Do any of yous know where the final will be played?
As for knight park i think next season Fairfield Bulls will play thier home games at the old Hajduk Wanderers ground. (by the way whats hapened to them do they still play there under a new name or did they just fold).

No way, can never get sick of the Chorizo's and Completo's ;)

Either way, i'll be there to support you guys to beat Sarikakis the big mouthed fuck.

id say so but hasnt been confirmed yet. Just happy to be away from Knight park weve played there 3 times in 4 weeks!!!

Yeah, everyone managed to see the handball in the box except the ref, lol. Oh well, what can we do, we had 4-5 first graders playing and we still couldn't win...

Previous two matches, when it was even, we dominated them. Funny how the finals are...

Are you guys playing at Belmore Sports Ground?

Yeah the ground was a disgrace impossible for good football i seen the shoot out unlucky mate but thats the way the cookie crumbles you guys should have had a penalty when your #9 hit the ball and the Minotaurs defender basically caught the ball but oh well what can you do. We also had 2 goal disallowed!!! dodgy linesman, hes the one who let wanderers score when the guy was 5m offside in our 2nd last game of the season when we were 1 up. Pumped for the game this week not the biggest fan of the guy who calls himself the General. Not that hes ever done anything wrong by me but he just has a massive mouth haha.

Congratulations on making it through. I'll be sure to come and watch.

We lost on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Could not play good football on the field due to the wind not allowing to play long/high/through balls and not being able to play on the deck because it just bounced everywhere! As I'm sure your team told you.

State League Two Finals Series Round 2 Review
05.09.10 23:18






Daniel De Nardi reviews State League Two Finals Series round 2 action between Fairfield Bulls v Hurstville City Minotaurs and Luddenham United v Wanderers FC.
Bulls turn away Minotaurs

Fairfield Bulls booked themselves a grand final berth the hard way, staving off a determined Hurstville City Minotaurs via a gut-wrenching penalty shootout.

Sunday afternoon’s major semi-final billing lived up to all expectations as Hurstville hit back twice – with goals in regular time and extra time – to force a spot-kick lottery that would eventually decide the affair in Fairfield’s favour.

The Premiers defended their proud home record in gutsy style and remain unbeaten in 11 games at Knight Park. The Bulls will now wait for the winner of next week’s preliminary final between Hurstville and Luddenham to see who meets them in the 2010 championship decider at Lidcombe Oval on September 18.

Fairfield dynamo Alaa Ali Khan broke through after an even opening half-hour to put the Bulls in front, his neat carve up of the Minotaurs defence giving the home side a 1-0 halftime buffer. Hurstville came out in the second term minus star striker Michael Di Meglio (hamstring injury) knowing they have not won a game this year without his name on the scoresheet, but as the clock ticked towards fulltime it was Nick Goumis who came to their rescue, knocking in a goalmouth scramble to lock the scores up.

The Bulls came out firing in extra time and Ali Khan’s mesmerising dance down the right hand flank resulted in a superb individual goal – his ninth of the year – to restore Fairfield’s lead, but it was that man Goumis who again breathed life into Hurstville’s struggle, his second goal drawing plenty of applause and, more importantly, leveling the scores up a second time.

The penalty shootout started routine enough before Minotaurs stalwart Angelo Vagenas inexplicably popped one up for young Bulls keeper Luke Hermis to collect and put Fairfield’s nose in front a third time. And when Hurstville’s Emmanuel Papageorgiou hit the post with his effort the Bulls had secured their 10th win in 12 games and could now look forward to a well-deserved grand final place.

Fairfield coach Michael Mamoo knew it was close. “I thought we dominated for long periods; their keeper [Josh Da Palma] was absolutely brilliant and pulled off 4-5 saves; but I also thought we were fitter and that showed as the game wore on,” he said. Mamoo praised 19-year-old Hermis, who stepped up into first grade in round seven and has held his spot since with some stellar performances in goal.

It will be a big day on September 18 for the Fairfield club with their grade-20 side also booking themselves a grand final berth following a thrilling 3-2 win over Wanderers in extra time on Sunday. The Bulls will play the winner of next week’s Wanderers versus Minotaurs preliminary final for the trophy.

Hurstville coach Peter Sarikakis called it a tough loss. “It was very tight,” he said. “I thought we had better chances than them but just couldn’t put them away. We got a bit frustrated because we were behind and then fell sleep when we finally got back level with them. It was a tough game but we are not finished.” And he is sure to have Di Meglio back at his disposal for the Luddenham crunch match.

Fairfield Bulls 2 (Alaa Ali Khan 27/92m) Hurstville City Minotaurs 2 (Nicholas Goumis 90/98m) – Fairfield win 4-2 on penalties

Luddenham disperse Wanderers

Luddenham United soaked up the moment after an exhilarating 2-1 knockout semi-final win over Wanderers FC at Knight Park on Sunday afternoon. Wanderers were up against it from the outset after a midweek dispute between club and coach saw them go separate ways, but the players still gave their all and Ian Peti’s close-range half-volley forcing even more of the action into the middle of the park as the home side closed ranks behind a 1-0 lead on the quarter-hour mark.

A halftime lashing from coach Andrew Montgomery provided the spark Luddenham needed to fire up in the second half and they finally got on the board when Angelo Martino beat two players down the right hand side of the park, and his laser-guided cross was met by a rising Saula Matayola at the far post to make it 1-1 with 15 minutes to play.

With the match seemingly headed for extra time, John Paul Vella went on a canter for United and provided a flighted cross from the right that bounced over a Wanderers defender and into the path of Martino to finish off with a strong header. The goal, 2-1 lead and eventual win sent the Luddenham faithful into a frenzy as they advanced into unprecedented territory – a preliminary final match-up with Hurstville next week.

“It was very tense and I gave them a bollocking at halftime,” Montgomery said. “The effort wasn’t quite there, but we knew there was no tomorrow, and we did really well in that second half to come over the top of them. Their mistake was they tried to shut the game out and sat deep after scoring their goal.”

Fairfield Wanderers 1 (Ian Peti 15m) Luddenham United 2 (Saula Matayalo 75m Angelo Martino 95m)

Finals results

First grade

Major SF: Fairfield Bulls 4 (Alaa Ali Khan 27/92m) Hurstville City Minotaurs 2 (Nicholas Goumis 93/98m) - win on penalties (2-2 F/T 2-2 E/T)

Minor SF: Fairfield Wanderers 1 (Ian Peti 15m) Luddenham United 2 (Saula Matayalo 75m Angelo Martino 95m)

Grade-20

Major SF: Fairfield Bulls 3 Fairfield Wanderers 2

Minor SF: Hurstville City Minotaurs 3 Belmore Hercules 2 - win on penalties (2-2 F/T 2-2 E/T)

Next week’s games

First grade: Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Luddenham United (3pm)

Grade-20: Hurstville City Minotaurs vs Wanderers FC (1pm)

Preliminary final matches will probably be held at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday afternoon. Check footballnsw.com.au website for confirmation.

-By Daniel De Nardi

2010 Premiers Fairfield Bulls face a stern test against Hurstville City Minotaurs in Sunday’s major semi-final blockbuster the winner advancing to the grand final decider on September 18.
Bulls face-off with Minotaurs

While Fairfield thoroughly deserved their minor premiership trophy after dropping just one of their last 11 matches Hurstville are also in enviable form with eight victories from their last 10 appearances, including a solid 3-2 workout against Wanderers last week as the Bulls rested.

But Hurstville will need to work out a way to bring down Fairfield’s Knight Park fortress. The Bulls have not lost any of their home fixtures this year (winning six and drawing four games) in what has now become a principled stance for the competition’s number one ranked team and coach Michael Mamoo, who watched the Minotaurs dismantle Wanderers on Saturday.

“To be honest, this top five is a completely different ball game for us,” Mamoo said. “The minor premiership is over now, we know we’ve got that trophy, and now we have to stay motivated throughout the next three weeks. You can’t overlook Hurstville’s early season form and we know that every team will want to stop us from winning the grand final. I just hope the week off won’t effect us in any way.”

Hurstville general Peter Sarikakis held no fear in facing the minor premiers. “Fairfield doesn’t bother me,” he said. “It’s my players that concern me. If they turn up to play then we will be alright.” He also repeated his offer to host any of the finals matches at Belmore Sports Ground for free in a bid to avoid a meeting on a Knight Park pitch.

The contest between the two sides couldn’t be spicier after Hurstville proved too good for Fairfield in a 3-1 victory at Belmore Sports Ground way back in round 2 before the Bulls returned fire with a 6-2 broadside at Knight Park in round 13 on the back of five goals in 25 first-half minutes. That result drew the two sides level in fifth place with nine rounds to play. History will show that Fairfield went on to win the minor premiership while Hurstville snuck into third place on the final day.

Unfortunately, fans will be robbed of the chance to see Minotaurs strike ace Michael Di Meglio (league-leading 19 goals) take on Bulls dynamic duo Khaled Elkerhani (14) and Niram Kanoun (13), in second and third place on the goalscoring chart, after the latter sustained a hamstring injury in last week’s 4-0 final-round rout of Luddenham and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. However, Elkerhani has a terrific track record against Hurstville, scoring in the first meeting and netting twice in their 6-2 win.

Lively Luddenham meet wounded Wanderers

Luddenham United and Wanderers FC come together in an enticing elimination semi-final match-up on Sunday afternoon. Wanderers spent the week licking their wounds from last week’s frustrating 2-3 loss to Hurstville while Luddenham feasted well after winning their first-ever final 3-2 to dispatch the Roosters and be within two games of an historic grand final berth.

Two 1-1 draws throughout the year was unable to separate Wanderers and Luddenham and although United have the worst performance record against fellow top-five teams (two wins in nine games) coach Andrew Montgomery still fired a warning shot across his opposition’s bow. “We are the last team in the league the Wanderers want to play at the moment,” he said. “The finals is a different kettle of fish and any team can win on the day; that’s why I’m not really concerned who we play from here on in.”

Wanderers mentor Walter Alvarez backed his own players to respond to last week’s loss to Hurstville with their two greatest traits – football and passion. “I believe in my players and I know they will bounce back against Luddenham this weekend,” he said. “We play good football and the players will always fight to come back. We showed this when we won last year and wish that it will happen for us again.”

DIVISION TWO MAJOR SEMI FINALS – (KNIGHT PARK 4, FAIRFIELD)

FIRST GRADE Fairfield Bulls v Hurstville City Minotaurs 3.00pm

RES GRADE Fairfield Bulls v Fairfield Wanderers 12.30pm

DIVISION TWO MINOR SEMI FINALS – (KNIGHT PARK 3, FAIRFIELD)

FIRST GRADE Fairfield Wanderers v Luddenham United 3.00pm

RES GRADE Hurstville City Minotaurs v Belmore Hercules 12.30pm

-By Daniel De Nardi

And plenty of studs up challenges haha south americans

I hope you folks play @ Wanderers, we're on the field next door, and I'm looking forward to Completo's



and Chorizo's :D

Cant believe that they are actually playing semis on wanderers ground???? its a shit hole hope it rains so we play somewhere else? Luddenham anyone? haha

Oh, can't i just buy whatever animal they decide to put on the spit from the canteen?

I'll stick around and watch the match, on your dodgy and shitty lil 'grand' stand :P and probably support you guys :P

We always get cevapi and either a pig, goat, chicken or lamb on a spit after every game thats why its the best club to play for. If you stick around and cheer for us you might even get some, plus nobody really likes Roosters do they???

They didn't when we played there...

they always have pig and cevape after the game, go bosna

Mate!!! Please tell me your not pulling my leg!

I'm 100% up for Cevape and roast pork!

Hahaha yeah mate and i think we are putting a pig on the spit just for Roosters cos we know how much Roosters love pork!

Belmore Hercules v Roosters in the Reserve Grade.

12:30 at Luddenham's home ground. Looking forward to the cevapi after the game ;)

Great win by the bulls.I wonder how they'll cope in div 1 next season if promoted.One of the closest seasons it was a crazy final round.

Good luck to you folks.

Our first Grade had a 1-1 draw with Hawksbury. Hawksbury hit the post 3x and the cross bar twice...

Reserve Grade won 3-2 and we have pretty much secured 3rd spot. We play Roosters tonight.

Surely this weekend is the biggest theyve ever had in the leagues history. 3 sides have a chance to win the league and i think 4 sides outside the top 5 can still make the finals???? HUGE weekend just hope it all works out well for Luddenham :-)

Massive game this weekend. Luddenham V Wanderers IMO this game will decide who wins the league and gets promoted.

My team in the Reserve Grade are coming 3rd atm :D

First Grade have a shot.

Tomorrow night we have a catch up against Roosters, so hopefully both grades win :)

Hey good result mate they would be spewing. We had a very eventfull trip to Bathurst. Definatly the dodgiest refs ever. We had 2 stone cold pens turned down and their keeper should have been sent off both times! after the game i went to shake the refs hand and he told me to F off hahaha what a muppet! last 2 games are gonna be huge mate if we win both we win league. You guys are still in with a shot of top 5 i see

Minotaurs this week!!!

And I can't play due to my quad :(

We got 11 on the pitch. Our 110+ kg manager, then with about 20 to go our player who has a severe shoulder injury came on for him.

I've microtorn my quad muscle, so I might be out for this week, but it's okay as we'll have 1 player from Greece back and 2 players returning from injury.

Regardless mate, for a state league club that is playing in what is supposed to be 4th or so toughest league in NSW and what I'm guessing is a semi professional club of some sort its still pretty poor that you can't get 11 players on the pitch...

Congrats on the win though!

Yep.

BTW, we won 2-0 :P

Is that in response to my post?

We got accepted into the State League (this is our first season back in the State League) in January this year. Most State League Clubs across the 4 Divisions had selected there squads by the end of November, so we were scrambling just to find players, so being in this position at the end of the season with players being injured and some having gone overseas, was always going to occur.

The fact we only got accepted into the State League Div 2 in January and our First Grade is coming 8th out of 12 teams and 3 points away from 5th spot, and our Reserve Grade is 5th, 1 point below 4th, and 4 points away from 3rd isn't bad for a Club who just got it's spot finalised in January.

I believe both grades will be pushing for top 3 finishes next season, when we are more organised and can start signing players in late October/early November instead of signing players in January.