In a scrappy affair, former Newcastle Jets striker Jason Naidovski scored the only goal of the match in the 8? minute to seal the three points for his side.
The match started with both sides testing each other in the middle of the park, eager to get the upper hand early.
Rockdale were the first to create a clear chance on goal in the 6? minute when a Pece Apolevski cross picked out a free James Monie. The tall striker though could only divert his header over the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the visiting fans.
It wouldn?t be too long before the fans were cheering the Suns as they took the lead via Jason Naidovski in the 8? minute. A poor back pass by Parramatta FC saw Naidovski pounce with an easy finish.
The goal lifted the visitors who continued to maintain pressure on the Eagles who were forced to camp out in their own half.
Parramatta finally had their first sight on goal in the 17? minute as Ben Jurman forced Dion Shaw into a save with a driving shot from the left of the 18-yard box.
The home side?s scrappy defence continued in the 25? minute but Costa was well out of his goals this time parrying a Naidovski shot out for a corner.
A minute later Costa was called again as Marino Musumeci floated a long cross into the box with the keeper just getting a touch with Monie lurking in behind him.
Parramatta were not going to give up and in the 28? minute Peter Crevani took the ball up the left hand touchline before cutting it back to Luke Grima. The youngster lobbed the ball over the defence for Crevani whose first time volley hit the side netting.
Shay Spitz started troubling the Eagles defence and in the 35? minute Monie fed his winger a sublime through ball. In a 3-on-2 situation Spitz could not find a teammate as his low cross was missed and cleared for a corner.
From the ensuing corner Parramatta could not clear the ball with Sash Tirovski, Sash Trajcevski and Naidovski all having their shots blocked.
With the game heading into the break both sides concentration levels dropped significantly as they each made simple mistakes losing possession on several occasions.
Rockdale came out of the sheds all guns blazing as they pushed hard to extend their lead.
Parramatta captain Tom Wilson had his side?s first chance on goal of the half in the 51? minute but his shot went straight to the waiting Shaw.
Manny Spanoudakis made his intentions clear bringing on Daniel Fogarty out wide to try and get back into the game in the 55? minute.
The plan almost worked in the 60? minute with Kutaiba Elrich sending a long ball to the free Fogarty who headed the ball to the oncoming Luke Grima. Grima?s chip was touched by Shaw before he sprinted back to claim the ball keeping his team in the lead.
5? minutes later, Elrich followed a through ball over the top of the defence before heading it over the oncoming Shaw. Defender Josh Lawson got back to clear the ball and thwart the Eagles chance.
Parramatta kept the pressure on and in the 75? minute finally hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Eagles faithful, referee James Blackwood called that Grima handled the ball keeping Rockdale in the lead.
In the 82? minute Dion Shaw again saved the day for Rockdale after Jurman?s great cross was poorly met by his teammates.
Rockdale parked themselves in their own half with 5? minutes remaining in the match making it very difficult for the Eagles to crack their defence ending the game 1-0.
Following the match, Rockdale City Suns coach Wally Savor said he was happy his side could keep a clean sheet to win the game:
?It was a very scrappy game and Parramatta have some fit boys who kept going all the way to till the end,?? he said.
?Maybe they deserved a bit more towards the end but I?m pretty happy the way the boys dug deep and rounded out the win.??
In the home dressing room a dejected Manny Spanoudakis admitted it wasn?t his team?s best performance:
?We?re creating chances it was just that one lapse in concentration which cost us dearly,?? he said.
?The boys are trying their best with what resources we have. It was a disruptive week with players with the flu and others injured but we tried our best and unfortunately it didn?t come off.??
In the Grade-20 fixture, a ten-man Rockdale City Suns outfit defeated Parramatta FC 2-1.
Match Stats
Parramatta FC 0
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Jason Naidovski 8?)
Sunday August 28th, 2011
Melita Stadium, South Granville
Referee: Jason Blackwood
Parramatta FC: 21.Anthony Costa; 2.Nick McInerney, 33.Luke Grima, 5.George Strogylos, 6.Tom Wilson (C), 8.Bryan Soane (4.Daniel Fogarty 55?), 11.Peter Crevani, 16.Jonathan Castano-Acero, 18.Almir Dizdaric (9.Kutaiba Elrich 46?), 20.Evangelos Petratos, 28.Ben Jurman,
Substitutions Not Used: 15.Ben Delicata, 12.Mark O?Donell, 1.Lachlan Tibbles
Yellow Cards: Jurman 59?, Elrich 71?
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 22.Dion Shaw; 2.Paul Dee, 3.Shay Spitz, 7.Pece Apolevski (C), 9.Jason Naidovski (16.Anthony Perri 85?), 10.Sash Trajcevski (11.Adem Kir, 70?), 17.Sash Tirovski, 18.James Monie (5.Jeff Issa 66?), 19.Marino Musumeci, 20.Josh Lawson, 21.Mirko Jurijl
Substitutions Not Used: 1.Ben McNamara, 15.Adrian Karakolevski
Yellow Cards: Trajcevski 50?
Red Cards: Nil
-By Chris Georges
Archives for August 2011
Rockdale City Suns hold League leaders to draw
The Suns opened the scoring in the 26? minute via Shay Spitz before Phil Makrys saw his free-kick sail into the net to make it 1-1.
After last weekend?s humiliating loss to Marconi Stallions, Sydney Olympic made their intentions clear from the opening whistle with a flurry of attacks unsettling the Rockdale defence.
Jerry Kalouris played a lovely through ball to Will Angel in the 3? minute for the latter to cross into the box, only for the Rockdale defence to clear.
2? minutes later Sydney Olympic had their first sight on goal as Brett Studman?s header from a corner was cleared off the line, keeping the scores level.
Rockdale slowly got back into the game and in the 8? minute a lovely cross by Pece Apolevski found a free Jason Naidovski who could not control the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The Suns almost took the lead in the 14? minute when Apolevski latched onto a corner only to see his half-volley hit the crossbar.
The visitors kept the pressure on 3? minutes later as a long throw saw James Monie head the ball goal bound only to be expertly tapped out for a corner by Olympic goalkeeper Paul Henderson.
Rockdale took a deserved lead in the 26? minute when Apolevski played a square ball to Sash Trajcevski for the midfielder to chip over the Olympic defence with Shay Spitz creeping in behind to slam home.
The League leaders tried to get back into the game as moments later Robbie Mileski took on the Rockdale defence though his impending shot went wide of the mark.
Despite being outplayed for the majority of the half it would be Sydney Olympic who would next find the back of the net. Phil Makrys?s free-kick sailed over the head of Dion Shaw and into the back of the net to make the score 1-1.
Rockdale were unlucky not to re-take the lead on the stroke of half-time as James Monie was played a lovely through ball only to strike his shot wide of the mark.
Sydney Olympic came out of the break with all guns blazing as Emmanuel Giannaros? shot from the corner of the 18-yard box floated just over the left hand corner of the goal.
Rockdale?s fans were again left frustrated in the 52? minute as former A-League striker Jason Naidovski beat the offside trap and got the ball past the oncoming Henderson, only to hit the post.
The chances kept coming for the visitors as Shay Spitz?s cross was met by the head of Monie ? the striker?s header though finished over the crossbar.
Sydney Olympic slowly regained the majority of possession but could not break the stringent Suns defence.
In the 71? minute Olympic?s fans were on their feet as Gullo was sent goal bound with only the goalkeeper to beat. Unfortunately for the youngster, Gullo succumbed to cramp, as the chance went begging.
2? minutes later the Blues had another chance on goal as Phil Makrys found Chris Triantis in space on the right. Triantis? shot though went directly into the hands of the awaiting Dion Shaw.
Tod Bamber had a great chance to help his team take the lead 1? minute after coming onto the pitch but saw his half-volley go well over the bar and out for a goal kick.
In the 83? minute Triantis took on the Suns defence, making his way into the box from the left before cutting the ball towards Zac Elrich whose impending shot was saved and quickly headed out for a corner.
Triantis had another chance 2? minutes later but his curling effort went straight to the chest of Shaw.
Bamber had the best chance to win the game for his team in the dying moments. Triantis played a lovely through ball to the striker only to see his one-on-one opportunity well saved by Shaw.
The home side fought hard in the final 5? minutes with a handful of opportunities gone missing ending the game at 1-1.
Following the match Rockdale City Suns coach Wally Savor said he was happy with the result despite his side needing a win:
?It was a game we needed points from to stay alive and I know Olympic needed the points too,?? he said.
?I think we played really well and in patches we kept the ball well.
?First-half was maybe ours and the second probably theirs. So I was happy with our start and even into the second-half.
?But in respect to them they threw some numbers forward and they have some fast players so we?re not complaining as we have gotten a point. I think a draw is a fair result.??
In the home dressing room Peter Tsekenis said:
?We did come out a bit shaky and Rockdale came here with no real pressure on them and it showed,?? he said.
?We weathered a big storm as they did come at us and credit to the boys we stuck in there and got an equaliser.
?I thought in the second-half we picked it up and as the game went on we got stronger.
?We had a couple good chances in the end and you would probably wonder how they could miss them.??
In the Grade-20 fixture Rockdale City Suns ran away with a 4-1 victory over Sydney Olympic.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 1 (Makrys 40?)
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Spitz 26?)
Sunday 21st August, 2011
Belmore Sports Ground
Referee: Khodr Yaghi
Assistant Referees: Craig Fisher and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Janne Sjogren
Sydney Olympic: 1.Paul Henderson; 18.Jerry Kalouris, 3.Brett Studman, 8.Chris Triantis, 4.Ibrahim Haydar, 2.Emmanuel Giannaros, 14.Will Angel (17.Mitchell Stamatelis 62?), 7.Phil Makrys (C), 11.Robbie Mileski, 9.Husky Akil (22.Zac Elrich 67?), 19.David Gullo (15.Tod Bamber 79?)
Substitutes Not Used: 12.Bill Tsanidis, 21.Sam Emmanouil
Yellow Cards: Studman 66?
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 22.Dion Shaw; 21.Mirko Jurijl, 6.Josh Lawson, 2.Paul Dee, 7.Pece Apolevski (C), 3.Shay Spitz, 10.Sash Trajcevski, 17.Sasho Tirovski (19.Marino Musumeci 46?), 23.Ashkin Oygur, 18.James Monie (11.Adem Kir 91?), 9.Jason Naidovski (5.Jeffrey Issa 80?)
Substitutes Not Used: 16.Anthony Perri, 1.Ben McNamara
Yellow Cards: Oygur 70?
Red Cards: Nil
-By Chris Georges
Five-star Bonnyrigg steamroll Sharks
Played at a fast-pace on a slippery surface, Bonnyrigg put together their best half of football this season over the first 45? minutes, illustrated by Jared Lum?s hat-trick.
The Sharks best efforts to re-open the contest were confirmed early in the second-half as Todd Halloran made it 2-3, before Brad Boardman and Brendan Gan completed the five-star performance.
The White Eagles had captain Chris Tadrosse at his best in a sensational performance by the left-sided defender, meanwhile Brendan Gan, Nathan Elasi and Alexander Canak looked the goods in the attacking third. Youngster Jared Lum was clinical with his finishing for the White Eagles, a most impressive sign for Bonnyrigg in the run into the finals series.
The Sharks week wasn?t a positive one with news of Yianni Fragogianis being ruled out for the season. The young left-sided defender will undergo an operation on his ankle following scans last week.
Bonnyrigg created the evening?s first opening in the 2? minute as Alexander Canak turned his marker nicely before blasting his effort inches over Nathan Denham?s crossbar.
Canak tried his luck from distance again 1? minute later though Sharks midfielder Nick Stavroulakis threw his body behind the ball to thwart any danger.
Sutherland pressed forward in numbers in the 4? minute as Jim Bakis was released down the right. The experienced midfielder picked his time nicely to deliver a cross into the penalty-area though the White Eagles defenders cleared their lines swiftly.
On 10? minutes the White Eagles found the opening goal. Chris Tadrosse?s perfectly lofted cross from deep managed to catch Denham and Sharks defender Paul Kohler hesitating momentarily, as Jared Lum snuck in with his right boot for the opener.
Brendan Gan went close to doubling the home side?s lead in the 14? minute with a fierce effort from the edge of the penalty-area. Sharks goalkeeper Denham did exceptionally well to divert the effort over the crossbar with a fingertip save.
1? minute later, Boardman and Gan combined with a tantalising one-two. The latter, from an acute angle, had his effort saved by a brave Denham at the midfielder?s feet.
In the 22? minute Canak and Boardman played a neat exchange to send the former through on goal. Again from an acute angle, Canak was thwarted by a brave Denham who claimed the ball at the attacking
On 23? minutes, White Eagles captain Tadrosse showed strength and finesse to cut back a square ball from the left byline. With a sea of legs inside the Sharks penalty-area, no Bonnyrigg player was on hand to convert.
Sutherland Sharks got a rare look at Andrew Bazi?s goal in the 28? minutes, though Bakis? free-kick delivery from the left failed to penetrate the Bonnyrigg defence.
Bonnyrigg should have had their second goal in the 30? minute as Boardman again played a neat lay-off into the path of Gan. The former Sydney FC midfielder picked his spot though saw his curling left-foot effort ricochet off the crossbar as the Sharks cleared the ball away to safety.
The White Eagles did find their second in the 32? minute, again via Jared Lum. Tadrosse?s sensational cut-back across goal from the left byline found its way into the path of Lum who blasted his shot on the turn past the outstretched glove of Denham.
The Sharks lifted their momentum in the front-third after conceding the second goal, though half-chances via crosses from Stavroulakis first, then Bakis failed to reap any reward.
The Sharks finished the half strongly with the side pulling a goal back on 43? minutes. Panni Nikas? free-kick from deep on the left-flank took a faint touch off Matthew Bailey to cut the White Eagles? lead to one.
Despite the Sharks lifting in confidence, Lum completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the half. A low corner delivery to the edge of the penalty-area picked out Lum who drove a fierce effort into the bottom right-hand corner to restore Bonnyrigg?s two-goal lead.
Sutherland returned to the field after the break with their foot firm on the accelerator. Half chances to Bailey and Nikas showcased the side?s intentions before substitutes Todd Halloran and Lachlan Cahill combined to re-open the contest.
Cahill?s cross from the left picked out Halloran at the back post ? the right-sided midfielder coolly drove his effort into the back of the net.
On 52? minutes, Matt Bailey squandered a golden chance to even the ledger. The Sharks number 10 managed to bring the ball down inside the penalty-area though, under the watchful eye of his marker, failed to drive cleanly on target as Bazi made a routine save.
At the other end, David Vrankovic picked up the scraps following a poorly dealt with set-piece by the Sharks rearguard. The defender?s snap-shot effort stamped against Denham?s left-hand post as the chance went begging for Bonnyrigg.
Tadrosse then went close via a free-kick on 65? minutes. The Bonnyrigg supporters were on their feet as Tadrosse struck the ball, though Denham got down well to make a strong save to his left.
On 77? minutes, Boardman tried his luck from distance though a slight deflection helped the ball over Denham?s crossbar.
Boardman got his goal 5? minutes later with a strong header from Tadrosse?s corner. The burly striker rose highest inside the penalty-area to restore his side?s two goal lead and secure the three-points.
Gan added a fifth for the White Eagles 3? minutes from time with a well worked effort. Gan?s initial effort was touched onto the crossbar by Denham before the White Eagles midfielder followed up with a header into the back of an open net.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown was ecstatic following the match:
?Very very happy with the boys tonight,? Brown commented.
?From the opening whistle the boys were up for the challenge and we gave a very good account of ourselves across the park.
?We were disappointed with the result last week against Blacktown City, and we knew that we needed to lift tonight, and we were brilliant in the first-half.
?I would have liked to have gone into the break with a bigger lead, for all the chances we created in the opening half ? and we were a little worried when Sutherland made it 3-2 ? though the team kept playing and we definitely deserved the result in the end.
?Last time we played Sutherland, we managed to then get a positive run of results in the matches that followed. Hopefully, we have a series of good results to come for us in the following weeks after tonight?s win,? concluded Brown.
Out of the opposite dressing room, Sutherland Sharks boss Robbie Stanton was disappointed with the evening?s events:
?We didn?t really show up for the match tonight, and that is really disappointing,? explained Stanton.
?We had a chance to go level with Sydney Olympic, had we got the win tonight, and then really pushed for a top-two spot.
?I cannot really argue with the result, as we were second best and Bonnyrigg definitely deserved the win for what they showed over the 90? minutes.
?We were sluggish at the start, though I was happy that the boys stuck with it and pulled a goal back late on in the first-half. Unfortunately, conceding another goal straight after made the job all the more difficult.
?In saying that, we were very positive over the opening 20? minutes of the second-half, and maybe on another evening could have found an equaliser at 2-3.
?Thoughts now have to turn to next weekend where we will need to bounce back quickly to move as high up the table as possible,? concluded Stanton.
The Grade-20 encounter between Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Sutherland Sharks was called off to preserve the playing surface for the first grade encounter following the inclement weather over the past 24-hours.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 (Jared Lum 10?, 32?, 45?, Brad Boardman 82?, Brendan Gan 87? )
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Matthew Bailey 43?, Todd Halloran 49? )
Saturday 20th August, 2011
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho and Steven Nguyen
Fourth Official: Chris Peck
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Andrew Bazi; 22.Jared Lum (14.Blake Powell 71?), 16. David Vrankovic, 17.Michael Robinson, 3.Nikola Zonjic, 10.Brendan Gan, 7.Nathan Elasi (11.Shane Webb 83?), 12.Takuya Murayama (2.Nikola Stanojevic 88?), 5.Chris Tadrosse (C), 8.Alexander Canak, 9.Brad Boardman
Substitutes Not Used: 15.Wely Al-Rikaby, 34.William Case
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.George Souris (C), 7.Jim Bakis (11.Todd Halloran 46?), 8.Chris Price, 10.Matt Bailey, 12.Hayden Morton, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 15.Mike Katz, 19.Huseyin Jasli (5.Lachlan Cahill 46?), 20.Paul Kohler (6.Sam Awad 79?), 23.Panni Nikas
Substitutes Not Used: 3.Tyson Rhodes, 22.Alex Augusto
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Joseph Carlucci
Rockdale slip against Blacktown in battle of cities
It was always going to be a match the Suns would have to set the pace in if they were to realise the dream of finals football, although the visitors knew a draw or win, should other results go their way, would be key in the coming weeks to realising their own goal of a top-five finish.
Rockdale were industrious in midfield and created the first half-chance of the match when James Monie set up Sash Trajcevski who attempted to lob Symon Jaegar in the Blacktown net, though the attempt did not quite come off.
The visitors replied 2? minutes later when a decent looking cross in from the left was met by the head of Luke Roodenburg. With Dion Shaw advancing, it proved enough to put the Blacktown midfielder-cum-striker off and the ball slipped narrowly wide of the post.
Blacktown City created several chances with Milorad Simonovic having a shot deflected wide, and then Shaw being forced into a full length save minutes later.
Rockdale came back strongly when a Shay Spitz free-kick into the wall rebounded to Dominic Hudap who hit a shot with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the area that skimmed past the post with almost the last kick of the half.
Stern words in the dressing rooms had both sides out faster and brighter upon the resumption with Blacktown?s Mitchell Duke robbing Mirko Jurilj and crossing immediately for the ever present Roodenburg to head tamely toward Shaw, as Rockdale countered on the break resulting in Spitz miscuing a shot wide at the other end.
Monie played in Jeffrey Issa who put an effort across the face with no Rockdale teammate able to take advantage. Moments later, the same player blasted over after terrific work down the left involving Spitz as the rain teemed down and lightening flashed around the ground.
An already bumpy pitch became greasy with many players unable to keep their feet which reduced the effectiveness of both in turning their hard graft into opportunities, and not until the 68? minute did Rockdale fashion a chance. Spitz, again, set up Paul Dee to shoot, forcing a full length save from Jaegar at his near post.
4? minutes later and the first goal of the game arrived for Blacktown. A pass from substitute Bruno Pivato for Simonovic saw a deflected shot loop over the head of Shaw to give the visitors the lead.
Rockdale couldn?t up the tempo as they were giving it all with a number of players missing ? Ben McNamara (gk) trialling with an A-League club, Giorgio and Roberto Speranzo likewise engaged overseas and Itsuki Hasegawa having returned to Japan, without mentioning injured and suspended players ? they moved to a back three as they pushed for an equaliser.
It was then a personal moment of horror for Suns goalkeeper Dion Shaw saw Blacktown secure the points.
Pece Apoloveski lost the ball in a one-on-one tackle as he became the latest victim to slip over. The resulting cross looked harmless enough and going wide when Shaw ran the ball down. Roodenburg looked to be chasing a lost cause until the custodian went to ground and the ball slipped from his grasp to leave the Blacktown man the easiest of chances to almost skip his way to the goal-line and tap it home.
Shaw had, until this point, had a terrific match but it?s a moment that will always haunt the young shot-stopper which, had he been an outfield player, would never be highlighted.
?It?s been the story of our season,? said Suns coach Wally Savor afterwards before continuing:
?We struggle at the scoring end and when that happens the luck doesn?t seem to go you way it seems.
?I feel that if we are just a little more positive in the final third our fortunes will change but you sometimes need to make your own luck in football.
?Our final ball in and the options available is something we work on in training but maybe we have a mental block when it comes to game day but we?ll keep practicing and push to the end of the season as we have a tough road in and we just have to take each game as it comes.?
Mark Crittenden looked relieved when stating:
?They certainly started quicker than us in the first-half and when the rain came down on that pitch in the second period it became a skating rink as you no doubt saw, so it was always going to be a battle and possibly the side that could get the bit of luck would come away with it and thankfully it was us today.
?Micky?s (Simonovic) strike was a good one and took a little deflection to give us the lead but I thought we created the better chances in the first-half and struggled to take them and that?s the way it has been for us this year, creating chances but unable to finish.
?We wanted to consolidate our fifth position on the ladder and knew it would put us in a strong position if we won and other results went our way.?
The Grade-20 encounter finished with a 2-1 victory for Blacktown City FC.
Footnote: U/20 Grade referee and NSWPL Grade 4th Official, from South Africa, Daniel Elder acquitted himself with some aplomb in the conditions with all officials playing a particularly essential part in proceedings in trying weather conditions. Well played gentlemen.
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns 0
Blacktown City FC 2 (Simonovic 72?, Roodenburg 84?)
Sunday 7th August, 2011
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Andrew Best
Assistant Referees: Steven Nguyen and Christian Mehl
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder
Rockdale City Suns: 22.Dion Shaw; 2.Paul Dee, 3.Shay Spitz, 5.Jeffrey Issa (15.Adrian Karakolevski 86), 6.Joshua Lawson, 7.Pece Apolevski, 8.Dominic Hudap, 10.Sash Trajcevski (17.Sash Tirovski 67), 12.James Monie (19.Marino Musumeci 78), 21.Mirko Jurilj, 23.Askin Oygur
Substitutes Not Used: 18.Sean Thomas, 24.Aaron Lidell
Yellow Cards: Lawson 77?
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 1.Symon Jaegar; 3.Mitchell Duke (16.Daniel Vellonio 91?), 4.Travis Major, 5.Patrick Gatt, 6.Matthew Pressello, 7.Luke Roodenburg (C), 8.Matthew Brennan, 10.Mitch Long, 11.Milorad Simonovic, 13.Matt Lewis, 15.Ray Miller (18.Bruno Pivato 64)
Substitutes Not Used: 14.Keiran Paull, 17.Adam Jenner, 40.David Bradesvic
Yellow Cards: Lewis 39?
Red Cards: Nil
-By Micky Brock
Bonnyrigg deny Wolves fairytale win
In a highly entertaining, free-flowing game of football, the Wolves took the lead for the second time on the night in the 87? minute courtesy of Dave Abel, though their supporters? hopes of adding a third successive win in the space of seven days were dashed by Boardman.
Sasho Petrovski?s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Jamie McMaster midway through the second period, paving the way for the dramatic finish to the encounter in-front of an impressive turnout at John Crehan Park on Saturday evening.
Mark Picciolini received a neat pass from Alex Mansueto?s cross from the right in the 3? minute though the striker, with his back to goal, had the ball swiftly taken from his feet by Michael Robinson.
The Wolves continued to find space down the left-flank via the feet of John Martinoski in the opening exchanges, though the visiting White Eagles limited South Coast with some strong defending to deny the final pass.
Bonnyrigg?s first forward foray arrived on 9? minutes as Alex Canak played Brad Boardman through on goal. The attacking midfielder?s searching ball carried a little too much pace as Brody Crane was quick off his line to thwart the danger.
Wolves? match winner in midweek against Parramatta FC, Petrovski, sprung into action in the 10? minute with a fierce drive off his left-peg. Petrovski?s effort was well-parried by Andrew Bazi in the Bonnyrigg goal.
Bonnyrigg went close to opening the score via a set-piece in the 11? minute. Jared Lum?s exceptional free-kick delivery from the right picked out Ben Spruce at the back post – the White Eagles? left-sided wingback only just sent his header wide of the target.
In the 18? minute, the Wolves went close to finding the first goal of the match, again via a set-piece. John Martinoski?s corner from the right picked out the head of Mansueto, though the defender?s powerful header finished over the crossbar.
Bonnyrigg?s reply was swift as another chance came about following a Jared Lum free-kick delivery. Amidst a sea of legs inside the penalty-area, Brad Boardman first, then Spruce, had half-chances thwarted as Crane picked up the loose ball.
A fine midfield battle ensued with both sides creating some very neat counterattacking play ? denied at both ends by some expert defending.
The Wolves were left to fend with ten-men for 5? minutes as Mansueto was forced from the field to change his shirt due to some blood from a facial injury. Bonnyrigg ?upped the ante?, though could only manage to carve out another headed attempt to Spruce from a Lum delivery, which failed to reap any reward.
On the half hour, Wolves? goalkeeper Brody Crane was forced into a last ditch save to thwart Boardman at the striker?s feet after spilling a cross from the left. Crane?s reaction was tremendous, though the shot-stopper collected a knock which forced some running repairs from the South Coast trainer.
The home side carved out an opening in the 34? minute via the feet of Petrovski. The former A-League striker showed class and finesse as he beat two markers with a fine shimmy. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Petrovski was brought to ground following a very neat David Vrankovic tackle, kick-starting a Bonnyrigg counterattack that ended with Shane Webb blasting his long-range effort over the crossbar.
Picciolini had the Wolves supporters on their feet with a fine shot on the turn in the 39? minute. With his back to goal, Picciolini turned and drove a powerful attempt on goal, denied by an expert save by Bazi down to his left.
In the 40? minute, the home side was awarded a penalty for a clear foul on Picciolini. The South Coast striker was a constant menace in the attacking third, and his quick movement inside the penalty-area was too much for the White Eagles defenders.
Petrovski took upon his shoulders the responsibility from the penalty-spot and the Wolves number 10 made no mistake in coolly converting to hand his side the lead.
Following the break, Bonnyrigg created the first chance of the half via another Lum free-kick delivery. The Wolves defenders kept their cool to clear their lines and deny Boardman a look-in as the burly striker lined up a header.
At the other end, Picciolini should have doubled his side?s lead following a Wolves counterattack. Picciolini sent Martinoski clear down the right-flank before the midfielder played a pin-point cross back to the striker. With only the goalkeeper ahead of him, Picciolini dragged his header across the face of goal ? failing to force Bazi into a save.
With the rain arriving on the hour mark, the Wolves were forced to retreat and defend against a White Eagles outfit that featured Blake Powell after coach Brian Brown added some further attacking flair to his side.
Canak was denied a certain goal when he floated in at the back post before seeing his volleyed effort cleared off the goal line by Mansueto.
Despite Bonnyrigg?s best efforts to get back into the match it was South Coast Wolves went close to doubling their lead in the 63? minute.
Martinoski?s free-kick from the left took a heavy touch off Canak and struck his goalkeeper?s up-right before Bonnyrigg cleared the ball away to safety.
Bonnyrigg found their equaliser in the 64? minute via McMaster. Substitute Blake Powell played a neat header back across goal into the path of McMaster who had no trouble converting from close-range past a helpless Brody Crane.
The Wolves went close to regaining their lead on 70? minutes as Andres Gomez?s set-piece delivery took a wicked deflection off a Bonnyrigg defender before finishing inches wide of Bazi?s left-hand post.
In the 74? minute, Spruce forced Crane into a reflex save from point-blank range. With the White Eagles out on the attack, Spruce fired a ferocious shot on the turn only to be denied by the shot-stopper.
1? minute later and Crane was almost left red-faced as he cleared left his goal line to chase down a through ball on the left. McMaster got there first and rounded Crane, though the South Coast shot-stopper did well to get back into position and deny McMaster a shot on goal.
South Coast went agonisingly close to a goal as Petrovski fired a curling free-kick against the post. Petrovski?s effort carried some real power, though failed to curl enough, much to the relief of a beat Andrew Bazi in the Bonnyrigg goal.
Despite the heavy legs following in this their third match in seven days, South Coast continued to press for a winner as Picciolini was denied a goal by some scrambling defence from the visitors who through bodies behind the ball to keep the score level.
On 82? minutes, Mansueto?s delivery from the right byline was cleared at the last moment by a Bonnyrigg defender as Gomez closed in at the back post.
Bonnyrigg substitute Nathan Elasi almost became an instant hero in the 86? minute as he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty-area before driving his attempt inches wide of goal.
3? minutes from time and the Wolves went ahead for the second time on the night. Jacob Timpano picked up a loose ball at the back post following a Wolves corner, playing it back across goal into the path of Dave Abel who hit his first-time shot low and hard into the back of the net.
Abel nearly doubled his personal tally with a fabulous long-range effort. The defender?s shot had Bazi beaten, though not the crossbar, as the ball came back into play.
Bonnyrigg were not to be denied in injury-time as Boardman converted from close-range, cleverly latching onto Elasi?s cutback effort to secure the side a point on the South Coast.
Wolves coach Trevor Morgan was disappointed that his side conceded a goal so late in the match:
?We?ve had a busy week, and I guess if you had told me I would take seven points from nine on offer with the three matches this week, I would definitely have signed for it.
?In saying that, leading 2-1 in injury-time against Bonnyrigg and to concede a goal so late on is just frustrating as nine points from the three matches would have been great.
?I am proud with the efforts of the boys, I thought we put ourselves in a position to win the match ? at 1-0 the header to double the lead, Sash?s post and then the crossbar at 2-1.
?We just needed to take our chances, and we could have wrapped the match up, though we have built a lot of confidence in the group. We?ll aim to keep working hard and to move as far up the table as possible over the final four matches.
?If we continue to play as we have over this past week, I am confident that we will be adding points to our tally, and we will be putting ourselves into positive positions to win matches,? Morgan concluded.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown was equally proud of his players for their never say die attitude to score late on for a share of the spoils:
?We knew coming here was going to be tough, they are a good side and I am happy with the point.
?We did create enough chances, though so did they, so in the end I can?t argue with the draw.
?Again tonight, I can?t fault the players for their desire and efforts, we need only to avoid some mistakes in defence and look to take our chances up front.
?In saying that, we haven?t leaked many goals in the second part of the season so defensively we have been sound, though we still need to improve,? ended Brown.
In the Grade-20 division, Bonnyrigg White Eagles scored its first win of the season defeating South Coast Wolves 2-1.
Match Stats
South Coast Wolves 2 (Sasho Petrovski (pen) 41?, Dave Abel 87?)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Jamie McMaster 64?, Brad Boardman 90?+2?)
Saturday 6th August, 2011
John Crehan Park, Cringila
Referee: Alex Glasgow
Assistant Referees: Michael Robertson and Nathan Wolton
Fourth Official: Scott Edeling
South Coast Wolves: 1.Brody Crane (C); 2.Alex Mansueto, 3.Dave Abel, 4.Jacob Timpano, 5.Nick Littler, 22.Zac Freeburn, 13.Stjepan Paric, 8.Andres Gomez, 9.Mark Picciolini, 10.Sasho Petrovski, 19.John Martinoski (18.Sean Robertson 69?)
Substitutes Not Used: 6.Jake Duczynski, 14.Cam Littler, 12.Jack Keating, 20.Sam Nastic
Yellow Cards: Brody Crane 75?
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Andrew Bazi; 12.Takuya Murayama, 17.Michael Robinson, 16.David Vrankovic, 6.Ben Spruce, 22.Jared Lum, 8.Alex Canak, 10.Brendan Gan (7.Nathan Elasi 83?), 11. Shane Webb (14.Blake Powell 55?), 9.Brad Boardman, 19.Jamie McMaster (C)
Substitutes Not Used: 2.Nikola Stanojevic, 3.Nikola Zonjic, 20.Thomas Hamilton
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Joseph Carlucci