ROUND 12 REVIEW – NPL 3 NSW MEN’S

A derby win for Bankstown United headlines the weekend’s proceedings as we break down all that was in round 12 of the 2021 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition.

Bankstown United were the side left celebrating after they knocked off Bankstown City in the latest derby showdown, Rydalmere Lions sent out a warning shot to the rest of the competition as they soared past Inter Lions while Magic registered a highly-craved three points thanks to their victory over the Hawks in Sunday’s sole encounter.

Central Coast United FC – Sydney University SFC 1-1

The 10 men of Central Coast rescued a point from their fixture against Sydney Uni at Pluim Park on Saturday night.

A red card to Yuki Morikawa thwarted what was a very bright start for the Pirates after he was sent off for a handball in the penalty area on 40 minutes. Fortunately, they were not immediately punished with Peter Crevani’s spot kick saved by Jack O’Mally.

The second half saw Uni finally break Central Coast’s resolve with Charlie Day getting on the scoresheet in the 68th minute after some expert build up play with Scott Tonkin.

However, it was not meant to be Uni’s night with the Pirates arriving with an equaliser that arrived in stunning form from Mason Wells with around six minutes left on the clock.

A point each sees both sides respective positions on the table remain unchanged with the Pirates in seventh and Uni in ninth.

Up next for Central Coast is a visit to Dunbar while Uni face off against Magic on Friday night.

Bankstown United FC – Bankstown City FC 3-0

Well, well, well. Not many would have expected such a score line in this fiery contest on Saturday night.

The opening 20 minutes saw City take the match by the scruff of the neck however Blake Tuxford was in formidable form as he denied Tai Smith with crucial saves on not one but two occasions.

It was now United’s turn up the other end with Mitch Edmunds proving more successful than his counterpart as he rifled home on top of the six yard box to give Scott Belgre’s side the lead only minutes before the break.

Momentum remained with the ‘hosts’ as they doubled their lead thanks to Kallie Bangura two minutes after the interval.

The Lions’ night went from bad to worse soon after as Shane Cansdell-Sheriff was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Their misery was further compounded when former Lions man Marko Filipovic weighed in with United’s third with a piercing shot that made its way into the bottom corner.

The action did not end there with Huss Jasli given his marching orders in the dying moments of the encounter which meant that the Lions finished the fixture with nine players on the pitch.

A poor derby performance will not do the Lions any favour as they prepare for a blockbuster showdown with Rydalmere.

Meanwhile, United will be on cloud nine as they climb to fifth ahead of their short trip to the Crest to verse the Berries.

Dulwich Hill FC – Canterbury Bankstown FC 2-2

Dulwich Hill were able to hold on for a point with 10 men as they drew 2-2 with Canterbury Bankstown at Arlington Oval on Saturday night.

A lightning quick start by the hosts saw them go 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes courtesy of a Daniel Fornito double.

Fornito’s first came in the form of a volley which lobbed Berries’ Michael Figueira 19 minutes in. His brace arrived around two minutes later after Alex Nicolosi rounded the keeper 35 metres out from goal before cutting it back to Fornito to slot it into the net.

The second half belonged to Berries as they showed pure strength and determination to claw their way back into the contest.

Andre Guzman’s five star volley reduced the deficit on 66 minutes before Dully were reduced to 10 men when Alex Vellar was given a second yellow card in the 81st minute.

Step up Kohei Makanai who completed the comeback with a rifle of a strike that nestled into the bottom right corner in second half stoppage time.

A point for Dully is enough to see them leapfrog Bankstown on the ladder into second ahead of their trip to Concord while Berries remain in 11th ahead of their home fixture against Bankstown United.

Macarthur Rams FC – Dunbar Rovers FC 1-1

It was a case of déjà vu for Macarthur and Dunbar as they recorded the same score line at Lynwood Park as they did back in round one at Heffron Park.

Mark Symington was once again the Rams’ saviour in front of goal on Saturday night as he opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty on the 20th minute mark.

Macarthur maintained their advantage until around the 60th minute as Aram Tayebi broke through to equalise for the visitors.

A share of the points sees Macarthur retain seventh spot on the ladder while Rovers remain in 10th. The Rams head to the inner west next weekend to take on the Hawks while Dunbar return home to welcome the Pirates.

Rydalmere Lions FC – Inter Lions FC 5-0

Rydalmere were ruthless on Saturday night as they dispatched of Inter Lions 5-0 in what was predicted to be a relatively tight contest.

The hosts first of the evening came via Matt West who backheeled Mitchell Gibbs’ delightful cross into the back of the net.

Inter were showing plenty of promise in the final third however unlike their hosts they were unable to turn those chances into goals.

A second for Gavin Rae’s men was soon on the cards with Thomas Gittany getting on the end of Dillan Kahale’s cross on the half hour mark.

A goalkeeping error after the break saw Rydalmere extend their advantage with Gittany helping himself to a brace. It was then time for Kahale to get in on the act as he made it 4-0 for the home side with a peach of a left footed finish.

The scoring was not done there with West also notching a brace when he was expertly played in by under 20’s star player Kyle Sande.

Rydalmere now head to Jensen Park full of confidence as they go head to head against Bankstown City while Inter will be hoping to return to winning ways as they entertain Dully.

Gladesville Ryde Magic – Inner West Hawks 2-1

It was a welcome return to the winners circle for Gladesville Ryde Magic as they saw off Inner West Hawks 2-1 at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Gaitatzis’ breakthrough on 14 minutes proved to be the only first half action as Magic entered the sheds 1-0 up.

The second half saw Hawks reply by none other than Peter Yannopoulos who levelled the scoring in the 53rd minute.

The score remained locked at 1-1 for just five minutes with Michael Gaitatzis popping up with the winner after he rifled home an indirect free kick which was teed up by his brother, Chris.

The three points sees Magic consolidate fourth spot ahead of their meeting with Uni on Friday night while Hawks gear up for a home match with Macarthur.

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