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Ten-man United 58 hold onto point against misfiring Wolves

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A ten-man Sydney United 58 has clung on for a point in a 0-0 draw with Wollongong Wolves at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Forced to play a man down for close to an hour after Chris Payne was sent off, United held out a sloppy Wolves outfit as both sides played out a scoreless stalemate.

The home side had their chances early in the match but was forced to sit back and defend after Payne’s dismissal.

Wollongong had chances to win it in the dying stages but could not get the job done against a resolute United 58 defence.

Sydney United 58 started strongest in a tense and gritty opening to the match, but the visitors had the first real opportunity of the contest.

A long ball out from Wolves’ ‘keeper Hayden Durose found Taylor McDonald wide on the right, and his teasing cross into the box allowed skipper Lachlan Scott to fashion the first half-chance of the match when volleying wide of the mark.

Payne curled one agonisingly wide of the upright in reply as United 58 maintained the attacking philosophy, which has been a feature of their matches this season.

Wollongong was compact, a tight unit utilising rapid passing and quick footwork to hit on the break and implement their pacey strikers’ speed.

Glen Trifiro nearly opened the scoring when firing in a shot from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute after latching on to a pass.

From nowhere, an unsightly scuffle over the ball on the sidelines led to United defender Yainni Fragogiannis and Wollongong’s Van Elia entering the Referees book.

It was more for petulance than violent conduct as a mini melee ensued. If there was any doubt as to what this match meant to both sides, it was very quickly dispelled.

Antelmi was replaced by Devante Clut after receiving a knock in the area, and the news was to worsen shortly after.

Fletcher McFarlane could perhaps count himself lucky only to be cautioned for a challenge moments later near the touchline with the home support baying for the advantage to be played.

The match was heated and threatening to boil over, and it wasn’t long before Payne received his marching orders for ‘violent conduct’  after his involvement in an off the ball incident.

Scott thought he had broken the deadlock when he fired home the rebound from a Daniel Nizic save, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

With their numerical superiority, Wollongong looked to up the ante and push the Reds to their limit with the high press and mobility.

In stoppage time, Marcus Beattie fired in a ball past the oncoming goalkeeper to Scott, whose shot was blocked as the scores remained locked at 0-0 going into the interval.

McFarlane was replaced after the break by Harrison Taranto who slotted into the Wolves’ midfield as the visitors applied the pressure from the whistle to push United 58 back into their own half.

Trifiro flighted in a delightful curling free-kick in the 49th minute that both Anthony Tomelic and Jackson Khoury went close to heading home but couldn’t connect, the pair striding through the Wolves’ defence unchallenged.

Elia headed straight at Nizic from a McDonald cross, but United 58 held out. Durose needed to be sharp when tipping over a stinging Trifiro shot.

Scott then lashed another wide that was always curling away from the sticks, the visitors unable to work nor beat Nizic to break the deadlock, and when Clut dinked the ball over the top for Trifiro at the other end, the ever-reliable striker fluffed his lines, and the chance went begging.

Despite playing two-thirds of the game a man down, the Reds were putting up stern resistance and creating a few chances of their own as Wollongong bombed forward in search of the opener.

But it was substituted Mat Sim, who could have sealed it for United 58 in the games death throes when firing wide.

It proved to be the games last real chance, with the final whistle ensuring both teams would have to settle for a point.

United 58 coach Tomi Vidovic praised the resilience of his side in what was a determined performance.

“I felt it was a tremendous performance today by the boys. And we could have taken all three points,” Vidovic said.

“it’s always difficult to play a man down for almost fifty minutes, and we were called back when clean through for the foul.

“We created chances and bounced back from last week, but it’s a game we could have won. Credit to the players, they battled hard and got something from the game.”

Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was disappointed with the result, pointing to his side’s inability to capitalise on their chances.

“Naturally, when you go a man down, you sit in, and United did that very well today,” Wilkshire said.

“But we were just not good enough today; we lacked the quality in the final third, our decision making, giving balls away and not enough desperation to defend and to score.

“Given the circumstances, I would definitely say it’s two points dropped for sure.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 0

Wollongong Wolves 0

Sydney Utd Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Sunday, 11th April 2021

Referee: Tim Danaskos

Assistant Referees: Janush Adabjou & Cameron Wright

Fourth Official: Mujtaba Ebrahimi

Sydney United 58: 1.Daniel NIZIC, 2.Christian GONZALEZ, 4.Adrian VLASTELICA, 5.Anthony TOMELIC (15.Tariq MAIA 81’), 6.Chris PAYNE, 7.Jackson KHOURY (8.Matthew SIM 77’), 9.Patrick ANTELMI (10.Devante CLUT 32’), 14.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS, 16.Jacob POSCILEIRO, 18.Glen TRIFIRO,  22.Yianni FRAGOGIANNIS

Substitutes not used: 3.Jordan ROBERTS, 21.Josip ORLOVIC, 23.Luke VLASTELICA

Yellow Cards: Fagogiannis 25’

Red Cards: Payne 35’

Wollongong Wolves: 23.Hayden DUROSE, 2.Taylor McDONALD, 3.Darcy MADDEN (14.Brendan LOW 67’), 4.Nicola DJORDEVIC, 6.Ethan KAMBISIOS (20.Liam WILLE 62’), 7.Marcus BEATTIE, 10.Van ELIA, 11.Leroy JENNINGS (13.Stefan DIMOSKI 62’), 16.Fletcher McFARLANE (12.Harrison TARANTO 46’), 19.Evan BALL, 24.Lachlan SCOTT

Substitutes not used: 1.Aidan MUNFORD, McFarlane 29,  Kambisios 59’, 13.Dimoski 81’

Yellow Cards: Elia 25’, Kambisios 61’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Trifiro (SU58)

2 – McDonald (WW)

1 – Beattie (WW)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Micky Brock

Sydney United 58 embarrassed by Lethal young Bulls

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Sydney United 58 have suffered an Easter Monday humiliation after a 5-1 boilover at the hands of Northbridge Bulls at the Sydney United Sports Centre. 

If you looked twice when you saw the full-time score at Sydney United Sports Centre, nobody would blame you as the Bulls dismantled United 58 in one of the performances of the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season so far as the visitors under the age of 21 schooled their senior opponents in every department.

It was by far one of the worst results the famous home side had suffered in a number of years.

Two goals within the first 10 mins and another three before the half had the Bulls cruising before United scored a late consolation.

United old boy Michael Ruhs had two to his name, as did Jake Hollman, while Moudi Najjar scored the other.

Chris Payne scored from the spot for United with just over 10 minutes to go but it was Northbridge’s day as they took home the three points in emphatic style

United fans weren’t even through the gates and the home team was already two goals down.

After only two minutes, Moudi Najjar robbed Jacob Poscoliero of possession before squaring the ball up for Ruhs who tapped into an empty net.

Six minutes later and the lead was doubled after some Rory Jordan magic.

The Northbridge number 10 beat a number of United players in the box and left the easy job for Najjar to finish from a few metres out.

Hollman almost made it three after Jordan and Nikola Ujdur combined, only for a desperate goal-line clearance by the home side defence.

No one was stopping Hollman’s next effort though on 31 minutes.

The Bulls midfielder picked the ball up after a Liam Rose pass and with acres of space curled the ball into Daniel Nizic’s top corner.

Payne finally had United’s first real attempt 10 minutes before half time, only for Nick Suman to pull off an excellent save.

It was Eddie Caspers next to show off some of his own magic before being brought down just outside the area.

Hollman stepped up for the set-piece and buried it in Nizic’s bottom corner to make it 4-0 as the boos rang out at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Just as the home fans thought it couldn’t get worse, it did.

Former Sydney United old boys Liam Rose and Ruhs combined with the latter heading home after a delightful cross from the right.

It was almost six on the stroke of half time, this time Nizic saving well to deny Ruhs an incredible first-half hat-trick.

United’s always reliable Patrick Antelmi had a quiet day at the office as Bulls young defender Teph Teph gave him no favours with the striker being subbed at half-time.

United came out a different side in the second period with Payne going close with a volley.

Suman then came up with an incredible double save, first from Andrea Agamemnonos and then the rebound from substitute Jackson Khoury.

Khoury was creating problems for the Bulls and then broke through down the left before playing a perfect pass for Payne who really should’ve scored.

Matt Sim was then fouled in the box in the 78th minute.

Payne stepped up and sent Suman the wrong way to score United’s consolation.

The United striker should’ve had his second after springing the offside trap but shot wide of Suman’s goal.

The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for the home side who were outplayed on the day by an inspired Northbridge performance.

Boos echoed the famous BOKA Stand as Sydney United 58 fans voiced their disgust with what they saw as rookie NPL NSW Men’s coach Tomi Vidovic has a lot to ponder in getting his troops back on track once more as the Reds suffered their second successive loss.

Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski was pleased with his teams performance and the way they are progressing but also paid homage to the Champions’ second half performance.

“It’s one of those ones where you’re playing good football and we put our chances away,” Sterjovski said.

“We are getting better and the boys know what it takes to get to that next level.

“But credit to United they came back in the second half and put in a great performance.”

Sydney United 58’s head coach Tomi Vidovic said his team weren’t ready for the battle.

“We weren’t mentally prepared and it doesn’t matter who you play against but if you don’t come with the right attitude and correct approach you will be punished,” Vidovic said.

“We’ll go back to training and work hard, there is no other solution.”

The win moves Northbridge into the top five on eight points, while Sydney United 58 finish the round in second place behind league leaders Manly United.

Match Stats 

Sydney United 58: 1 (Payne 78’)

Northbridge Bulls: 5 (Ruhs 2’, 44’, Najjar 8’, Hollman 31’, 40’)

Sunday 5th April, 2021

Sydney United Sports Centre

Referee: C. Verdicchio

Assistant Referees: H. Fenton-White and M. Allum

Fourth Official: J.Rose

Sydney United 58: 1. Nizic, 2. Gonzalez, 4. Vlastelica, 5. Tomelic (15. Maia), 6. Payne (38. Ivancic 90’), 8. Sim, 9. Antelmi (3. Roberts 46’), 10. Clut, 16. Poscoleiro (7. Khoury 46’), 18. Trifiro (14. Agamemnonos 46’), 22. Fragiogiannis

Substitutes Not Used: 61. Maher

Yellow Cards: Roberts 49’, Fragogiannis 52’, Vlastelica 62’, Clut 66’, Sim 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Northbridge Bulls: 1. Suman, 3. Teph, 4. Ujdur, 7. Hollman (9. Juach 68’), 10. Jordan, 13. Scott (Sepping 63’), 15. Caspers, 17. Nicolaou (McLoughlin 72’), 21. Rose (14. Panuccio 63’), 24. Najjar, 26. Ruhs (De Robbillard 68’)

Substitutes Not Used: 22. Wood

Yellow Cards: Hollman 13’, Caspers 85’, Ujdur 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings 

3 – Michael Ruhs (Northbridge)

2 – Jake Hollman (Northbridge)

1 – Rory Jordan (Northbridge)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Nikola Pozder 

 

Sydney United 58 stunned by stunning Stallions

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Marconi Stallions have stunned National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition leaders Sydney United 58 to notch a shock 2-0 win at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.

It was the Stallions first win of the season which all but ended United 58’s flawless start to its 2021 campaign as Marconi re-entered as one of the club’s to watch out for as the Premiership challenge continues to throw up many surprises. 

Goals either side of half-time courtesy of Anthony Frangie and Giorgio Speranza were the difference as an inspired Marconi attack proved too much for their local rivals.

The result gets Marconi’s season back on track after a difficult start to the season moving them only one point outside the top five. 

It was a tense opening to the contest with the Stallions unlucky to take the lead after 12 minutes when Nathan Millgate hit the crossbar.

The home side were in control of the contest and made the most of their dominance in the 22nd minute when Frangie lost his marker and nodded home to open the scoring.

The Reds were not playing badly but Marconi had the bit between the teeth and realised, as other results filtered through, there was much riding on this result against their unbeaten visitors.

The tackling was fierce and United 58 veteran Glen Trifiro became an early casualty when he was forced off after a physical clash with Millgate. 

Tensions were rising on the pitch with neither side willing to give an inch to their fierce rivals.

United 58 survived a late scare as Jordan Roberts cleared a Marko Jesic effort off the line to ensure Marconi didn’t double their advantage before the interval.

Tariq Maia replaced Anthony Tomelic at the resumption as coach Red’s Tomi Vidovic bolstered his attacking options in the search for an equaliser. 

Yet it was Marconi who forced the pace and went close to a second goal as Connor Evans forced another diving save from Daniel Nizic before Millgate again struck the upright with a header at the back stick.

United 58 had their best chance soon after when Nenad Vekic was bamboozled by an in-swinging corner from Tariq Maia which hit the crossbar. 

Slowly but surely the visitors were pushing Marconi deeper until Vella broke up an attack in midfield and put Jesic away on the left of the box however, it was high and wide of the mark and United breathed again.

A Mitch Mallia corner was punched away by Nizic but Speranza was quickest to react and power home Marconi’s second of the evening.

A Patrick Antelmi bicycle kick attempt accidentally connected with the face of Millgate however the Marconi centre-back is made of stern stuff and was able to carry on after a moment of treatment.

United 58 substitute Jackson Khoury forced Vekic into a near-post save late in the half and again the mood became strained with some push and shove in the box with no major cause for concern.

Frangie should have made certain of the points with two minutes left but somehow contrived to head wide of the mark.

Chris Payne fired a late free-kick wide late on but it was to be Marconi’s day.

Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis commended his side for taking up the fight against the league leaders.

“I didn’t make a change today and challenged the boys to finish games, we’re always good a goal or two, and we got our two and were solid at the back and it could have been a few more,” he said.

“We out-thought and outplayed them today and I don’t feel we were threatened once today to be honest.

“The challenge for us is we’ve always been ahead in the last few games and lost 2-nil leads. The task for us was our mental toughness and to keep going, finish games off and keep a clean sheet and that was the challenge I set them.

“The boys definitely came up trumps today and against a side that scores goals and were unbeaten and to do that and prove to ourselves we can do so is what we’re trying to do each week.

“We’ve scored six or seven in our last few games and that should be enough to win a couple but we haven’t and today we won our first match of the season because we were fully focused for the full ninety minutes.” 

United 58 coach Tomi Vidovic said the result was a valuable lesson for his side.

“I don’t think we were out-thought today but possibly out fought certainly,” he replied.

“We knew what to expect and we didn’t deal with it.

“We had a plan and we didn’t execute it well, it’s a simple as that.

“We were prepared for this game but they were simply too good for us today and we just were not good enough ourselves.”

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Frangie 22’, G.Speranza 65’ )

Sydney United 58 0

Marconi Stadium, Fairfield

Sunday, 28th March 2021

Referee: Matthew Riedy

Ast. Refs: Hugh Fenton-White & Amber Morris

4th Official: Aaron Block

Marconi Stallions: 1.Nenad VEKIC, 2.Nathan MILLGATE, 3.Girogio SPERANZA, 4.Roberto SPERANZA, 6.Mark RODIC, 8.Connor EVANS, 10.Marko JESIC, 11.Mitchell MALLIA, 14.Anthony FRANGIE, 16.Liam YOULLEY, 23.Brandon VELLA

Substitutes not used: 9.Anthony COSTA, 17.Martin FERNANDEZ, 20.Dion SHAW, 21.Emmanuel, 24.Poalo LAXAMANA,  PETERS, 25.Blake ILICH

Yellow Cards: Evans 10’, Youlley 61’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney United 58: 1.Daniel NIZIC, 3.Jordan ROBERTS, 4.Adrian VLASTELICA, 5.Anthony TOMELIC ((15.Tariq MAIA 46’), 6.Chris PAYNE, 8.Matthew SIM (7.Jackson KHOURY 73’), 9.Patrick ANTELMI, 10.Devante CLUT, 16.Jacob POSCILEIRO, 17.Matthew BILIC (2.Christian GONZALEZ 66’), 18.Glen TRIFIRO (14.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS 42’)

Substitutes not used: 21.Josip ORLOVIC, 22.Yianni FRAGOGIANNIS

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Connor Evans (MS)

2 – Brandon Vella (MS)

1 – Nathan Millgate (MS)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Micky Brock

Red-hot Sydney United 58 the team to beat hammer Blacktown City

By

Sydney United 58 maintained their position at the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW ladder as well as their 100% record after a comfortable 4-1 victory against old foes Blacktown City FC at Sydney United Sports Centre.

The league leaders were flawless throughout the contest as they cruised to their fourth win of the season and have really set the benchmark as being the team to beat in the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Matthew Sim dazzled the defence with a goal on either side of the break which included a highlight reel free-kick.

Patrick Antelmi and Tariq Maia added the other goals to complete their fourth win of the season as Tomi Vidovic’s side looked too hot to trot.

Blacktown City FC toiled hard but wasn’t able to find the finishing touch tonight.

There was some brief belief in a comeback when Travis Major nodded home. The story of their afternoon was some poor finishing which cost them against the leaders.

Looking to continue their unbeaten run, Sydney United 58 FC were first to have an attempt. Matthew Sim provided a precise through ball into the path of Chris Payne. The striker dragged his shot wide of the post.

Blacktown City FC came into the contest as the underdog and their best threat came from the set-piece. Daniel Collins connected well from a deep free-kick but nodded wide of the goal.

It was Sydney United 58 FC that struck first from some solid play down the wing from Matthew Bilic. He teased a cross across the box, into the box of Sim, who slammed home for 1-nil to the home side.

Pressing home their advantage, Sydney United 58 doubled their advantage in the 34th minute. Devante Clut started the move for Patrick Antelmi to slot home, 2-nil Sydney United 58.

While they continued to press for their first goal, Blacktown City FC was restricted to long-range efforts from Rhett Da Silva. Their best chance fell to Carlos De Oliveira whose shot deflected wide of the goal as they trailed by two at the break.

Coming out of the break and feeling just fine. Sydney United 58 aimed to assert their dominance with Antelmi unfurled a strong shot which stung the palms of Blacktown City FC shot-stopper Tristan Prendergast.

The game started to break open, as Blacktown City FC chased a way back into the contest. Suleyman Bangura was free on the break. The striker bounded on goal but curled his effort wide of Sydney United 58 custodian Danijel Nizic’s right post.

Blacktown City FC was again presented with the perfect chance back into the contest. Some slick passing opened up space on the wing before Travis Major tapped wide.

Ground control to Travis Major saw the Blacktown City FC striker make amends on the second occasion. The corner was curled in and was knocked down by Lachlan Campbell for Major to thump home, 2-1.

The tide had turned, Blacktown City FC started to make the greater chances. Both Bangura and Major had chances in the same movement. They also started to show more thrust in their set-pieces against the home side.

Trying to wrestle control back, Sydney United 58 brought on experienced campaigners Yianni Fragogiannis and Glen Trifiro to shore up the contest. Fragogiannis made an instant impact with a pass which saw Sim hit the post off a Blacktown City FC defender’s back.

It took a moment of magic to bring everyone inside Sydney United Sports Centre to their feet. Matthew Sim stood over the free-kick just outside the area. Sim guided the ball into the top right corner, 3-1 to Sydney United 58.

The fourth goal was made in the substitutions. Fragogiannis started the move, found Jackson Khoury on the right to cut back to Tariq Maia to sweep home for 4-1.

Speaking afterwards, Sydney United 58 coach Tomi Vidovic was measured in his side’s success against a tough Blacktown City FC side.

“We created enough chances to score goals tonight. Blacktown City is a tough and disciplined side that caused us some issues in the second half,” he said.

“We know that we need to improve next weekend against Marconi. I think you can never expect a perfect game.

There are always ways to improve, otherwise, that is when you lose.”

Blacktown City FC coach Mark Crittenden remained positive despite the result.

“They were very clinical tonight, they are a good side. We didn’t take our chances tonight and it cost us,” he said.

“We created enough chances in that second half to get back into the game.

“I was quite happy with our effort after the opening half-hour.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC 4 (Sim ‘25, ‘79, Antelmi ‘34, Maia ‘89)

Blacktown City FC 1 (Major ‘65)

Sunday 21st March 2021

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: M. Weiner

Assistant Referees: J. Adabjou & M. Staples

Fourth Official: B. Merchant

Sydney United 58 FC: 1. NIZIC Dainjel, 3. ROBERTS Jordan (22. FRAGOGIANNIS ‘73), 4. VLASTELICA Adrian, 5. TOMILIC Anthony, 6. PAYNE Christopher (15. MAIA ‘83), 8. SIM Matthew (7. KHOURY ‘83), 9. ANTELMI Patrick, 10. CLUT Devante (TRIFIRO ‘73), 11. PERKATIS Yianni (14. AGAMEMNONOS ‘59), 16. POSCOLIERO Jacob, 17. BILIC Matthew

Substitutes not used: 21. ORLOVIC Josip

Yellow cards:

Red cards: nil

Blacktown City FC: 1. PRENDERGAST Tristan, 3. COLLINS Daniel, 4. CAMPBELL Lachlan, 5. LYNCH Grant (26. BIRNIE ‘87), 6. LEWIS Matthew, 7. MAJOR Travis, 11. DA SILVA Rhett, 18. BANGURA Suleyman, 19. BERRY Adam, 22. DE OLIVERA Carlos, 29. O’BRIEN Nicholas (10. SHABOW ‘59)

Substitutes not used: 17. ASKEW Dakota, 40. CUNICO Zane

Yellow cards: Campbell

Red cards: nil

Match Points:

3: Matthew Sim (SYD 58)

2: Patrick Antelmi (SYD 58)

1: Matthew Bilic (Syd 58)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Antelmi brace sinks Sharks

By

A Patrick Antelmi brace has helped Sydney United 58 keep their flawless start to the season alive with a 2-0 victory against Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.

The visitors made it three wins from three starts in the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with prolific marksman Antelmi’s goals on either side of the interval enforcing a first defeat of the season on Sutherland.

Despite trading blows with United 58 in the opening stages, the Sharks were unable to contain their opponents free-scoring attack.

United 58 started confidently and perhaps should have hit the lead early on when Chris Payne was unable to hit the target after a cross from Jordan Roberts.

Sutherland’s response was rapid when Gabriel Contagiani sent James Andrew on his way down the right however, Daniel Nizic was able to smother the ball to deny the goal.

Chris Lindsay had a brilliant effort for the home side but his header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Scoring chances edged in favour of the home side by the midway point of the half although none, to date, had been clear cut for either side.

United upped the pace and with it, their attacking threat as Patrick Antelmi was able to turn his marker in the box and flash a shot wide of the upright.

Cox tried his luck from distance but the shot deflected off Poscoliero and had Nizic at full stretch to palm around the upright as the Sharks came closest to opening the scoring.

However, it would be the visitors who find the back of the net first when Antelmi netted with a neat side-foot finish just inside the post.

Sutherland raced out of the blocks after the interval creating a handful of half-chances.

But with the Sharks pushing up the field desperate for an equaliser, it opened the door for Jackson Khoury to punish the home side’s defence and set up Antelmi for his second of the match. It was his second double in successive weeks after scoring a brace against Sydney FC in round 2 of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Late substitute from Sutherland failed to create a late comeback for the home team, while Sydney United 58 failed to extend their advantage in the closing stages when Payne and Antelmi were unable to make the most of two golden chances.

Sharks boss Nick Dimovski said his side struggled to chase the game and paid the price for conceding so close to half time.

“We were not at our best today and after conceding a sloppy goal were left chasing the game,” Dimovski said.

“We had to come out after the break and attack which obviously, with the defenders bombing on, it could leave us a little open at the back, which it did and led to their second goal.

“We knew were in for a tough match against the reigning Grand Final winners and it’s clear to see why they will be tough to beat this season but I don’t feel we were dominated today and created a few openings which, eventually, we will start taking.

“It’s just the silly mistakes at key moments that are hurting us right now.”

United 58’s rookie boss Tomi Vidovic praised his squad after another strong performance.

“It’s always a tough game coming here and we played well enough to win the game but the pitch is a little bumpy at times,” Vidovic said.

“They created a few chances against us, as you would expect at their ground, but we dealt with the pitch and conditions well and were able to take the points.

“To remain unbeaten and have kept two clean sheets so early in the season is welcomed of course, but we know there is a long way to go and some tough games ahead so we’ll just focus on each match and try to prepare as best we can for them.”

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks 0

Sydney Utd 58: 2 (Antelmi 40’, 79’)

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda

Saturday, 13th March 2021

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Ast. Refs: Hugh Fenton-White & Amber Morris

4th Official: Daniel Alter

Sutherland Sharks: 1.Anthony BOUZANIS, 3.Gabriel CONTIGIANI, 4.Brendan HOOPER, 5.Nic PETRILLO, 6.Patrick O’SHEA, 8.Oliver GREEN (25.Alex MACIOVECHIO 60’), 9.Jeremy COX (99.Jonathan GROZDANOVSKI 60’), 10.Lachlan EVERITT (22.Patrick SCIBILIO 70’), 14.Christopher LINDSAY, 17.James ANDREW,  88.Chris MCSTAY

Substitutes not used: 12.Harry SUTHERLAND, 13.Charlie JONES, 16.Gerrard ROEBUCK

Yellow Cards: Petrillo 44’, Contigiani 53’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Utd 58: 1.Danijel NIZIC, 3.Jordan ROBERTS, 4.Adrian VLASTELICA, 5.Anthony TOMELIC, 6.Christopher PAYNE (15.Tariq MAIA 84’), 8.Matthew SIM (18.Glen TRIFIRO 62’), 9.Patrick ANTELMI, 10.Devante CLUT (7.Jackson KHOURY, 78’), 11.Yianni PERKATIS, 16.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 17.Matthew BILIC

Substitutes not used: 14.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS, 21.Josip ORLOVIC, 22.Yianni FRAGOGIANNIS

Yellow Cards: Poscoliero 26’, Antelmi 44’, Sim 58’

Red Cards: Nil

Player ratings

3 –  Antelmi (SU)

2 – McStay (SS)

1 – Roberts (SU)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Micky Brock