South Coast local boy Joshua Macdonald was the hero for Wollongong Wolves as Jacob Timpano’s side came from behind and a man down to salvage a 1-1 draw with Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Bonnyrigg Sports Club in a riveting PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s affair.
Wollongong Wolves were reduced to ten men following David Stojic’s first half red card and fell behind instantly via Yuta Kokado’s deflected strike but restored parity midway through the second half when club new recruit Macdonald sliced through the area to poke home his first goal in hometown colours – his first since making the move from the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Macdonald’s equalizer provoked a frantic reaction from Bonnyrigg who created chance after chance in a one-way second half but were somehow unable to force the ball over the line with goalkeeper Justin Pasfield and the Wollongong outfit atoning for their languid first-half boilover to secure a heroic point on the road.
Midweek exploits in the Westfield FFA Cup may have worn thin on both sides who stuttered through a meagre first half, with Bonnyrigg’s patient approach failing to bear immediate fruit – although talisman Robbie Younis was close to latching onto several aerial deliveries.
Wollongong’s latest recruit Macdonald looked to provide the visitors the attacking spark the affair sorely craved with several darts infield, and the former Western Sydney Wanderer set up David Stojic with a sweet reverse pass midway through the first half for the Wolves midfielder to sting the palms of James Chronopoulos.
The turning point of the match occurred only minutes after Stojic had enjoyed ostensibly the encounter’s sole shot on goal, when the midfielder was handed a straight red card for a dangerous lunge on White Eagles craftsman Bo Hyun Chun.
Emotions threatened to spill over following the dismissal of Stojic and the visitor’s frustration was compounded when Bonnyrigg opened the scoring through a heavily deflected effort from Yuta Kokado.
It took an excellent save from Chronopoulous to deny Timpano’s men a vital equalizer on the stroke of half-time, with the Bonnyrigg custodian producing a fine diving save to keep out Ben Zucco’s daisy-cutter from outside the area – and undoubtedly refuting the ten-men a significant boost in morale heading into the sheds at the break.
But the visitors summoned a herculean second-half showing to remain at the heels of their hosts and Wolves custodian Pasfield was at his best on the hour mark to thwart the White Eagles with a succession of reflex stops in what was a pivotal spell in the encounter.
Having narrowly rode out several waves of Bonnyrigg pressure with Robert Younis uncharacteristically wayward in front of goal, Wollongong astonishingly restored parity through Macdonald, who provided an ice-cool finish inside the box after a well-crafted counterattacking raid.
The forward’s first goal in Wollongong colours sparked euphoric celebrations from the travelling faithful, who faced an almighty onslaught from the home side in the game’s final stages but held resolute to secure a point that felt like three.
“It was probably the best second-half performance I’ve ever seen from the boys and something to be very proud of,” Jacob Timpano said
“We had to really dig deep and it was the perfect reaction to last week’s showing”.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Kokado 35’)
Wollongong Wolves 1 (Macdonald 69’)
Saturday 21st May 2016
Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. CHRONOPOULOS James, 21. CHUN Bo-hyun, 16. GALLAWAY Samuel, 17. GIL Mun-Soo, 10. KOKADO, Yuta, 15. MILLER Raymond, 19. PETERSEN Aaron, 4. ROBINSON Michael, 3. VRANKOVIC David, 9. YOUNIS Robert (13. MCKENZIE James 80’), 7. KONDEK, Greg (11. JOVOVIC Aleksander 56’)
Substitutes not used: 36. KADRIC Asmir, 2. MANSUETO Alexander, 20. SAVICIC, Stevan
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Wollongong Wolves: 1. PASFIELD Justin, 5. BALDACCHINO James, 2. KAWASE Kota, 18. BERNAL Nicolas, 19. MACDONALD Josh, 6. MACKENZIE Zachary, 3. MADDEN Darcy, 23. MATTHEWS Samuel, 7. PRICE Christopher, 10. STOJIC David, 16. ZUCCO Ben
Substitutes not used: 12. COLLISON Daniel, 8. GRIFFIN Brendan, 15. LAZAREVSKI Danny, 17. ZUCCO Ricky, 4. LOMBO Jack,
Yellow Cards: 23. MATTHEWS Samuel 25’, 6. MACKENZIE Zachary 30’, 3. MADDEN Darcy 35’, 16. ZUCCO Ben 62’, 19. MACDONALD Josh 83’
Red Cards: 10. STOJIC David 34’
Player Ratings
3 – Justin Pasfield (WOL)
2 – Zachary Mackenzie (WOL)
1 – Josh Macdonald (WOL)
-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Jacob Windon
Manly spirit sinks APIA
MANLY United showed tremendous fighting spirit to beat APIA Leichhardt 3-2 on Sunday at Cromer Park.
In what was a see sawing PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s encounter, the home side took the lead after just two minutes.
Adam Parkhouse whipped in a ball to the far post from the left which Brendan Cholakian let bounce.
Eventually the ball was fed into Luke Giverin’s path, and the Manchester United youth player side footed home with aplomb.
United were up for the task and on 12′ minutes Cholakian almost doubled their lead, but his effort flashed just wide.
APIA eventually woke from their slumber thanks to a lung busting run from Sean Symons on the 16th minute mark.
It didn’t result in a goal, but after 19 minutes the Tigers did find the back of the net.
Evergreen APIA playmaker Franco Parisi started the move and it was finished by Brad Bartels.
Parisi, the Tigers long term number 10, fed Japanese import Tasuku Sekiya.
He in turn released Bartels, who produced a stunning finish from an acute angle which United gloveman Dylan Mitchell was never going to stop.
With 32 minutes played Mitchell had the home supporters feeling frantic after he air swung a back pass.
Luckily teammate Rhys Williams was on hand to bail him out, as it could have been one of the bloopers of the season.
Givern then almost grabbed his second with 37 minutes on the clock, but his left foot drive sailed wide of the target.
On 62 minutes the visitors went up 2-1, against the run of play.
A corner saw Adrian Vlastelica unmarked at the far post and he didn’t need a second invitation, heading home from six yards.
Previous Manly teams would have rolled over, but Paul Dee’s men never know when they are beaten in 2016.
After Giverin lashed another drive wide on 74′ minutes, seconds later United squared proceedings at 2-2.
Giverin hit a pinpoint corner to the near post and Sam Gallagher reacted first, with the defender’s header at the near post missile-esque.
United then won the game thanks to a late penalty.
Half time substitute Corey Biczo fouled right back Kieren Paull inside the box, and the striker was then sent off for his second yellow ticket.
With plenty on the line, Cholakian showed nerves of steel, composing himself to send Ryan Norval the wrong way and secure another three points for the hosts.
"The result shows the determination we have among the playing group,” the United skipper and penalty hero said post game.
"I thought it was thoroughly deserved, we knew APIA would be physical, they tend to try and foul teams out of games.
"We knew if we stuck to the task we would be in a position to outplay them and our fitness would also be a factor.
"This should be a big turning point, it gives us a nice buffer from the chasing pack mid-table."
Parisi was a frustrated figure at the final whistle.
"We can take plenty out of the game, despite the end result,” he said.
"Being up 2-1 we should have closed it out, but we weren’t good enough.
"We didn’t absorb pressure well, but credit to Manly, they are fit, organised and kept coming at us."
Match Stats
Manly United 3 (Luke Giverin 2′, Sam Gallagher 75′, Brendan Cholakian 84′)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Brad Bartels 19′, Adrian Vlastelica 62′)
Cromer Park
Sunday May 8, 2016
Referee: C.Young
Assistant referees: D.Horstead, J.Adabjou
Fourth official: J.McFarlane
Manly United: 1.MITCHELL Dylan, 2.PAULL Kieren, 3.LOBB Jamie, 4.OUGHTRED Travis, 5.WILLIAMS Rhys, 6.GALLAGHER Sam, 8.FERGUSON Dom, (18.BRAGG Daniel 72′) 10.CHOLAKIAN Brendan, (16.BERTI Sipan 87′) 11.PARKHOUSE Adam, 14.PANDUREVIC Dejan, (7.COOPER Travis 72′) 22.GIVERIN Luke
Substitutes not used: 20.SYRON Mackenzie
Yellow cards: Ferguson 41′, Lobb 74′, Cholakian 81′
Red cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 92.NORVAL Luke, 6.AUSTIN Luke, 4.BARTELS Brad, 13.D’APUZZO David, (8.OLSEN Nick 81′) 2.MILLGATE Nathan, 15.MUATA-MARLOW Themba, 11.MURRAY Jordan, (8.BICZO Corey 46′) 10.PARISI Franco, 20.SEKIYA Tasuku, 16.SYMONS Sean, (3.FSADNI Matthew 90′) 17.VLASTELICA Adrian
Substitutes not used: 5.HOOPER Brendan, 50.TUXFORD Blake
Yellow cards: D’Apuzzo 22′, Symons 70′, Biczo 74′, Fasdni 90′
Red cards: Biczo 84′
Player Ratings:
3 – Kieren Paull (MU)
2 – Luke Giverin (MU)
1 – Dom Ferguson (MU)
Sydney United 58 too hot for APIA
Sydney United 58 FC has stretched its lead at the top of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a comprehensive 3-0 win against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Sunday pushing the headline that this could be the club’s year.
Goals to two usual suspects in Panni Nikas, Chris Payne and Robbie Mileski helped Mark Rudan’s side to its seventh straight win.
It was a tough day at the office for APIA who challenged United 58 for most of the match but lacked the killer edge required to take down the competition’s top side.
Only three minutes into the match Panagiotis Nikas was brought down in the box by Sean Symons and Kurt Ams awarded a penalty to Sydney United – their fourth in two games.
Nikas dusted himself off and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot to give the visitors and early 1-0 lead.
In the 16th minute a delightful cross from the right and was met by a powerful drive from Nicholas Olsen but Theo Kofinas was there to clear it off his own goal line for the visitors.
Sydney United 58 FC responded and doubled its lead. A cross from the left resulted in the ball reaching Chris Payne in the 22nd minute and all he had to do was tap it in against his former club.
It was an easy goal that perhaps the defence could have done a little bit better to clear.
Another chance for APIA arrived in the 25th minute when a lovely corner reached Themba Muata-Marlow who headed the ball just wide of the goal.
In the 28th minute a corner reached Nikas just outside the area and he tried to volley it home unsuccessfully.
The game ebbed and flowed from end to end. In the 30th minute a Tasuku Sekiya free-kick from just outside the area curled over the wall and just wide of the intended target.
Five minutes later a hook shot from Payne was well saved by Norval who then made sure he held onto the ball as the Sydney United 58 FC striker was standing over him ready to pounce.
From one end to the other, the chances kept on coming.
In the 44th minute an audacious shot from some distance by Bradley Bartels missed the goal by the faintest of margins and, right at the death of the first stanza of play, APIA should definitely have taken the lead when a Jordan Murray header went across the entire face of goal.
Sydney United 58 FC goalkeeper Thomas Manos made a great save only three minutes into the second half when he was forced to stop a Murray header.
The Jordan Murray-show continued in the 60th minute: his shot from just outside the box was well parried by Manos.
In the 75th minute a real majestic volley by Brendan Hooper finished just wide of the post but, had it gone in, would have been a goal to remember for the Tigers.
Sydney United 58 FC, under so much pressure, did go up the other end of the field and score in a beautiful counterattacking move. A long ball by Nikas found Payne who back heeled to Robert Mileski who then slotted home for the visitors in the 88th minute.
Late in the game in the 90th minute Nicholas Stavroulakis received his second yellow card and was sent off but by now the game was over.
After the match Sydney United 58 FC’s assistant coach Jerry Bilokapic was happy with the win but certainly was maintaining a level footing.
“It was a battle and APIA is a good side,” he said.
“We came here to get a result and I won’t say that things were pretty, but we did enough to win the game.
“We are playing as a team and we are working hard for each other and that’s the main thing. At training, the boys are putting in and everyone is hungry to play because they want a spot in the team.”
Over in the APIA Leichhardt Tigers dressing room new coach Danial Cummins, their fourth in six months, wasn’t too displeased because the game was more evenly balanced than the final score showed.
“It hurts to lose because this is a proud club with high expectations,” the 38 year old former Tigers defender said.
“We had a clear game plan and it took us about 15 minutes to get the structure right, but once they got that right we played so much better.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t take all of our chances but they are a good side. If we had put one of those chances away it would have been a different game. I am very proud of our players because they turned up and played well, but the score line will read 3-0 and people who didn’t see the game will think something different.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0
Sydney United 58 FC 3 (Nikas 3’ (pen), Payne 22’, Mileski 88’)
Sunday 1st May 2016
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Joon Park, Nicholas Backo
Fourth Official: Nathan McOrist
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 92. NORVAL Ryan, 2. MILLGATE Nathan, 4. BARTELS Bradley (8. BICZO Corey 61’), 5. HOOPER Brendan, 6. AUSTIN Luke (3. FSADNI Matthew 87’), 10. PARISI Franco, 11. MURRAY Jordan, 16. SYMONS Sean, 20. SEKIYA Tasuku (19. HASEGAWA Kenta 89’), 21. MUATA-MARLOW Themba, 23. OLSEN Nicholas
Substitutes not used: 45. TUXFORD Blake, 17. VLASTELICA Adrian
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58 FC: 21. MANOS Thomas, 3. MOCHIZUKI Masato, 6. PAYNE Christopher, 7. SHIN Yutaro, 8. USKOK Tom 9. TRIANTIS Peter (11. TANESKI Nikola 53’), 10. MILESKI Robert, 14. STAVROULAKIS Nicholas, 17. KOFINAS Theo, 19. BILIC Matthew, 23. NIKAS Panagiotis.
Substitutes not used: 1. DEPTA Andrew, 2. VLISMAS Kristopher, 4. VRLIC Anthony
Yellow Cards: Kofinas 28’, Stavroulakis 63’
Red Cards: Stavroulakis 90’
Player Ratings
3- Panni Nikas (SU)
2– Jordan Murray (APIA)
1– Chris Payne (SU)
-by Joe Russo, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter, at Lambert Park, Leichhardt.
Bonnyrigg pushed to the limit by Manly
BONNYRIGG White Eagles has survived a second half fightback from Manly United to secure a narrow 2-1 win in its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Round 4 clash at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre on Saturday.
A first half brace to Robbie Younis was enough for the Brian Brown coached side to claim all three points but home fans were forced onto the edge of their seats as a determined Manly United went close to snatching an upset.
It was all Bonnyrigg in the opening stages as Yuta Kokado’s fourth minute shot started what would be one way traffic at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre during the first stanza.
Only Dylan Mitchell knows how the scores remained scoreless when Alex Mansueto threw his name up for miss of the season after 17 minutes
A low cross from Aaron Peterson inside the left hand side of the penalty area found an unmarked Mansueto three yards from the goal line.
An incredible diving effort from Manly shot stopper denied the Bonnyrigg right back as his leg blocked the shot.
Only seconds later and the home side had a free kick on the edge of the area. Robbie Younis stepped up and curled the ball beyond an outstretched Mitchell to make it 1-0 for Bonnyrigg.
A hard tackle on Ken Chun 25 metres out from goal provided Younis with another opportunity to showcase why he is one of the competition’s dead ball specialists.
Again, Younis stepped up. Different top corner, same result as he rustled the back of the net to double the home side’s lead.
Younis thought he had his hat-trick in the 40th minute when he reacted quickest to a whipped in Kokado corner.
Mitchell again came to the rescue for Manly, although there was some doubt whether or not he had kept the ball from crossing the line.
It was a completely different story in the second half as Manly raced out of the blocks.
Within five minutes the lead was seemingly halved.
A first class reaction save from Chronopoulos after a Dejan Pandurevic shot fell to the feet of Brendan Cholakian who hammered into the back of the net.
The offside flag of the assistant referee quickly silenced the cheers of the manly faithful.
In the 63rd minute, Pandurevic and Manly’s hard work finally got the reward it deserved.
Adam Parkhouse delivered a superb ball low into the box from the left as Pandurevic calmly tapped home to make it 2-1.
The away side continued to lift as the second half progressed with the White Eagles dropping deeper and deeper in defence.
Manly kept pushing with Cholakian, Parkhouse and Pandurevic constant threats.
Despite Manly’s efforts it was too little too late for the visitors with the White Eagles holding firm to secure its first home win for 2016.
Brian Brown was a relieved man after the final whistle.
“It was a game of two halves but we’re happy to take all three points,” he said.
“The competition has changed this season and there are no easy teams.
“Other than our opening 20 minutes against Rockdale, Our first half was our best half of football this season.”
Paul Dee had a bittersweet feeling at the end of the match.
“I thought we started the match well but then we concede from two set pieces and go into the break down,” he said.
“ I was very impressed with the way the boys responded in the second half.
“We pressed them, had plenty of chances but couldn’t put them away.
“Disappointed with the result but pleased with the response.”
Something all teams should watch for was the Manly front three of Cholakian, Pandurevic and Parkhouse.
“We believe we’ve got a high level of attacking quality and just need to concentrate on a decisive last touch,” Dee said.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Younis 18’, 35’)
Manly United FC 1 (Pandurevic 63’)
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Referee: K Patterson
Assistant Referees: J Adabjou & R Osbourne
4th Official: M Bailey
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. Chronopoulos, 2. Mansueto (14. McDonald), 3. Vrankovic, 4. Robinson, 5. Jenner (6. Zonjic), 9. Younis, 10. Kokado, 16. Galloway, 17. Gil, 19. Peterson (31. Lo), 21. Chun.
Substitutes: 20. Savicic, 18. Douglas.
Yellow Cards: Gallaway 60’, Younis 90’
Red Cards:
Manly United FC: 1. Mitchell, 2. Paull, 3. Lobb (16. Berti), 4. Oughtred, 7. Cooper, 10. Cholakian, 11. Parkhouse, 23. Pandurevic, 18. Bragg (6. Gallagher), 19. Saric (Williams), 22. Giverin.
Substitutes: 20. Syron-Mackenzie
Yellow Cards: Cholakian 20’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings
3 – Robbie Younis
2 – David Vrankovic
1 – Dejan Pandurevic
-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Nikola Pozder
Tigers winless as Bonnyrigg collects points
APIA is still searching for its first win of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Lambert Park on Friday.
An injury hit APIA outfit were unlucky to take advantage of its chances as Bonnyrigg’s Aaron Peterson snatched the result in the 81st minute.
It was a disastrous start to the match for APIA who were forced into a double substitution only seven minutes into the match.
Injuries to Brett Studman and Sean O’Connell required a drastic reshuffle of the home side’s line up as APIA coach John Carnevale introduced Franco Parisi and Matthew Fsdani to the contest.
Parisi made almost an instant impact to the match when his perfect delivery created a clear opportunity for Tasuku Sekiya in the 14th minute.
However, Sekiya failed to take advantage scuffing his shot straight into the hands of Bonnyrigg shot stopper James Chronopoulous.
The injury bug was passed onto Bonnyrigg in the 20th minute when Greg Kondek went down with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Aaron Peterson.
The addition of Peterson lifted Bonnyrigg and the visitors pushed forward in attack.
APIA paid the price for poor communication in defence in the 27th minute when a marauding run from Sam Galloway opened the scoring for Bonnyrigg.
Galloway wrong footed defender Nathan Millgate and made a 25 metre run unchallenged before he dispatched a powerful shot past APIA keeper Ryan Norval.
APIA immediately mounted a fight back and were unlucky to not to score in the 31st minute.
A double save from Bonnyrigg’s Chronopoulos diffused shots from Corey Bizco and Sekiya.
The home side had one last chance in the final minute of the half but Themba Muata-Marlow’s header was cleared off the line by White Eagles defender Adam Jenner.
Attack, attack, attack must have been Carnevale’s halftime message for his APIA team as the Tigers gunned for an equaliser from the opening whistle.
The high intensity paid off almost instantly when Sekiya hit the back of the net in the 49th minute.
The Japanese import volleyed into the back of the net to make it 1-1 after pin point assist from Franco Parisi.
Orchestrated by Parisi, APIA continued its attacking raid as Bonnyrigg battled to keep in the game.
However, it was the heroics of Muata-Marlow in defence which had fans talking as the APIA centre back cleared a dangerous Robbie Younis header off the line after a Bonnyrigg counter attack.
The counter attack sparked a revival from Bonnyrigg and they began to fight their way back into the match.
It wasn’t long before the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s Champions were back in front when Peterson hammered home from close range to give Bonnyrigg a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute.
Desperate to take at least a point away from the match, APIA sent everything forward in hope of finding a goal.
Chronopoulos was called into action for the visitors in the 86th minute when his diving saved denied a well hit Nathan Millgate shot.
Ray Miller’s second yellow card in the 87th minute had the visitors down to 10 men for the final stages of the game.
APIA threw everything but the kitchen sink forward to snatch a late equaliser. However, it wasn’t to be for Carnevale’s outfit.
“Despite the loss that would have to be our best performance as a side this season,” Carnevale said.
“The way all the boys maintained their composure after losing two senior players to serious injury in the opening minutes was very impressive.
“While it hurts to come away from that match without any points, I know if we continue to play the way we did today then win’s are just around the corner.”
Winning coach Brian Brown praised former Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers defender Galloway for his performance.
“Sam was outstanding today and deserves recognition for the way he played.
“Defensively he was very impressive and he will be delighted to have scored.
“All round it was a great game from the boys especially the defence who did very well to hang on when APIA were desperate for an equaliser.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Sekiya 52’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Galloway 28’, Peterson 81’)
Friday, March 25 2016
Lambert Park, Leichhardt.
Referee: Koder Yagi
Assistant Referees: Matt Reidy and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Tristan Harris
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: 92. NORVAL Ryan, 2.MILLGATE Nathan, 7. O’CONNELL Sean (10. PARISI Franco 8’), 8. BIZCO Corey, 14. ELASI Nathan (11. MURRAY Jordan 65’),15. STUDMAN Brett (3.FSADNI Matthew 8’), 16.SYMONS Sean, 18. UCCHINIO Adrian, 20.SEKIYA Tasuka, 21.MUATA-MARLOW Themba, 23. OLSEN Nicholas.
Substitutes not used: 19. HASEGAWA Kenta, 1. LIBAND Tonu,
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. CHRONOPOULOS James, 3. VRANKOVIC David, 4. ROBINSON Michael, 5. JENNER Adam (2. MANSUETO Alexander 73’), 7. KONDEK Greg (19. PETERSON Aaron 20’), 9. YOUNIS Robbie (6. ZONJIC Nikola, 90’), 10. KOKADO Yuta, 15. MILLER Ray, 16. GALLOWAY Sam 17. GIL, Mun-Soo, 21. CHUN Ken
Substitutes not used: 14. MCDONALD Taylor,, 20. SAVICIC Stevan.
Yellow cards: 5. JENNER Adam 15’, 21. CHUN Ken 58’,15.MILLER Ray 84’ 90’
Red cards: 15. MILLER Ray 90’
Player Ratings
3- Sam Galloway (BWE)
2- Aaron Peterson (BWE)
1- Tasuka Sekiya (APIA)