The visiting side were unable to take anything from three solid performances in the opening rounds, but their resilience finally paid dividends as Michael Hawrysuik found the back of the net in the 90? minute, much to the relief of the Tigers supporters.
APIA controlled much of the game after recovering a one-goal deficit and coach John Turner believes the result was justified:
?I was a bit disappointed the last three weeks, I thought we deserved something from each game but lady luck wasn?t on our side,? Turner said.
?We deserved everything we got tonight, we dominated the second-half.
?We are getting better and there are improvements every game.?
But it wasn?t all smooth sailing for Turner?s men and the coach admitted it took a half of football to assess how to break Parramatta down:
?We changed a few things at half time because I haven?t seen Parramatta before,? he added.
?You see where you can expose teams, we knew they were happy with a 1-1 draw but we came here for three points not one.?
The result pushes Parramatta FC into eleventh position, with the side still yet to win this year. Coach Lee Sterrey says his team were intent on attacking but made too many costly errors:
?We played a front three because we have got some good pace and some good youngsters in the team,? Sterrey said.
?They dominated a long period of the second half, we had one in our pockets going into half-time and we dropped it.
?When you drop your intensity in the Premier League, you get punished.?
Both sides looked eager to attack the game early and the first 10? minutes saw the ball move swiftly from end to end. APIA settled early on in the Parramatta half, but they were unable to make anything of their opportunities on the edge of the box.
The home side had a tough time breaking down APIA?s defence, and it was rightly so that their first chance game from outside the box on 6? minutes. Akiyoshi Saito received the ball from 20-yards out and sent a rocketing shot at goal which was parried away by former Parramatta FC keeper Anthony Costa.
The visitors then looked to make their mark on the game with a series of passes on the edge of the box. It was all to no avail though as the Parramatta defence held firm and broke away through a trademark run down the left flank by Kwabena Appiah-Kubi in the 11? minute.
Just a few seconds later, Parramatta midfielder Saito tried his luck from distance again, forcing a great save from the APIA shot-stopper.
From there, Parramatta were unable to hold onto possession and the long ball proved costly as APIA broke away on the counter. David D?Apuzzo attacked with real intent and Sydney FC on-loan midfielder Hiro Moriyasu darted around the Parramatta defence.
D?Apuzzo had the best chance for APIA in the 22? minute as a long throw found its way to the midfielder in the box, however he was unable to connect with the ball.
APIA were given plenty of time on the ball and a 29? minute shot from Hawrysuik outside the box was a clear indication of their frustration.
Appiah-Kubi looked lively for Parramatta and when he released Andy Matloub down the left flank in the 33? minute, Parramatta looked threatening. Matloub?s shot skewed across goal but Appiah-Kubi put Parramatta ahead just three minutes later.
Nicolas McInerney put the striker through on goal and Appiah-Kubi made the most of his chance, sending a delightful chip over the head of Anthony Costa to make things 1-0.
The remainder of the half belonged to APIA and they would have gone into the break as the happier side when striker Franco Parisi squared things up on the stroke of half-time with a well drilled close range volley.
An APIA corner was headed against the crossbar, leaving El Jamal to blast in the rebound from close range.
APIA started the second-half the way they finished the first with three shots on goal in as many minutes when play resumed. Appiah-Kubi continued pressuring the opposition defence and after a stagnant period in the game, he had the best chance on 64? minutes when he latched on to a curling cross from Saito only for his shot to be parried away.
But APIA made the second-half their own and on-loan Sydney FC player Hiro Moriyasu became more involved in the game.
On 78? minutes, he received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a low shot to the left corner, giving Parramatta ?keeper Matthew Nash with plenty to do.
Parramatta were clearly content with a point as APIA continued to dominate possession. Midfielder Franco Parisi tried his luck for the visitors as the corner tally piled up in their favour.
But as so often happens in football, fate paved the way for a last minute upset as APIA intercepted the ball in the midfield and worked the ball down the left flank. Michael Hawrysuik met a lovely weighted cross on the volley and the ball took a deflection to give APIA a 2-1 win.
Match Stats
Parramatta FC 1 (Appiah-Kubi 36?)
APIA-Leichardt Tigers 2 (Parisi 45?, Hawrysuik 90?)
Saturday April 21st, 2012
Melita Stadium, South Granville
Parramatta FC: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Nicolas McInerney (Aous Altaee 82?), 3.Andy Matloub, 4.Domenic Trimboli, 5.Mark O?Reilly, 18.Nicholas Napoli, 8.Bryan Soane, 10.Akiyoshi Saito, 11.Bruno Pivato, 14.Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, 17.Hassan Daramy (Aaron Peterson 69?)
Substitutes Not Used: 7.Patrick Dixon, 12.Ehsan Popal, 20.Michal Sakowicz (GK)
Yellow Cards: Bryan Soane 38?, Akiyoshi Saito 66?
Red Cards: Nil
APIA-Leichardt Tigers: 21.Anthony Costa; 3.Adel El Jamal, 5.Michael West, 8.Adam D?Apuzzo, 10.Franco Parisi (20.Wandi Jajaw 85?), 12.Andrew Bevin, 13.David D?Apuzzo, 15.Brad Bartels (7.Stephen Kayes 73?), 16.Michael Hawrysuik, 18.Brendan Riley, 14.Hiro Moriyasu
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Stefan Giglio, 17.Sam Salameh
Yellow Cards: Michael West 51?, Andrew Bevin 12?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Kwabena Appiah-Kubi (PFC)
2 ? David D?Apuzzo (ALT)
1 ? Akiyoshi Saito (PFC)
-By Mitchell Grima
Bonnyrigg make it four from four with Manly scalp
Two first-half goals, in almost identical fashion, to Tynan Diaz and Harris Gaitatzis set up the win, before Colin Iley re-opened proceedings midway through the second-half. In-form striker Robbie Younis closed off the contest shortly after via the penalty-spot with his sixth goal of the campaign on an evening that saw coach Brian Brown hand 15-year old Nikola Todoroski his debut for Bonnyrigg.
The visitors entered the game without a number of regular starters due to injury, including Roberto Hamad and Sean Bowden, meanwhile the home side lost Mitchell Long early due to a groin strain.
Manly United had early penalty claims ignored by the referee following Scott Balderson?s quick corner. The right-sided midfielder picked out Chris Payne who showed great skill, and speed, to venture into the penalty-area before going to ground after some contact with a Bonnyrigg defender.
At the other end, Ken Chun won his side a free-kick on the edge of the penalty-area following a magnificent slalom effort by Nikola Stanojevic.
Robbie Younis lined up the free-kick and his attempt on goal only just shaved goalkeeper Dylan Mitchell?s right-hand post.
The visitors showed they had no intention of sitting back and continued to press with Balderson and Colin Iley looking dangerous out of midfield. The latter only just played Balderson offside with a clever diagonal pass on 9? minutes.
On 15? minutes, Payne showed further more why he is one of the gun strikers of the competition with a decent attempt on goal. The striker wiggled his way past two defenders before unleashing an effort on goal. The shot carried a lot of power, though failed to test Ben McNamara with a wayward attempt.
Iley then forced McNamara off his line 2? minutes later as he chased down a searching ball from deep ? McNamara read the situation perfectly with a brave save down at the Manly United midfielder?s feet.
In the 20? minute, Younis showed all his strength inside the penalty-area as he collected Chris Tadrosse?s delivery from the left. Despite the heavy attention of two defenders, Younis still managed to turn before striking the outside of the post from an acute angle.
Manly United?s shot-stopper Mitchell was called upon 2? minutes later as he thwarted a Jordan Simpson attempt inside the penalty-area with a lunging save down at the tall striker?s feet.
Bonnyrigg found their go-ahead goal in the 24? minute via the head of Diaz. The midfielder, who had been heavily involved in the match, sent his headed attempt into the top right-hand corner past the outstretched arm of Mitchell. The floated effort could not have been placed any better, much to the delight of the vocal home supporters.
Manly United?s response arrived on the half-hour via a set-piece. Payne?s curled attempt from a slightly decentralised position cleared the wall, though finished inches wide of the intended target.
At the other end, Ken Chun stung the palms of Mitchell with a powerful drive in the 40? minute. The effort moved wickedly in the air, though the goalkeeper did well to get down and parry the attempt.
The resulting play however did lead to the home side?s second goal of the evening, leaving Mitchell completely helpless. Tadrosse?s pin-point cross from the left flank picked out an unmarked Harris Gaitatzis. The substitute headed powerfully home from point-blank range to double his side?s lead.
Following the break, the visitors carved out the first opening via a corner. Balderson?s delivery from the left had the White Eagles defenders on alert as McNamara confidently punched the ball away to safety.
Balderson created another opportunity in the 51? minute, winning his side a free-kick following a powerful forward foray. The resulting free-kick however lacked any accuracy, clearing McNamara?s crossbar.
On the hour Younis and Simpson combined on the edge of the penalty-area with a neat one-two before Simpson hit his effort wide of the mark.
Simpson squandered another chance in the 61? minute. In an almost identical position to that of 2? minutes earlier, the tall attacking midfielder stabbed his effort over the crossbar.
Manly United re-opened the contest in the 63? minute, due largely to the influence of substitute Adam Foti. The burly striker did exceptionally well with his back to goal to turn and release Iley on the right. Iley, with time to setup his shot, finished with pin-point drive with the outside of his boot, leaving McNamara routed to the spot.
The goal spurred Manly into action as the visitors enjoyed a good share of possession in the attacking third. Foti was definitely a threat as he and Payne combined well to get a look-in on goal moments later, though the White Eagles defenders retreated quickly to divert any danger.
At the other end, Younis attempted to restore the two goal lead for Bonnyrigg, though his well-hit effort, destined for the bottom left-hand corner, was well parried by Mitchell.
The Northern beaches outfit threatened again moments later, this time down the right flank. Iley?s delivery had the White Eagles players retreating, though no Manly United player managed to get a head onto the ball.
On 74? minutes, Balderson tested McNamara with a wicked effort from distance. The Bonnyrigg goalkeeper parried the first attempt down to his left, though with immense pressure from two Manly strikers following up, McNamara did well to push the ball behind for a corner.
1? minute later and McNamara again denied Balderson. The midfielder fired a ferocious drive that was destined for the top corner, though McNamara flung his body to tip the ball behind for another corner.
On 76? minutes, and following a White Eagles counterattack, the home side was awarded a penalty for a foul on Younis. The in-form striker dusted himself off and comfortably disposed of the penalty with a cool finish.
Manly immediately returned to attack and were very nearly awarded in the 80? minute as Mitch Macedo?s deflected effort forced McNamara into another acrobatic save.
The home supporters welcomed youngster Nikola Todoroski onto the pitch for his debut, just before Aleksander Canak had the chance to put the result well and truly out of reach 5? minutes from the end when sent through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Mitchell closed the angle nicely and forced a nice save to deny Canak a fourth for Bonnyrigg.
A final forward flurry by Manly United had the White Eagles players defending in numbers ? the home side kept their cool to clinch the three-points with the 3-1 final result.
At the conclusion of proceedings, Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown expressed his content at the start his side has made to the season, something he was certainly not expecting:
?I am very happy with the efforts of my players, and of course the win tonight ? it is four from four now,? commented Brown.
?To be honest with you, I was not expecting at the conclusion of Round 4 to be talking about my team with four wins on the board.
?We?ve had a number of changes from last season, many new players have come on board and a number of young guys even tonight out on the pitch, so I would never have thought that we would be leading the table.
?The mix of experience and youth in the team is great, and I am really pleased with the efforts of Robbie Younis and Mitchell Long who have been fabulous in this early part of the season ? we are hoping that Mitchell Long?s injury isn?t anything too serious.
?We also saw Nikola Todoroski make his debut tonight. He is a great kid with a big future ahead of him. We are definitely looking to improve on our performances to-date,? Brown concluded.
Out of the Manly United FC change room, coach Craig Midgley was visibly disappointed with the result, though did draw on some positives from his players? performances:
?It is a tough place to come to here at Bonnyrigg, to face one of the strongest sides in the competition and try and get a result ? we knew that the task at hand was a big one.
?In saying that, my players approached the game really well ? we came out after the break, got back into the match with a goal and then could have even grabbed an equaliser with some of the chances we created. Their third goal then certainly took the wind out of our sails somewhat,? explained Midgley.
?We also played this match with a number of young lads, Josh Ward, Leigh Egger, Jordan Edwards ? our back line was very young with the likes of Graeme Forbes and Sean Bowden and Roberto Hamad all out. In saying that, we did give it a good shake tonight.?
Asked about the progress with Cromer Park?s new artificial surface that is being laid, Midgley expressed his content at the calendar that will see his side play the majority of the second part of the season at home:
?Yes, we probably are 1-2 weeks behind schedule with the new surface at Cromer Park, though I am looking forward to playing some home matches.
?To-date we?ve played a number of good sides, and picked up a point at both Blacktown City and Sutherlands Sharks, which is certainly a positive.
?We are under no illusions however, and we know that the season will be a long and hard one, and we will continue to work to ensure we give season a good crack,? ended Midgley.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Tynan Diaz 24?, Harris Gaitatzis 41?, Younis (pen) 76?)
Manly United FC 1 (Colin Iley 63?)
Saturday 21st April, 2012
Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Referee: Jason Blackwood
Assistant Referees: Craig Fisher and Michael Robertson
Fourth Official: Leigh Pigram
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ben McNamara; 13.Nikola Stanojevic, 2.Alex Mansueto, 4.David Vrankovic, 7.Tynan Diaz, 21.Bo Ken Chun (17.Jordan Crighton 87?), 8.Aleksander Canak, 10.Jordan Simpson, 9.Robbie Younis, 23.Mitchell Long (19.Harris Gaitatzis 11?) (29.Nikola Todoroski 83?), 5.Chris Tadrosse (C)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Andrew Bazi, 15.Luka Dukic
Yellow Cards: David Vrankovic 29?, Tynan Diaz 66?
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United FC: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 5.Marc Richards (C), 6.Michael Daly (16.Mitchell Lensink 71?), 7.Scott Balderson, 8.Daniel Grant, 9.Justin Hayward (10.Adam Foti 62?), 12.Colin lley, 15.Jordan Edwards, 20.Chris Payne, 21.Leigh Egger, 28.J. Ward (14.Mitchell Macedo 46?)
Substitutes Not Used: 23.Damir Prodanovic, 24.Kang Lee
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Bench: J. Woods, Z. Elrich, WPlayer Ratings:
3 ? Tynan Diaz (BWE)
2 ? Colin Iley (MUFC)
1 ? Scott Balderson (MUFC)
-By Joseph Carlucci
Ten man Sutherland hang on for draw against Rockdale Suns
Both sides adopted the pressing game early on and played out from the back with good use of the flanks instead of the long ball approach and the frenetic opening pace allowing little time to dwell on the ball.
Marino Musumeci stole the ball from Paul Cotte to set-up a Rockdale attack down the right but an ever alert George Souris was able to snuff out the danger with a last ditch intervention.
Indeed, Rockdale were starting to make inroads, and when captain Peter Apolevski was caught narrowly offside in the 10? minute, it was a warning sign for the Sharks who went straight up the other end with Matt Bailey getting on the end of a Matt Gordon through ball that forced Suns goalkeeper Ryan Norval into the first save of the game.
With 22? minutes on the clock great work from Bailey and Panni Nikas set-up the former for a shot that squirmed from the grasp of Norval with the rebound gleefully put away by Hussein Salameh only for the Sharks forward to be ruled offside as Sutherland were starting to gain the ascendency.
At the other end, former Sharks striker Hussein Jasli misfired from right in front for the Suns as the action kept coming but the goal count remained zero.
Suns midfielder Sash Tirovski picked up the ball and went on a run through the middle that only ended when brought down by Souris on the edge of the box, though the resultant free-kick from Jasli was well held by Sharks goalkeeper Nathan Denham who was again called into action when tipping over a Tirovski effort moments later.
Jasli had no close support when he was put through with a ball over the top and fizzed a shot across the face from an acute angle with 37? minutes on the clock, as his pace and timing turned both Souris and Paul Cotte in defence for Sutherland that created another opportunity that was squandered.
Nikas was fouled by Tirovski in the 40? minute that led to the former taking a free-kick from 30-yards out that clipped off the wall and away for a corner but the short corner routine didn?t pay off as Rockdale cleared their lines although they were slowly but surely being pegged back into their own half.
Bailey chanced his arm from 30-yards out and Norval gathered comfortably once more and he was the busier ?shot-stopper until Denham needed to make a save from youngster Tom Cirjak.
The second period began as the first finished with midfielders Sash Tirovski (Suns) and Panni Nikas (Sharks) renewing their battle. Sutherland?s Nick Stavroulakis tigerishly mopped up the loose ball as the Suns? captain Peter Apolevski found more space down the right flank to whip in crosses.
Musumeci went down under a challenge from Souris that had the Suns faithful on their feet and moments later Nikas was cautioned for the Sharks, presumably, for simulation for going down in the box.
Tirovski went up the other end and warmed the hands of Denham with another stinging shot from the edge of the box the Sharks ?keeper was able to tip over in the 59? minute before a succession of niggly fouls interrupted the flow of the game although matters soon returned to the matter in hand and Jasli fired narrowly wide.
Sutherland took the lead though when Klim Gjorsevski had a shot saved and the rebound fell to Bailey who tucked it away in style.
The Suns responded when former Sharks striker Jasli scored against his former club 4? minutes later to restore parity, seconds after Sutherland skipper Souris was sent-off for a second bookable offence and the Sharks were reduced to ten-men.
Tirovski always looked to have time on the ball and completed his hat-trick of shots from the edge of the area that Denham in the Sharks net was forced to tip over but nothing came from the free-kick and the score remained at one-apiece.
Rockdale were now pushing forward to secure the win with their extra man advantage and should have taken the lead when Cirjak set-up Jasli in the six-yard area that he side-footed past the post.
Sadly for the Suns supporters they saw the ball cleared off the line, sail over the bar and chance after chance go begging as the Sutherland back four creaked but managed to stay strong.
It was an entertaining game that Rockdale will feel they should have put away for all the points after a succession of near misses in the final 10? minutes, particularly of the game that on another night would have seen the win and perhaps this was one that Sutherland got away with.
Suns coach Wally Savor said afterwards:
?We?re never happy with one point as we want all three and we need to change the way we think about games and not settle for a draw.
?Our final third options are not always the best and I believe it?s a mental thing so we need to change our approach to matches.
?Our style of football has improved greatly from last season and it?s entertaining for the fans but we need to start killing off teams when we can and I?m sure that will come.?
Sutherland Sharks coach Robbie Stanton was bitterly disappointed when stating:
?We need to take a good long hard look at ourselves because the performance tonight simply wasn?t good enough.
?I need our senior players to guide the youngsters and they didn?t do that tonight, they didn?t step up for the fight.
?Rockdale will feel, quite rightly, they were unlucky not to win after we went down to ten-men again but we created enough chances in the first-half to win the game and what disappoints me is that the senior players didn?t stand up because I cannot fault the commitment of the youngsters, they did a magnificent job so maybe I need to think about making a few changes??
On a slightly more jocular note he added:
?I suppose the only bright spot for the evening for me is that we have gained our first ?away? point for the season!?
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Hussein Jasli 68?)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Matt Bailey 64?)
Saturday 21st April, 2012
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Referee: Andrew Best
Assistant Referees: Nathan Wotton and Lance Morton
Fourth Official: Adrian Arnott
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ryan Norval; 2.Takuya Muruyama, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 6.Josh Lawson, 7.Peter Apolevski (C), 8.Paul Kohler (14.Daniel Slaveski 90?+1?), 11.Tom Cirjak, 12.Hussein Jasli (10.Alex Urosevski 87?), 17.Sash Tirovski, 19.Marino Musumeci (16.Anthony Perri 62?), 23.Askin Oygur
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Roberto Speranza, 24.Aaron Liddell
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.George Souris (C), 5.Paul Cotte, 6.Matthew Gordon, 8.Chris Price, 9.Hussein Salameh (12.Hayden Morton 67?), 10.Matt Bailey, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 16.Klim Gjorsevski (11.Todd Halloran 77?), 18.Michael Stuart, 23.Panni Nikas,
Substitutes Not Used: 11.Todd Halloran, 29.Chris Naumoff, 22.Simon Jaeger, 34.Toufic Alameddine
Yellow Cards: Stavroulakis 6?, Souris 29?, Nikas 58?, Price 84?
Red Cards: Souris 66?
Player Ratings:
3 ? Sash Tirovski (RCS)
2 ? Huseyin Jasli (RCS)
1 ? Nick Stavroulakis (SS)
-By Micky Brock
Bonnyrigg win three straight while APIA remain win-less
Taking nothing away from Bonnyrigg White Eagles who played well, it is hard not to feel a tad sorry for APIA Leichhardt because, in what was almost a play of last week against Marconi Stallions, the side gave it their all but somehow walked away empty handed.
The irony of the situation is certainly not lost on their experienced mentor John Turner who was coaching against his former club.
?We we every bit as good as Bonnyrigg, but we gave them two soft goals,? he said. ?We came back twice and possibly should have won the game, but that?s football. We hit the post and straight up the other end they scod.?
Turner, when questioned what he would wish for at this early stage of the season, gave an immediate sponse: ?I?d give anything for a striker because I have two very small men up front who a kids and they total 40 years of age between them.?
However, that is definitely not meant to be a complaint against his own side because immediately he clarified as follows: ?While it?s very difficult, I can?t knock the commitment of my players. The boys alise what needs to be done. We can do either of two things: feel sorry for ourselves or improve.
?In the last two seasons when I won the league, I hadn?t won a game in the first four games and, in the last season when I coached Wollongong, we went 13 games straight to win the league. I have been in this position many, many times so I know we can still do very, very well.?
In many ways it was tale of two dssing rooms because while APIA we left smarting about what could have been, Bonnyrigg have managed to secu all nine points from their first the encounters.
Brian Brown, the club?s head coach, couldn?t hide his smile. ?I am very happy because we have won away to both South Coast and APIA early on, so I am ecstatic,? he said.
?It?s probably the hardest place [Lambert Park] to come along to in the whole of the competition. I have been coming he for a long time and it?s never an easy game.
?Bonnyrigg tries to get people who a ambitious and hungry for success. Picking up people like Robbie Younis and Mitchell Long has been gat and we have a al good group of younger players as well.
?If the is a better player in this competition than Mitchell Long I?d be very surprised because he has been outstanding in the last the games for us.?
Early on Franco Parisi tried his luck for APIA but was slightly off target with his shot.
In the 17? minute Wandi Jajaw found himself with only Ben McNamara to beat but his shot was pushed away only as far as Andw Bevin who hit the post from close range and with an open goal.
That was a turning point in the first-half because a minute later Bonnyrigg had scod through Jordan Simpson who completed some lovely work down the right hand side to sco a delightful goal.
Simpson may hear some jibes about that goal during the coming week because ironically his opponent?s psident, Mr Tony Raciti, is also his daytime employer in his well known staurant.
In the 21? minute Younis took gat delight in setting up a goal against his former club. After turning and shooting nicely, he saw Anthony Costa only manage to push the ball into the path of Mitchell Long – arguably the best player on the night – and the former Blacktown City player didn?t need a second invite. The ball was in the back of the net befo the Tigers alised what had happened.
In the 28? minute APIA Leichhardt hit back with a truly magnificent goal. Jajaw fed the ball through high and long for Michael Hawrysiuk who, after letting the ball bounce once, hit it first time with a volley that was only ever heading into the back of the net and the was truly nothing McNamara could have done to pvent it.
Late in the opening half Bevin flashed the ball just wide of the intended target after a nice assist from the experienced Adam D?Apuzzo and shortly afterwards both teams we heading into the sheds for a well-deserved bak.
The second-half, while enjoyable and hard fought, didn?t produce as much goal mouth action as the first stanza of play.
Bonnyrigg scod their third goal in the 50? minute when a corner kick ached Alexander Canak who, somehow amongst a myriad of players, simply headed home from close range. In ality a set piece goal like that should never be made to look so easy.
Late in the game Younis tried his luck with a nice shot that was wide befo Parisi plied and forced McNamara into a stupendous diving save because of the low trajectory rocket of a shot.
Right at the end Bevin scod another quality goal for the Tigers after ceiving a good ball from Sam Salameh. The young Kiwi striker blasted home from outside the box but it was simply not enough for the Tigers who had left their run home too late in the second-half.
Match Stats
Friday 13th April, 2012
Lambert Park Leichhardt
Refee: Andw Best
Assistant fees: Adam Coombes and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Chris Peck
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Hawrysiuk 28?, Bevin 90?)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Simpson 18?, Long 21?, Canak 50?)
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 21.Anthony Costa; 2.Mark Byrnes (18.Bndan Riley 60?), 3.Adel El Jamal, 5.Michael West, 8.Adam D?Apuzzo, 10.Franco Parisi, 12.Andw Bevin, 13.David D?Apuzzo, 15.Bradley Bartels, 16.Michael Hawrysiuk (7.Stephen Kayes 65?), 20.Wandi Jajaw (17.Sam Salameh 65?).
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Stefan Giglio
Yellow Cards: A. D?Apuzzo 15?, D. D?Apuzzo 20?, Parisi 23?, El Jamal 35?, Byrnes 43?
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ben McNamara; 2.Alex Mansueto, 4.David Vrankovic, 5.Chris Tadrosse, 7.Tynan Diaz, 8.Alexander Canak, 9.Robbie Younis, 10.Jordan Simpson (17.Jordan Cighton 71?), 13.Nikola Stanojevic, 21.Ken Chen, 23.Mitchell Long (19 Harry Gaitatzis).
Substitutes Not Used: 15.Luka Dukic, 18.Chris Gaitatzis, 20.Andw Bazi
Yellow Cards: Vrankovic 33?, Diaz 78?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Mitchell Long (BWE)
2 – Ken Chun (BWE)
1 – Andw Bevin (ALT)
-By Joe Russo
Younis scoring continues as Bonnyrigg demolish Sutherland
A dead-ball double from the in-form Robbie Younis either side of Mitchell Long?s stunning finish earned all three points for the hosts as their youthful backline did exceptionally well to keep Sutherland at bay throughout the match.
The former A-League striker?s brace took him to five goals (3 penalties) in two competitive appearances for his new side as the striker further backed his tag as an early favourite for the golden boot.
Long showed the first attacking intent of the match, darting toward the edge of the box before rifling a goal bound effort into the back of Alexander Canak. The deflection bounced harmlessly wide for a goal kick.
Long repeated the feat moments later, only to be fouled on the edge of the area by Panni Nikas.
Younis duly punished the visiting side for the foul, dispatching a glorious curled free-kick into the top corner to open the scoring and take his tally to four goals for the season.
Sutherland came close to hitting back on the quarter hour mark as Pat Savour?s cross was flicked goalward by Matt Bailey; however Nikodin Matic was equal to the task, well positioned to hold the shot.
Younis, who proved a constant threat throughout the match, sought to double his tally soon after, blazing over from 25-yards before sending a dipping effort from the edge of the box into Simon Jaeger?s safe hands.
Tynan Diaz got himself in on the action minutes later, taking advantage of Matt Gordon?s missed defensive header to get a shot off on goal only to be denied by Hayden Morton?s timely block at the near post.
George Souris came to the rescue soon after, making a block of his own on the half hour mark to deny Long?s smart effort shortly before Alexander Canak drove an effort high and wide from outside the area.
The away side looked to claw their way back into the match, putting together a series of well structured attacks late in the opening half; however the host?s resolute defending kept them at bay, limiting them to long range shots and half chances which were either wayward or easily held by Matic as Bonnyrigg held their 1-0 lead going into the interval.
The second-half kicked off in lively fashion with Sutherland midfielder Nick Stavroulakis drawing an early save from Matic before Bo Ken Chun?s powerful long rang effort swerved just wide.
Bonnyrigg gave themselves some breathing space on 50? minutes as Long played a smart one-two with Chun, using the momentum of Chun?s layoff to unleash a magnificent shot past Jaeger to double his side?s advantage.
The goal was no less than the enigmatic midfielder deserved after his tireless first half display.
Jaeger kept his side in the match soon after, darting off his line to pluck the ball from Younis? feet as the striker ran onto a well-weighted through ball.
Nikas twice went close to pulling a goal back for Sutherland, drawing a low save out of Matic before lobbing wide after Chris Price beat Matic to a long ball out of the Sutherland half.
Younis was handed the chance to put his side three goals to the good on 77? minutes after Long was brought down by substitute Paul Cotte in the box, and the in-form striker took full advantage.
Jaeger dove to his right as Younis coolly stroked the ball straight down the centre to wrap up the scoring and extend his tally to five goals in two matches.
Sutherland pressed for a late consolation, but was kept scoreless as Matic held shots from Bailey and Price while Stavroulakis and Nikas fired wide and high respectively.
The visitors also gave Bonnyrigg a couple of late scares with goalmouth scrambles; however the hosts kept Sutherland out to maintain their clean sheet and secure an impressive victory.
Sutherland Sharks coach Robbie Stanton was understandably disheartened by the defeat, believing that the result was no less than his side deserved with after a flat performance:
?I had an inclination during the week that it wasn?t going to be a good game for us,? said Stanton.
?We looked flat and out of sorts and our attitude wasn?t right for the build up to this game.
?We didn?t really deserve to get anything out of the game to be honest.
?There were times we showed a little bit but there was too much missing from too many players.
?In the end we lost to a team that was just more determined to get the three points.?
With the match now behind them, Stanton stated his desire to bounce back in the next match to get their season straight back on track:
?The sun will rise tomorrow and we?ll start again,? said Stanton.
?We head back home next week to try and get three points, but we need to turn things around in the next three sessions with a better approach to training and hopefully this will be a good wake up call.?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown was delighted with the win, crediting his players with an impressive performance against tough opposition:
?Very happy with that; to win 3-0 over Sutherland I?m ecstatic with that victory,? said Brown.
?It probably wasn?t our most polished performance but the effort the guys put in meant they (Sutherland) didn?t cause us too much problem in the final third.
?We?ve had a lot young players that have come into the team this year and they?ve done really well.
?Our aim tonight was not to concede any goals because I always feel we will score, and they achieved that.?
Brown also stated his delight with the continued goalscoring feats of Robbie Younis while also taking time to praise man-of-the-match Mitchell Long for his efforts throughout the ninety minutes:
?He?s frightening ? if Robbie hadn?t got injured in pre-season and we had him really fit it?s frightening how good he could be,? praised Brown.
?I just hope he keeps doing what he?s been doing.
?Also Mitchell Long has been sensational for us, the guy works his socks off and I thought he was outstanding for us tonight as well,? Brown concluded.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Robbie Younis 7?, 77? (pen), Mitchell Long 50?)
Sutherland Sharks 0
Saturday April 7th, 2011
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Kevin Peddie
Assistant Referees: J Gitas and Sam Grasso
Fourth Official: M Weiner
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 33.Nikodin Matic; 7.Tynan Diaz (32.Jay D?Elia 86?), 13.Nikola Stanojevic, 21.Bo Ken Chun, 10.Jordan Simpson (17.Jordan Crighton 67?), 2.Alex Mansueto (15.Luka Dukic 81?), 5.Chris Tadrosse, 4.David Vrankovic, 8.Alexander Canak, 9.Robbie Younis, 23.Mitchell Long
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Andrew Bazi, 1.Ben McNamara
Yellow Cards: Nikodin Matic 67?
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 22.Simon Jaeger; 2.George Souris, 6.Matt Gordon, 8.Chris Price, 9.Hussein Salameh (5.Paul Cotte 56?), 10.Matt Bailey, 12.Hayden Morton, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 17.Pat Savour (29.Chris Naumoff 56?), 18.Michael Stuart, 23.Panni Nikas
Substitutes Not Used: 7.Jim Bakis, 16.Klim Gjoreski. 1.Nathan Denham
Yellow Cards: Nick Stavroulakis 45?. Pat Savour 49?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Mitchell Long (BWE)
2 ? Robbie Younis (BWE)
1 ? George Souris (SS)
-By Michael Shoolman