FRUSTRATION and missed opportunities is the best way to sum up Parramatta FC’s clash with Marconi Stallions.
A dour 0-0 draw at Melita Stadium provided fans of both team very little to smile about in what was a battle of the competition cellar dwellers.
An inspired start from the Stallions saw Marconi on top in the opening stages of the match and Anthony Flood went within inches of giving the visitors an early lead. The lanky striker out jumped his defender to meet a Christopher Nunes cross but his header was denied by the upright.
Unfortunately it was only downhill from there for Marconi.
Both teams were guilty of sloppy play as the game fell into a scrappy battle in the middle of the park.
Parramatta wasted a rare opportunity after 18 minutes when Marco Sama blasted high and wide but really, half time couldn’t come quick enough for either team.
It was a completely different story at the start of the second half.
John Tsironis started the second 45 with a bang for Parramatta when he found space at the edge of the 18 yard box, however a lack of accuracy saw the shot sail wide.
Tsironis’ chance began an onslaught of opportunities for the home side.
Chances to Sama, Tsironis, and Blade Richards should’ve had Parramatta celebrating but once again they were punished for poor finishing.
Marconi, despite being on the back foot for the majority of the second half, tried one last push for victory.
Roberto Speranza however was the hero in the 89th minute blocking what appeared a certain goal from Marconi’s Milorad Simonovic.
The full time whistle signalled the end of the match which could have very easily been Parramatta’s for the taking.
“There’s not much I can really say about that one,” Parramatta FC Coach Frank Consentino said.
“To have so many chances and not score is down right disappointing.
“We should’ve scored three or four goals but instead we must settle for a scoreless draw.”
Marconi’s Jeff Suzor admitted it was a frustrating match but praised the efforts of the club’s young talent.
“It has been a tough year for the club but the performance today of 16 year old Brandon Vella goes to show Marconi has a bright future.
“Developing our young talent demonstrates the current direction of the club.
“We had a few chances which we were unlucky not to capitalise on but to take home a point and keep a clean sheet is still a positive result.”
Match Stats
Parramatta FC 0
Marconi Stallions 0
Sunday, May 31 2015
Melita Stadium, Sefton
Referee: Khodr Yadi
Assistant Referees: Joon Park & Raymond Osborne
Fourth Official: Karl Davies
Parramatta FC: Turnbull; Ardle, Gatt, Gullo, Rezo (Clowes 65’) , Richards (Martey 88’), Sama, Speranza, Symons, Tayebi Derazkala, Tsironis (Grima 77’)
Substitutes not used: Chavez, Diacono
Yellow Cards: Sama 61’ Speranza 78’ Symons 90’
Marconi Stallions: D’Antimo; Appiah (Drewery 61’), Flood (Vella 79’), Lum (Simonovic 68’), Mijic, Nunes, Ott, Shields, Travis, Tsovolos, Austin
Substitutes not used: Brown, Roebuck
Yellow Cards: Mijic 55’ Tsovolos 90’
Player ratings:
3- Jacopo D’Antimo (Marconi)
2 – Blade Richards (Parramatta)
1- Christopher Nunes (Marconi)
Archives for May 2015
Blacktown City state firm claim for title
RUTHLESS, clinical, and classy.
Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown City marked themselves out as a cut above the rest with a resounding, thumping 6-1 victory over Sydney United 58 FC at Edensor Park.
From the get-go, Blacktown City were different gravy.
Their passing was a delight and they were so ruthless in front of goal, some of their players could have signed up for a firing squad.
Joe Gibbs scored a hat trick, while Conor Evans, substitute Patrick Antelmi and the unfortunate Ibrahim Haydar (own goal), all found the back of the net.
In the wash up, it was difficult to remember United 58’s goal being of any relevance, but Chris Triantis’ goal should be remembered for the sensational Robbie Mileski pass which set him up.
It won’t be though, because from start to finish Blacktown City was on top and their performance was a joy to behold.
The match hadn’t even kicked into gear when Gibbs opened the scoring, heading in a corner from the left.
It was a rude awakening for United 58, and Blacktown City didn’t rest on their laurels after taking the lead.
A mistimed clearance from Haydar fell to Gibbs, whose clever back heel was saved by Justin Pasfield, before Evans struck to double the lead.
Gibbs was given too much time to turn in the centre of the park, and he sprayed a lovely ball out to Danny Choi. He found Major, whose accuracy of cut back was matched only by Evans’ finish, which was hammered past Pasfield.
United 58 needed to respond and they did, if only momentarily, four minutes later.
Mileski played a gorgeous pass with the outside of his boot, which sliced open the Blacktown City defence. Triantis dinked the ball over the onrushing Nenad Vekic and it was game on. Or so it seemed.
Mileski’s looping header bounced off the top of the cross bar, while Major shot over the bar, before Choi drew a save from a back peddling Pasfield, whose bungled clearance led to the opportunity.
Right on the strike of half time, Blacktown City had their third, when Haydar headed into his own net. A Yianni Fragogiannis cross from the right drew Pasfield from his line, but the keeper only flapped at the ball. Haydar was possibly unsighted and without time to redirect his header, could only send it into his own goal.
United 58 had golden chance to halve the deficit within two minutes of the start of the second half.
Zac Cairncross fouled Richard Cardozo, but Nikas was missing his usual unerring accuracy from the spot, as his penalty bounced back off the post and into the field of play.
Vekic acrobatically saved Cardozo’s free kick, but there was nothing his opposite number Pasfield could do about the fourth.
A gorgeous, perfectly weighted pass by Sasa Macura set Antelmi away and after he left Emmanuel Giannaros for dead, he clipped the ball past Pasfield.
A hallmark of this Blacktown City is how relentless they are when they build up a head of steam, and they showed no signs of letting up.
Gibbs added his second when his free kick snuck through the wall and past Pasfield, and he was on the spot at the near post to convert a lovely cross by substitute Daniel Araujo to complete his hat trick.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Triantis 25′)Blacktown City 6 (Gibbs 8′ 74′ 80′, Evans 21′, Haydar OG 45′, Antelmi 70′)
Sunday May 31, 2015
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Alex King
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Danny Horstead
Fourth Official: Matthew McOrist
Sydney United 58 FC: Pasfield; Giannaros, Haydar (C), Kofinas, Bilic, Zuvela (Stamatellis 46′), Paric (Makrys 77′), Triantis, Cardozo, Mileski (Bosma 66′), Nikas
Substitutes not used: Sherlock, Tomic
Yellow cards: Paric 24′, Nikas 73′
Blacktown City: Vekic; Fragogiannis, Cairncross (C), Lewis, Speranza, Macura, Perkatis, Evans (Araujo 76′), Major, Choi (Antelmi 55′), Gibbs (Perre 86′)
Substitutes not used: Prendergast, Beumie
Player ratings:
3 Joe Gibbs (BCFC)
2 Conor Evans (BCFC)
1 Patrick Antelmi (BCFC)
– by Matthew Lopez, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor, at Sydney United Sports Centre
White Eagles edge out Manly
BONNYRIGG White Eagles proved too good for Manly United, winning 2-1 at home in a tightly fought contest.
Bonnyrigg were quickly into their stride, witching the point of attack and pulling Manly around the pitch without testing Dylan Mitchell in the opposing goal in the early stages.
Manly, to their credit, held their shape well and looked very disciplined in defence, managing to break up the Bonnyrigg attacks before they became too dangerous.
It came as no real surprise when the break through arrived in the 13’ minute. Alex Doyle played the perfect ball for Aaron Peterson to run on to and slot home to open the scoring for Bonnyrigg. The home side had looked slicker and hungrier for the points during the opening 15’ minutes and the pressure finally tolled.
Daniel Bragg fired the first Manly shot in anger in the 24’ minute but it fizzed well wide of James Chronopoulos’ right hand stick.
This was quickly followed by Christian Rhys two minutes later who skinned Adam Jenner and attempted to lob Chronopoulos, however once more it slipped wide of the mark with the ‘keeper unsure and back-peddling rapidly just in case.
The White Eagles were playing very controlled passing football, always probing for an opening without giving too much away at the back, forcing United to work hard for any scraps of a chance they were able to fashion.
The first stanza had been a fascinating half of football, high tempo, high skill in attack and defence. It paved the way for a tremendous second period.
Peterson switched flanks after the break and lead his counterparts a merry dance. Kieran Paull, after his first-half exertions, was the latest to face the Bonnyrigg striker and was handling him well on the Manly right.
Manly were certainly seeing more of the ball by the hour mark however their possession wasn’t telling in front of goal and the match turned into a tactical battle with not too many chances created.
Bonnyrigg slowly began to go through the gears and pushed quicker and higher up the pitch but apart from a Mun-Soo Gil shot from distance that didn’t trouble Mitchell, there wasn’t too much to shout about in way of opportunities created.
It was Robbie Younis who finally added a second home goal when he put in by Tynan Diaz in the 77’ minute, but it took two attempts to get the ball over the line.
Bonnyrigg were now well in charge but a rush of blood saw a straight red card produced a minute later.
Doyle and Brendan Cholakian were tussling for the ball when it appeared Doyle put his head into the Manly midfielder and received his marching orders.
It was Cholakian who reduced the deficit in stoppage time but it was too little too late.
“It was a great win for us as we are down to the bare bones,” Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown said.
“With the amount of injuries and suspensions we’ve had I am extremely happy with the result. It was one of those hustle and bustle kind of games and neither side ever took control of it but fortunately our defenders did really well tonight and especially Adam Jenner who was playing for the first time in that position so a lot of credit should go to him particularly for his first-half performance.
“With him and Tynan Diaz, Dylan Fox and Chris Tadrosse dominating at the back it was the foundation of our victory.”
Manly coach Paul Dee was disheartened with conceding two slack goals.
“We are very disappointed in the result because we had the opportunity to get something from this game and we didn’t. We conceded two silly goals and that’s hurt us in the end,” he said.
“There has been times in the past when our heads may have dropped when conceding but there is a different culture at the club now and the boys fought really hard when they were down and they didn’t lose their focus and fought until the end which is a pleasing aspect. I think what is disappointing for both teams is the position that each team had didn’t equate to clear cut chances but we move to next week now.”
Assistant coach Bob Catlin added: “I felt at times we really had our foot on their throat and perhaps should have put it to them and ram it home but we didn’t get the tempo high enough during the game and when they got the second goal it was a bit of a killer for us as we were just about to change our shape.
“We wanted to push for the equaliser but the second strike did us and when their player received the red card we re-grouped and pushed on and got one back but realistically we didn’t really look like scoring tonight but credit to the guys for not giving up."
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Peterson 13’ Younis 77’)
Manly United 1 (Cholakian 90+2)
Saturday 30th May, 2015
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Michael Weiner
Assistant Referees: Joon Park & Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Branson Lovric
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: Chronopoulos, Tadrosse (C), Diaz, Canak, Younis (Mansueto 88), Fox, Jenner, Doyle, Miller (Douglas 75), Gil, Peterson (Kokoda 83)
Substitutes Not Used: Krljar, Savicic
Yellow Cards: Gil 47
Red Cards: Doyle 78
Manly United: Mitchell, Paull, Lobb, Williams, Payne, McDonald, Cholakian (C), Parkhouse (Saric 62), Oughtred, Bragg (Ferguson 85), Pandurevic (Castelnuovo 72)
Substitutes Not Used: Forbes, Pollard
Player ratings:
3 – Jenner (BWE)
2 – Cholakian (MU)
1 – Peterson (BWE)
– by Micky Brock, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Goals galore for Sharks at Blacktown
SUTHERLAND Sharks came and conquered in what turned out to be a real goal-fest against Blacktown Spartans.
Their mission was to take home maximum points which they did after a convincing first half display that really put the game beyond reach. It was entertaining football with the plethora of goals for the fans, but not so much for the men in orange and black who were disappointing in front of their loyal following.
The first chance of the game arrived in the fourth minute when a delightful cross by Daniel Fogarty from the right was met by a glancing header from Shu Sasaki that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The home side opened the scoring shortly afterwards in the 8th minute when Nathan Denham failed to hold onto a curling free kick from the right and Mitchell Long, on the spot, put the ball away.
Two minutes later though Sutherland Sharks hit back with a goal to Seonjian Park who, with a simple diagonal shot, placed the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the net. It was the first of some easy goals for the Sharks.
The 12th minute rewarded the Sutherland Sharks again as they took the lead. A square ball from the left by Bai Antoniou was met delightfully by Sean O’Connell who simply placed the ball accurately into the goal.
In the 18th minute Blacktown Spartans tried to restore parity when a shot from Nakamura from just outside the box ended up marginally over the crossbar. In the 23rd minute Luka Dukic from a corner hit the post with a header from close range much to the disappointment of the Spartans’ faithful.
When chances are not capitalised on at one end, they can be taken advantage of up the other end of the field which is exactly what occurred in the 25th minute. Park tapped in when Saliadarre was upended by his own defender and the Sharks player simply finished off the goal.
In the 38th minute Jordan Figon scored Sutherland’s fourth goal when he galloped from just inside the halfway line and then beautifully beat an out-rushing Saliadarre. The game, with still just under an hour left of play, seemed by now well and truly out of reach for the Spartans.
The second half should have been better for the Spartans after coach Ben De Haan’s halftime message and the first real chance arrived in the 60thminute when Nakamura played a beautiful shot across the face of goal and just wide of the post. It certainly wasn’t the same opening pace as the first stanza of play as both teams played somewhat more cautious football.
Three minutes later a powerful shot by Hayden Morton reached Shu Sasaki in the box who turned nicely and beat Denham with his diagonal shot. It was a goal that gave the Spartans a mini-shot of adrenaline and a remote chance of further pegging back the lead.
In the 70th minute though Sutherland Sharks almost had their fifth goal when a nice ball from the right by Steven Hayes just beat an outstretched Saliadarre and Bai Antoniou from close range slammed the ball onto the post. How it didn’t go in is anyone’s guess, but the Spartans were indeed grateful.
They say lightning doesn’t strike twice but it certainly did for the same player three minutes later. After a nice run Antoniou, with a powerful finish, once again drove the ball into the woodwork.
Sutherland Sharks finally scored their fifth goal in the 78th minute when a ball from the by-line was played back to Seonjian Park who, totally unmarked, hit the back of the net for his hat trick. It was too easy for the visitors as the home side’s defence was at sixes and sevens.
A late free kick by O’Connell from inside the box awarded for some dangerous play was delightfully tipped over by Saliadarre. It was the last of the shots for the night.
After the game Sutherland coach Steve O’Connor was pleased with his side’s win but not so much about conceding the opening goal.
“We always give a goal away and we need to score three to have a chance,” he said.
“We got one back and scored a few more, so it was pleasing. We haven’t been playing too bad; we played well against Olympic and lost 2-1 and played well against Blacktown City and lost 1-0 at the death. It’s good for the boys to get a win and justify the way they have been playing and carry on now.
“They are decent side if you let them play, but we decided that we were going to press early and put them under pressure. They have some good players but look, our team did well and in the end we probably could have scored a few more.
"It could have been 7-4 or something like that and real crowd pleaser.”
In the Spartans dressing room captain and goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre was philosophical about the loss.
“It was a very disappointing result as we took the lead early and just conceded scrappy goals,” he said.
“There were some silly mistakes and some poor communication that cost us in the end. It makes a difference and all of a sudden they got a roll on and we couldn’t stop them.”
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 2 (Long 8’, Sasaki 63’)
Sutherland Sharks 5 (Park 10’, O’Connell 12’, Park 25’, Figon 38’, Park 78’)
Saturday 30th May
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Matthew Cropper
Assistant Referees: Kearney Robinson, Janush Adabijou
Fourth Official: Chris Hughes
Blacktown Spartans: Saliadarre, Crighton, Dukic, Fogarty (Da Silva 55’), Kondek, Long (Quigley 81’), Morton, Nakamura, Sasaki, Tomohiro, Valastro (Tosi 27’)
Substitutes not used: Nascimben, Tanner
Sutherland Sharks: Denham, Antoniou, Caton (Stergiou 68’), Figon, Gordon, Littler, Moustakas, O’Connell, Park (Mitwali 81’), Tratt, Roberts (Hayes 64’)
Substitutes not used: Depta, McKenzie
Yellow Cards: Moustakas 23’, Stergiou 88’
Player ratings:
3. Sean O’Connell (SS)
2. Jordan Figon (SS)
1. Seonjian Park (SS)
– by Joe Russo, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at Blacktown Football Park
Thriller at Bonnyrigg
A 90th minute equaliser saw the Bonnyrigg White Eagles reel in a two goal deficit against Blacktown City in a rescheduled round 4 PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 clash.
All four goals came in the second half in what was a highly entertaining clash at Bonnyrigg Sports Ground.
It was a fast paced opening to the game with the under strength White Eagles holding City well.
Giorgio Speranza had the first effort of the match just before the 10th minute, hitting the ball high over the bar.
Mitch Mallia then took a free-kick from just out side the box but his swerving strike was well held by James Chronopoulos.
As the game got on, the White Eagles began to up the tempo and dominate their opponents.
Adam Jenner connected well with a teammate to break into the box. His left footed shot didn’t test Nenad Vekic in the City goal as it bounced wide of the post.
In the 20th minute Alex Canak should’ve had the home side in front. The ball made its way into the box but Canak couldn’t adjust himself quick enough as his attempt went straight at Vekic.
Only minutes later and a Travis Major cross found Patrick Antelmi whose looped header almost beat Chonopoulos.
In the 28th minute, Robbie Younis had an opportunity for Bonnyrigg from just outside the area. His curling free-kick had the home fans off their feet but Vekic regathered well to palm the ball out.
Younis had another opportunity from a dead ball situation in the second minute of stoppage time but his effort dipped just over the bar.
In the 47th minute Alex Mansueto missed the impossible. A great ball in from the right by Tynan Diaz found the White Eagles defender at the far post who scooped the ball high and wide of the goal from only a few yards out.
An error by Alexander Doyle in the middle of the park was capitalised on by the City attack as Sasa Macura stole in. He’s square ball across the box found Gibbs who layed off for Danny Choi who couldn’t miss from a yard out.
11 minutes later and the away side doubled their lead. Gibb’s again was the creator, flicking the ball on for Choi who found it easy to play the ball passed the White Eagles custodian for his second of the night.
Macura then had an opportunity to haunt his former club after connecting with a cut back to the edge of the area but his strike hit the post.
In the 75th minute the White eagles had a lifeline as a ball whipped in by Chris Tadrosse was punched out by Vekic. Substitute Yuta Kokado’s poorly struck shot came to the feet of Aaron Peterson who did well to finish.
Canak should’ve had an equaliser in the 75th but he skewed his volley wide of the right post.
Adam Jenner and Peterson both had chances late but both their efforts missed by inches.
With the seconds ticking to 90, Diaz crossed in another dangerous ball finding Fox who rose highest to head the ball beyond a despairing Vekic and cement the final result.
White Eagles coach Brian Brown had mixed emotions after the full time whistle.
“I think that shows the character of the team to come back from two goals down.
“Really, that was a position we didn’t deserve to be in as the two goals we conceded we defended like children.
“If we go another five minutes we win. Football is about taking your chances and we didn’t.
“I’m happy to get a point but it’s probably three points we didn’t pick up.
“We’re very thin at the moment and missing a few key players so we’ll have to battle until we get some of the boys back.”
The Blacktown City coach was pleased with the point, despite dropping a two goal lead.
“Look disappointing when you’re leading 2-0 but to come to Bonnyrigg and get a point you’d be pretty happy.
“I think they were pretty good tonight and we were second best for the majority of it.
“We had two chances and took them and probably should’ve made it three (Macura chance) and it would’ve been all over.
“Credit to Bonnyrigg, even at two goals down they never stopped fighting and got what they deserved.”
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Peterson 75’, Fox 90’)
Blacktown City 2 (Choi 50’, 61’)
Wednesday, 27th May, 2015
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg Heights
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Danny Horstead and Mitch Clark
Fourth Official: Dave Haslett
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. Chronopoulos, 2. Mansueto, 5. Tadrosse, 7. Diaz, 8. Canak, 9. Younis (18. Kokado), 12. Fox, 13. Jenner, 14. Doyle (36. Douglas), 17. Gil, 19. Peterson
Blacktown City: 1. Vekic, 3. Speranza, 4. Fragogiannis, 6. Lewis, 7. Major (12. Araujo), 8. Macura, 11. Choi, 14. Mallia, 16. Antelmi (20. Evans), 19. Cairncross, 21. Perkatis
Yellow Cards: Major, Cairncross
Player Ratings:
3 – Danny Choi (BC)
2 – Tynan Diaz (BWE)
1 – Chris Tadrosse (BWE)
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre