NPLNSW R6: White Eagles overpower stubborn St George

Bonnyrigg White Eagles backed up their win against South Coast Wolves with a 3:0 victory at home to St George.

The first half of this match proved to be a tightly contested affair. While lacking the starpower of the White Eagles, St George kept themselves in the game with a stubbornly defensive effort in the first 45 minutes.

St George’s Dion Shaw saved an early shot on goal from Bonnyrigg’s Mitchell Long. This set the tone for the first half, with the White Eagles holding possession better but unable to find the goal which could have opened the floodgates.

Midway through the first half, an indirect free kick inside St George’s penalty goal presented Robbie Younis with Bonnyrigg’s next goal opportunity. However, his shot was blocked on the line. Tynan Diaz followed up on the rebound but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Howard Fondyke tried his luck from distance on the half hour mark but with no luck.

Late in the first half however, a great cross from Adrian Ucchino found Younis at the far post. Younis connected with his head but lacked the required force to really threaten the scoreboard.

A combination of poor finishing and St George’s defensive efforts ensured both sides went into the break with no goals.

An early chance in the second half to St George was their best chance of the evening. George Codrea shot from just outside the box but it travelled over the bar.

A break to Bonnyrigg saw Younis with another effort on goal but he curled his shot just wide of the right hand post.

It was Alex Canak who finally broke the deadlock. A deflected corner, taken by Bonnyrigg’s ever present captain Chris Tadrosse, fell kindly to Canak who tapped the ball in from close range.

From here, it was all Bonnyrigg. They started carving out great opportunities, thanks to St George committing themselves to chasing an equaliser.

Ken Chun slipped a great ball to Canak who sent the ball over when he the better option was taking a touch or two to get closer to goal and then shoot.

With five minutes left on the clock, the White Eagles doubled their lead. Fondyke’s cross found the head of Younis, who made no mistake this time.

Just a few minutes later, Bonnyrigg and their fans thought Chun had made it three. Running on to a through ball, Chun delightfully chipped St George’s goalkeeper Dion Shaw. His chip hit the underside of the crossbar and for all money looked as though it had crossed the line. However with the linesman racing to catch the ball, he judged the ball had not crossed the line and play continued.

But Bonnyrigg weren’t to be denied a third. Younis was awarded a penalty after being challenged awkwardly in the box and he stepped up to take the penalty, making it 3:0 and emphatically sealing the 3 points.

Brian Brown, coach of the White Eagles, was pleased with the result. “I was very, very pleased with the performance and the result. St George came here well organised and we knew that they would make it difficult for us.”

St George coach Manny Spanoudakis was happy with some things, while being disappointed with the result. “I think we were in it until we conceded a very soft goal from the corner. Unfortunately at this level if you drop your concentration for a split second, you’re punished.”

Match Stats

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Alexander Canak 63’, Robbie Younis 85’, 92’)

St George 0

Saturday 19th April, 2014

Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg

Referee: Chris Young

Assistant referees: Mitch Clark and David Haslett

Fourth Official: Craig Fisher

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Matthew Nash; 5.Chris Tadrosse, 6.Nikola Zonjic, 7.Tynan Diaz, 8.Alexander Canak (19.Aaron Peterson 88’), 9.Robert Younis, 10.Mitchell Long (13.Adam Jenner 88’), 11.Benjamin Spruce (2. Alex Mansueto 90’), 16.Howard Fondyke, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 21.Bo Hyun-Chun

Substitutes not used: 15.Stevan Ilic, 20. Tristan Prendergast

Yellow Cards: Benjamin Spruce 49’

Red Cards: Nil

St George: 1.Dion Shaw; 2.Costa Andricopoulos (16.Jonathan Castano-Acero), 3.David Dascal, 6.Mirko Jurilj, 7.Christoper Gomez, 10.Bruno Pivato (11.Laureano Gomez-Castro 70’), 12.Aleksander Jovocic, 13.Lenox Tweneboa, 15.Djordje Degenak, 19.David Talevski, 23.George Codrea

Substitutes not used: 5.Bill Tsanidis, 9.Jason Naidovski, 21.Lucas North

Yellow Cards: George Codrea 15’, Christopher Gomez 45’

Red Cards: Nil

Photo, Coach’s Comments and Match Stats kindly supplied by Football NSW.

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