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Manly United and Sydney FC share points

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Manly United and Sydney FC were forced to settle for a share of the spoils following a tense 1-1 stalemate at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s football returned to Cromer Park with a bang, with both sides scoring in the 15th and 16th minutes respectively.

The opener arrived courtesy of an impressive Sam Gallagher header, which nestled in the far corner of Thomas Hewerd-Bell’s net.

Sydney FC then fired back instantly, as Hamish Lamberton left the Manly backline in his wake, weaving his way through on goal before poking the ball through the outstretched legs of Dylan Mitchell.

Despite the game initially shaping to be a goal-fest, the frequency of opportunities created by both sides progressively declined as the contest endured.

Sydney grew to dominate the latter stages of the first half, culminating in Lamberton striking the crossbar with a well-timed rocket in additional time.

Manly then took the game to their youthful opponents in the second half, however ultimately failed to gather a clinical touch in the final third.

A tough afternoon for both sides saw the Baby Sky Blues head home content with a point that prolongs their unbeaten start to the campaign, while Manly were offered plenty of positive snapshots as they carry on their search for a maiden victory.

The contest sprung to life from the opening whistle, as Jordan Swibel forged a sight on goal within 15 seconds, however his low shot was comfortably saved by Dylan Mitchell.

Both teams then traded blows during a frenetic opening quarter of an hour, with Scott Balderson blazing over the bar after five minutes, before Jerry Skotadis came within inches of opening the scoring after nine.

The Sky Blues midfielder lost his marker to be free on the end of Marco Tilio’s well-delivered corner, however directed his volley narrowly wide of the mark.

It was another set-piece, this time up the other end on 15 minutes, that would bear the match’s opening goal.

Scott Balderson swung in a powerful cross which was met well by Sam Gallagher, who found the back of the net with a precise flicked header which grazed the inside of the back post.

The defender’s second goal of the season injected life into a healthy Northern Beaches crowd, however unfortunately for them, Sydney’s travelling contingent would not have to wait long for parity to be restored.

Seconds after the restart, Skotadis won the ball high up the field and played it into the feet of Hamish Lamberton via a neat touch from Jordan Swibel.

Last year’s National Premier League NSW Men’s Under 20’s Golden Boot winner seemed to have only thing on his mind as he set off on a spellbinding run, beating a handful of Manly defenders before poking home the equaliser.

The situation so almost improved even more for the Sky Blues after 39 minutes, as they were awarded an indirect free kick in the area by referee Kurt Ams.

However Marco Tilio could not steer his close-range strike through a crowded penalty area, allowing for the Cromer faithful to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The visitors came even closer to edging in front with one of the final kicks of the first period, as Lamberton forged a yard of space on the edge of the area and released a venomous strike that was cruelly denied by the woodwork.

Sydney FC maintained their momentum in the early stages of the second half, and if it was not for a stunning fingertips save by Dylan Mitchell to deny Jordan Swibel’s close-range header, they would have taken the lead after 52 minutes.

Manly United then worked their way back into proceedings, eventually garnering a stranglehold of possession and field position.

Their best chances arrived aerially through Jamie Glover and Adam Parkhouse in the 58th and 65th minutes respectively, however a stubborn Sky Blue defensive unit proved to be up to the task time and time again.

The hosts believed they should have been granted a 94th minute spot kick after a collision between substitute Charles Mendy and Thomas Hewerd-Bell, however their vocal appeals were waved away by Kurt Ams, ensuring the points would be shared.

Manly United’s assistant coach Dylan Macallister offered a positive outlook on the draw:

“We were looking for a reaction from our players today after losing round one,” Manly’s former striker revealed.

“I thought the effort was fantastic today from the players.

“In the front third we were very dangerous- we must have had 15 to 20 crosses throughout the game.

“We probably needed more bodies in the box at times.

“We had a few players today coming back from injuries, we are just going to get fitter and fitter as a squad.

“The majority of our squad is playing really good football the way we want them to.

“If we could have a bit more of an impact from our players coming off the bench, that will be the final piece we need to start running over teams like we did last year.

“We’ll take a point in the end, almost could have nicked it with a penalty, but were a little bit unlucky.

“We’re still happy overall.”

Similarly, Sydney boss Jimmy Van Weeren extracted many promising signs from his side’s impressive start to the season:

“It was pleasing to see that the boys could manage the game in the back end there against what is a really strong opposition,” he said.

“The (four) points are good,  but are only one thing. It is nice to see some of these young players really stepping up in a quality competition.

“I think this is only the start of the project with some of these boys, and they are still quite young.

“It is exciting to think what they are potentially capable of throughout this season.”

Van Weeren’s Baby Sky Blues will be confident they can remain undefeated after they host Marconi Stallions next Saturday, whilst Manly United will face another team in search of a maiden victory in the form of Mt. Druitt Town Rangers in Round 3 National Premier League’s NSW men’s action.

Match Stats

Manly United FC 1 (Sam Gallagher 15’)

Sydney FC 1 (Hamish Lamberton 16’)

Sunday 17th March, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why

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Referee: Kurt Ams

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Jarrod Park

Fourth Official: S. Andrews

Manly United FC: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 2. Kieren Paull, 4. Travis Oughtred, 5. Sam Gallagher, 6. Joseph Fox (3. Jamie Lobb 80’), 8. Dom Ferguson, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (12. Charles Mendy 71’), 13. Scott Balderson (14. Dejan Pandurevic 58’), 17. Lewis Miccio, 22. Jamie Glover

Substitutes Not Used:  20. Sam Benton, 32. Mackenzie Syron

Yellow Cards: Scott Balderson 24’, Kieren Paull 38’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 1. Thomas Heward-Belle, 3. Ben Van Meurs, 4. Liam Mcging, 5. Patrick Scibilio, 6. Harry Van Der Saag, 7 Jerry Skotadis, 8. Joel King, 9. Hamish Lamberton (12. Giuseppe Tilio 62’), 10 Marco Tilio, 13. Jordan Swibel (2. Daniel Blachura 87’), 18. Benjamin Koop (24. Jake Hollman 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: 40. David Malishev, 15. Ryan Teague

Yellow Cards: Hamish Lamberton 53’, Guiseppe Tilio 73’, Harry Van Der Saag 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Sam Gallagher (MU)

2 – Hamish Lamberton (SFC)

1 – Dom Ferguson (MU)

–  By NPL NSW Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

Hakoah fall to youthful FC

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Sydney FC proved they won’t be pushovers in this years National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition claiming the scalp of Hakoah Sydney City East FC at Hensley Athletic Field as new coach Jimmy Van Weeren started off his campaign on the right note.

Goals on either side of half time to Marco Tilio and Jordan Swibel ensured that they came away with the spoils.

For home side Hakoah Sydney City East, it was clear that their combinations haven’t quite yet clicked. Despite this Amaury Gauthier was able to score from the spot

The game started off in enthralling fashion with both sides going all out to open the scoring.

Harry Van Der Saag nearly opened the visitors season spectacularly with a long range right footed volley rattling the crossbar after 3 minutes.

It didn’t take long for the home side to respond as Oliver Green saw his left footed volley fly over the crossbar shortly after.

Tilio was causing all types of problems for the home sides defense and his effort off a quick break on 10 mins was saved down low.

Hakoah weren’t so lucky shortly after, with Tilio showing a great turn off pace before being brought down inside the box.

The midfielder converted into the right side netting.

The lead didn’t last long as the home side won a penalty of their own.

Amaury Gauthier caused all sorts of problems as he snuck inside his defender before being brought down. He, just like Tilio stepped up and scored the penalty he won.

Tilio started the second period like the first never ended, the young gun showed some dribbling skills before combining with Lamberton whose shot deflected over the bar.

Hakoah weren’t without their chances at the other end, but weren’t able to get a shot off at the pivotal moment.

Sydney FC once again took the lead with 15 minutes to go and it proved to be the match winner.

A long ball from Swibel who showed composure beyond his years controlling and finishing well.

Victorious Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren was pleased his team continued their pre-season form.

“It was a nice reward for the boys who have had a really positive pre-season, we did really well all over the park which is pleasing”.

On man of the match Marco Tilio, “His one of a few special players we have in this environment, he played really well today”.

Hakoah Sydney City East Gavin Rae was frustrated with his team’s start.

“Overall we didn’t do enough to win it, we can play a lot better than that and they snatched a win”.

Match Stats

Hakoah Sydney City East 1 (Amaury Gauthier 22’)

Sydney FC 2 (Marco Tilio 14’, Jordi Swibel 76’)

Sunday 10th March, 2019

Hensley Athletic Field, Eastgardens

Referee: S. Lucas

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling and N. McOrist

Fourth Official: P. Reynolds

Hakoah Sydney City East: 39 Ryan Norval, 2 Connor Shaddock, 3 James Coombes, 5 Steven Katsionis, 6 Dominic Cox, 8 Oliver Green (12 Steven Chester), 9 Shohei Okuno,13 Robert Ezekiel, 17 Harry Jones (10 Nathan Roberts), 24 Amaury Gauthier (7 Addison Sayan), 60 Taka Noji.

Substitutes Not Used: 11 Jack Green, 25 Max Ephraim

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 1 Thomas Heward-Belle, 2 Daniel Blachura (17 Callum Talbot), 3 Ben Van Meurs, 5 Patrick Scibilio, 6 Harry Van Der Saag, 7 Jerry Skotadis, 8 Joel King, 9 Hamish Lamberton (24 Jake Hollman), 10 Marco Tilio, 13 Jordi Swibel, 18 Benjamin Koop (12 Giuseppe Tilio).

Substitutes Not Used: 20 David Malishev,

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3- Marco Tilio (SFC)

2- James Coombes (HAK)

1- Harry Van Der Saag (SS)

-By Justin Smith (Twitter handle @smiththejustin)

Sydney FC ready to tackle NPL NSW Men’s season

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Youthful exuberance and a desire to take it to the competition’s top teams is sure to power Sydney FC during the 2019 NPL NSW Men’s top tier competition.

It is the club’s third season in the NSW state league top flight and they will be determined to prove their place in the NPL once again.

Made up of players aged 21-years and under from the Sydney FC A-League academy, the Young Sky Blues stand out as a unique prospect among the league’s other 11 sides.

Coached by Jimmy van Weeren, Sydney FC is unashamedly focused on the development of players instead of winning the title.

But the young coach insists that doesn’t mean his side will be walkovers.

“Obviously we are in a unique situation compared to our opponents but we are no less competitive,” van Weeren said.

“This is a good group of players who are going to take the game to whoever they play.

“All the boys have a lot to play for and I know if we apply ourselves we could catch a few teams by surprise.”

Van Weeren will have an almost all new squad to work with this year with the players turning 22 in 2019 moving on from the side.

Gone are regulars from last campaign such as Duro Dragicevic, Sam McIllhatton and Jeremy Cox.

However, van Weeren is not short of quality in his squad with Liam McGing, Tom Heward-Belle, and Jordi Swibel just some of the players at the young coach’s disposal.

“It is an interesting challenge trying to mold a new group of players year to year but we are really happy with how the side is shaping up.

“There is naturally going to be a few teething issues throughout the season but I have a lot of confidence in what these boys can do.”

One player sure to be an x-factor this season is 18-year-old attacker Luke Ivanovic who has already broken through to Sydney FC’s A-League side and scored in their win against Melbourne City.

“There are some special players in this group who on their day can be a real handful,” van Weeren said.

“Luke has had some great performances for the first team and really showed his class.

“Hopefully he will be able to continue his development throughout the NPL season.

Sydney FC finished the 2018 season in last position but survived relegation thanks to their superior record in the Club Championship.

They will be desperate to not finish with the wooden spoon again in 2019.

The Young Sky Blues open their campaign on March 10 with an Eastern Suburbs derby of sorts against Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field.

Key Player movements

Arrivals: Marco Tilio, Joel King, Hamish Lamberton, Ben Koop, Daniel Blachura

Departures: Duro Dragicevic, Jeremy Cox, Sam McIllhatton, Jordan Mutch

-By Nick Houghton

Jimmy van Weeren Appointed Sydney FC’s NPL Head Coach

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Sydney FC has appointed Jimmy van Weeren as the club’s National Premier League Head Coach for the 2019 NPL NSW Men’s 1 season.

Van Weeren has progressed through Sydney FC’s Academy coaching ranks having started as the club’s under 15’s Head Coach in September 2015. Several of his players from that squad have gone on to represent Australia in the successful Joeys campaign to qualify for this year’s U17 World Cup.

He became the Sky Blues’ under 18’s Head Coach in late 2016 and mounted two highly successful campaigns in which he won the Premiership and Championship double in consecutive seasons.

The 31-year old has since continued his development with the club and now takes the reigns as Head of the National Premier League first grade team.

“It’s going to be a fantastic challenge and I’ve got a fabulous group of players and staff to help with that,” he said.

“I’ve no doubt we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us as we prepare for the first game in just over a month, but I’m looking forward to producing players who can become integral to our Hyundai A-League squad in future years.”

Former Sky Blues striker Shane Smeltz has been appointed the club’s under 20’s Head Coach and both coaches will report into Kelly Cross, our Technical Director – Youth, who will oversee all seven Academy squads from NPL first grade to under 13’s.

“Jimmy is a young coach who has done an excellent job with our under 18’s,” said Cross, “His potential has also been recognised by FFA who have admitted him as a candidate on this year’s Pro Licence course.”

“I’m looking forward to watching his development as he moves into the NPL first grade role and seeing our players improve under him.”

Van Weeren’s first game in charge will be on Sunday 10th March when the squad meet Hakoah Sydney City East FC at Hensley Athletic Field (5pm).

Foxtel National Youth League Head Coach Giancarlo Italiano leaves the club with thanks and best wishes following the conclusion of the 2018/19 FYL campaign.

-Sydney FC Press Release

Sydney FC Promote Five Youth Stars

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Sydney FC have rewarded five stars from their successful youth Academy with one-year contracts for the 2018/19 season, including the award of three A-League scholarships for the very first time.

Young Socceroos duo Joel King, who is 17-years old and 20-year old Cameron Devlin have joined the Hyundai A-League squad on one-year deals, while exciting youth products 16-year old Joey’s midfielder Ryan Teague, 18-year old midfielder Jerry Skotadis and 17-year old number 10 Marco Tilio, have all signed one-year A-League scholarships.

It comes on the back of Sydney FC’s U18’s completing a National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s (NPL) Premiership and Championship double on Sunday while the Sky Blues U20’s were narrowly defeated on penalties in their Grand Final having finished the season in second place on the ladder.

Teague and Tilio have been members of the Sky Blues’ Academy since inception, progressing from the U15’s squad to the U20’s and NPL first grade sides, while Skotadis has enjoyed two prosperous years with the Sky Blues’ debuting in the U20’s in 2017.

Midfielder Devlin joined Sydney FC’s U20’s and first grade NPL sides last year while left back King, who also joined in 2017, has progressed from the U18’s squad.

And the defender said he was excited at the prospect of working alongside Sydney FC’s Hyundai A-League stars.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I joined Sydney FC’s Academy to one day be part of the A-League squad and I’m so glad it’s come true,” King said.

“All the work I’ve done since I joined the U18’s has prepared me for this step up and I’m looking forward to working under Head Coach Steve Corica.

“I’m really focussed on developing myself as a player and I believe Sydney FC is the perfect place for me to do this. I can’t wait to get started.”

The scholarship players will form part of the Sky Blues’ Foxtel National Youth League squad and will train with the Hyundai A-League squad.

Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica said the five players were more than capable of making the step up.

“We’ve got a fantastic youth system in place and the best Academy in the country,” Corica said.

“These five players all have a lot of experience at youth level and have shown the qualities necessary to be a part of our A-League squad.

“It’s a tribute to the hard work from everyone in our youth set up that we have been able to offer our first three scholarship contracts and I’m delighted to see them continue their journey with the Sydney FC family.”

Devlin and King will wear squad numbers 24 and 25 respectively with Teague, Tilio and Skotadis to be confirmed.