.

Taneski was involved yet again, as he weaved his way down the right wing with some superb trickery and floated a ball directly into the path of an onrushing Urosevski.

However the winger’s volley was denied by a trademark Dylan Mitchell stop down low to his right, ensuring both teams would head into the sheds with it all still to play for.

It was Manly who sprung out of the blocks in the second half, with their dangerman Mendy continuing to cause some concerns within the Rockdale back four.

After harnessing his pace and skill to shake off his marker, the former Marconi and Blacktown man unleashed a powerful low effort that evaded both the back post and an outstretched Dejan Pandurevic by inches.

Moments later, Manly were made to pay for their carelessness in front of goal.

Fifty-one minutes in, Taneski led a rapid counter-attack by feeding the ball into the path of a flying Jonathan Grozdanovski.

The Suns’ number nine did the rest, driving into the Manly penalty area and lifting the ball over Mitchell, who despite getting a hand to it, could not deny Rockdale the opening goal of the afternoon.

The chances then began to dry up for both sides as the visitors professionally consolidated their advantage.

Manly, who appeared to be feeling the effects of their tough 120-minute battle midweek, saw their best chance at snatching an equaliser arrive in the 68th minute.

Mendy found himself in behind yet again, this time electing to cut the ball back in the direction of Pandurevic who blazed it over the bar.

Then as the hosts began to throw caution to the wind in pursuit of the elusive equaliser, Rockdale sealed the deal a minute into stoppage time.

Alec Urosevski danced his way inside from the right edge, eventually squaring the ball to Aleksander Canak who made no mistake with an emphatic first-time finish.

For Idris El Hafiane, the impressive result was a long time coming.

“We deserved that, throughout last few weeks we should probably have had a win,” the Rockdale skipper reflected.

“There’s been a bit of a change in training, we’ve definitely upped the intensity and I think it showed out on the pitch.

“We kept the ball well and that was our game plan.

“We problem solved well out on the field and adapted to their playing of the ball over the top.

“Once we adapted to that they didn’t really have too many options.

“It was a vital victory.”

El Hafiane is fancying his side’s chances against ladder leaders Wollongong Wolves next weekend as Rockdale look to mount a last-ditch attempt at securing a top five spot.

“I’m confident and positive every week,” he said.

“I think we should give Wollongong a very good test.

“They’re still hurting from last round and their game plan doesn’t really work too well against us; we’re they’re kryptonite!

“We’ll be taking this result into next week and beyond.”

On the other hand, Brendan Cholakian lamented the impact of Wednesday night’s contest whilst remaining optimistic that his side have what it takes to turn their fortunes around.

“Obviously a lot of us were pretty fatigued after 120 minutes on Wednesday but that’s not really an excuse,” Manly’s number ten reflected.

“We should be up for these types of games because they’re the ones with potential to get us into the finals and knock other teams like Rockdale out, but we just weren’t at the races today.

“Up until today we’ve been playing some really good football.

“I’m not sure if it was the fatigue, or just poor decision making on the ball.

“We had a couple of chances that if they had of gone in, we would have come away with the win.

“We just have to get back into training on Monday to recover and bounce back.”

Sitting in seventh and eighth spot, three points astray of fifth placed Marconi, it is likely that both outfits must win their final two matches whilst relying on other results if they are to experience finals football.

Manly host APIA Leichhardt next Sunday before travelling to Sydney United on the final day of the season, whilst Rockdale have two home fixtures against the Wollongong Wolves and Sutherland Sharks to look forward to.

Match Stats

Manly United FC 0

Rockdale City Suns FC 2 (Grozdanovski 51’, Canak 90+1’)

Sunday 28th July, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why 

Referee: S. Hooper (England PGMOL Referee)

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, R. Osborne

Fourth Official: S. Andrews

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 4. Travis Oughtred. 5. Sam Gallagher, 7. Sam Wilson, 8. Dominic Ferguson (6. Joseph Fox 70’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (31. Max Rogers 74’), 12. Charles Mendy, 14. Dejan Pandurevic, 17. Lewis Miccio, 23. Bradley McDonald

Substitutes not used: 3. James Georgaklis, 32. Mackenzie Syron, 26. Lachlan McGrath

Yellow Cards: Dominic Ferguson 43’, Sam Gallagher 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale City Suns: 1. David Bradasevic, 3. Michael Neill, 5. Jake Trajkovski, 7. Alec Urosevski, 9. Jonathan Grozdanovski (45. Jordan Figon 66’), 10. Nikola Taneski (8. Aleksander Canak 77’), 11. Leigh Egger, 12. Idris El Hafiane, 15. Nick Petrillo, 19. Patrick Savor (18. Sasa Macura 89’), 23. Panni Nikas

Substitutes not used: 22. Max Rowston, 21. Blake Currey, 16. Alek Malfara

Yellow Cards: Nikola Taneski 70’, Jake Trajkovski 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)