Stallions hang on for a narrow victory
21.03.10 11:03


A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers striker Robbie Younis on the attack against the Marconi Stallions on Saturday evening. (Photo by Gordon Tipene)
Marconi Stadium was the venue for what was once billed as the ‘Italian derby’ as Marconi Stallions took on archrivals A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt.
In the Serie A, it is Roma vs Lazio but in the NSW Premier League it is Marconi vs A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt – with very similar colour schemes for both teams to the famous Rome city derby - and this latest instalment of the rivalry didn’t disappoint fans.

The game was of the highest quality with both teams not prepared to give an inch to each other. In the end Marconi Stallions prevailed by a narrow one-goal margin after an extremely lucky break just before halftime.

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt were a transformed outfit. Coach Luke McGuire has managed to work a minor miracle in the space of a week after a very disappointing game against Manly United FC in the previous round.

Determination and a never-say-die attitude were clearly evident against the Stallions.

However, that’s taking nothing away from Marconi. The home side is still unbeaten after four rounds of the NSW Premier League and there are some compelling reasons why that’s the case given the side’s heavy injury toll.

For starters, an impressive youth system that rewards the club with talented young players such as Mitchell Malia, who making his NSW Premier League senor debut, scored both goals.

“He’s a good young boy,” said a very proud Marconi coach Lee Sterrey after the game.

“He was a 17 year old last year playing in our [Grade] 20s. Mitchell came through the youth ranks here and we let him go to play in the youth ranks at the Central Coast Mariners.

“He has a lot of pace about him and he will pick up more knowledge because he has only just turned 18 recently.

“He’s learning and he picked up some good experience at the Central Coast and he looks the goods.”

In the 11’ minute a free-kick from Pablo Cardozo reached Robert Younis in the box but his header went just wide of the mark. Cardozo was signed for the Tigers after his time in the Victorian Premier League with the former NSL marksman hoping to continue his career in the NSW Premier League by scoring important goals in helping his new club's cause.

A few minutes later Younis should really have put the visitors in front when he had a golden chance as he charged towards goal, only to be thwarted at the last minute by a brilliant save from James Chronopoulos.

Matthew Gordon at the other end of the field replied for the Stallions when he fired a rocket on the run that narrowly whisked over Matthew Nash’s crossbar.

In the 16’ minute Marconi took the lead when Alex Canak set up Malia who finished off the move superbly by firing the ball into the back of the net past an out-stretched Nash. It was a class goal from the young debutant but unfortunately for Marconi, Canak injured himself in setting up the goal and had to be replaced shortly afterwards.

Nahuel Arrarte, who received a nice ball from Erick Anabalon, could well have doubled the home side’s lead but his shot forced Nash into a wonderful double save.

In the space of a few minutes the visitors had two more chances: a Younis header from a corner went over and then Parisi from close-range – after some nice lead up work by Younis himself – brought out the best in Chronopoulos.

“Jimmy Chronopoulos was sensational,” said Sterrey. “We were 2-0 up at halftime only because of him.

“He pulled off some great saves and he was the sole reason why we were in front at half time.”

With the last kick of the first-half Marconi doubled their lead. It seemed a rather innocuous shot

from Malia but somehow a wicked deflection off a lunging Danial Cummins directed the ball into the goal past a stranded Nash.

It was a cruel blow for the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt side that came out in second stanza of play much more determined.

In the 65’ minute Younis finally brought the visitors back into the match and set up the contest for an enthralling finish.

A free-kick was awarded just outside the box and somehow the tall striker bent the ball around the wall and placed it accurately in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

It was almost surreal – many thought that he had just missed the target but the ball had squeezed inside the post for a wonderful strike at goal.

In the 68’ minute Chronopoulos pulled off what was arguably the save of the game as he dived to his left at full stretch to block a header from Younis that was surely destined for the back of the net.

In the 74’ minute Younis, beating the offside trap, charged towards goal but fired over the crossbar as he faced an out-coming goalkeeper. Right at the death Cardozo’s free-kick just missed the goal and in many ways it summed up A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt’s second-half.

It was a case of many near misses but full credit too to Marconi for displaying such resilience in the face of adversity.

“We started alright and we had the best deck of cards of what we have left,” Sterrey said in a clear reference to his side’s injuries.

“We had a spring in our step and I thought that we played in a certain way that would suit the opposition; I think we caused them a lot of havoc early on.

“We have a lot of inexperience at the moment on the park, so we are giving a lot of kids a chance because we are starting to fall by the wayside in numbers with injuries.”

His counterpart Luke McGuire was clearly disappointed to not have taken home at least a point:

“They score a deflected goal to make it 2-0,” he said.

“In the second half I thought we dominated possession and dominated everything , but their ‘keeper pulled off a couple of good saves and that was the game,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, in the Grade 20s, Marconi Stallions and A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt played out a 0-0 draw.

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Malia 16’, 45’)

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Younis 65’)

Saturday, 20th March, 2010

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Peter Vrtkovski

Assistant Referees: Murray Wilson and Matthew Colquhorn

Fourth Official: Cameron Bruce

Marconi Stallions: 22.James Chronopoulos; 2.Brenton Rhodes, 4.Umut Tokdogan, 5.Adel El Jamal, 9.Erick Anabalon, 11.Matt Gordon (38.Daniel Petkovski 71’), 23.Christopher Nunes, 26.Nahuel Arrarte, 31.Mitchell Malia (25.Domenic Trimboli 85’), 42.Giorgio Speranza, 8.Aleksandar Canak (18.Jared Lum 32’).

Substitutes Not Used: 21.Jose Bello Amigo, 39.Sean O’Connell

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Mark Byrnes, 14.Paul O’Grady, 5.Michael West, 7.Stephen Kayes (18.Bishara Stephan 82’), 8.Anthony Hartshorn, 19.Danial Cummins, 11.Nick Rizzo, 9.Robert Younis, 10.Franco Parisi, 12.Pablo Cardozo.

Substitutes Not Used: 19.Joseph Cartisano, 15.David Dascal, 20.Mark Pinto, 40.Michael Rutherford

Yellow Cards: Younis 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 - Mitchell Malia (MS)

2 - Franco Parisi (ALT)

1 - James Chronopoulos (MS)

-By Joe Russo

Bonnyrigg late show salvages point against Sharks
21.03.10 11:09


Sutherland Sharks goalscorer Nick Stavroulakis (left) shown battling Bonnyrigg White Eagles' Shane Webb during their round 4 NSW Premier League clash
Controversy ended an enthralling match at Bonnyrigg Sports Club when Vuko Tomasevic headed an injury time equaliser for the home-side, despite the visiting Sutherland Sharks dominating proceedings for much of the game.
The high flying White Eagles were second best during the first 45’ minutes and found themselves under the pump for much of the time and can thank former Sharks goalkeeper Phil Zabaks for keeping them in the match, along with some stoic defending by Graeme Forbes and Wade Oostendorp, with Sutherland creating enough half chances and good opportunities to win a dozen games under normal circumstances.

Chris Price shot narrowly wide inside 60’’ seconds of the start and a Jimmy Bakis free-kick had Zabaks bravely down among the flying boots to sharply gather the ball inside 3’ minutes.

Nathan Denham was forced to tip over the bar in Bonnyrigg’s first attack at the other end, closely followed by former Sharks striker Brad Boardman crossing from the left to find David Gullo - the youngster was caught marginally offside as the visiting defence stepped up.

Sutherland were soon on the attack again and a sweeping move saw Blake Powell slip the ball to Jimmy Bakis, back from injury, who crossed to the back stick for Steve McConologue to head narrowly over when under intense pressure.

Bakis then had Zabaks forced into a full stretch to save around the post from another free-kick that was destined for the bottom corner as the Sharks turned up the heat that Bonnyrigg had to endure throughout the half, whilst manfully keeping the visitors at bay as they were harried and given no time on the ball which left Boardman with little or no service up front.

Boardman did come close though, with a solo move that saw him inside the defence and rush a shot, with Michael Robinson closing down, that stung the hands of Denham.

The Sharks took control of the game and a plethora of chances followed as the frustration for the home-side told when Nikola Zonjic found himself in the book for Bonnyrigg after a petulant challenge in the 35’ minute.

When Bonnyrigg did make a break through on goal, it was Robinson to the rescue once more when Boardman was clean through and only a last ditch tackle prevented the lanky striker getting his shot away with just Denham to beat.

McConologue almost had the last word when his over shoulder effort whisked past the angle with his back to goal as the game remained scoreless at the break.

It was almost a reversal of the opening stanza as Bonnyrigg approached the second period like a steam train as Tomasevic scuffed his shot inside the box within 60’’ seconds of the resumption, and Daniel Severino had Denham at full stretch tipping the ball past the left-hand upright for a corner before Sutherland finally started to play.

The visitors should have taken the lead on 53’ minutes when McConologue chased down a hopeful ball, shrugged off his defender and went one-on-one with Zabaks who had originally come for the ball only to be grateful to the bar when the striker’s lob came bouncing back off it and into play before being cleared away up-field.

The deadlock was finally broken by Bonnyrigg in the 58’ minute when Severino shot from outside the box to see the ball deflected into the net by team-mate Tomasevic only for it to be ruled offside by the official, much to the chagrin of the home fans who were unusually quiet on the night.

Neil Jablonski picked up a caution for Sutherland quickly followed by Michael Brown, who had a terrific game up and down the left flank for Bonnyrigg, and Bakis for the Sharks as the game went end to end in thrilling fashion until the 77’ minute. A loose ball broke to Sharks bustling midfielder Nick Stavroulakis just outside the box and his thunderous right-footed shot left Zabaks no chance and the visitors took a deserved lead.

Bonnyrigg are made of stern stuff under coach Brian Brown and they threw everything at Sutherland without success until the moment of debate that eventually led to the equaliser in stoppage time.

Boardman slipped the ball back to a team-mate on the right flank as two Sharks players converged on the danger but when it was played back to him the linesman immediately flagged for offside. However, with two Sharks defenders sliding in the referee overturned the decision and gave a free-kick instead that was taken by Jamie McMaster, another to show well for the White Eagles, and up jumped Tomasevic at the back stick to head across the goal and into the net in the 92’ minute.

With barely enough time to restart the game it was a different tale in each camp afterwards when White Eagles coach Brian Brown stated:

“We were awful in the first-half as we didn’t compete or chase for the ball and they dictated much of the play and we were probably fortunate to go into the break still level.

“We changed things up at half-time and produced plenty of chances and were perhaps unlucky not score a couple but we kept fighting and the lesson was that we played to final minute and didn’t drop our heads and got away with a point so I can’t be upset with that as this was an important game for us.

“We kept going and with their players starting to tire we managed to grab a goal that, whichever way you look at it, got us something from the game and it was a well taken goal so if people think we were fortunate to get the free-kick this game will always even itself out over the course of the season,” he concluded.

Robbie Stanton was diplomatic when saying:

“We created plenty of chances in the opening 45’ minutes and we need to start taking them but in the cold light of day we have to look at it being our own fault that we only came away with a draw from this match as the game is never over until the final whistle and maybe we were guilty of not playing to that.

“Bonnyrigg have been set up as one of the benchmark clubs this season and the way we played tonight shows me we are capable of holding our own and are coming together as a solid unit as we did create the better chances this evening.”

Both coaches declined to comment on, perhaps, the controversial moment preceding the goal showing an enormous amount of dignity.

In the Grade-20 division, Sutherland Sharks were victorious with an impressive 3-1 defeat of Bonnyrigg White Eagles putting the home side towards their first loss of 2010.

Match Stats

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Vuko Tomasevic 91’)

Sutherland Sharks 1 (Nicholas Stavroulakis 77’)

Saturday, 20th March, 2010

Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg

Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and David Lockeridge

Fourth Official: Matthew Samson

Crowd: 900 Approx.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 99.Phillip Zabaks; 3.Graeme Forbes (8.Milorad Simonovic 77’), 4.Michael Brown, 6.Vuko Tomasevic, 7.Nikola Zonjic, 9.Brad Boardman, 10.Daniel Severino, 11.Shane Webb, 17.David Gullo, 19.Jamie McMaster, 20.Wade Oostendorp

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Ali Akbal, 5.Milan Zoric, 13.Juan Carlos Chavez, 16.Stefan Helata

Yellow Cards: Zonjic 35’, Brown 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.George Souris, 4.Michael Robinson, 6.Chris Price, 7.Jimmy Bakis, 8.Blake Powell, 10.Steven McConologue (31.Huseyin Jasli 71’), 11.Ben Spruce, 12.Neil Jablonski, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 22.Yanni Fragogiannis

Substitutes Not Used: 3.Kyle Stuart, 9.Ben Vidaic, 16.James Lawrence, 24.Jack Duncan

Yellow Cards: Jablonski 60’, Bakis 68’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Michael Robinson (SS)

2 – Nick Stavroulakis (SS)

1 – Phillip Zabaks (BWE)

-By Micky Brock

Akin rescues point for Suns against Manly
21.03.10 21:33


Manly United players celebrate Adam Foti's (far right) goal against Rockdale City Suns on Sunday
Rockdale City Suns and Manly United FC collected a point from their round 4 encounter at Bicentennial Park South in Rockdale on a very humid Sunday afternoon.
Adam Foti’s late first-half effort was cancelled out by Rockdale City’s ‘super sub’ Baturay Akin who scored his second goal in as many weeks within 3’ minutes of entering the field of play as a second-half substitute.

The visitors held a strong hold of possession in the opening exchanges, though a slip up in the defensive third on 4’ minutes nearly presented Rockdale City Suns’ striker Sam Awad with a look-in on goal. The Manly United defence quickly lifted its line to thwart the danger.

Manly United’s first look-in on goal arrived via a swift counter-attack from their own half. A fine through ball was delivered into the path of Adam Foti, to send the striker clean through on goal, though from a slightly decentralised position, Foti’s first-time effort was easy pickings for Ben McNamara in the Suns’ goal.

The visitors had a golden chance to open the scoring on 20’ minutes after Mitch Macedo was fouled on the edge of the penalty-area. Bradley Groves stepped up to take aim from the set-piece and sent his effort inches wide of the top right-hand corner, with goalkeeper McNamara routed to the spot.

Rockdale City responded moments later with a fine interchange of passes between Pece Apolovski, Robert Di Meglio and Sam Awad on the edge of the penalty-area. The latter sent his effort well-wide of the mark from a very promising position.

Manly United proved dangerous again via a set-piece on 27’ minutes as Groves’ curled in effort from the left was deflected behind for a corner by the Suns defence. After momentarily clearing the resulting corner, the Suns were again under the pump as Andrew Mailer made a positive run to the right byline before cutting back a neat cross onto the head of Foti – the striker’s effort finished inches wide of the target.

The Suns responded with a swift move up-field via the feet of Apolevski. The Rockdale City captain beat his marker down the right-flank before playing a short ball into the path of Daniel Pejovski. The striker’s first-time effort packed a real punch though the scrambling Manly United defence cleared the ball away to safety.

Groves was again in the thick of the action for the visitors when he cleverly won possession in the Suns’ half of the field. Groves cut in from the left-flank and lined the ball onto his favoured right peg before unleashing a venomous drive on goal, parried at the second attempt by McNamara.

Marino Musumeci produced a touch of class on the edge of the Manly United FC penalty-area when he effortlessly brought down a Steven Bosinovski cross from the left. Musumeci’s touch was class, though his effort on goal lacked precision as the ball finished well-wide of the intended target.

The home-side closed the half strongly with Steven Bozinovski sneaking his way behind the Manly United defence to go one-on-one with Brad Swancott. The Suns midfielder rounded the goalkeeper with a heavy touch that took him too wide to slot the all home. With the Manly United defence retreating quickly, the chance went begging as Bozinovski played a hopeful ball into the middle of the penalty-area, all to no avail as Pascal Julliard & Co. in the Manly defensive line thwarted any danger.

Despite the Suns best efforts in the attacking third, Manly United found the opener on 45’ minutes courtesy of Adam Foti. A fine cross from the left-flank via the boot of Keith Shevlin was partially dealt with by the Rockdale City defence, with Foti picking up the loose ball and firing into the top left-hand corner for a one-goal lead at the break.

Rockdale City started the second-half in the right frame of mind with successive attempts down the left and right flanks in the opening 2’ minutes forcing Manly United onto the back foot. Despite the early running though, neither Adem Kir, down the left, nor Sam Awad down the right, managed to deliver the final pass for a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity.

The Suns were on the attack again on 55’ minutes following Kir’s silky touch down the left touchline into the path of Pejovski. The young striker expertly cut inside his marker to start his incursion on goal, though some fine defending by Pascal Julliard brought an end to the promising forward foray.

Manly United remained content to sit back and hit the Suns on the break with Mitch Macedo and Keith Shevlin the main ‘go to’ men for the Cromer Park side. Both players combined well on the hour down the left-flank for the latter to get in behind the defence. The Suns defence was quick to react and forced Shevlin into error when crossing from the byline.

Macedo did get a look-in on goal moments later when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty-area. The midfielder’s powerful drive on goal had McNamara scrambling, though the effort finished inches over the crossbar.

McNamara was forced into a routine save a minute later as Jimmy Oates tried his luck from distance. The low-driven effort was well dealt with by the Rockdale City shot-stopper.

Rockdale City Suns supporters were on their feet on 66’ minutes as Adem Kir sent a rifling effort inches wide of the up-right with Swancott seemingly beaten.

The Suns dominance of possession in the attacking third paid off on 69’ minutes as Baturay Akin – who had been on the field for only 3’ minutes – latched onto Pece Apolevski’s cross from the right to head home at the near post past Swancott. The attacking midfielder scored for the second consecutive week within 3’ minutes of entering the fray.

Adem Kir nearly had the Suns ahead with his ‘Beckhamesque’ free-kick floated perfectly over the Manly United wall, though finishing inches wide of the mark with Swancott scrambling to his right.

Manly United’s response arrived 10’ minutes from time via the feet of Shevlin. The midfielder played a tantalising switch into the path of Andrew Mailer. The right-sided midfielder cut the ball onto his left peg, though a lunging effort by the Suns Mark Bariamis saw the ball deflect wide for a corner.

Following the match, Rockdale City Suns coach Mile Todoroski expressed his view on the Suns’ performance:

“A point against a strong team like Manly United is a good result for us,” Todoroski said.

“I repeat that our team has come up from the Super League so we are still a little behind all of the other teams with more experience in the Premier League.

“Today, both teams had good moments, and maybe both teams could even have won the match. I am very happy with the way we played, especially in the second-half, though we still have to improve,” continued the Rockdale City boss.”

The Suns boss also had only praise to speak of Baturay Akin:

“He was fantastic, that is two weeks in a row he has scored coming off the bench, so we are very happy with what he has done.

“The goal we conceded was very disappointing because we slipped up in defence, a drop in concentration, and we conceded a goal. We need to improve our concentration for the entire match,” ended Todoroski.

Over in the Manly United FC dressing room, Phil Moss picked out the positives from the match:

“We would have liked to come away with maximum points, absolutely, though in the end the result I guess was a fair one,” explained Moss.

“I saw a very well organised Rockdale City Suns team and I honestly believe all teams will find it tough to come here and win matches

“We scored a fantastic goal through Foti (Adam Foti) and we also have a number of proven goalscorers out at the moment, so within the coming weeks we will certainly lift a step with these boys coming back in (Craig Midgley, Robbie Cattanach, Justin Hayward).

“All in all, our objective is to go out and win each match, so with the return of these goalscorers, I am confident we can get going and pick up some important results.”

In the Grade 20 division, Manly United FC collected their first win of the season with a convincing 2-0 defeat of the Suns.

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 1 (Baturay Akin 69’)

Manly United FC 1 (Adam Foti 45’)

Sunday, 21st March, 2010

Bicentennial Park, Rockdale

Referee: Khodr Yaghi

Assistant Referees: Stephen Lucas and Sarah Ho

Fourth Official: Paul Faithfull

Crowd: 850 Approx.

Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ben McNamara; 7.Pece Apolevski (C), 11.Adem Kir (17.George Lagoudakis 79’), 18.Robert Di Meglio (8.Dominic Hudap 80’), 19.Marino Musumeci, 21.Sam Awad, 23.Askin Oygur, 2.Paul Dee, 16.Steven Bozinovski, 3.Mark Bariamis, 15.Daniel Pejovski (13.Baturay Akin 66’)

Substitutes Not Used: 12.Stefan Doneski, 22.Chad Taylor

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Manly United FC: 1.Brad Swancott (C); 2.Sean Bowden, 5.Pascal Julliard, 7.Andrew Mailer, 8.Keith Shevlin, 11.Adam Foti (36.Jed Prater 87’), 13.Mitchell Macedo (3.Roberto Hamad 68’), 17.Jimmy Oates, 18.Alex Hunt, 19.Bradley Groves (9.Robbie Cattanach 80’), 21.Chris Gallo

Substitutes Not Used: 20.Rhyss Keane, 15.Luke Walker

Yellow Cards: Roberto Hamad 84’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Adam Foti (MUFC)

2 – Pece Apolevski (RCS)

1 – Bradley Groves (MUFC)

-By Joseph Carlucci

South Coast Wolves frustrate dominant Sydney United
22.03.10 00:27


Sydney United's Elsid Barkhousir was on the scoresheet in the Reds' 2-2 draw against the South Coast Wolves
Tayfun Buyokkopru secured South Coast Wolves’ first point of the season with a cracking injury time equaliser on Sunday evening at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The late goal left Sydney United frustrated in front of their vocal home supporters as their second consecutive dominant display resulted in nothing more than a share of the spoils.

United had taken an early two goal lead through Mitchell Thompson and Elsid Barkhousir, and could have extended their advantage on numerous occasions throughout the 90’ minutes if it were not for the heroics of Wolves’ shotstopper Brody Crane.

They were made to pay in the second-half as long-range goals from Tynan Diaz and Buyokkopru undid their early work.

The Wolves were slow off the mark, rarely threatening during the first-half as United retained the ball and controlled the match from the outset.

Sydney United’s positive approach during the opening stages was rewarded on 6’ minutes as Mitchell Thompson scored with the first shot of the match after Wolves had failed to clear the ball from their 18-yard box.

The South Coast side had their sole opportunity of the first-half 5’ minutes later as Andrew Keep’s cross to the far post found the unmarked Andrew Paine, who pulled his volley across the face of goal and harmlessly wide.

A 13’ minute Sydney United counterattack saw Shaun Mitchell release former Wolves’ player Steve Hayes. The winger’s shot was clinically saved by Crane, who tipped the shot onto the crossbar.

Elsid Barkhousir doubled United’s lead on 18’ minutes as he finished off a well structured goal. Ivo Bosnar’s deep cross into the 18-yard box was cleverly looped over the Wolves’ defence by the head of Thompson, providing Barkhousir with the simplest of headed goals from 1 yard.

United should have gone 3 goals up after 21’ minutes following the in-form Thompson’s lobbed through ball that put Hayes one-on-one with Crane. Despite the time and space available, Hayes’ rushed shot found nothing more than the side netting.

The third goal continued to prove elusive for the home-side as Thompson’s audacious 30-yard free-kick bounced back off the crossbar on 40’ minutes.

The half-time whistle could not have come sooner for Wolves, who had struggled to find their rhythm and failed to show ambition in the final third of the pitch.

They emerged from the dressing room for the second half with a noticeably adventurous approach, which in turn saw the game open up at both ends of the pitch.

After a quiet first-half, Buyokkopru began to find his feet in the match with a number of long range efforts that failed to trouble Vedran Janjetovic in the Sydney United goal.

The Wolves’ soon found themselves back in the match, with Tynan Diaz’s stunning 30-yard free-kick finding the back of the net after 58’ minutes.

Crane played an integral role in keeping the Wolves in the game on several occasions, making brave saves in one-on-one situations to deny Luka Galvas, Barkhousir, and Tomislav Cirjak.

The Wolves’ resilience was rewarded with a dramatic equaliser on 92’ minutes.

Buyokkopru charged into United’s half after winning the ball on halfway, shrugging off the attention of substitute Peter Zorbas, and rocketing a spectacular strike into the top corner to send the Wolves’ players into raptures as they secured their first point of their 2010 campaign.

Wolves’ coach Trevor Morgan was notably delighted with his squad:

“It happened exactly as the script went,” said Morgan.

“I said to the boys that more than likely they were going to try to dominate us early. They executed when they had chances and got 2 goals in the first 20 minutes.

“I spoke to the boys at half-time and told them we can’t just sit on the back foot and let them run riot,” Morgan added.

“They could have scored a couple; Brody (Crane) made some good saves and Tayfun (Buyokkopru) had two or three chances and he’s finally taken one and it was a nice way to finish it from our point of view and get our first point.”

Sydney United assistance coach Richard Plesa was understandably disappointed by the result after seeing his side fail to secure a win despite a dominant display for the second week running:

“We were dominant last week,” said Plesa.

“We had more a dozen chances and could have easily put 7 or 8 of them away.

“If you don’t put them away you invite the opposition to come and attack you and that’s what happened today,” Plesa added.

In the Grade-20 division Sydney United and South Coast Wolves shared the points with a final score of 1-1.

Match Stats

Sydney United 2 (Mitchell Thompson 6’, Elsir Barkousir 18’)

South Coast Wolves 2 (Tynan Diaz 58’, Tayfun Buyokkopru 92’)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: Andrew Best

Assistant Referees: Daniel Dewhurst, Adam Coombes

Fourth Official: Alex Long

Crowd: 500 Approx.

Sydney United: 1.Vedran Janjetovic; 8.Shane Lyons, 19.Mitchell Thompson, 5.Damon Collina, 6.Joe Vrkic, 21.Sean Mitchell, 23.Ivo Bosnar, 7.Todd Brodie (34.Tomislav Cirjak 26’), 10.Steve Hayes (32. Ante Tomic 64’), 16.Elsid Barkhousir (22.Peter Zorbas 84’), 11.Luka Glavas

Substitutes Not Used: 4.Michael Cindric, 20.Roy Bell.

Yellow Cards: Sean Mitchell 20’, Damon Collina 46’, Mitchell Thompson 51’, Ivo Bosnar 57’.

Red Cards: Nil

South Coast Wolves: 1.Brody Crane; 17.Tynan Diaz, 2.Alex Mansueto, 4.Dave Abel, 5.Nick McInerney, 6.Lisandro Berbis (19. Ken Chun 65’), 7.Andy Keep, 8.Tayfun Buyukkopru, 9.Mark Picciolini, 10.Jason Trifiro, 11.Andrew Paine (16.Kieran Deane 65’)

Substitutes Not Used: 3.Greg Valic, 14. Andreas Gomez, 40. Nikodin Matic.

Yellow Cards: Nick McInerney 40’, Tynan Diaz 56’.

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Mitchell Thompson (SU)

2 – Brody Crane (SCW)

1 – Ivo Bosnar (SU)

-By Michael Shoolman

Bankstown roar to first victory for 2010
22.03.10 01:01


Bankstown City FC's Robbie Mileski shown stepping up from the spot-kick and scoring what was his hat-trick in their 5-1 smashing of West Sydney Berries (Photo by Gavin Leung)
The Round 4 NSW Premier League clash between West Sydney Berries and Bankstown City FC played at Jensen Park, Sefton was a heated affair
This game won by the Bankstown City 5- 1 has demonstrated that Bankstown is a side to watch in the coming rounds, playing exceptional football in attack and defence, and more than capable of causing problems for any team who underestimate their abilities.

Bankstown had the added burden coming into this round of not yet winning a game in the NSW Premier League, and for many pundits the belief was that their chances of winning against a strong side like the West Sydney Berries would be another tough ask.

In the opening minutes Bankstown City showed their strength in attack with players such as Robbie Mileski, Stefanos Liavas and Brett Studman combining to create movement and opportunities in the midfield. The Berries allowed Bankstown to have control of the ball, used wisely by the home-side, to spread the ball wide and to attack both flanks, continually testing the Berries defensive mechanisms.

One player in particular who was determined to chase down every ball was the Lions’ Stefanos Liavas, who was looking for space and drawing players to him, leading to David Gardiner for the Berries committing the first offence of the night and receiving a yellow card for his efforts.

Moments later, Robbie Mileski broke away down the Berries left flank and drew Berries goalkeeper Hamish McLean well out of his box. Mileski’s effort needed only a solid header from Scott Thomas to give Bankstown their first goal, but unfortunately for the Lions, he was unable to control the ball as it sailed well over the crossbar.

The physicality of the game grew as both sides intensified their raids across the park, but it was Bankstown City in control of the midfield and in defence.

The Berries to their credit continued to resist the attacks and produced many opportunities in front of the Bankstown goal, only for goalkeeper Zlatko Joseski to thwart any shots on target.

A turning moment in the game happened when Berries player David Gardiner once again committed another yellow card offence, resulting in his second of the game and therefore a red card send off - the Berries were down to 10 men.

On 18’ minutes, a well constructed piece of play started from Bankstown City player Robbie Mileski, whose quick vision saw him glide the ball across and into the Berries area, picked out Richard Luksic who made no mistake in heading home for Bankstown City’s opener.

The West Sydney Berries seemed shell-shocked by this quick orchestrated goal as Bankstown looked determined to find another. The foul count at this point was also climbing with challenges from both sides making the game a stop-start affair.

The Berries decided to attack and did so with the likes of Sash Tirovski, Kosta Lagoudakis and Omar Saadi, as at times the equaliser seemed certain to arrive, however this physical encounter was taking its toll and both sides soon became frustrated as more cards were shown to the West Sydney Berries.

Set plays were increasing for Bankstown City and in the 40’ minute a free-kick was awarded to Bankstown where Robbie Mileski produced an amazing shot on target floating over the West Sydney defensive wall and landing in the top left-hand corner for the Lions second goal.

The first-half slowed into the dying minutes as Bankstown City maintained the pressure on the Berries, but more importantly West Sydney gained some composure to ensure a third goal would not be conceded prior to the break.

The intensity of the second-half was physical again, as the Berries were determined to get back in the game and create opportunities, and this was helped with substitute Stefan De Jesus who replaced Sash Tirovski. De Jesus was working like a work-horse chasing down every ball and trying to create space, while the defensive line of Bankstown held their own.

In the 50’ minute playmaker Robbie Mileski created Bankstown’s third goal by drawing the Berries defence to him while quickly, before perfectly slotting a pass to an unmarked Hussein Salameh who shot the ball across goal and into the left side of the Berries net.

The Berries were not deflated but more determined to peck a goal back, and moments later broke free with Kosta Lagoudakis shooting on target only for the goalkeeper to save the ball in his chest.

The home-side slowed the game down, taking control but still looking for opportunities to move it forward while creating positive efforts on goal from every angle.

This tactic was wearing down the West Sydney defence and eventually a foul was committed on Bankstown player Robbie Mileski in the penalty box. Mileski took his opportunity for his second goal of the evening, shooting low in the bottom left corner only for Berries keeper Hamish McLean to stop the ball in motion but for it to trickle over the line for Bankstown City’s fourth goal in the 62’ minute.

The game seemed lost for the Berries at this point, however they continue to press on and find that illusive first goal to which their fortunes would turn, and that opportunity came with Stefan De Jesus for the Berries, finding himself in the 70’minute in-front of the Bankstown City goalkeeper and making no mistakes as he slotted the ball in the back of the net.

In the 78’minute a sickening challenge was made on Berries player Jack Sobczyk who was stretchered off the park reducing the team to 9 players and making it increasingly difficult for any attacking play to be formulated, as they resisted continual attacks from their counterparts.

In the 79’minute the final goal of the game arrived from Bankstown City player Robbie Mileski who headed the ball from a cross via the right-flank, securing a hat-trick for the Lions playmaker.

After the game Bankstown City coach Peter Tsekenis said:

“We are very happy the way the boys played as it is very hard against 10 players, we played very cohesively and we structured our play as tonight we wanted the intensity to be there and we took the advantage.

“We made the extra man count. I am very happy in the way the boys applied themselves and we took our chances, we could have taken a few more. The berries are always a very tough opposition and we needed to get ahead early and we did.”

Asked about the physicality of the game and the amount of card in it Tsekenis responded by saying that:

“We expected it to be a physical game, it up to the referee to judge it as he sees it.”

Match Stats

Bankstown City Lions 5 (Robbie Mileski 41', 62 pen', 81', Richard Luksic 19', Hussein Salameh 50')

West Sydney Berries 1 (Stefan De Jesus 70')

Sunday, 21st March, 2010

Jensen Park, Sefton

Referee: James Lewis

Assistant Referees: Thomas Klein and Alison Flynn

Fourth Official: Steve Nguyen

Crowd: 400

West Sydney Berries: 1.Hamish McLean; 2. David Gardiner, 6.Jack Sobczyk, 4.Daniel Clifford, 3.Omaar Saadi, 7.Peter Peralta,15.Ryan Walsh, 16.Kosta Lagoudakis, 17.Sash Tirovski (12.Stefan De Jesus), 19.Dimitri Zakilas, 10.John Tsironis

Substitutes Not Used: 22.Cem Akilli, 13.Shayne Morrisey, 14.Liam Austin, 24.Brad Bartels

Yellow Cards: D. Gardiner 7’, 17’, O. Saadi 39’, R. Walsh 55’

Red Cards: D. Gardiner 17’

Bankstown City Lions: 1.Zlatko Joseski; 6.Peter Tsekenis (11.Almir Dizdaric 73’), 10.Robbie Mileski, 20. Hussein Salameh, 23.Tallan Martin (8.George Nohra 58’), 4.Brett Studman, 14.Suad Ameti, 2.Scott Thomas, 5.Richard Luksic (C), 3.Shannon Burgin, 7.Steve Liavas (18.William Angel 63’),

Substitutes Not Used: 22.Robert Napoleone, 99. Christopher Godoy Bascur,

Yellow Cards: P. Tsekenis 22’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 - Robbie Mileski (BC)

2 - Stefanos Liavas (BC)

1 - Stefan De Jesus (WSB)

-By Peter Chiodo

Olympic 'Old Boys' win it for Blacktown in style
22.03.10 00:29


Blacktown City FC's Luke Roodenburg shown celebrating his goal in his side's 4-1 thumping of Sydney Olympic
Former Sydney Olympic players Tolgay Ozbey and Ante Deur came back to haunt their old team as they guided Blacktown City to an emphatic 4-1 win.
A number of missed chances cost Sydney Olympic dearly with the Blues now searching for answers in their bid to get back into the winner’s circle.

Both teams began testing each other from the first whistle as midfielders Chris Triantis and Brendan Maroney ran the show for their respective teams.

After good lead up play, Chris Triantis had the first chance to open the scoring in the 5’ minute, but his curling free-kick was easy pickings for Blacktown goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

The Sydney Olympic pressure continued in the 8’ minute as Mitchell Stamatelis threaded a great through ball to James Monie down the left hand touchline. A nice cutback popped up for Chris Triantis, but the in-form midfielder chose to turn the ball to his preferred right foot and missed the chance to get a shot on goal.

Blacktown sprung to life in the 10’ minute following a great counter-attack led by former Sydney Olympic player Tolgay Ozbey. Ante Deur was released into space however his shot hardly threatened the Sydney Olympic goal.

Immediately after, Mitchell Long won the ball off Stamatelis in the midfield and put Ozbey on goal only to hit a soft shot to the waiting Zanelli.

Blacktown’s counter-attacks finally worked, in the 14’ minute, as Ozbey got easily around Josh Lawson but was quickly brought down by Zanelli in goals leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty.

In true Ozbey fashion, the striker blasted the penalty to the right of Zanelli to give Blacktown the 1-0 lead.

Sydney Olympic tried to hit back straight away as Triantis sent a corner into the danger area only for Matthew Mayora to softly tap towards goal.

Blacktown City further shocked the Olympic faithful as they extended their lead in the 23’ minute.

A silly free-kick conceded by Josh Lawson led to a floated effort into the penalty-area leaving Zanelli in ‘no mans land’ with Lachlan Cahill heading the ball over the goalkeeper and Ante Deur calmly on the spot to head the ball into an empty net for 2-0.

Blacktown continued their counter-attacking football and almost made it 3-0 in the 28’ minute as Tolgay Ozbey sprung the offside trap to be one-on-one with Zanelli.

Fortunately for the home-side, his fierce shot was well saved by a dropping Zanelli to keep the score at 2-0.

Sydney Olympic finally capitalised on their majority possession in the 35’ minute as captain Matthew Mayora hit a stunning free-kick into the top right corner to get his team back to 2-1.

The goal seemed to spring the Blues back to life as in the 39’ minute, James Monie found Chris Triantis in the box but was brought down as the referee waved ‘play on’ much to the disgust of the vocal crowd.

In the dying seconds of the first-half Sydney Olympic continued to search for the equaliser but all efforts were to no avail.

The second-half began much like the ending of the first with Sydney Olympic firing to find the equaliser.

Blacktown’s counter-attack football again proved fruitful as they ended up scoring to extend their lead to 3-1 in the 54’ minute.

A James Monie mistake led to Mitchell Long feeding Ante Deur on goal as he calmly put the ball past Zanelli for his second.

Sydney Olympic coach Pat Morando then turned to his bench as he substituted Josh Lawson for Anthony Doumanis.

The Blues again took control of possession and in the 62’ minute Emmanuel Giannaros cut the ball back to Monie from the right but unfortunately blasted over the top in another chance gone begging.

Ion 68’ minutes, Sydney Olympic were gifted with a chance to peg one back but Matthew Mayora could not head the ball on target as it sailed over the crossbar.

Blacktown continued to play their game in their defensive half with a 3-1 lead, waiting for the chance to counter.

They didn’t have to wait too long as their fourth arrived via another counter on 74’ minutes, silencing the Olympic faithful.

After great work by Brendan Maroney down the line, Luke Roodenburg finished the rout as he clinically headed the ball across to the far post to give his side the 4-1 lead and embarrass the home team.

Blacktown assistant coach Mark Crittenden was extremely happy with his side’s performance:

“When you come here you know it is going to be a tough game so we are very happy with the result.

“We had a lot of young boys playing today and more experience on the bench so we were very impressed with them too.

“We came here with a game plan to frustrate them in the middle of the park and get them on the counter and it worked a treat.”

Sydney Olympic coach Pat Morando was quite embarrassed after a huge loss:

“Our players were found wanting in all areas of the park and we were beaten by the better team – as simple as that.

“We’ll just have to look forward now instead of looking back and regretting and just regroup.’’

In the Grade 20’s match Blacktown City FC scored a deserved 2-1 win against Sydney Olympic.

Match Details

Sydney Olympic 1 (Matthew Mayora 35’)

Blacktown City FC 4 (Tolgay Ozbey 15’ (pen), Ante Deur 23’, 54’, Luke Roodenburg 74’)

Sunday, 21st March, 2010

Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

Crowd: 1000 approximately

Sydney Olympic: 1.Zaim Zanelli; 4.Josh Lawson (10.Anthony Doumanis 57’), 5.Tayfun Devrimol, 6.Andre Gumprecht (18.Jerry Kalouris 72’), 7.Peter McPherson, 8.Chris Triantis, 9.James Monie (12.Cedric Ramirez 76’), 15.Matthew Mayora (C), 17.Ian Ramsey, 22.Emmanuel Giannaros, 24.Mitchel Stamatelis

Yellow Cards: James Monie 17’

Red Cards: Nil

Blacktown City FC: 20.Mat Ryan; 2.Paul Karbon (C), 5.Luka Dukic, 6.Matt Pressello, Mitchell Long, 12.Brendan Maroney, 13.Lachlan Cahill (7.Luke Roodenburg), 16.Ante Deur, 18.Travis Major (9.Kain Rastall 65’), 19.Tolgay Ozbey, 22.Zac Cairncross

Yellow Cards: Tolgay Ozbey 5’, Mitchell Long 69’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 - Ante Deur (BC)

2 - Mitchell Long (BC)

1 - Tolgay Ozbey (BC)

-By Christopher Georges

Giannaros is a gunn

Still so fucking devo about that 92nd min equaliser](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

NSW Premier League Round 4 Highlights now online
23.03.10 13:53



NSW Premier League highlights packages have been uploaded to Football NSW’s NSW Premier League website.


Round 4’s clash which saw the Bonnyrigg White Eagles draw 0-0 with the Sutherland Sharks and the other Saturday evening match which saw Marconi Stallions defeat rivals A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 2-1 can now be viewed online.

www.youtube.com/nswpl

Not sure why only some people (including the manager) can see this..

on the day not overall

Because they wouldnt be supporters... as sad as that may sound :lol: