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STALEMATE AT SEYMOUR SHAW PARK
The Marconi Stallions have secured a point, away to the high-flying
Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday night.
In front of another big and
vocal home crowd, the match
came to life in the final 25’ minutes, although in the end, the
defence from both sides proved too good.
The opening stages
of the match provided some promising signs for the Stallions who found
themselves with a good share of possession.
Jason Trifiro
unleashed a long-range snap-shot inside of the 1’ minute, who was
nearly in on goals a few minutes later, but for a timely intervention
by Sharks' keeper Phillip Zabaks.
Sutherland’s first
goal scoring attempt fell to Nick Stavroulakis, who picked up a poorly
cleared free-kick by the Stallions defence, though the hardworking
midfielder’s shot-turn-pass amounted to nothing.
The half played out
to be a scrappy affair, with many poor first touches – from both sides
– summing up the first 45’ minutes.
Sutherland took
control in the closing stages of the first period with one of the
better chances falling to the Sharks top-scorer, Brad Boardman.
The tall striker
latched onto an exquisite through ball from Ben Spruce – sending the
striker one-on-one with James Chronopoulos – though the Stallions’
defence was very quick to react and thwart Boardman’s chance.
The second
forty-five minutes continued with the same speed that the first period
ended, and again the Stallions created the first chance of the half.
Vuko Tomasevic’s
long-range free-kick was driven hard and low into the penalty-area,
though amidst the crowded bodies, the chance went begging for Marconi.
The
half came alive in the 72’ minute when Sutherland Sharks’ goalkeeper
Phillip Zabaks received a straight red card for foul language.
The referee had no
hesitation to brandish the Sharks shot-stopper the red card, sparking
scenes of discontent from both the Sharks bench and the supporters –
following Tallan Martin’s yellow card moments earlier for dissent..
Reserve goalkeeper
Michael Brandalise, who kept goal for the Sharks’ Under 20 side
earlier in the evening, entered the fray – Jim Bakis the unlucky
player making way for his entrance.
The Stallions’
introduction of Tolgay Ozbey did provide David Barrett’s men with some
additional strength up-front, and Ozbey made his presence felt
immediately.
The visitor's best chance came in
the 81st minute when a
long searching ball from midfield was misjudged by Michael Katz,
allowing Matthew Gordon a look-in on goal from the left side of the
penalty-area – Gordon’s rushed snap-shot effort though failed to force
Brandalise to make a save.
Brandalise was
called upon moments later as Gordon found himself with the ball at his
feet on the edge of the area. The Stallions’ midfielder hit a
low-driven effort, though the Sharks’ reserve shot-stopper was up to
the task, and he produced a world class save down to his right.
The final chance of
the match fell to the home-side as a lively Matthew Hall, who had
replaced Nick Stavroulakis earlier, found some space after rounding
two players on the right flank.
MATCH STATS
Sutherland Sharks 0
Marconi Stallions 0
Venue:
Seymour
Shaw
Referee:
Matthew Gillett
Assistant Referees:
Gareth Askham, Sarah Ho
Fourth Official:
David Morris
Crowd:
Approx. 1,500.
Sutherland Sharks:
99. Phillip Zabaks; 2. George Souris (C), 3. Brendan Gan, 4. Pedj
Bojic, 6. Shane Lyons, 7. Jim Bakis (21. Michael Brandalise 72’), 8.
David Huxley, 9. Bradley Boardman, 11. Ben Spruce (38. Michael
Robinson 90’), 15. Michael Katz, 14. Nick Stavroulakis (10. Matthew
Hall 70’)
Substitutes not
used:
39. Neil Jablonski, 16. A. Derazkala
Yellow Cards:
David Huxley 40’
Red Cards:
Phillip Zabaks 72’
Marconi Stallions:
1. James Chronopoulos; 2. Wade Oostendorp, 3. Vuko Tomasevic, 6. Luke
Casserly (C), 8. Tallan Martin, 9. Kain Rastall (10. Tolgay Ozbey
55’), 11. Matthew Gordon, 57’), 18. Jason Trifiro, 23. Christopher
Nunes (15. Timothy McGowan 61’), 32. Ben Bronneberg, 38. Umut Tokdogan
Subs not used:
20. Cem Akilli; 5. Nathan Moulds, 16. Glen Trifiro.
Yellow Cards:
Jason Trifiro 58’, Tallan Martin 67’, Vuko Tomasevic 68’
-With Soccer NSW and Joseph
Carlucci |
