ROUND 8 REVIEW – NPL 3 NSW MEN’S

The ladder is beginning to take shape in the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition as we examine all the action that took place over the course of the weekend.

Canterbury Bankstown FC had cause for celebration after they dispatched of Inner West Hawks to secure their first win of the season. Macarthur Rams snapped out of a dismal run of form as they put four past Bankstown United while Dunbar Rovers were not able to hold off a persistent Bankstown City in a seven goal thriller.

All this and more is there to be analysed as we rip into all the finer details across the six highly entertaining fixtures.

Dulwich Hill FC – Sydney University SFC 3-1

Dulwich Hill came from behind to triumph 3-1 over Sydney University at Arlington Oval on Saturday night.

It was the visitors who struck first on this occasion via Harrison Quirk on 70 minutes after he followed up on the rebound from a standout save from Dully’s Chris Marques

The ‘students’ lead was short lived however with Harry Browell arriving on the scene to restore parity for the hosts.

The Dully attacker equalised in the 76th minute after beating the keeper with a sharp turn and shot in the box before becoming provide for Daniel Fornito two minutes later who fired home from the edge of the 18-yard area.

The hosts third goal which essentially killed off any hopes of a Uni comeback arrived from a Fornito penalty in the 87th minute.

The home side’s latest win will put them in good stead as they gear up for their midweek showdown with Bankstown City while the ‘students’ will be back at Sydney University Football Ground for the first time this season as they prepare for a double header. First up will be Macarthur in their rescheduled match on Tuesday night before Inter Lions come to visit three days later.

Bankstown City FC – Dunbar Rovers FC 4-3

Bankstown City came from behind to claim a 4-3 victory over Dunbar Rovers in an end-to-end encounter at Jensen Park on Saturday night.

A lighting quick start from Dunbar saw them go 2-0 up within a blink of an eye thanks to goals from Tod Bamber and Matt Nezval.

However, Dunbar could not keep their opposition quiet for much longer as Chris Triantis reduced the deficit with an unstoppable strike that sailed into the roof of the net.

Nikola Todoroski restored parity after he tapped home Tai Smith’s pinpoint ball. It was the same two men who were at the forefront of their third goal with Smith once again teeing up Todoroski to put the home side ahead for the first time in the match as they headed into the sheds.

Bankstown’s scoring spree continued after the interval and it was Smith who popped with his fourth assist of the evening when he laid it off for Oscar Nieto Rava who made no mistake with his finish.

A late Bamber penalty made for a nervy finish but it was Bankstown who remained resolute as they held on for the win.

There will be a ripper of match taking place on Tuesday night as fourth placed Bankstown meet second placed Dully at Jensen Park in their rescheduled round 3 fixture while 11th placed Dunbar are back at Heffron Park to welcome the Berries.

Macarthur Rams FC – Bankstown United FC 4-1

It was a night to remember for Macarthur Rams as they snapped out of a three game losing streak in spectacular fashion, putting four past Bankstown United at Lynwood Park.

There were no goals to show in what was an even first half.

Mark Symington conjured up the home side’s best chance of the half on 20 minutes however United’s Blake Tuxford produced a fine save to deny the Rams striker.

Opportunities fell to the visitors as the half wore on with Lachie Willmore and Dalibor Malesevic coming closest for Scott Belgre’s side.

Goals certainly were not hard to come by after the break with Symington breaking the deadlock after slotting away the rebound on Tuxford’s original save.

Jason Breton’s men soon doubled their advantage courtesy of a screamer from Anthony Nicola.

The final 20 minutes saw Macarthur put the result beyond doubt with Sam Onana getting on the scoresheet before Nicola secured his brace.

However, the visitors were offered some reprieve as Mitch Cross dispatched his penalty in what was the final kick of the match.

The seventh placed Rams will be on the road as they travel to Camperdown for a midweek catch-up match against Sydney Uni while United will have a full week to prepare for their battle with top of the table Rydalmere.

Inter Lions FC – Gladesville Ryde Magic 1-2

Gladesville Ryde Magic ran out 2-1 winners against Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Saturday night.

The men from Christie Park went ahead after five minutes courtesy of Panayoti Gotsis but they were left frustrated by the time the half time whistle blew as Inter equalised from a Nico Paras free kick.

Step up Jethro Thornton who proved to be Magic’s saviour on the night as he scored the decisive goal to hand all three points to the visitors.

John Theo’s Inter will be hoping to turn things around when they face off against Berries on Tuesday night while Magic will be targeting three wins on the bounce when they take on the Rams on Saturday.

Rydalmere Lions FC – Central Coast United FC 2-0

Two quick fire goals decided this contest as Rydalmere registered a 2-0 win against Central Coast United on Saturday night.

The hosts were quick through the gates and found themselves 1-0 up within a matter of minutes via Tom Gittany as he connected perfectly with Dillan Kahale’s cross.

The Lions soon found themselves two to the good from a Matt West penalty on 20 minutes. The striker dusted himself to convert from the spot after initially being taken down in the box.

The second goal proved to be even more costly for the Pirates as they lost defender Geordie Howe to injury.

Stu Davis’ side had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit after the interval when Scott McGinley was afforded a free header from Josh Swadling’s peach of a free kick.

Another injury, this time to the experienced Matt Crowell saw the visitors close out the game with two 17-year-old’s in defence.

Central Coast still managed to put on a show despite the lack of experience as they held the Lions to nil in the second half.

That is now four straight clean sheets for Rydalmere as they make the trip to Jensen Park next Saturday to meet Bankstown United.

Meanwhile, the sixth placed Pirates entertain Dully at Pluim Park in their next league encounter.

Canterbury Bankstown FC – Inner West Hawks FC 3-1

It was Canterbury Bankstown who came out on top in the bottom of the table clash against the Hawks at the Crest on Saturday night.

Berries raced to a 2-0 lead after with Andre Guzman putting the hosts ahead on the quarter hour mark with a well-timed volley.

A handball in the Hawks’ box saw the home side awarded a penalty which was in turn buried by Michael Trajkovski 10 minutes later.

The visitors replied five minutes later following some pinball in the penalty area.

Wally Savor’s men made sure of the three points on the hour mark thanks to Andre Guzman who capitalised on Lachlan Mailey’s delightful cross into the box.

Berries will be hoping that this result is not just a flash in the pan as they head to Majors Bay Reserve on Tuesday night to face off against Inter in their rescheduled round 3 clash.

Meanwhile, tough opposition awaits the Hawks as they return to Arlington Oval to host a rampant Bankstown City.

-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)