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Heroic ten-man Tigers burn United 58

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A 10-man APIA Leichhardt Tigers have claimed an incredible 1-0 win against all odds at Lambert Park on Sunday.

Former Sydney United 58 striker Chris Payne pulled a Rabona kick from his bag of tricks which deflected off Adrian Vlastelica into the back of the net to give APIA the incredible, yet unlikely, victory.

Payne again was to be the hero against his old club after he hit a hat-trick in their round 4 clash at Edensor Park, he broke his former teammates hearts yet again.

The home side was forced to play a man down after only 24 minutes when Themba Muata-Marlow was sent for an early shower for a tug on the shirt of United striker Peter Simonoski.

It made for a tense and thrilling match with neither side giving an inch.

However, United 58 could never take advantage of their extra player and paid the price in the dying stages of the match.

The result keeps APIA in second spot on the ladder while United 58 stay in fourth.

It was a fast paced opening to the match with both teams racing out of the blocks at 100 miles an hour.

The game took a massive turn in the 24th minute when APIA centre back Muata-Marlow was sent off for a cynical tug of Peter Simonoski’s shirt reducing the home team to ten-men.

The dismissal lit a fuse with both sides flying into every challenge with extra venom.

A physical clash on the edge of the box from APIA centre back Josh Symons took down Simonoski and set up the visitors best chance of the first half.

Jordan Roberts unleashed a deadly knuckling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area which was denied by a spectacular diving save from Ivan Necevski.

The game was a battle of attrition and the home side was digging their heels in against a Sydney United team desperate to take the advantage before the interval.

Sim skewed a brilliant chance on goal 35 minutes in when he shook his defender on the edge of the penalty area

It would prove to be the final chance of the half with both sides going into the break deadlocked at 0-0

APIA were unlucky not to take a shock lead 53 minutes when Payne snatched the ball from a loose pass before Parisi’s low cross narrowly missed Biczo’s outstretched leg at the back post.

The home side had found a new lease on life in the second stanza with Parisi the architect as APIA’s counter attack had United 58 on the back foot.

The match was balanced on a knife’s edge mid way through the half with neither side giving an inch.

With the game entering the final ten minutes it was surprisingly a ten man APIA side which had the upper hand.

The Tigers were sitting deep and exploding forward through McIllhatton and Ucchino. It was keeping United 58 honest and limiting the visitors from pushing everyone forward to capitalise on their extra player advantage.

It proved to be United 58’s undoing.

APIA raced forward in the 88th minute through McIlhatton who found Payne on the eastern side of the goal. Payne, cornered by three defenders pulled off a brilliant Rabona kick which deflected off United 58 defender Vlastelica and into the back of the net.

The goal sent APIA’s players and fans into raptures as they took an unlikely 1-0 lead.

United 58 tried to mount a comeback in added time but their efforts mounted to nothing as APIA claimed an incredible victory against the odds.

A jubilant John Calleja praised the heart and resilience of his APIA players to secure the three points when a loss seemed the more likely result.

“It was a fantastic performance from the team. We really fought hard and when Themba was sent off the boys regrouped and kept their structure,” he said.

“We felt confident at halftime that we would be able to take at least a point from the game.

“A performance like that can turn your season around. It can be make or break but we dug in and showed plenty of courage to get a monumental result for the club.

A defeated Miro Vlastelica rued a match which should’ve been a chance for his United 58 side to claim the scalp of a competition rival.

“There is not much you can say about that other than it is very frustrating to lose like that,” he said.

“I thought we were a little bit too cocky when we came out in the second half. We should’ve carried on what we were doing in the first half by dominating possession. We took our foot off the pedal and it’s not good enough.

“We will regroup and bounce back. there is no point dwelling on the result.”

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 1 (A Vlastelica own goal 89’ )

Sydney United 58: 0

Referee: T Danaskos

Assistant Referees: S Edeling & J Bell

Fourth Offical: N Gongolidis

APIA Leichhardt: 1. Ivan Necevski, 3. Paul Galimi, 4. Josh Symons, 6. Chris Payne (Nick Stavroulakis), 8. Corey Biczo (17. Dom Nasribadi), 10. Franco Parisi (14. Lachlan Hughes), 12. Sam McIllhatton, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino, 21 Michael Kouta

Substitutes not used: 22. Luke Turnbull, 7.Tynan Diaz

Yellow Cards: Josh Symons 28’

Red Cards: Themba Muata-Marlow 24′

Sydney United 58: 21. Tom Manos, 3. Jordan Roberts, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 7. Peter Simonoski, 8. Matt Sim (18. Glen Trifiro 55’), 11. Yianni Perkatis (10. Sebastian Gallegos 65’), 14. Tomislav Uskok, 15. Tariq Maia, 19. Josh MacDonald, 20. Cristian Gonzalez

Substitutes not used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, , 12. Liam Rose, 17. Matthew Bilic,

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

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

Sim breaks Wolves hearts

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A stoppage-time strike from Matthew Sim helped Sydney United 58 take all three points from league-leading Wollongong Wolves in a 2-1 victory at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Sim scored in the final moments of the fiery clash – which saw nine yellow cards and the dismissal of Sydney United 58’s Patrick Antelmi – to secure the win for the visitors after Tariq Maia’s first half strike was cancelled out by Wollongong’s Thomas James.

The Wolves came into the fixture hoping to excise the demons created by the side’s 1-0 defeat to Mount Druitt Town Rangers in the final round of FFA Cup Qualifying on Wednesday, but the side found themselves a goal behind after 39 minutes.

A quick pass from Christian Gonzalez down the left-hand side of the field found former Wollongong player Joshua Macdonald, who was able to deliver an inch-perfect pass to Tariq Maia in the Wollongong box.

Maia – who found the back of the net the last time these two sides faced back in Round 3 – made no mistake of the delivery, tapping the ball past Wollongong’s Justin Pasfield to open the scoring.

However, the Wolves pulled level mid-way through the second half, with Takeru Okada managing to steal the ball from United’s Yianni Fragogiannis and quickly push the ball to Lachlan Scott, who was sitting on the edge of the box.

Scott opted to slide the ball across to an open Thomas James, who fired past Thomas Manos and drew the game level.

However, the visitors managed to grab victory in the final moments of the match, with a quick break down the left-hand side falling to Matthew Sim, who was able to direct the ball past a diving Justin Pasfield and into the right-hand corner to restore United’s lead.

Wollongong had a late chance to equalise in the second minute of stoppage time with a Thomas James free-kick, but United’s Thomas Manos managed to tip the curling effort around the post ensure the victory.

Wollongong coach Luke Wilkshire noted that while his side did enough to create chances against the visitors, the side lacked the killing blow and lost as a result of it.

“We want to win games, so that [the loss] is disappointing, but in saying that I think it was a good tough game,” he said.

“Our goalscoring wasn’t up to par, the final execution wasn’t there and when you have possession and territory and don’t take your chances, you get punished, and that’s what happened tonight.

“We [will] go back on the training field, we’ll review it, we’ll work on what we need to work on and be ready to go again next week.”

Meanwhile Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica was pleased with how well his side responded against the league leaders.

“We knew it was going to be tough to come down here, because we played the 120 minutes mid-week [in the FFA Cup] and you could see that, but its credit to the boys. They didn’t stop playing,” he said.

“The boys just didn’t stop working hard and it’s a credit to the team. They dug deep and, in the end, we had a lot of chances there and we could have finished the game off… and when your supporters come and travel with you, they lifted the team that extra bit.”

Wollongong Wolves will hope to return to winning ways when they host 10th placed Sydney FC next Sunday at WIN Stadium, while Sydney United 58 – who move level on points with Blacktown City as a result of the victory – will attempt to move into second on the ladder when they travel to Lambert Park next Sunday to take on A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers in an enticing match as they take on two former players in Nick Stavroulakis and Chris Payne.

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Thomas James 64’)

Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Tariq Maia 39’, Matthew Sim 90’)

Sunday 9th June, 2019

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Referee: K. Ams

Assistant Referees: N. Backo and C. Wright

Fourth Official: N. Kour

Wollongong Wolves: 1. Justin Pasfield, 3. Darcy Madden, 4. Nikola Djordjevic, 6. Benjamin Tosi (14. Harry Callahan 57’), 7. Christopher Price, 9. Thomas James, 11. Takeru Okada, 15. Nick Littler, 16. Guy Knight, 17. James Stojcevski, 24. Lachlan Scott (23. Jordan Nikolovski 88’)

Substitutes Not Used: 12. Luke Kairies (GK), 13. Stefan Dimoski, 20. Liam Wille

Yellow Cards: Thomas James 30’, Nick Littler 88’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney United 58 FC: 4. Adrian Vlastelica (3. Jordan Roberts 70’), 5. Anthony Tomelic (10. Sebastien Gallegos 82’), 7. Peter Simonoski, 8. Matthew Sim, 11. Yianni Perkatis, 14. Tomislav Uskok, 15. Tariq Maia, 19. Joshua Macdonald (9. Patrick Antelmi 65’), 20. Christian Gonzalez 21. Thomas Manos, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, 6. Petar Markovic

Yellow Cards: Peter Simonoski 43’, Tomislav Uskok 49’, Patrick Antelmi 71’, 90+1’, Anthony Tomelic 75’, Yianni Fragogiannis 86’, Matthew Sim 90’

Red Cards: Patrick Antelmi 90+1’

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

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Cal Behrendt (@CalBehrendt)

Sydney United 58 humbled by ruthless Blacktown City

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Blacktown City has roared back into Premiership contention after fighting back to claim a massive 4-2 win at Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a pair of Daniel Bragg goals from the penalty spot.

Patrick Antelmi put United ahead inside a quarter of an hour, before Bragg equalised from the spot barely three minutes later.

Joey Gibbs nodded Blacktown in front early in the second half before Bragg scored his second, while Leroy Jennings added a fourth before Matt Sim came off the bench to score a late consolation for the hosts.

The result moves Blacktown up to third on the table on 23 points. Only one point behind second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers and seven behind league leaders Wollongong Wolves.

It was just the revenge the visitors were looking for after they were dumped out of the FFA Cup round 6 clash when United 58 won 2-1 to progress to the final stage of the Cup prior to the round of 32.

Blacktown City took their time on the ball in the opening exchanges; winning a corner which was cleared at the near post before Adam Berry dragged a shot across the goal after driving up through the midfield.

There were seemingly few clear-cut opportunities to break the deadlock before Sydney United did just that. Tariq Maia strode up the left flank and lost the ball before Liam Rose nicked it back on the edge of the box; taking a touch before cutting a pass back for Patrick Antelmi to sweep past the goalkeeper with a clever finish.

The hosts held the lead for all of three minutes before Blacktown levelled at 1-1: Rose brought down Leroy Jennings as the Blacktown man skipped into the area, leaving Tim Danaskos little option but to award a penalty. Daniel Bragg stepped up to spot and smashed the ball into the top left corner of the goal to restore parity.

The game settled somewhat after a frantic start, though play tended to swing from end to end with little patience in the midfield. Maia might have tested Tristan Prendergast in the Blacktown goal but took too long to get his shot away as he tried to dribble through a crowded box, while Joey Gibbs had a chance at the other end which was easily held by Thomas Manos.

Blacktown pushed to go ahead before the break, with Jennings, Bragg and Gibbs looking dangerous down the right as the visitors rolled forward. Lachlan Campbell was particularly adventurous in attack, and very nearly opened up the Sydney United defence only for Jennings to hit a weak shot at the keeper.

Joey Gibbs was not so wasteful when the ball came to him at the back post ten minutes after the restart, burying Dakota Askew’s cross past a helpless Manos to give Blacktown the lead.

A further ten minutes into the half, and Blacktown had their third: new signing and fan favourite Tomislav Uskok handled the ball in the area to give away a second penalty, which Bragg dispatched with ease.

Blacktown threatened every time they went forward: Mani Gonzalez nearly pulled off a spectacular solo goal as he skipped across the top of the box before playing a one-two at the near post, but the return ball was cut out by Matthew Bilic.

Leroy Jennings added a fourth as the clock wound down, stabbing the ball past Manos after a freekick was flicked on towards the back post by Grant Lynch.

Gibbs drove a free kick over the bar after good work from an electric Rhett DeSilva, before Sydney United substitutes Matt Sim and Christian Gonzalez combined to snatch a late consolation goal but nonetheless it was a damaging blow for the hosts.

“We started ok,” said long serving stalwart Petar Markovic.

“There were 15, 20 minutes where we looked good but then we were punished for our mistakes.

“It’s a short turnaround to the Cup game on Wednesday, so we’ll look to take the positives from today.

“We scored two good goals, and we know we can do better.”

“They’re always tough affairs, these matches against Sydney United,” said Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden after his side secured its fourth consecutive win.

“We knew it would be, but we were reasonably confident heading into this one.

“We’ve strung a few games together and we’re all working for each other, so we just need to keep doing what we’re doing for the last few weekends.

“There’s a long way to go and the competition is very even, so we’ll keep working on our own performances and see what that does for us.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Antelmi 14’, Sim 90’)

Blacktown City FC 4 (Bragg 17’, 64’, Gibbs 54’, Jennings 77’)

Sunday, 2 June, 2019

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: T. Danaskos

Assistants: A. Powers (Capital Football), A. McConachie (Capital Football)

Fourth official: K. Griffiths-Jones

Sydney United 58: 21. MANOS Thomas, 3. ROBERTS Jordan (23. VLASTELICA Luke), 17. BILIC Matthew, 6. MARKOVIC Petar (8. SIM Matt), 5. TOMELIC Anthony, 19. MACDONALD Josh, 12. ROSE Liam, 7. SIMONOSKI Peter, 15. MAIA Tariq (20. GONZALEZ Christian), 9. ANTELMI Patrick, 14. USKOK Tomislav

Substitutes not used: 1. SADAKA Daniel, 4. VLASTELICA Adrian

Yellow cards: Uskok 50’

Red cards

Blacktown City FC: 1. PRENDERGAST Tristan, 5. LYNCH Grant, 6. LEWIS Matt, 12. CAMPBELL Luke, 23. BRAGG Daniel (3. COLLINS Daniel), 19. BERRY Adam, 22. JENNINGS Leroy (15. VERSI Mason), 8. ARAUJO Daniel, 11. GONZALEZ Mani (35. DESILVA Rhett), 9 GIBBS Joey, 17. ASKEW Dakota

Substitutes not used: 20. NISKI Dylan, HOWARTH Dale

Yellow cards: Versi 83’, Araujo 92’

Red cards:

Player Ratings

3 – Daniel Bragg (BC)

2 – Lachlan Campbell (BC)

1 – Thomas Manos (SU58)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Max Grieve

Sydney United 58 snap up Tomislav Uskok

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On the back of losing club stalwart Nick Stavroulakis to the APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sydney United 58 have moved swiftly in recruiting former fan favourite Tomislav Uskok from the Melbourne Knights for the remainder of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

The 27-year-old big bustling defender returned to Melbourne after he spent a solid season with Sydney United 58 during the 2016-2017 season where he made 34 appearances for the club.

Born and bred in Melbourne, Uskok again starred for the Knights and led from the back as he steered his side to victories during his return catching the attention of potential Hyundai A-League suitors.

Having played in Australia’s premier competition with the Central Coast Mariners in 2015-2016, Uskok is hoping his move to Sydney may generate more interest at A-League level.

Late Antelmi strike breaks Suns streak

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A dramatic last minute Patrick Antelmi strike has ended Rockdale City Suns unbeaten streak as Sydney United 58 claimed a 3-2 win at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

Rockdale paid the price for an off-colour start to the match as their rivals United 58 snuck in to snatch all three points and hand Suns’ interim head coach Nick Porecca his first defeat since taking on the top job in round five.

United 58 struck early through Matt Sim before Peter Simonoski gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Alec Urosevski led from the front for Rockdale scoring twice in the second half to seemingly secure at least a point from the contest.

However, United 58 would have the last laugh with Antelmi finding the back of the net in dramatic style to clinch an incredible victory for the visitors.

The result catapults United 58 into third spot on the ladder while Rockdale cling onto a top five place in fifth.

It was United 58 who drew first blood when Sim turned home a centre on the right from close range in the fifth minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Rockdale had been caught cold but fought back in midfield allowing only a Peter Simonoski long range effort in the opening quarter-hour.

Anthony Tomelic pounced on a Suns error to set up Simonoski but he was unable to beat Rockdale keeper David Bradasevic.

Glen Trifiro stroked a free kick just over the bar moments later as the visitors kept up the pressure on their opponents.

Unied 58 were winning the midfield battle and the Suns were struggling to deal with mounting pressure.

After 37 minutes United extended their lead  when Sim, again down the right flank, turned provider for Simonoski to side-foot home.

It was no more than play deserved as the Suns were off the pace in the opening half.

Just before the break Jonathan Grozdanovski forced a fine save out of Thomas Manos followed by Sasa Macura trying his luck from distance. The visiting keeper dealt with both efforts comfortably as United 58 took a deserved lead into the break.

Rockdale would have to up the ante in the second period if they were to turn their fortunes around from a surprisingly  lacklustre first-half performance.

The lead should have been extended further on the resumption when a defensive error allowed Simonoski to volley inside the box but his effort flashed narrowly wide of the upright.

Rockdale responded when Matthew Lecce tested Manos followed by an Urosevski shot across the face.

Grozdanovski had a chance of his own when he galloped clear but his shot from the edge of the box was woefully high.

Manos was called into action again when Urosevski spun and shot in the box with the keeper gathering at the second attempt.

Urosevski found a breakthrough for Rockdale when a corner to the back post eluded everyone but the quick thinking striker who fired home from an acute angle.

It was Urosevski again in the 82nd minute whose shot flashed beyond Manos before he could move to level the score at 2-2.

Rockdale was in the ascendancy and were forcing the pace in the closing moments of the match.

Manos denied Urosevski his hat-trick from a free-kick late on to keep his team in the contest.

However, it would be United 58 who would have the last laugh when Antelmi snatched a winner deep into stoppage time when he poked home from a goalmouth scramble.

Miro Vlastelica was understandably happy at the final whistle

“We were the better side in the first-half and we felt Rockdale were very flat,” he said.

“We scored two good goals but let them back into it in the second-half when we knew they would come back at us hard.

“Credit to the boys, they kept on going until the end and got the rewards with a late winner.”

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 2 (Urosevski 63’, 82’)

Sydney United 58 3 (Sim 2’, Simonoski 37’, Antelmi 90+3)

Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday 26th May 2019

Referee: Stephen Lucas

Assistant Referees: Adam Powers (ACT) & Alex McConachie (ACT)

Fourth Official: Kris Griffiths-Jones

Rockdale City Suns: 1.David Bradasevic, 2.Daniel Petkovski, 3.Mick Neill, 7.Alec Urosevski, 9.Jonatahn Grozdanovski, 11.Leigh Egger, 17.Matthew Lecce (6.Khang Hoon Cho 77’), 18.Sasa Macura, 19.Patrick Savor (14.Brayden Sorge 57’), 20.Howard Fondyke, 45.Jordan Figon

Substitutes not used: 5.Jake Trajkovski,  15.Nicholas Petrillo, 22.Max Rowston

Yellow Cards: Fondyke 24’, Petrovski 58’

Red Cards:

Sydney United 58: 21.Thomas Manos, 3.Jordan Roberts, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5.Anthony Tomelic (12.Liam Rose 64’) 7.Peter Simonoski, 8.Matthew Sim, 11.Yianni Perkatis, 15.Tariq Maia, 18.Glen Trifiro (9.Patrick Antelmi 79’), 20.Christian Gomez (17.Matthew Bilic 64’), 22.Yianni Fragogiannis

Substitutes not used: 1.Daniel Sadaka, 6.Petar Markovic

Yellow Cards: Perkatis 89’

Red Cards:

Player Ratings

3 – Urosevski (RCS)

2 – Sim (SU58)

1 – Trifiro (SU58)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW  Men’s reporter Micky Brock