Bonnyrigg is a team that doesn?t forgive and Marconi paid a dear price early in the second-half when, in the space of 18? minutes, Robbie Younis managed to score his hat-trick and place a dagger through the heart of the Stallions.
Bonnyrigg, under the astute guidance of Brian Brown and Cliff Pointer, punished the Stallions at Marconi Stadium. One team made a few simple errors at crucial times and the other took full advantage without giving anything away.
After the game the always modest Brian Brown said that he wasn?t expecting to win by such a big margin.
?No, no, not at all,? he said. ?We thought that if we didn?t give anything away defensively and score we?d be good.
?In the first-half they probably started better than us, but we got ourselves back into the game and we made a few chances in the first-half as well, but you always expect a tough game here.
?We have a young team and coming here could be a bit intimidating especially with Marconi having a few ex Bonnyrigg players.
?They?re professional our young boys and they stood up. The two young guys in the middle of our defence, [David] Vrankovic and [Alex] Mansueto, I thought were outstanding.?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles opened the scoring in the 16? minute when a Robbie Younis corner was met by the head of a Marconi defender who inadvertently flicked it straight into the path of Harris Gaitatzis who simply headed home.
Marconi?s reply was almost immediate when Jamie McMaster found himself all alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper, but somehow he shot over the crossbar. It?s moments like this that had the Marconi faithful scratching their heads.
James Chronopoulos was called into action in the 33? minute to get down low and save well from a Gaitatzis shot before Marconi replied a few minutes later: Nathan Elasi did all the good lead-up work and Joey Gibbs had the ball in the back of the net, but the assistant referee had raised the flag for a marginal offside call.
It was then Gibbs who turned provider late in the half for Elasi who had avoided the offside play and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Ben McNamara, but his shot couldn?t penetrate the reliable shot stopper of the visitors.
Early in the second-half Younis scored the first of his three goals. A long ball was poorly dealt with by the Marconi defence and Younis, pouncing on the spot, simply stole the ball and slotted home.
In the 53? minute Andrew Mailer set up Gibbs for another good attempt but once again McNamara was up to the task. Moments later Marconi tried again: a powerful low drive by Gibbs was delightfully turned away for a corrner by Gibbs.
Marconi didn?t give up and in the 61? minute Shevlin from the centre of box fired just wide of the mark. However, shortly afterwards Younis pounced again.
An accurate Ken Chun cross from the left was met by an opportunistic Younis who headed home. And, then a minute later, referee Kris Griffith Jones awarded a penalty when Younis was brought down by Christopher Nunes. The ever present and revitalised striker took the spot kick himself and sent Chronopoulos the wrong way. It was then all over bar the shouting.
After the game a shattered Luke Casserly, coach of Marconi, couldn?t really believe what he had just witnessed.
?I have really mixed feeling because for large patches of the game our boys played really quite well and they made a number of good chances,? he said.
?Obviously we haven?t taken any of those chances and it feels that almost every opportunity that Bonnyrigg got, they punished us and for a couple of those opportunities we handed it to them. They were simple errors that shouldn?t happen at this level.
?I thought at half time that we were still well in this game because the general play was good ? we had some great chances and a goal disallowed but no result. If you don?t take your chances, you get punished.?
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 (Gaitatzis 16?, Younis 48?, 64?, 66? (pen) )
Saturday 19th May, 2012
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Kris Griffith-Jones
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho and Adam Coombes
Fourth Official: Nathan Roberts
Marconi Stallions: 22.James Chronopoulos; 2.Andrew Mailer, 4.Umut Tokdogan, 6.Shane Webb, 9.Keith Shevlin (15.Alan De la Cuadra 78?), 10.Joey Gibbs, 11.Nathan Elasi, 18.Jamie McMaster (16.Daniel Severino 55?), 19.Damien Travis (7.Sean O?Connell 67?), 23.Christopher Nunes, 26.Nahuel Arrarte.
Substitutes Not Used: 3.Ali Haydar, 40.Andrew Mercuri
Yellow Cards: Webb 21?
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ben McNamara; 2.Alex Mansueto, 4.David Vrankovic, 5.Chris Tadrosse, 8.Alexander Canak (10.Jordan Simpson 80?), 9.Robbie Younis (15.Luka Dukic 88?), 13.Nikola Stanojevic, 16.Adrian Ucchino, 19.Harris Gaitatzis, 21.Ken Chun, 23.Mitchell Long (17.Jordan Crighton 69?).
Substitutes Not Used: 11.Ben Spuce, 20.Andrew Bazi
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Robbie Younis (BWE)
2 – David Vrankovic (BWE)
1 – Ben McNamara (BWE)
-By Joe Russo
Special Feature: Kayes is a pillar of consistency of APIA
Kayes, who is currently 24 years of age, has been around the competition since he was 16 when Blacktown City signed him to play under then coaches Brian Brown and Cliff Pointer ? the legendary NSW Premier League duo currently in charge of Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
?I have been here at APIA Leichhardt for six seasons,? he said. ?I came here from Blacktown where I played all throughout my youth and then I went onto a first grade contract with Brian Brown and Cliff Pointer when I was 16.
?After Blacktown, I came here to APIA under John Romeo [APIA Leichhardt?s former head coach], so it has been a while now. I was in the Australian Schoolboys team that toured the UK under Romeo and I followed him here.?
Stephen Kayes is a very familiar face in the NSW Premier League and a model of consistency for APIA Leichhardt. Even though he considers himself to be a central midfielder, he is very much enjoying another role now.
?I really enjoy playing in the centre of the park, but I am really enjoying the current right back/wing back role. I feel comfortable there,? he said.
Kayes is still young enough to hope for an A-League breakthrough but he is certainly not losing focus on the present. He is semi- professional footballer who is totally focused on APIA Leichhardt.
?I am enjoying my time here at APIA and the short term plan is to try and make finals football,? he stated enthusiastically. ?It would be great to play in the finals. I think we have the squad to do it.
?You always hope to move on to bigger and better things, but unfortunately it doesn?t always happen. You just have to keep performing here at APIA and if it happens, it happens.
?A few years ago people wanted to send me to a few different [A-League] clubs for trials but it never really eventuated – it would still be great if something could happen down the track.?
Like many good footballers, Kayes has also a plan beyond football.
?I have finished my Physical Education Teaching degree and I am working fulltime for a company [Sporting Schools Australia] that does the PE programs in primary schools,? he said.
?I am enjoying that and it keeps me busy. I am currently working in primary schools but I went to university to study secondary education.?
-By Joe Russo
Special Feature: Andy Bevin, APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ roaring Kiwi enjoying football life
Since January he has been playing for his local side however, prior to this he was playing College Football in the USA for West Virginia University where he was also studying
Readily admitting to being an Arsenal fan in recent years there has been a plethora of players to admire leading the attack for the Gunners but does one stand out and has hasn?t modelled himself on any in particular.
?No, not really.
?It?s how I?ve progressed , my build and physical attributes and do what works for me as I?m not the tallest player.
?I try to be nippy around the ball, twist and turn the defence and be nippy around their feet and try to create chances for others to feed off and, obviously, if I get a chance I will try to take it but I think it?s almost impossible to model yourself on anyone in particular as we are all individual.?
When pressed hard enough he readily admitted.
?OK, Thierry Henry is the Arsenal shirt I have my wall at home, Dennis Bergkamp is another hero of mine and being half Dutch myself you have to look after the boys….and Robin van Persie of course!,? he chuckles.
?He has had an outstanding season and is a typical players, not the fastest around but you look and see what works for him and maybe see if you can adapt it into your game, the way he beats defenders and the way he hits the ball.
His adaptation to the APIA Leichhardt Tigers side looks very promising, especially against Rockdale City Suns where his low centre of gravity and fast feet were a constant nuisance to the visiting defence.
?I think I?ve settled in quite well and it?s different from playing back home with some very technical players so you just have to take what comes to you on these pitches.
?When a chance comes your way you need to try and do something special because it?s more of a physical game and I?m not the most physical player so when something comes my way I am looking to create opportunities or have a go myself.?
When asked what he would like to be in five years? time he stated ?Six foot!?
Fair play to the likeable lad for getting one over the questioner but added.
?I would hope to be a full-time professional somewhere of course, I?d love that to be Australia.
?Like everyone else, I would hope I could take the opportunity if it came along so my aim to play well for APIA and hopefully turn a few heads and see what comes of it.
?I would love to give it a really good go and make a profession of it so that?s what I?m working towards.?
State League football isn?t paying everything and there is a need for the lad to work part time as a waiter as well as concentrate on football after spending last year studying.
The studies have been put on hold for a year as he tries to make his mark in the round ball game and especially hopeful of possibly making the New Zealand Olympic football squad for London 2012.
?The squad gets picked next and that would be a dream come true for me to be a part of that but I need to see how my season goes here and decide whether to play and study or play full-time.
?We?ll have to wait and see.?
Due to tender years, Bevin is far too young to understand the significance of the opening title being a part-time waiter, Manuel from Fawlty Towers etc. but he has a very dry sense of humour and his head very firmly screwed on.
One thing is for sure and certain though, keep your eye on this kid as the Kiwi selectors could certainly do a whole lot worse than pick the lad to go London and from there, who knows?
-By Micky Brock
APIA and Rockdale share the spoils in gritty contest
The game was a tight contest whe both sides certainly didn?t concede much to each other. It was one for the football purist rather than the casual observer who may have been seeking mo entertainment.
In the end, a draw was probably the faist sult whe both sides conceded goals from set pieces.
After the game Rockdale City Suns? new coach Mark Rudan expssed how happy he is to be associated with such a gat group of players. He was also satisfied with the sult given that in two games in charge, he is yet to experience a loss.
?I was happy with the sult because it?s a tough place to come,? he said. ?The a good quality players in both of these two teams.
?We have been working on our shape and organisation and hopefully we a becoming a hard team to beat.
?We will work on diffent things going forward, including tactical plays when we have the ball at our feet, and all that will come.
?I was very happy with my team?s attitude which was first class throughout. I couldn?t be happier with their effort – they worked ally hard with the game plan and instructions that they had been given.
?I haven?t got bad word to say because I am extmely proud of the boys. It?s a long season and the is still a long way to go.?
In the 18? minute Giorgio Speranza found himself with a high bouncing ball outside the penalty-aa and despite managing to get a powerful shot away, he couldn?t find the back of the net.
APIA-Leichhardt?s ply came after a scrappy corner made its way to Murisoo Gil, the new signing for the Tigers from Koa, but he too couldn?t dict his shot on target.
The best chance of the first-half fell to the Tigers in the 29? minute when a delightful long ball from Adel El Jamal ached a rampaging Andw Bevin who, with a powerful diagonal volley, just sprayed the ball wide of the net. And that was about it for the tightly contested first stanza of play.
In the second-half APIA-Leichhardt took the lead early on when Hirofumi Moriyasu managed to squeeze his fe-kick past the wall and into the bottom left let hand corner of the net. It seemed almost sural from a distance because it was hard to believe how Moriyasu had thaded the ball in such a small space.
How the Tigers must wish that Moriyasu?s short-term contract wasn?t ending with this game because the ?Japanese Emperor? has certainly been a valuable addition to their squad over the last four weeks.
The next two best chances of the game fell to Rockdale. Firstly, it was Tomi Cirjak who blasted a powerful shot just wide of the net and then Alec Vrosevski couldn?t beat Stefan Giglio who got down low with a good save to pvent a certain equaliser.
Stephen Kayes then tried his luck with an off target shot to no avail for the Tigers. The tenacious Kayes is certainly a player that APIA can always depend on.
In the 74? minute it became game on when Rockdale City equalised in the simplest of fashions from a set piece.
A corner by Cirjak was met by the tall Paul Kohler who rose above all and sundry to head home. It was simple but effective football.
After the equalising goal the was not much else was on offer from both sides until Kris Griffith Jones brought proceedings to an end nearly 20? minutes later.
John Turner, APIA-Leichhardt?s experienced coach, had mixed emotions about the sult.
?I think they took their one opportunity,? he said. ?We have to learn to pick up at the back post again.
?It?s very hard to play on this pitch because it is very tight. We had half a team that couldn?t train this week for various asons and injuries, so I am even surprised that we came this far.
?It?s a cdit to the boys because some did play with injuries and, on any other given day, they might not have played.
?We even lost our goalkeeper at halftime. It?s hard then when you have to play someone who has alady played 90 minutes even though I am certainly not blaming him for our goal,? he concluded.
Match Stats
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Moriyasu 48?)
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Kohler 74? )
Friday, 11th May, 2012
Lambert Park Leichhardt
Refee: Kris Griffiths Jones
Assistant fees: Adam Coombes and Craig Fisher
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 21.Anthony Costa (1. Stefan Giglio 46?); 2.Mark Byrnes, 3.Adel El Jamal, 4.Murisoo Gil, 5.Michael West, 7.Stephen Kayes, 9.Ethan Galbraith (19.Wandi Jajaw 85?), 10.Franco Parisi, 12.Andw Bevin, 14.Hirofumi Moriyasu, 16.Michael Hawrysiuk (6.Danial Cummins 76?).
Substitutes Not Used: 17.Sam Salameh
Yellow Cards: Kayes 36?
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ryan Norval; 2.Takuya Murayama, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 5.Pece Cvetanovski, 7.Peter Apolevski, 8.Paul Kohler, 10.Alec Vrosevski (15.Adrian Karakolevski 82?), 11.Tomi Cirjak, 12.Huseyin Jasli, 21.Ricky Perinich, 23.Askin Oygur
Substitutes Not Used: 6.Joshua Lawson, 22.Aaron Liddell, 16.Anthony Perri, 14.Daniel Slaveski
Yellow Cards: Oygur 24?, Muriyama 28?, Jasli 68?, Speranza 90?+1?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Hirofumi Moriyasu (ALT)
2 – Ricky Perinich (RCS)
1 – Stephen Kayes (ALT)
-By Joe Russo
Rudan starts with first NSW Premier League win with Suns
The 2-1 win was welcomed news for the Suns supporters after a difficult start to the campaign.
Peter Apolevski and Tommy Cirjak took it to Manly United down the right and left flanks respectively and whipped in a few teasing early crosses, with the visiting back four forced to deal with desperately as Alec Urosevski, just turned 18-years of age, and Huseyin Jasli made themselves busy around the 18-yard box.
The Suns returned to their usual style of play this season, under new coach Mark Rudan, playing the ball to feet instead of the long ball game adopted last time out in the ferocious breeze, and the side looked composed and comfortable on the ball for long periods.
The Suns goalkeeper Ryan Norval however, was called into action in the 9? minute when Chris Payne sent in a low skidding-shot, the custodian needed to get down sharply to gather at full stretch.
Crijak returned fire but the shot was blocked moments later as each battled to control midfield and create clear cut opportunities.
Manly?s back four, along with goalkeeper Dylan Mitchell, snuffed out the aerial threat with some ease so when Cirjak sent in a free-kick it was no surprise Paul Kohler was unable to gain enough purchase with a backward header that looped over the bar on 25? minutes.
Urosevski followed up with a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected and fell nicely for Mitchell to gather, as most of the action took place in the Manly half. The visitors were reduced to attacking on the counter yet the final pass went astray on the few occasions they were able to break out.
When the ball bounced the way of United via a deflection from referee James Lewis, Adam Foti was quickest to react and spun inside the 6-yard box to test Norval – once again however, it was far and few between for the visitors however as the half wore on they were able to fashion opportunities a little more regularly.
Cirjak again took another chance early from fully 30-yards and ballooned the ball way over the bar, though with little options available it was the only one left as the Manly defence closed him down with all the signs pointing to the deadlock being broken.
Alec Urosevski, very nearly, on the stroke of half-time found the opening goal when played in by Jasli. Mitchell managed to claw onto the post to divert the danger for the visitors.
The Suns would find their goal before the break and it arrived via captain Peter Apolevski. The Suns? right-winger, in first-half stoppage time, found the back of the net in virtually the last kick of the half.
Manly started quickest out of the blocks at the opening of the second period but were soon forced back as the Suns passing game at times left them floundering, although they were still proving tricky on the break.
Craig Midgley shuffled the pack when Chris Payne limped off in the 56? minute to be replaced by Mat Sim, a change more forced than warranted.
A nasty clash of heads saw the game interrupted when Tinashe Mugabe desperately headed away for a corner in a collision with Pece Cvetanovski, although thankfully both were able to continue.
Scott Balderson almost restored parity in the 68? minute with a free-kick that rattled the Suns crossbar yet the visitors found scoring elusive as the game wore on and the tackling became heavier.
What ensued was a titanic tussle between two sides battling for points, no quarter asked, none given and the scores were level in the 82? minute when Manly substitute Damir Prodanovic fired home an unstoppable shot from 25-yards out that was always curling away from Norval between the sticks.
The lead didn?t last long as Jasli curled home a free-kick in the 86? minute to put the Suns in front once more.
Rockdale wanted the win just that little bit more than Manly and did enough to hold on in what was a very tight contest.
Manly coach Craig Midgley stated afterwards:
?They probably wanted it a little bit more than us today but credit to them, they?ve got a new coach and sometimes that happens and they pick up for that.
?I thought we should have been showing the same desire as that if we are to win games and I?ve said to the boys it?s very disappointing so we?ve got to stick together as a squad now and tighten up.
?We?ve got a few players coming back from injury and another couple who will be ready this week and that is just in time as we have a cup game midweek against the Sutherland Sharks and Sydney United next in the league so we need all hands on deck.?
New Suns coach Mark Rudan isn?t used to giving interviews but added:
?I think it?s always important to look for a reaction from the players and as far as I am concerned the season started this week.
?It makes no difference if you are the oldest players at the club or the youngest, it?s a clean slate for all to show a good attitude, train with intensity and quality and I will be as loyal to them as they are with me.
?I?ve only been involved with the one training session so a lot of it has been verbal with my assistant coach (Sash Trajcevski) but now we start the serious stuff.
?I?m big on rewarding players if they put the effort in and it?s a long season so I need all the guys as we progress.?
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns FC 2 (Apolevski 45?+1?, Jasli 86?)
Manly United FC 1 (Prodanovic 82?)
Sunday 6th May, 2012
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: James Lewis
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Michael Robertson
Fourth Official: Nathan Roberts
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ryan Norval; 2.Takuya Muruyama, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 5.Pece Cvetanovski, 7.Peter Apolevski (C), 8.Paul Kohler, 10.Alec Urosevski (15.Adrian Karokalevski 77?), 11.Tom Cirjak (Daniel Slaveski 88?), 12.Huseyin Jasli, 21.Ricky Perinich, 23.Askin Oygur
Substitutes Not Used: 16.Anthony Perri, 20.Roberto Speranza, 22.Aaron Liddell
Yellow Cards: Cvetanovski 83?
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United FC: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 2.Sean Bowden, 4.Graeme Forbes, 5.Marc Richards (C) (23.Damir Prodanovic 67?), 6.Michael Daly, 7.Scott Balderson, 8.Daniel Grant, 10.Adam Foti (9.Justin Haywood 62?), 19.Tiashe Mugabe, 20.Chris Payne (11.Mat Sim 56?), 21.Leigh Egger
Substitutes Not Used: 15.Josh Ward, 24.Kang Ho Lee
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Peter Apolevski (RCS)
2 ? Huseyin Jasli (RCS)
1 ? Alec Urosevski (RCS)
-By Micky Brock