NSWNPL Round 22: Bonnyrigg crowned Premiers as Spartans crumble
The weather played havoc with Football NSW’s Super Sunday in the NPL. Heavy rain saw Football NSW move games to other grounds in order to maintain 3pm kick-offs, while Bonnyrigg’s game against Olympic was moved to Lambert Park and kick-off delayed to 6pm.
The White Eagles eagerly waited to hear the result of the Blacktown Derby. They needed Blacktown City to do them a favour and beat Blacktown Spartans but realistically most fan expectation lied in Spartans winning and thus sealing the Premiership.
However Blacktown City had other ideas. They came out all guns blazing while the Spartans saved their worst game for last. City ran riot, thumping the Spartans 7:0 and ending a 4 game winless run. With that result, the White Eagles knew a win would seal the Premiership and a spot in the NPL Champions Series.
The tension at Lambert Park was high. It was a game that the White Eagles mostly dominated. Olympic were not without their chances though and there were moments they could have snuck a goal, especially towards the end of the game.
Bonnyrigg showed their intent from the outset. Within 15 seconds of kick-off they were in Olympic’s box but were unable to get a shot away. Olympic responded almost as quick but were unable to come away with anything.
Matthew Nash smothered another Olympic opportunity shortly after. Olympic’s Taiga Soeda played an excellent pass, splitting the White Eagles defence but Dimitri Hatzimouratis couldn’t get past Nash.
Christos Tomaras was the next to have a chance at Nash. Soeda again provided the ball but Tomaras was unable to control his shot.
Bonnyrigg’s first real opportunity came from Robbie Younis. The White Eagles were awarded a free kick approximately 25 metres out. Younis stepped up, unleashing a curling shot heading to the top corner but Paul Henderson was equal to the task to keep the scores level at 0:0.
Michael Gaitatzis had an opportunity for Olympic 10 minutes later. He received a pass from Go Shirai but skied his attempt over the cross bar.
Bonnyrigg’s Alex Mansueto had Bonnyrigg’s next opportunity. He easily beat Troy Danaskos, not for the first time, before unleashing a rocket at Henderson who was equal to the task.
There was some drama for Bonnyrigg shortly after. White Eagles custodian Matthew Nash had been limping for a few minutes and was unable to kick the ball well. He was substituted for Tristian Prendergast who had performed well in recent opportunities.
Terry McFlynn put Aaron Peterson through shortly before half time. Peterson was unable to guide his shot to goal, with the ball fizzing past the top right hand corner.
Both sides went into the break at half time level at 0:0. There were 45 minutes left for the White Eagles to claim the throne and the level score had only seen the tension amongst the fans increase.
Bonnyrigg started the second half in much better fashion. Bonnyrigg captain Chris Tadrosse was twice open on the left, while Alex Canak had a penalty shout rebuffed in the opening five minutes of the second half.
Olympic were at it again soon after. Brayden Sorge put Tomaras on goal but his shot was deflected to Hatzimouratis. Prendergast was equal to the attack though, saving to keep the White Eagles’ Premiership hopes alive. Hatzimouratis had a couple of more chances a few minutes later but again failed to break the deadlock.
The game was nearing full time and the White Eagles stepped it up a gear. Deep into stoppage time, it was Robbie Younis who got on to a long clearance. He turned past not one, but two Olympic defenders before slotting a low, curling shot past Henderson. The White Eagles staff and fans rejoiced and full time was called a few moments later.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles achieved the impossible in 2014. Blacktown Spartans had a mortgage on the Permiership and were 12 points ahead of the White Eagles at one stage earlier in the season. When it mattered most however, the Spartans crumbled and the White Eagles gladly took the opportunity.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Robbie Younis 90+2)
Sydney Olympic 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Matthew Nash (20.Tristan Prendergast 32’), 2.Alex Mansueto, 5.Chris Tadrosse, 8.Alex Canak, 9.Robbie Younis, 11.Ben Spruce, 12.Dylan Fox, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 19.Aaron Peterson, 21.Ken Chun (10.Tynan Diaz 69’), 35.Terry McFlynn (6.Nikola Zonjic 46’)
Substitutions not used: 14.Jordan Crighton, 16.Howard Fondyke
Sydney Olympic: 1.Paul Henderson, 2.Brayden Sorge, 3.Troy Danaskos, 6.Ryan Keir, 9.Dimitri Hatzimouratis, 14.Peter Markovic (4.Brendan Hooper 74’), 15.Yianni Spyrakis, 18.Taiga Soeda, 19.Go Shirai, 33.Christos Tomaras (25.Luca Falcone 74’), 39.Michael Gaitatzis (7.William Angel 56’)
Substitutions not used: 111.Nick Sorras, 24.Bradley Treloar
Yellow Cards: Henderson 45’, Spyrakis 85’
Photos provided by Football NSW.
Google+