Sharks have first defeat after stunning Sydney FC
The Sutherland Sharks Premier League soccer team has had a dramatic reversal of fortunes in the past week. After beating Sydney FC 2 – 1 in a trial for the A-League season last Thursday night, they were dramatically beaten 3 – 1 by 11th placed Blacktown in the Premier League last Sunday.
As Joseph Carlucci reported for Football NSW:
Sutherland Sharks’ twenty-four match unbeaten streak came to a surprising end on Sunday as bottom-placed Blacktown City Demons caught the League leader unawares at Gabbie Stadium. Ben Ellis kick-started the Demons charge towards their third win of the season with a neatly taken opportunity with only goalkeeper Phillip Zabaks to beat.
Blacktown celebrates shock win (photo from Football NSW web site)
Jim Bakis had the Sharks on level terms just after the break, though ‘Man of the Match’ Chris Bedzo re-instated the Demons lead. Confirmation of the Sharks’ first loss of the season arrived in the 89’ minute when an unlucky deflection off Shane Lyons finished in the back of the net providing Blacktown City with the motivation required to fight their way off the foot of the table. For more on Football NSW go to: http://www.soccernsw.com.au/index.php?id=11
Possibly Sutherland’s defeat stemmed from a letdown after its euphoric victory over Sydney FC the previous Thursday. As reported by Terry Aylett, of Sydney FC the A League team has stumbled in its build up for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season, going down 2 – 1 last week against previously undefeated New South Wales Premier League leader, Sutherland. The visiting A-League side dominated for large periods of the match in front of a capacity crowd of around 4,000 at Seymour Shaw Park, leaving Coach John Kosmina in a confident mood, despite the one goal defeat.
“We were a bit rusty, definitely Sutherland were a little bit sharper than us, but I thought we knocked the ball around exceptionally well and played some really good football at times which I’m happy with, we’ll only get better.”
From the kick-off Sutherland showed no fear against their A-League opponent, almost opening the scoring with a skidding shot across the face of goal in the second minute lf the match. Sydney FC settled quickly though, and following some clever build up came close off the boot of Alex Brosque. The visitors dominated possession in the middle of the park, but posed little threat to the Sharks’ goal.
Sutherland on the other hand showed glimpses of why it’s yet to taste defeat in the Premier League and tested FC’s defence with every cutting counter attack. Sydney’s first real chance fell to Olympic hopeful, Mark Bridge on the half hour.
Playing his first match in Sydney FC colours, the skilful striker ghosted into the box and fired a full-blooded blow. That shot sprayed wide however, and moments later it was Sutherland that opened the scoring when Neil Jablonski beat Clint Bolton with a blinding strike on the near post.
It looked like FC would go to the break a goal down, but a curling Simon Colosimo corner one minute from half time got Sydney back in the game. Defender, Jacob Timpano rose to meet the ball on the far post, and his header gave the Sharks’ keeper no hope, levelling the ledger at one all.
Kosmina stuck with the same on-field combinations to start the second half, with Ivan Necevski the only change in the Sydney FC goal. But a piece of individual brilliance blotted the replacement keeper’s card five minutes after the restart. Sutherland substitute, Matt Hall dribbled through the defence and gave Necevski no chance with his finish, re-establishing the home side’s advantage.
Sydney continued to search for a way to break down the Sharks at the back, but Sutherland kept getting bodies behind the ball. A late flurry of activity saw both keepers called on to make some spectacular saves as the action swung from end to end, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
New Sydney recruit, Chris Payne came on to make his debut in the 77th minute and the teenager was instantly involved in the action, but he didn’t have time to make a real impact, with the referee blowing full time soon after, and sentencing Sydney to its first defeat of the season.
Sydney FC 1. Clint Bolton [gk](20. Ivan Necevski 41’ [gk]), 5. Mitchell Prentice, 2. Ian Fyfe, 17. Jacob Timpano, 7. Robert Middleby, 8. Stuart Musialik, 15. Terry McFlynn (3. Nikolas Tsattalios 56’), 4. Simon Colosimo (21. Adam Biddle 70’), 10. Steve Corica (11. Joe Schrippa 41’), 19. Mark Bridge, 14. Alex Brosque (18. Chris Payne 77’); Goals Timpano 40’
Sutherland Sharks 99. Phil Zabaks [gk] (21. Matt Brandruso 77’), 2. George Souris, 15. Mike Katz (37. Jim Nikas 41’), 4. Predrag Bojic, 6. Shane Lyons (13. John Blakey 63’), 8. David Huxley, 7. Dimitri Bakis (14. Nick Stavroularkis 41’), 39. Neil Jablonski (10. Matt Hall 61’), 23. David Reid (20. James Lawrence 61’), 9. Brad Boardman (38. Mick Robinson 61’); Goals Jablonski 30’, Hall 46’ Sharks hit hard by Blacktown
The Sharks opponents in last weekend’s Premier Youth League soccer were the well performed Blacktown City teams. In contrast to the previous week’s games where the Sharks dominated Bankstown with a goal feast, against Blacktown only the table topping 13s could score and come up with a win.
The Sharks 14s battled hard against Blacktown in a top of the table clash but ultimately lost out 1 nil. Both the Sharks and Blacktown still lead the table on 53 points with the Sharks slightly ahead on goal difference. Despite their shock draw against ladder leader Blacktown, the Sharks 15s are languishing in 11th spot. The Sharks 18s and 16s are well out of play-off contention.
Full results for last weekend’s games between Sutherland Sharks and Blacktown City were:
Under 18: Sharks lost 2 nil
Under 16: Sharks lost 3 nil
Under 15: Sharks had nil all draw
Under 14: Sharks lost 1 nil
Under 13: Sharks won 2 - 1
For more stories and results in the Premier Youth League competition click on: http://theshire.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=2790 Sutherland slow Comets to top table in WABL
Continuing their charge towards the finals, the Sutherland Sharks Waratah Australian Basketball League (WABL) men’s team has knocked over previous leader the Sydney Comets 101 – 97 last weekend. The 101 – 97 win puts the Sharks on equal points with Comets, but local side is now on top of the ladder due to a better for and against record. For the Sharks Ben Conquista scored 28, Bj Carter 27 and Brendan Clowry 22 points. For the Comets Blake Borgia (23), Stephen Whitehead (17) and Chris Steiber (17) topped the scoring.
In the women’s game, the 8th placed Sharks could not make it three wins in a row against the second placed Comets. The comprehensive 70 – 27 loss leaves the Sharks in 8th place on the 11 team ladder. Sutherland to Surf Fun Run – entries now open online
Entries can now be made online for the Sutherland to Surf Fun run on July 27. For more details click on: http://theshire.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=2928 Volunteers in sport
There’s no doubt that volunteers are vital to the successful running of a sports club. NSW Sport and Recreation recently commissioned Griffith University to complete a study of innovative volunteer club practices and the issues facing volunteers throughout New South Wales. Read the study’s report on http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportsclubs/ryc_volunteer.asp More Stories?
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