Northern Tigers are the first team into the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 Grand Final after defeating Spirit FC 5-1 on Sunday, in a scoreline which few would believe. Bankstown City progressed to next week’s preliminary final after eliminating Hakoah Sydney City East 2-1 on Saturday.
Semi Final 2, Spirit FC v Northern Tigers
Northern Tigers have moved into the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 Grand Final with an astonishing 5-1 victory over premiers Spirit FC, a thundering last ten minutes sending the Tigers into what will be their third Grand Final in six years.
After being a goal down for almost three quarters of the game, it was a result from nowhere for the Tigers as Spirit gifted away goals in a ten minute collapse that will surely give coach John McLafferty nightmares for the rest of the week.
It had seemed business as usual for Spirit FC, who had gone a goal up ten minutes before half time, Gosue Sama powering home following some excellent work from Jake Harris. It was a lead which few could argue with, Spirit holding the Tigers comfortably for the most part, perhaps only Matthew West proving a danger.
And there was no indication of what was to come immediately after the break either, although the Tigers were starting to spend more time in their opponents half. Liam McConaghy tried an audacious shot from distance which was more in hope than expectation, but it was midway through the second period that the tide turned.
Persistent work from Tai Smith out wide down the left provided the equaliser. Smith battled away, seemingly against the odds, but he managed to get in a cross which was not cleared, and West showed class in shooting first time low into goal.
It was an equaliser which had not really looked likely for most of the game and a couple of Spirit attacks within minutes almost gave them the lead once more. Sama just failed to connect properly with a header to a Ryan Johnstone cross, while on the opposite side Harris was likewise providing some dangerous crosses.
But it was Northern Tigers who were to go in front, and once they did, they never looked back. With ten minutes left on the clock, Smith just got the first touch to a West cross, nipping in at the near post to flick the ball past David Lowery.
If that wasn’t a shock enough for Spirit, two minutes later they let in their third. A corner was turned into his own goal by Grant Cornwell, without pressure, and with the Tigers threatening to run rampant, run rampant they did.
It shortly became 4-1 as, again, Smith provided West. A cross from the left and there was West once more to knock in another.
Worse was to come for Spirit who lost Tom Lovell to a straight red, in time added on, a tackle on Samuel Ryder earning the wrath of the referee.
Then it was five. A Paul Davies free kick from outside the box was parried by Lowery and there was Smith once more, to really add salt into Spirit’s wounds.
The enormity of the result was perhaps not expected by Tigers coach Steve Hurd, but the win itself was no surprise.
“We were always confident that we could get the win today, especially being away from Mills and Christie. I thought that the artificial surface would suit us better, and we actually have the best away record in the competition“, he stated.
“We didn’t have the best start but once we started to get possession in their half, and got into the wide spaces, we really got back into the game”.
“And I don’t think Spirit are used to going behind. It can’t have happened much this year and that would have been unusual for them”.
For John McLafferty, there was no question where he felt Spirit let themselves down.
“We simply didn’t handle their crosses”, was his summation. “At half time, 1-0, we were in a good spot, and even twenty minutes into the second half, we were looking fine”.
“There was no reason to throw the ball into the back of the net like we did. We’ll have to have a look at ourselves and come back next week. But if we don’t defend crosses, we won’t be in any Grand Final”.
Spirit FC 1 (Gosue Sama 35’) v Northern Tigers 5 (Matthew West 68’, 88’, Tai Smith 81’, 90 +4’, Grant Cornwell own goal 84’)
Sunday 6 September 2015
at Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Katie Patterson
Assts: Lance Greenshields and Scott Edeling
Spirit FC: 41. David Lowery 2. Daniel Cunningham (c) 3. Henry Wells 4. Nick Trimble 7. Jacob Harris (11. Ossama Zaki 78’) 8. Grant Cornwell 12. Brad Gibson (9. Tim Simpson 66’) 13. Lord Darkoh 14. Ryan Johnstone 19. Tom Lovell 22. Gosue Sama.
Subs not used: 1. Murray Nelson 5. Andrew Robertson 6. Ross Kethel
Yellow Cards: Daniel Cunningham 20’, Gosue Sama 89’
Red Card: Tom Lovell 90+1’
Coach: John McLafferty
Northern Tigers: 1. Matthew Nemes 2. Samuel Ryder 3. Lucas Dawson (5. David Kanaley 89’) 4. Michael Rolston (c) 6. Paul Davies 7. Matthew West (23. Julian Lim 88’) 9. Liam McConaghy (17. Braden Cheng 82’) 10. Sherven Adeli 12. Russell Farrell 13. Jamie Craig 18. Tai Smith
Subs not used: 21. Harrison Devenish-Meares 11. Mitchell Smith
Yellow Cards: Matthew West 5’, Paul Davies 56’
Coach: Steve Hurd
Semi Final 1
Hakoah Sydney City East v Bankstown City
Bankstown City have moved into next week’s preliminary final with a 2-1 victory over Hakoah Sydney City East, ending the eastern suburb club’s season, but keeping the Lions’ hopes alive of a Grand Final appearance.
Goals to Chris Gomez and Grant Lynch were sandwiched by an equaliser to Michael McCrory but like they did a fortnight ago, Bankstown proved too strong for Hakoah, and with the Grand Final on the horizon, the Lions have hit their straps at just the right time.
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 (Michael McCrory) v Bankstown City 2 (Chris Gomez, Grant Lynch)
by Peter Rowney, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2 Reporter
Archives for September 2015
Grade 20s Preliminary Final Review
Marconi Stallions will face Blacktown City FC in the PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Grade 20s Grand Final next weekend at Leichhardt Oval after beating Sydney Olympic 4-2 in the Preliminary Final at Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi Stallions FC 4-2 Sydney Olympic FC, Sunday 12.30pm at Lilys Football Centre
An own goal gave Marconi an early lead before Olympic drew level at 1-1 ten minutes before halftime, but two quick goals from Ryan Peterson gave the Stallions a 3-1 lead at the break. Marcus Donatiello and Adrian Vranic traded goals in the second half as Marconi held out against a late Olympic surge to advance to next week’s Grand Final.
After the game, Marconi coach Nick Dimovski said his side were prepared for their opponents to attack from the outset, and set up with defense in mind against an Olympic team that scored ten goals in its two previous finals matches. Indeed, Olympic won a corner almost immediately from the kickoff, but the Stallions were able to clear the threat and work towards establishing control.
They were afforded a slice of good fortune after just six minutes when Jack Press darted along the right side of the penalty area to the byline to square a pass across the face of goal, where it deflected off a Sydney Olympic defender past goalkeeper John Dimitrakis.
Up 1-0, Marconi looked to consolidate their lead with a quick second, and Ryan Peterson played a one-two with Brandon Vella before cutting the ball back for Marcus Donatiello to finish past Dimitrakis, but the linesman had raised his flag, and the play was called back for an Olympic free kick. Peterson had a shot himself shortly after, sending the ball whistling just over the crossbar.
Olympic’s attack was hampered from kickoff, with the influential James Andrew starting on the wing despite nursing an injury, and his withdrawal in the 20th minute gave way to more positive periods of play for the side chasing an equaliser.
Jack Green lifted a ball over the top the Marconi backline for Adrian Vranic to collect on the edge of the box, but he mistimed his shot as the ball dropped over his shoulder, sending the ball weakly towards goal for Kristian Sekutkoski to collect.
Olympic won a series of corners as the halftime break approached, and equalised in the 37th minute with a scrappy goal, finished by Ryan Keir. Cohan Morris collected a corner just off the far post and smacked a volley back across goal but dragged his shot toward Keir, standing on the penalty spot, who slotted the ball under Sekutkoski to level the score at 1-1.
Olympic’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as Ryan Peterson broke clear of the defensive line almost immediately after the restart and hit a slow, bobbling shot towards the far post which dribbled just wide of Dimitrakis’ reach; sneaking inside the far post to restore Marconi’s lead.
Just two minutes after putting his a goal in front, Peterson struck again; rising on the edge of the six yard box to meet Callum Fitzpatrick’s corner and punch a header high above the defenders on the line to take Marconi to a 3-1 lead at halftime.
The second half failed to live up to the quality of the first, as Marconi looked to hold their advantage and Olympic tired in attack.
In the 52nd minute, Brandon Vella skipped through the Olympic defense and shot back across Dimitrakis, who parried a save back for Marcus Donatiello to follow up; the winger finishing into the unguarded net to give Marconi a seemingly unassailable lead.
Donatiello might have added a fifth when Dimitrakis rushed out to claim a lobbed through ball on the edge of the penalty box and missed the ball, but he swivelled and volleyed the ball over the empty goal.
Adrian Vranic pulled a goal back for Olympic just after the hour, following in a shot from Michael Trajkovski that Kristian Sekutkoski could only palm into the path of the striker for his seventh goal in just three matches.
Marconi refused to be rattled by Olympic’s second goal, and continued to take the game to their opponents. Peterson looked set to complete his hattrick when he shaped to shoot on the edge of the box with just the goalkeeper to beat, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post, with Marcus Donatiello calling for the ball in space to his left.
Jason Madonis dropped deep to hit long, diagonal balls into the box for Vranic as match drew to a close, but the Marconi defense held firm to preserve the 4-2 scoreline to the final whistle.
Marconi’s Nick Dimovski "We haven’t lost two in a row in a while and we were keen to avoid having that happen today – we set up a bit differently to last week, because we knew Sydney Olympic have scored a lot of goals in their last couple of games.
"We knew that if we weathered the storm and were still the arm wrestle at the 30 minute mark we’d still be a chance, and I’m just so proud for the boys that we’re playing in the grand final next week."
Harry Paras was gracious in defeat, admitting that his side were second best to the Stallions on the day. "James Andrew was injured before the game but we wanted to test him out, and Oliver Green was missing too after pulling up with a sore hamstring in the last few minutes against Sutherland, so we were a bit short on numbers.
"But that doesn’t matter – I thought Marconi were better. They started better and out-hustled us; they won most of their challenges. After they scored their first goal, we came back into it and in the end we might’ve created enough chances to win, but it didn’t happen for us today."
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions FC 4 (OG 6′, Peterson 38′, 40′, Donatiello 52′)
Sydney Olympic FC 2 (Keir 37′, Vranic 63′)
Sunday September 6, 2015
Lilys Football Centre
Marconi Stallions FC: Blair, DeMarigny, Donatiello, Fabiano, Fitzpatrick, Peterson, Press, Schmidt, Sekutkoski, Stewart, Vella
Subs: Chianese, Panayi, Andricopolous, Roebuck, Sfiligoi
Sydney Olympic FC: Andrew, Dimitrakas, Duncan, Green, Keir, Madonis, C. Morris, S. Morris, Nicolis, Trajkovski, Vranic,
Subs: D. Bonomy, T. Bonomy, Petrovski, Youlley, Gollan
– by Max Grieve, PS4 National Premier Leagues Grade 20s Reporter
Blacktown City through to Grand Final
Like the wounded beast, Blacktown City FC struck back with a vengeance at Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon to progress to the Grand Final next week.
It was APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC on the back of a City special serve during the PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Preliminary Final, as Blacktown secured a stunning 6-1 win.
Patrick Antelmi stood out once again, grabbing a brace, as did substitute Mitch Mallia, with the other two goals coming through Matt Lewis and Sasa Macura.
Mark Crittenden’s men showed little ill-effects of last week’s shock loss to Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the Major Semi Final after leading 2-0.
Complacency was not going to be an issue this time.
PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE GRAND FINAL
Within just four minutes, City was 1-0 up, scoring through the brilliant Antelmi, who put the finishing touches on a brilliant move courtesy of a lovely cross from Danny Choi who inspired down the left hand flank all day.
The potent front four of Antelmi, Joey Gibbs, Choi and Travis Major caused headaches for the APIA defence all day but their industry up front was matched in midfield by Connor Evans whose hard-tackling and smart distribution from the midfield kept APIA pinned down in their defensive half.
It didn’t take long for the second goal to come, either.
Another brilliant pass from Antelmi out to the left wing found Choi, who raced at Brad Bartels and drew a foul inside the box.
Matt Lewis made the long trip up from the centre of defence to the penalty spot and showed no sign of nerves as he coolly dispatched his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
The APIA response was a strong one, as Corey Biczo and Nathan Elasi stepped up their efforts in the final third.
The latter almost forced an own goal out of Blacktown captain Zach Cairncross, just after a fine display of tricky feet almost allowed him to pull back the two-goal deficit instantly.
Elasi who singlehandedly looked to get his team back in the game tested soon after Blacktown keeper Nenad Vekic, but his shot was well saved by the City keeper.
The quality rearguard action was rewarded at the other end as Macura showed twinkle toes of his own after some lovely play with Antelmi to make his way through a crowded penalty area and hammer home a close-range shot.
It was a near flawless opening 35 minutes, which was only ruined by the sight of young Evans, tireless in midfield, down with a knee injury.
The problem would force him off at half-time, but not before Elasi scored a deserved goal as the Blacktown City defence was caught napping in the 43rd minute.
After seeing a two-goal lead slip last week, you might have forgiven City for heading into the break with a bit of trepidation, as the Tigers looked to build on the momentum in the second half.
But City was having none of it, and almost made it 4-1 barely a minute into the second half, only to see Major’s header ruled marginally offside.
Still, Franco Parisi was putting in an impressive shift in the middle for APIA as he tried to keep his team’s momentum going after a strong finish to the first stanza, but any hope of that vanished in the 57th minute.
Stephen Kayes, a first-half substitute for Bartels, earned a red card for his second bookable offence, a callous chop on Blacktown wing master Choi.
Now fighting a two-goal deficite and a man down, the APIA floodgates soon opened.
Had Gibbs had his shooting boots on, he might have scored three goals himself before Antlemi scored his second in the 66th minute, tucking away a superb cross from Yianni Fragogiannis from the left-hand side.
Vekic was called into action again to deny Nicholas Olsen, who continued to battle up front, as Choi was replaced by Mallia who would use his cameo to full-effect, putting his hand up for a starting berth in the Grand Final with two goals.
Mallia got his first after 78 minutes when he picked his spot beautifully from just outside the box to curl the ball around Tonu Liiband, before scoring again in the 82nd with a cool one-on-one finish.
City coach Crittenden was delighted with the level of play his side managed, especially after a flat week on the track.
“We were disappointed last week, but not in the way we played and it was an interesting week. On Thursday and Friday we looked a bit flat still,” Crittenden said.
“We stuck to the plan today. They’re very excited in the rooms.
“The boys were good today, training was a bit off, but they got here, they knew what they were here for and you could see the buzz around.
“It’s a long year. We’re up to about our 38th game, ocne you include the cups, so it’s a long, tough season … but just one to go now.”
That one game just happens to be a PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Grand Final, and Crittenden will hope his side can find away to beat the one team that has consistently defied them in 2015 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
“We have to be better defensively than we were last week, but if the game itself is anything like it was last week, it will be a great one for the fans.”
PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE GRAND FINAL
Sunday September 6, 2015
Lilys Football Centre, Seven Hills
Blacktown City FC 6 (Antelmi 4’, 66’, Lewis 14’, Macura 31’, Mallia 78’, 82’)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1 (Elasi 43’)
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Joon Park
Fourth Official: Khodr Yaghi
Blacktown City FC: Vekic, Antelmi, Cairncross, Choi (Mallia 66’), Evans (Araujo 45’), Fragogiannis, Gibbs, Lewis, Macura (Timotheou 77’), Major, Speranza
Substitutes not used: Prendergast, Tomaras
Yellow Cards:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC: Liiband, Bartels (Kayes 19’), Biczo, D’Apuzzo, Elasi, Millgate, Olsen, Parisi, Symons, Ucchino (Scott 66’), West
Substitutes not used: Kayes, Moore, Rhodes, Scott, Griffiths
Yellow Cards: Bartels 13’, Kayes 43’, 57’, West 52’
Red Cards: Kayes 57’
-By Matthew Galea, National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor, at Lilys Football Centre
Preliminary Final Preview – Blacktown City vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Two weeks ago Blacktown City FC probably did not picture itself in a PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Preliminary Final battling for a spot in the Grand Final.
In fact, even 63 minutes into last weekend’s Major Semi Final against Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, Mark Crittenden and his side would not have expected to be playing this weekend.
But that’s exactly where the City boys are after seeing their 2-0 lead slip in a matter of minutes last week.
The night went from bad to worse and ended in a 4-2 defeat at extra-time, setting up Sunday’s do-or-die clash against APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC.
The Tigers rode their luck on occasion against Sydney Olympic FC in last week’s Minor Semi Final at Lambert Park but had some absolutely outstanding defending from Adam D’Apuzzo to thank for grinding out the 1-0 result.
Nicholas Olsen was the hero at the other end, with his deflected volley looping over Paul Henderson in the Olympic goal towards the end of the first-half, proving enough to see the Tigers progress.
It will not be any easier against Blacktown on Sunday, but momentum can count for a lot in finals football, and it would be fair to say the atmosphere was flat in the City dressing rooms after the final whistle last week.
Despite the result, Crittenden has plenty to be positive about.
Speaking after last Sunday’s game, Crittenden said that if his team re-focussed and got back to playing the sort of football that won it the Premiership, a favourable result would come.
“I think when we get the ball down and play, we’re as good as any other team in this competition,” Crittenden said.
“For 15 or 20 minutes (against Bonnyrigg) we went away from that and started trying these long balls and when we do that, it’s not our game.
“We’ll get the boys back up for the APIA game knowing that they are going to be just as tough. At the end of the day it comes down to the 90 minutes, maybe a bit more, and performing better on the day.”
With a brilliant spine of players featuring the likes of Zach Cairncross and Matt Lewis in defence, Sasa Macura and Patrick Antelmi in midfield and Joey Gibbs, Danny Choi and Travis Major – who is in doubt after only lasting 45 minutes last week following a series of knocks – there can be no doubting City’s potential.
But APIA – while undoubtedly less consistent than City this season – has proven time and time again its quality.
The Tigers will undoubtedly need to have a lot more polish in the final third than they did last week, having seen the likes of Franco Parisi and Corey Bizco miss very good opportunities in the win against Olympic, but if D’Apuzzo can continue to inspire at the back they’ll give City a run for its money.
In two previous meetings this season, Blacktown has not lost to the Tigers, winning 3-1 in round five at Lilys before drawing the away fixture 1-1.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Round Five: Blacktown City 3 defeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1
Round 16: APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 drew with Blacktown City 1
– By Matthew Galea, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor
Grade 20’s Preliminary Final Preview
Blacktown City FC secured their spot in the PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Grade 20s Grand Final with a 3-1 win over Marconi Stallions last weekend but their opponent in that match is yet to be determined.
The Stallions and Sydney Olympic face off at Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon with a place in next week’s decider at Leichhardt Oval at stake.
Marconi Stallions FC v Sydney Olympic FC, 1pm at Lilys Football Centre
A week after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Premiers Blacktown City FC in the major semi final, Marconi Stallions return to Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon to take on Sydney Olympic in the preliminary final; the last chance for either side to qualify for next week’s decider at Leichhardt Oval.
The Stallions struggled against the pace of Juan Zapata and strength of striker Jonathan Grozdanovski in their defeat to Blacktown, and Marconi defenders will busy again when dealing with Olympic’s James Andrew and Adrian Vranic, who have consistently performed throughout the back half of the season to help their team to the brink of a grand final.
Vranic in particular has been in remarkable form over the past fortnight, scoring a hattrick in each of Olympic’s victories over Sydney United 58 and Sutherland Sharks in the elimination semi final and minor semi final respectively.
Olympic hit five past the Sharks in that match at Sydney United Sports Centre last weekend; the seventh time in their last eight matches that they’ve scored more than three goals in a game. Their opponents on Sunday, Marconi, endured a slightly more difficult end to the regular season, dropping points to Sydney United 58, Blacktown City and Olympic to finish second before edging a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Sutherland Sharks in their preliminary semi final two weeks ago.
These sides were largely matched throughout the season: Marconi finished two points and two places above fourth-placed Olympic in second, while both sides traded victories away from home during the regular season; Marconi secured a narrow 1-0 win at Valentine Sports Park back in April, and Olympic returned the favour with a 3-0 defeat of the Stallions at Marconi Stadium in mid-July.
– By Max Grieve, PS4 National Premier Leagues Grade 20s Reporter