(Photo: 1st grade trial vs Fairfield Lions - by Chris Dunkerley)
RYDE CITY
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2003 Season Results & Reports
2002 Season Results & Reports
"Ryde Rain on Wanderers Parade" Match Report: In continual drizzle Ryde City rained on Hajduk's top five chances with a deserved 2-0 win with a goal at each end of the game. Hajduk Wanderers had a chance to clinch a finals berth if they defeated Ryde and other results went well for them. Neither happened but it was the solid defence by the Ryde back four that blunted an impressive attack line of Tim Gledhill, Chris Camilleri, and Elsid Barkhousir.
Ryde won an early corner on the left in the 3rd minute, which they capitalised on with Glen Willis's header being helped into the net off a defender. Four minutes later Hajduk had a chance but Paul Crisp blasted over from 20m. Tim Gledhill, making space for himself on the left and staying just on-side received a through ball and made for the goal area but Tim Goodrick tracked back to tackle him very well. In the 17th minute Chris Andrews sent over a nice cross to Alex Wilkinson but the Young Socceroo's shot was blocked. Dean McCreath proved his worth in the Ryde goal when he parried Chris Camilleri's point blank 19th minute shot. Both teams battle for midfield control and the next chance came in the 39th minute when Gledhill slung the ball over the top to an overlapping Brendan Salemah but again McCreath blocked the on target shot. Just before half-time Hajduk had a chance when Gledhill shot attampting to control the ball in the penalty area but it came off a defender.
After the break the St John's Park side got on top with Camilleri drawing a save from McCreath and hitting a free kick at the edge of the penalty area well over the crossbar, all within the first 4 minutes. Seven minutes later Gledhill missed with a header from a corner from the right by Camilleri, and then Crisp headed over. The best Ryde could pull out was a speculator from Damian Pisano in the 70th minute. Again Hajduk attacked the stout defence of the Gunners, and Camilleri got to ball to Gledhill in the area, he was cleanly tackled by Turner and the ball fell nicely to substitute Barkhousir whose stinging shot was blocked by a quick moving McCreath. Ryde couldn't get their shots on target but Hajduk looked lethal when in the 82nd minute Salemah knocked in a perfectly weighted cross to Barkhousir for once unmarked in the centre and the powerful point-blank shot was again parried by McCreath. Under pressure Ryde started conceding free-kicks and in the referee's eyes yellow cards. One free-kick in the 85th minute saw Camilleri shoot through the crowded goal area and centimetres wide a\outside the left upright. Ryde were playing as much as they could on the break and in the 88th minute Damian Pisano at last received a ball that he could shield rather than chase. With two men closing to attend to him he accelerated to the left of the penalty area and curled the ball over the advancing Daniel Schwarzer in the Hajduk goal. A fine solo effort to give Ryde their fourth win of the season, and to rain on Hajduk's parade.
Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 3. Chris Andrews, 14. BJ Van Wyk, 9. Glen Willis, 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 10. Paul Nero, 10. Tim Goodrick (5. David Chircop 89'), 7. Damien Pisano, 12. Alex Wilkinson, 11. Craig Young (13. Daniel Nero 66'); Sub not used: 4. Stuart Wright; Coach: Jim Harte
That was the final Ryde game for season 2004 - the five final series teams are Manly Warringah, Stanmore, Sydney University, Fairfield, and Fraser Park.
"Gunners Can't Bring Down Hawks" Match Report:
In an entertaining and competitive game Ryde City twice went ahead but in the end were outgunned by Stanmore 4 goals to 2. The game commenced in a party atmosphere at Magdala as a good crowd of visiting Hawks fans picnicked in the sun in the parklands at the ground which nestles in the Lane Cove Valley, but that was cut short as early as the 2nd minute when Ryde's fringe Socceroo Nick Carle was found free on the left, and beating an advancing attacker to the ball he steered it into the net with the Hawks 'keeper Con Anastasiads well out of position. At the other end in the 9th minute Richie Cardozo got a shot on target but it hit one of his own men on the way and skewed to the Ryde 'keeper Dean McCreath. This miss was redeemed seven minutes later when former Gunner John Fotiadis got up on the right and squared the ball across the penalty box for Cardozo to side-foot into the net. At last Ryde battled back and in the 33rd minute Damian Pisano got free on the left after receiving a lob over the defence and ran into the box. Shrugging off defenders his shot at the near post came off that post and then as the keeper scrambled on the ground the ball bounced into the net. As has been too often the case for Ryde, within two minutes Stanmore were back level when Sargun Dawd struck a fine drive past McCreath from 15m. The game had been very even and it didn't look like no. 2 vs. no. 14, but disaster struck for Ryde when Daniel Nero, in going up to head the ball clear from the penalty area unfortunately handled it. Sargun Dawd made no mistake with the penalty in the 38th minute.
As rain fell the second half started with Fotiadis hitting a snap shot from the right but McCreath was across well to take it. One minute later Sargun Dawd hit his shot over the crossbar from within the box under great pressure. In the 58th minute Pisano broke free on the left and his strike on target was deflected by the outstretched foot of George Skoulos, with the keeper beaten. Five mins later Fotiadis hit a speculator which just missed the right upright. In the 71st minute Carle hit a swerving shot on the run from 20m which the keeper parried, but the rebound came to Carle but his 2nd shot was palmed for a corner only. In the 78th minute Dawd got into the area and his back-heel went just wide on the right. The Hawks wrapped up the game in the 84th minute when Ivan Zelic crossed from the left, and found David James whose header sailed past a wrong footed McCreath. Stanmore's feat was not enough as news came through that the Dolphins had won and taken out the 2004 premiership over them.
Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 12. BJ Van Wyk, 9. Glen Willis, 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 10. Paul Nero, 13. Daniel Nero (18. Tim Goodrick +55'), 19. Nick Carle, 7. Damien Pisano, 5. Alex Wilkinson, 11. Craig Young; Sub not used: 15. Liam O'Sullivan, 16. Stuart Wright; Coach: Jim Harte "Ryde Handed The Wooden Spoon" Match Report: MSC Liverpool lifted a burden for themselves when they defeated Ryde City 3-1 on Sunday and handed the 'wooden spoon' to the Northern Districts club which is now 7 points adrift of the league table with only two games left. In strong gusty winds and on a bumpy dusty pitch it wasn't a game for the purist, with Liverpool's greater hunger and more direct tactics getting them the win but the play being scrappy and possession turned over often by both teams.
Despite early pressure from the Liverpool side Ryde got the first chance when from a breakaway they were awarded a free kick. Nick Carle stepped up and curled one on target but the south western side's goalkeeper Steven Minovski was equal to the challenge and punched the ball away. Play was hurried by both sides and in the 9th minute David Lagudi shot wide on the right for Liverpool, followed by reinstated Ryde defender Glen Willis shooting over the bar from 20m a few moments later. In the 15th minute a nice interchange between Carle and Willis, saw Carle through on the run but he shot over. In the 20th minute Liverpool should have grabbed their first goal when despite three attempts by Lagudi on McCreath like a pinball, it finally sailed wide.
Patric Polito sent a sweet corner kick curling to the inside of the near post but Dean McCreath in the Ryde goal was quickly down to smother. Paul Bourke and Alimir Dizdaric both went close. Ryde were on balance getting on top and Paul Nero scared the locals with header which went just over under pressure, however disaster for Ryde came in the 37th minute when Ryde failed to clear the ball from defence and Domanic Rossi caught it on the run and placed it past McCreath.
After the break Adam Barnett got up on the right and from his cross Daniel Willoughby shot across goal from the left side. Daniel Nero also shot acros the face of goal, but in the 20th minute he hit a snap shot from 20m which the keeper did well to handle. Damian Pisano was gradually getting space up the left, and in the 25th minute he hit a shot just wide off an Alex Wilkinson cross from the right. Alas this revival was short lived as in the 73rd minute Almir Dizdaric scored a soft goal. Daniel Willoughby overlapped on the right and got a stinging shot in, which McCreath could only parry. The ball bounced around a Dizdaric's shot could not be cleared off the line by Simon Turner.
In the 78th Ryde had a chance through a one-two by Carle and Pisano but the shot only hit the side netting of the goal. A few minutes later Daniel Willoughby scored after he was picked out by a cross from the left, having drifted up on the right, beating McCreath with a firm strike. Ryde gained what was only a consolation goal when in the 81st minute substitute Tim Goodrick scored his first goal of the season. Ryde now plays two top 5 teams and can only play for pride and hope that with the folding of Nepean Association Ryde will be allowed to stay up next season rather than return to the 1st Division after 3 seasons in the Super League.
Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 4. BJ Van Wyk, 3. Chris Andrews (12. Tim Goodrick +55'), 5. Glen Willis, 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 10. Paul Nero, 13. Daniel Nero (14. Liam O'Sullivan +77'), 19. Nick Carle, 7. Damien Pisano, 18. Alex Wilkinson; Sub not used: RGK Tony Petrovski, Brad Harte, Steve Baveas; Coach: Jim Harte
MSC Liverpool - 1. Steven Minovski, (GK), 2. Peter Moon, 5. Ben Realph, 6. David Lagudi, 7. Domanic Rossi, 8. Paul Bourke (17. Scott Watkins +85'), 9. Almir Dizdaic (14. Stuart Southall +76'), 10. Adam Barnett, 11. Daniel Willoughby, 15. Criss Fallico (12. Casey Johnson 70'), 18. Patric Polito; Subs not used: RGK: Nicolas Jelic
Referee: D. Apostolou, Assistant Referees: D. & A. Murray; 4th Official: W. Filipczyk
Yellow Cards: Ryde City - Corey Pendlebury 29', Nick Carle 39', Daniel Nero 53', Chris Andrews 55', Simon Turner 71'; Liverpool: Nil. Next Sunday's game is at home (Magdala Park, North Ryde) vs. Stanmore Hawks.
"Ryde Trampled By Minotaurs" Five goals to the Minotaurs Demetri Zakilas, with only the one reply by Paul Nero, left the Gunners 'wandering in the labyrinth. The only lifeline for them to avoid the wooden spoon and possible relegation is in their own hands as the next game is against second last placed Liverpool MSC.
With former young Socceroo and Northern Spirit defender Alex Wilkinson back it was hoped that Ryde could pick up points against the Minotaurs but 'the General's' men had a job to do - allow their coach to jet off to Greece without fears of dropping to the bottom of the table. This they did with great enthusiasm, aided by Ryde's failure to track and mark Zakilas. Coach Jim Harte was blunt after the game - "they all think they can play like Manchester United, and forget to do the simple things."
Only 5 minutes into the game Demetri Zakilas gave warning of what was to come when he ghosted to the far right post and unmarked received an early cross, drawing Dean McCreath in the Gunners goal, and knocked it in. The Minotaurs were playing wide with Merino Musemici causing Corey Pendlebury problems down the left. In the 18th minute Zakilas again was free but this time in the centre but McCreath came out fast to force him to shoot high. Ryde were lacking in penetration and Daniel Nero tried to improvise with an overhead kick that went wide on the left. At last Damian Pisano got far up field in the 31st minute, switching to the right but only found the side-netting. Alas in the 42nd minute the Ryde defence failed to clear the ball, trying to play it out, and Zakilas at the far post again slotted the ball home. Ryde tried to come back, with Nick Carle hitting a shot in the 44th minute that George Bouropoulos in the Minotaurs goal got down to smother and a minute later Carle's free-kick found Liam O'Sullivan but the lad's snap shot went just wide.
Hope again for Ryde when Paul Nero swung the ball into the net from a great cross from Damian Pisano, who had surged down the left and got behind the defence. Hope was dashed when two minutes later a curling free kick from the right found Zakilas free on the left and his strong header beat McCreath, and he had his hat-trick! . Six minutes later another free kick and again Zakilas's run was not picked up and he scored. One minute later he almost beat McCreath in a one-on-one, but the custodian pushed the ball out and the striker hit it across goal. Ryde substitute Daniel Hillege responded in kind a few minutes later and BJ Van Wyk shot over from 20m. The Hurstville team were getting a little disorganised and a Nick Carle free-kick tested the keeper, who fumbled the ball but there was no follow through. In the 72nd minute Carle sent a free kick to O'Sullivan but he shot wide. In the 79th minute Minotaurs sent a long cross from the left, and exposed McCreath could only punch. The ball fell to, yes you guessed, Demetri Zakilas who shot cleanly past the keeper. One last chance to Ryde when captain Simon Turner got forward but his shot, though on target, was deflected for a corner kick.
Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 16. Brad Harte (4. BJ Van Wyk 45'), 3. Chris Andrews (5. Stuart Wright 59'), 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 10. Paul Nero, 13. Daniel Nero (9. Daniel Hillege 59'), 14. Liam O'Sullivan, 19. Nick Carle, 7. Damien Pisano, 18. Alex Wilkinson; Sub not used: RGK Tony Petrovski, ; Coach: Jim Harte "Two Goals Not Enough" Hurstville ZSC needed all their depth of experience to defeat a determined Ryde City Gunners 4-2 at Hurstville Oval today. Ryde shocked the home team with a goal by midfielder Paul Nero header in the 3rd minute. The still depleted Ryde side are languishing at the foot of the table but even with six ex NSL players in their ranks Hurstville had only one win (5-0 over Dulwich Hill) from their past 6 outings. They were desperate for a face-saving win but the very young Ryde team started enthusiastically with Damian Pisano being played down the left flank in the 2nd minute, and he cut it back to Liam O'Sullivan. Promising U20 player O'Sullivan, already enjoying his first start, swung the ball tightly to Craig Young who beat his marker but could only hit the side-netting on the left. One minute later another ball up the left, where Pisano out-sped the marker and swung the ball to the centre where diminutive midfelder Paul Nero received the ball at perfect height and headed strongly past Robert Mustapic in the Hurstville goal.
The home side were stung but recovered quickly and in the 6th minute goal-ace Eddie Adam got in an overhead kick from an early ball from the left, under pressure from Corey Pendlebury, but Dean McCreath was quick to see and take it. One minute later Adam got in a snap shot from the edge of the goal area but the Ryde keeper parried wide. Their fast passing game told in the 16th minute when Tony Alilovic received quickly out of defence and shot from the edge of the goal area, and although McCreath parried the shot it fell back to Alilovic who made no mistake the second time. In the 23rd minute the home side extended their lead when after getting forward in numbers, and with Ryde failing to clear a cross, Ante Duer capitalised. It wasn't all Hurstville despite their possesion of the ball, and in the 31st minute O'Sullivan sent a curling corner kick to Tim Goodrick who just couldn't beat the keeper with a header. Ryde's best chance of the game didn't get a goal when in the 35th minute wily Nick Carl sent a fine early ball up the left flank to Pisano, who got behind the defence and put a ground ball across the goal mouth with the keeper stranded. On the spot was a lurking Goodrick who proceded to put it over the crossbar from within the penalty area and with no keeper to beat. A few minutes later Pisano got a header just over the bar from a Goodrick cross.
The Ryde fans had hope that they could come back but as the second half unfolded it became clear that the experience of Hurstville was the difference when in the 57th minute Eddie Adam earnt his reward with a breakaway goal. Brad Harte had a shot blocked and O'Sullivan hit a curling ball just wide. Three minutes after their third goal Alilovic made it four when he saw McCreath coming off his line and slotted the ball over his head and in. In the 74th minute Ryde got some consolation when Carle threaded a ball to Pisano in a tight position and he sliced it past the home keeper. In the 78th minute sent a corner from the left over the massed players to Pisano who under pressure curled a shot over his shoulder onto the target only to see the keeper parry it. In the 85th minute McCreath was out quickly to smother an Adam shot, and in the 90th Pisano had a shot on target parried. This time a very young and enthusiastic team had to give way to the older and more experienced.
Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 16. Brad Harte (18. Luke Wynn +87'), 3. Chris Andrews, 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 10. Paul Nero, 14. Liam O'Sullivan, 19. Nick Carle, 9. Tim Goodrick, 11. Craig Young (12. Stuart Wright 45'), 7. Damien Pisano; Sub not used: RGK Tony Petrovski, 15. Jamie Jackson; Coach: Jim Harte "Dragons Defeat Young Gunners" Match Report: In constant drizzle Fraser Park eventually overcame a dogged young Ryde City Gunners side in the 2nd half when Manny Papageorgiou grabbed a brace (in the 69th and 75th minutes). Without star striker Tanju Balabanel Fraser Park still had enough depth to have two former NSL players on the bench, whilst Ryde despite having Nick Carle on board included six Under 20 squad members in their fifteen, especially missing UK triallist Alex Wilkinson, injured livewire Steve Baveas and the team's talker defender Glen Willis suspended. In the end their could only be one result, and it is credit to the Gunners that it took the Dragons more than 3/4 of the game to get there, raising themselves back into the top 5.
Fraser Park were able to get in behind the Gunners defence many time in the first half, but generally the crosses went behind the line of attackers or the quick work by Corey Pendlebury and Simon Turner cleared the danger. Ryde had a good chance in the 10th minute when Damien Pisano on the right cut the ball in and passed to Craig Young whose shot was parried by Clint Bolton, only to B J Van Wyck who lunged at the ball and pushed it to the right upright where it rebounded along the line and covered by the Fraser Park defender. Corey Pendlebury covered Manny Papageorgiou in the 23rd minute who was about to gather a smart cross from Tony Faria on the left, but for most of the half the ball was played around at a good pace for the conditions but to little result.
After the break Fraser park got on top early and stayed there until the last 10 minutes. Prompted from midfield by substitute Elias Augerinos and former Gunner Andrew Mailer they gave Tony Petrovski a work out but the bif man performed well. Alas in the 69th minute Archie Markopoulos sent in a cross from the right that Petrovski could only palm away leaving Papageorgiou to score from close range in the 69th minute. Ryde tried to rally but in the 75th minute Tony Faria combined well with Augerinos down the left and the former Sydney Olympic player sent in a perfect cross to Papageorgiou to head in with the Ryde defence still retreating. Pressure was placed on Bolton over the last 10 minutes but Fraser Park looked comfortable enough to end 2-0.
Squads: Ryde - GK. Tony Petrovski, B J Van Wyk (David Chircop +68), Brad Harte, Simon Turner (c), Corey Pendlebury, Daniel Nero (Liam O'Sullivan +84'), Nick Carle, Tim Goodrick, Paul Nero, Craig Young (Luke Wynn +81'), Damien Pisano; Sub not used: RGK Dean McCreath; Coach: Jim Harte "University Teach Ryde A Lesson"
Round 26 (final game):
Hajduk Wanderers United 0
lost to
Ryde City Gunners 2 (Glen Willis 3', Damian Pisano 88')
Under 20:
Hajduk Wanderers 2 defeated Ryde City 1
Hajduk Wanderers United - 1. Daniel Schwarzer, 3. Michael McGovern (17. Daniel Wilkinson 77'), 5. Mark Abi-Arrage (c), 7. Mark Iorfino, 8. Paul Crisp, 12. Stipan Popovic, 13. David Varess, 14. Brendan Salemah (11. Steve Scotti 87'), 4. Tim Gledhill, 18. Chris Camilleri, 19. Christian Miranda (6. Elsid Barkhousir 52'); Subs not used: 15. Charles Galayini, RGK: Mathew Nemes ; Coach: Bruce Tilt;
Referee: Sandro Perticarini; Assistant Referees: Kris Griffiths, Gamal Soliman; 4th Official: Paul Mpliokas
Yellow Cards: Ryde City - Simon Turner 6', Damian Pisano 79', Glen Willis 85', Dean McCreath 85', Alex Wilkinson 89'; Hajduk - Nil
Round 25:
Ryde City Gunners 2
(Nick Carle 2', Damian Pisano 35')
lost to
Stanmore Hawks 4 (Richie Cardozo 10', Sargun Dawd 36', 38' pen, David James 84')
Under 20:
Ryde City 2 lost to Stanmore Hawks 3
Stanmore Hawks - 1. Con Anastasiadis (GK) (RGK. Glen Moss +60'), 6. Anthony Skoulos, 4. George Skoulos, 5. Ivan Zelic (2. Maurice Soler +89'), 11. David James; 8. John Fotiadis, 14. Steve Liavis, 7. Chad Gibson (c), 9. Sargun Dawd, 15. Neil Philippou, 16. Richie Cardozo (10. D. Pieris +65'); Subs not used: 3. G. Mavros; Coach: Sotos Mavros
Referee: Alex Glasgow, Assistant Referees: J. De Silva, D. Findlay; 4th Official: nil
Yellow Cards: Ryde City - Daniel Nero 38; Stanmore - Nil
Next Sunday's final 2004 season game is away vs. Hajduk Wanderers United
Round 24:
MSC Liverpool 3
(Domanic Rossi 37', Almir Dizdaric 73', Daniel Willoughby 81')
defeated
Ryde City Gunners 1 (Tim Goodrick 84')
Under 20:
MSC Liverpool 1 lost to Ryde City Gunners 5
Round 23:
Ryde City Gunners 1
(Paul Nero 49')
lost to
Hurstville Minotaurs (Demetri Zakilas 5', 42', 49', 55', 77')
Under 20:
Ryde City 3 defeated Hurstville Minotaurs 0
Hurstville Minotaurs - George Bouropoulos, Carlo Musemici, Pieros Vasilareas, Z. Ilic, Sam Panagakis (C), George Lagoudakis, Joseph Lampriers, Kosta Lagoudakis, Merino Musemici, Wasim Hijazi, Demetri Zakilas; Subs not used: RGK: George Nicolaou, Manuel Kaliamis, K. Saterdag, J. Stipic, J. Gymella ; Coach: Peter 'The General' Sarikakis
Referee: Ernie Horvath, Assistant Referees: Andrezei Imelski, Colin Smith; 4th Official: Brian Seymour
Yellow Cards: Ryde City - Alex Wilkinson 16', Nick Carle 50'; Minotaurs: George Lagoudakis 7', K. Saterdag 58'
Next Sunday's game is away vs. Liverpool MSC at Hammondville Oval.
Round 22:
Hurstville ZSC 4
(Tony Allilovic 16', 60', Ante Duer 23', Eddie Adam 57')
defeated
Ryde City Gunners 2 (Paul Nero 3', Damian Pisano 74')
Under 20:
Hurstville ZSC 0 lost to Ryde City 3
Hurstville ZSC - 1. Robert Mustapic, 6. Stipe Milisevic (c), 5. Richard Plesa, 4. Mirko Jurilj, 16. Anthony Jusic, 18. Ante Duer, 8. Michael Cunico, 15. Joe Moric (9. Jason Vella), 7. Tony Alilovic, 21. Eddie Adam (12. K Kerkes 85'), 10. Robert Babaic (Denis Aliliovic 72'); Subs not used: RGK A. Glavas; Coach: John Gagro
Referee: Peter Vrtkosvki, Assistant Referees: Adam Susa, Ken Sharpe
Yellow Cards: Hurstville - Joe Moric 19', Richard Plesa 41', Mirko Jurilj 41'; Ryde City - Craig Young 41', Damian Pisano 70', Nick Carle 82'
Next Sunday's home game is vs. Hurstville City Minotaurs at Magdala Park, North Ryde.
Round 21:
Fraser Park Dragons 2 (Emmanuel Papageorgiou 69', 75')
defeated
Ryde City Gunners 0
Under 20:
Fraser Park 4 defeated Ryde City 0
Fraser Park - Clint Bolton, Ante Juric, Alex Leris, Michael Kladis, Martin Bourke, Greg Collins, Andrew Mailer, Archie Markopoulos (Glenn Sprod +75'), Tony Faria (Ben Mailer +81'), Manny Papageorgiou, Spyro Kladis (Elias Augerinos +46'); Subs not used: RGK John Papadopoulos, E Rink; Coach: Ian Gillan
Referee: Simon Przydacz, Assistant Referees: Adam Susz and Gemal Soliman, No Fourth Official:
Yellow Cards: Fraser Park: Nil, Ryde City: Daniel Nero 30 (suspended next game).
Round 20:
Ryde City Gunners 0 lost to
Sydney University 2 (Brian Vanega 43', Rob Smithies 72')
Under 20:
Ryde City 2 defeated Sydney University 1
Simon Turner (L) covering James Stubbs-Mills (R) - R20
The 'students' from Sydney University gave Ryde a lesson in how to play in strong winds when they crafted two superb goals playing the ball 'on the deck' with Brian Vanega scoring just before half-time after Ryde had held out against the gale assisted attack, and then were shocked in mid second half by the crafty Rob Smithies.
Sydney University had former Gunner James Stubbs-Mills making his debut and have also been strengthened in recent weeks by Blacktown City stars Paul Karbon and Brian Vanega. Ryde were badly weakened for this 'do or die' part of the season, despite starting with fringe Socceroo Nick Carle, as Steve Baveas was out injured, Damian Pisano out suspended, Young Socceroo Alex Wilkinson in the UK for a few weeks trialling with Wigan Athletic, and Oliver Skelding has taken up a USA university scholarship.
Playing into the bitterly cold southerly gale, tunnelled up the Lane Cover River valley, Ryde almost grabbed a 1st minute goal, but did not really threaten for the rest of the half, however they held out against surprisingly few chances to the students. After a 5th minute crunching challenge on Ryde keeper Dean McCreath, Uni were reduced to long range shots, with Josh Heath shooting in the 12th minute held well by the keeper, and a Peter Satos snap shot in the 22nd from the left which was covered. Uni won a series of corners but could not capitalise, the closest chance when Glen Willis made a last ditch clearance to save Ryde. In the 36th minute playing the ball low Stubbs-Mills sent a ball forward to Rob Smithies, who passed to Brian Vanega but he shot over the crossbar. The reward came for Uni when in the 43rd minute a well worked gaol came from nice ground passing and a final diagonal pass which defined the wind and found Brian Vanega free at the edge of the box. He slotted it home well.
With the tables turned in the second half Ryde pressed with the wind but Uni of course dropped men back to play on the break. Paul Nero shot wide to the left of goal in the 59th minute, a minute later a Glen Willis cross was just punched for a corner by Uni 'keeper James Meyer, and BJ Van Wyk hit a speculator from 25m that went wide on the left. In the 68th Rob Smithies broke forward and shot at point blank range into McCreath. Three minutes later - another Uni break away - and Pat Darvill slipped a ground pass from the right flank to the feet of Smithies 10m out, who swivelled and placed it past McCreath to make it 2-0. It could have been worse in the 81st when referee Nick Asargiotis ruled that Van Wyk had downed Smithies in the area, however Smithies shot the penalty straight into the diving Ryde keeper. At last Ryde substitute Matt Godwin got into the goal area in the 83rd minute by playing the ball 'on the deck' but Meyer saved. A further Ryde substitute U20 player Liam O'Sullivan did very well in the 85th minute when by guile he beat several Uni defenders, and deftly flicked the ball goalward past his marker, however another defender stuck his leg out to save Uni any embarrassment. Last chances fell to Uni substitute Peter Peralta who just missed being on target with a long range shot and Corey Pendlebury got the ball onto the head of Matt Godwin but he sent it just wide.
"Derby Draw between Gunners & Tigers" In what was a classic local derby game Ryde City Gunners came back to draw 1-1 with neighbours Northern Tigers. Both goals came from the penalty spot in a game that saw crunching tackles and end to end action from both teams but was well overseen by referee Ernie Horvath.
The Tigers were without key striker Adam Foti, trialling overseas, and injured midfielder Erik Paartalu, whilst Ryde were ready to unwrap their prize signing, and I mean prize - won in a draw over 10 other teams earlier in the week, Nick Carle. The Olyroo hopeful is getting match time whilst on standby for the Olympic squad.
The Tigers got on top early and they had the first chance when Jason Mesiti received in the box but shot just wide on the right at close range. Ryde however were not going to rest on last week's win. They laid some good lead-up work getting the ball to Oliver Skelding who ran across the defence and slipped the ball to a converging Damian Pisano. Pisano's curling shot on the turn just cleared the crossbar. In the 24th minute Mesiti again had a chance when from a free-kick he shot on target but Dean McCreath in the Ryde goal pushed it wide. Disaster for Ryde when Marcus Frost was brought down in the area in a 28th minute desperate three way tackle by BJ Van Wyk, Corey Pendlebury, and the probable culprit Glen Willis. Anthony Oppedisano stepped up and slotted it in.
The play flowed end to end and Glen Willis in the 41st minute curled a free-kick onto the head of Paul Nero but Tigers 'keeper Andrew Crews forced it for a corner. With a minute to go Mesiti blasted a shot from the right onto the back staunchion of the goal.
Ryde came out after the break with determination and gained the upper hand. Daniel Nero forced a save and then Simon Turner's glancing header sailed just over the crossbar. Then from a corner Chris Andrews headed over, and Pisano shot wide (when there were other options). Nick Carle came on and within minutes he had made a snap shot off a corner, which went wide. In the 71st minute Turner got up on the right and from the line he cut back the ball to Pisano but the strikers shot was weak. Tigers tried to come back into the game and first Matt Hunter and then Jordan Simpson shot wide. In the 77th minute Nick Carle showed why he has played for Australia when he beat two players got into the box but his shot was blocked. An 83rd min. speculator from Pisano was deflected for a corner. In the 84th min. Carle made for goal past two Tigers players but sailed through the air spectacularly and ended up face down in the area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Alex Wilkinson placed it just inside the right post despite Andrew Crews going the correct way. Marcus Frost shot wide in the 87th min. but the last chance fell to Ryde substitute Tim Goldrick whose downward header was well saved by Crews.
The clash was moved after Parklands Oval was closed due to the rain whereas the excellently drained Magdala was soft but allowed both teams to play fast soccer.
"Gunners Over The Hill " Ryde City Gunners reaped the reward for never dropping their heads despite a run of 7 losses, when they overcame Dulwich Hill 2-0 at sunny Magdala Park. An own goal due to confusion by Hill 'keeper Wojtek Zarzycki when under pressure from Craig Young - he let it roll into the net from a backpass - and then a fine goal by Young Socceroo Alex Wilkinson in the 73rd minute gave the long-suffering Ryde fans cause for cheer.
Jim Patikas's seemingly always being renovated Dulwich Hill side looked disjointed early but got back into the game, and in the 14th minute Ben Delicata curled a dangerous cross into the wind from the right and it just missed the far post. Then three minutes later Chris Velovksi sent a long ball from the right to the left post and Michael Ferreira dived full length but couldn't connect. Daniel Borg drew a save out of Dean McCreath (in the Ryde goal for the first time since transferring from the Dolphins) in the 21st minute. Ryde didn't get too many chances in the first half, but with Steve Baveas failing to find the target in the 34th minute, and Paul Nero forcing the 'keeper to come out to take in the 38th they looked as though could hold the lead. Borg ended the chances for the half with a shot in the 42nd minute that McCreath pushed past the right post.
Ryde started the second half with a Wilkinson shot from the left that eased past the far post, but Dulwich Hill had a free kick two minutes later that McCreath did well to push wide. Dulwich Hill had the better of possession and in the 55th minute Terry Atsas hit his stinging shot onto the left upright. Alex Wilkinson's shot again from the left in the 66th minute and the keeper didn't get his hand down to it and it trinkled past the goal but his 73rd minute goal came from a quick break. Substitute Damian Pisano received the ball quickly out from the defence, and he ran straight toward goal, slipping the ball to Wilkinson overlapping on the left and he slotted it past the keeper. In the 77th minute Delicata shot wide but the last two chances fell to Ryde, with Pisano shooting over the crossbar, and U21 player Tim Goldrick heading just wide after a fast break by Ryde down the left.
Next Sunday's game is away to neighbours Northern Tigers at Parklands Oval, Mt Colah, but they return to Magdala Park at 3pm on Sunday 18th July versus Sydney University. Referee: Peter Vrtkovski. Squads: Ryde - 1. Dean McCreath, 13. B.J. Van Wyk, 6. Simon Turner, 17. Corey Pendlebury, 8. Glen Willis, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 15. Steve Baveas, 9. Oliver Skelding, 10. Paul Nero (5. Tim Goldrick +44'), 3. Chris Andrews, 11. Craig Young (7. Damian Pisano +65' and YC 74'); Subs - 7. Damian Pisano, 5. Tim Goldrick, 16. Jamie Jackson, 19. Matt Goodwin, RGK Michael Stern. Dulwich Hill - 1. W. Zarzycki, 2. C. Velovski, 3. M. De Souza, 4. D. Borg, 5. M. Percy, 6. J. Mendes, 7. T. Atsas, 8. G. Souris, 14. M. Ferreira, 10. B. Delicata, 11. J. Nikas; Subs - 20. J. Da Palma, 12. T. Papadopoulos, 13. A. Calautti, 18. G. Bounavoglia.
"Gunners Down To Rams "
Referee: Nick Asargiotis, Assistants - A. Tamplin, K.Ams, 4th official G. Leadbeater.
Ryde Squad: 1. Dean McCreath, 14. B.J. Van Wyk, 6. Simon Turner, 17. Corey Pendlebury, 8. Glen Willis, 7. Paul Nero, 19. Nick Carle, 5. Tim Goodrick +73'), 3. Chris Andrews (12. Liam O'Sullivan +84'), 5. Tim Goodrick, 9. Stuart Wright (15. Matt Godwin +66'), 11. Craig Young; Subs - 13. Brad Harte, 12. Liam O'Sullivan, 15. Matt Godwin, RGK Michael Stern.
Sydney University Squad: 1. James Meyer, 2. Paul Karbon, 4. Dan Felton, 5. Luke McDougall, 6. Enzo Sansone, 8. James Stubbs-Mills (13. Gosue Sama +83), 9. Rob Smithies (16. James Kovas +88), 10. Brian Vanega, 11. Pat Darvill, 14. Peter Satos, 15. Josh Heath (7. Peter Peralta +70'); Subs - 20. Carl McMahon, 7. Peter Peralta, 16. James Kovas, 13. Gosue Sama.
Round 19:
Northern Tigers 1 (Anthony Oppedisano 28' pen.)
drew with
Ryde City Gunners 2 (Alex Wilkinson 83' pen.)
Under 20:
Northern Tigers 3 defeated Ryde City 0
Referee: Ernie Horvath. Ryde Squad: 1. Dean McCreath, 14. B.J. Van Wyk, 6. Simon Turner, 17. Corey Pendlebury, 8. Glen Willis, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 15. Steve Baveas (Daniel Nero +9', -57' Nick Carle), 9. Oliver Skelding, 10. Paul Nero (5. Tim Goldrick +73'), 3. Chris Andrews, 7. Damian Pisano; Subs - 19. Nick Carle, 5. Tim Goldrick, 11. Craig Young, 13. Daniel Nero, RGK Michael Stern.
Round 18:
Ryde City Gunners 2 (3' og, Alex Wilkinson 73')
defeated
Dulwich Hill 0
Under 20:
Ryde City 1 lost to Dulwich Hill 2
Round 17:
Ryde City Gunners 0
lost to
Macarthur Rams 2
(Andrew Borg 2', 65')
Under 20:
Ryde City 2 drew with Macarthur Rams 2
OK, who forgot the ball? Ryde vs Rams - R17
Ryde City again failed to win at home with the fast and physical Macarthur Rams moving into 5th spot with a 2-0 win through a brace by Adam Borg. His 2nd minute goal came from a short corner on the right, from which a defender was turned and a cross into the box was forced out. This went only to Borg who rose high at the right post to head in. Borg was again a handful as he made a 7th minute run on the left, received a fine early ball from Richard Harrison and then forced a save from Tony Petrovski. The big 'keeper flung himself at the ball and pushed the shot up and over the crossbar. It wasn't all Rams however as Damian Pisano got in a point blank shot in the 12th minute which Paul Zabaks in the Rams goal parried. Two minutes later Paul Wither received a cross from the left but his shot was blocked by a back-tracking Steve Baveas. Paul Nero forced a save from Zabaks in the 16th minute but for the rest of the half it was mostly midfield play - other than in the 35th minute when Petrovski came out diving to the feet of Borg to smother a chance.
That the Gunners were reduced to 10 men after Daniel Nero made one too many rash challenges (and a red card was waved that backed up his second yellow 53 minutes in) made it into a game where Ryde had to expose themselves to find an equaliser. In the 65th minute Macarthur got the ball wide on the left and the ensuing shot was parried by Petrovski however again only to Borg lurking near the right post and he knocked the ball into the net. It had been a game where Zabaks was probably handling the ball as much as Petrovski but the Rams 'keeper was rarely put under pressure. In the 77th minute Christian Cevinini made a run on the left and shot but Petrovski pushed it around the left upright. Despite being a man down the Gunners had some chances - Jamie Jackson had a long run into the goal area at the 84th minute mark but spoiled it with a weak shot, and Craig Young swung a cross in from the left along the ground to Oliver Skedling but his firm shot was handled well by Zabaks just before full-time.
Squads: Ryde - 23. Tony Petrovski, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 3. Chris Andrews, 11. Craig Young (19. Jamie Jackson +77') , 8. Glen Willis, 13. Daniel Nero (RC 53'), 17. Cory Pendlebury, 15. Steve Baveas, 10. Paul Nero (5. Oliver Skelding +65'), 6. Simon Turner, 7. Damian Pisano (12. Matthew Engele +69'); Subs: 16. Jamie Jackson (+77'), 16. Matt Engele, 13. Oliver Skelding; Yellow Card: Daniel Nero 29', 53'(RC), Alex Wilkinson 72' "Bulls Extract Revenge" Fairfield Bulls extracted revenge over the Ryde City Gunners (who had won away in R3) by a winning margin of 3 to 1. The first half was pretty even with Ryde perhaps gaining an upper hand late. The Bulls Leigh Gunn showed he needed to be watched, when in the 3rd minute he performed a bicycle kick which went over the bar, but he was off-side anyway. One minute later Matt Engele for Ryde received a cross just outside the goal area, that came from Paul Nero on the right flank, and turning he struck the ball just wide of the Bulls goal.
Almost disaster for Ryde when in the 6th minute Glen Willis was surprisingly judged by referee Nick Asargiotis to have impeded a Fairfield striker in the box. Karma perhaps, but the penalty kick was sent well wide. Leigh Gunn lobbed Ryde's 'keeper Tony Petrovski in the 17th minute but the ball just missed the crossbar, however two minutes later danger at the other end when Engele sent a free kick to Damian Pisano's head and the striker rebounded the header off the crossbar. After Skelding had shot wide in the 33rd minute Sammir Issa shot onto the crossbar seven minutes later and the rebound was struck on target by Gunn, however Petrovski dived well to his right to make the save. In the 41st minute the faithfull band of freezing Ryde fans were sure they had a goal when Skelding's shot beat 'keeper Fernandez in the Bulls goal but bobbled at the last moment wide of the left post.
The second half saw the Bulls grab a goal in the 58th minute through a Javier Mancino cross from the left which reached Brendan Mitrovich on the far post and his free header left Petrovski no chance. In the 64th minute Engele beat the keeper with a strike but it came off the far right hand upright. In the 74th Pisano hit one on the ground that almost snuck under the keeper. Ryde was placing a lot of pressure, pushing men up to try to get an equaliser - the 3 points being crucial to them. This exposed them and Akwasi sent a long ball over the top and out of defence that found Ozbey lurking upfield and he slammed the ball past Petrovski in the 75th. Still pressing seven minutes later Ryde were again punished when another long clearance found Gunn. With a partner outside him he was two on one with Simon Turner but the Ryde captain could not prevent the well placed shot by Gunn. A 86th minute shot from Mancino was stopped on the ground by Petrovski and at last in the 90th minute Ryde substitute Craig Young got behind the defence on the left flank and his cross reached an unmarked Alex Wilkinson who headed past Fernandez for a consolation goal.
Despite Ryde's season problem being lack of goal scoring, today it was three defensive lapses. Next week's game, again at Magdala Park, is versus the inconsistent but dangerous Macarthur Rams.
Squads: Ryde - 23. Tony Petrovski, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 3. Chris Andrews (11. Craig Young -85') , 8. Glen Willis, 13. Daniel Nero (17. Cory Pendlebury -85'), 5. Oliver Skelding, 15. Steve Baveas, 10. Paul Nero, 12. Matthew Engele, 6. Simon Turner; Subs: 11. Craig Young +80', 17. Cory Pendlebury +85', 16. Jamie Jackson, RGK Michael Stern; Yellow Card: S Baveas 60'. "Sharks Edge Out Gunners" The Sutherland Shire Sharks edged out Ryde City Gunners by just one goal scored in the 66th minute by Ian McDonald in a non-stop action game in which neither team gave up until the final whistle. The Shire came to Magdala with an urgent errand to attend to - they were sinking toward the nether region of the table and losing touch with the top 5. Ryde for their part desperately require a string of wins to avoid relegation to 1st Division and looked to new signing from Blacktown City striker Matthew Engele to give them some bite in attack, partnering Simon Turner.
The Sharks showed what they were about immediately with quick movement of the ball and Anthony Sarmonikas struck a nice shot in the 2nd minute which was luckily intercepted in flight by Ryde defender Glen Willis, and a minute later Damon Collina sent a speculator wide. In a sublime move by Ryde Steve Baveas send a through ball to Simon Turner but the captain's shot was covered by Adam Kurtz in the Sharks goal. End to end stuff with Paul Badolato shooting wide and Simon Turner battled into the area but couldn't get in a clean strike. Oliver Skedling hit one in the 23rd minute from 20m that took a wicked deflection but Kurtz did well to save. The best chance of the half was taken by Badolato in the 36th minute who hit a rising 25m shot which cannoned off the top right hand corner of the goal.
The Sharks had the first chance after the break when Matt Hilton shot and the big man in the Ryde goal Tony Petrovski launched himself to his left to save. Ryde had reshuffled, moving Turner back and pushing Skelding up, and it almost paid off with a Skelding cross from the right being saved at finger tip height by Kurtz. Glen Willis struck a curling free kick from the right just inside the upright but again Kurtz was to the rescue bundling in wide. In the 66th minute the Sharks battled through a packed defense but were forced wide in the right, however Corey Pendlebury pulled up injured from the tackle and the ball was slipped inside for Ian McDonald to slot home.
After some very willing play as both teams tried to get on the ascendent Petrovski saved a 80th minute shot from Sharks substitute Wilson and Engele struck a ball, played back from the goal area by Skelding, just wide. With the infusion of Stewart Van Bentum Sutherland got more width but McDonald bustled through the centre in the 85th minute only to be dispossessed by Turner at the crucial time. The last chance was stymied by Petrovski when he pushed a McDonald shot at the left post just wide for a corner.
The Sharks move up to 9th with this win, but Ryde continues to play some excellent football without reward. Next week's test again at Magadala are Fairfield Bulls, who Ryde beat away in R3 and will be out for revenge.
Squads: Ryde - 23. Tony Petrovski, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 17. Cory Pendlebury, 8. Glen Willis, 13. Daniel Nero, 5. Oliver Skelding, 15. Steve Baveas, 10. Paul Nero, 7. Greg Fuchs, 12. Matthew Engele, 6. Simon Turner; Subs: 11. Craig Young (+19' -87'), 14. Glen Murray (+87'), 3. C. Andrews (+76'), RGK Michael Stern; Referee - Simon Micaleff "Dolphins Outperform Gunners" A Manly Warringah Dolphins side packed with class players outperformed Ryde City Gunners, at least in the 1st half, to run out 4-2 winners in the northern derby game. After trailing by four 1st half goals the Gunners came back with a goal late in the half, and a 2nd late in the second half.
In the 7th minute Bradley Groves struck a stinging 30m shot from the right which Ryde goalkeeper Tony Petrovski could only parry and speedster James Monie, who had made a run, met the ball and pushed it into the net. Four minutes later, with Ryde's defence struggling to adjust to the pace and firepower in depth of their neighbours, conceded another goal when John Hutchinson hit a shot from 25m that sailed past a horizontally launched Petrovksi to find the top of the net. In the 26th minute Mick Williams evaded his defender and slotted the ball into the net. The Dolphins got their 4th and final goal when Williams lobbed the defence and former Gunner Rob Portelli slipped in to beat the keeper to the ball in the 41st minute. Ryde got one back in the 43rd minute when Alex Wilkinson made a surging run down the left and hit a 30m bolt which cannoned off the far right upright, and rocketed out to Steve Baveas following through, and he knocked it in.
The first half had been a few chances, all taken, but the second half was even more action, with the Dolphins perhaps easing and the Ryde team, getting their 'shape' back, put sustained pressure on with Jamie Jackson chancing a strike and Oliver Skelding hitting the side netting in the first few minutes. At the other end Monie, Steve Berry, and Williams all had chances, with the last saved one handed by a diving Petrovski. A long early cross from the right by Daniel Nero found an overlapping Glen Willis in the 65th minute but the header went just wide on the left. Action continued end to end, but Ryde took back some more pride when in the 88th minute Simon Turner robbed Pascal Julliard near the centre line on the left, and ran toward goal, slipping the ball to Oliver Skelding who drew out the goalkeeper Dean McCreath and slotted it in. Two more half chances to Ryde but they ended the game 4 points adrift of the table in one of the most competitive Super League competitions for years.
Best for Ryde: Steve Baveas, Simon Turner, Daniel Nero, Corey Pendlebury, Glen Willis, Alex Wilkinson. "Wanderers Too Sharp For Gunners"
Third placed Hajduk Wanderers proved just too sharp in the shooting department for the Gunners beating, an at times classy looking, Ryde City 2-1. After encouraging play in the past few weeks the Gunners were hoping that they could start dragging back some points to get out of the cellar, even against a side of the class of Hajduk as the second half of the season looms next week. Hajduk were equally desperate to win or they ran the risk of slipping from the top 5.
Ryde started well with Ollie Skelding (returning from suspension) forcing a 2nd minute corner but Hajduk did not sit behind the ball - hard working George Issa hitting a 7th minute free kick just wide on the left after strong lead-up play. The St John's Park side dominated most of the 1st half with Ryde struggling to hold the lively attack, led by former Gunner Tim Gledhill and supported by Issa and young Elsid Backhousir. Just when it looked like they might turn-around square M. McGovern sent a smart ball to an unmarked Paul Crisp who easily beat Ryde goalkeeper Tony Petrovski to take the lead.
The second half started with Steve Baveas hitting a 1st minute shot just over the Hajduk crossbar after a fine run and cross from the left by make-shift striker Simon Turner. Ten minutes of play was lost a few moments later when Paul Crisp was treated on the field and an ambulance called. Ryde seemed to bounce back better from the delay and dominated much of the second-half and they got their reward in the 59th minute when the ball was played quickly forward and chipped over a defender to Skelding lurking down the left flank. He crossed past the face of goal with the defender flat footed, but Simon Turner had made a surging run and slammed the ball home. The Ryde skipper's obvious delight at his first goal of the season spurred his side's confidence with some delightful play being produced, but the lack of a recognised goal-scorer plagues Ryde's conversion rate. Hajduk played on the break, and in the 61st minute Gledhill almost punished the Gunners defence when he received from a long ball, but Daniel Nero was quick to block the shot, a fate Issa was also to suffer. At the other end Greg Fuchs and Jamie Jackson both couldn't make more of chances, and substitute Glen Willis and Turner went even closer, but none troubled Hajduk 'keeper Daniel Schwarzer.
In the 78th minute a long Hajduk ball to the right side of the goal area found a running Brendan Salemah whose sweet shot soared 25m to nestle neatly in the top right corner of the net! Despite some committed attacking play from both sides Hajduk took home the 3 valuable points. Best for Ryde: Corey Pendlebury, Daniel Nero, and Alex Wilkinson.
Ryde face a troubled Dolphins next week at Magdala and can only hope for more reward for their enterprising play, and perhaps dream that a striker walks in off the street!
"Ryde Push Leaders All The Way" Although Ryde City were playing away from home against the league leaders Stanmore Hawks they harried the more fancied team, and restricted their attack quite well, however three of their few chances were taken, which was enough to take the game. The Gunners had stunned Stanmore with a 2nd minute goal by Greg Fuchs. The make-shift striker Simon Turner was playing up front with Greg Fuchs. Fuchs slipped cunningly behind the Hawks defence at a free kick and in a one-on-one with the 'keeper slotted the ball away. Just one minute later the Hawks had almost bitten back when ex-Socceroo Pablo Cardozo sent a free kick to former NSL stalwart Scott Baillie but his header went centimetres over the crossbar. It was another free-kick in the 7th minute that brought Ryde undone with Cardozo again delivering a perfect ball, this time to Omar Obeid who headed so forcefully that Tony Petrovski in the Ryde goal could only palm it up and into the roof of the net. In the 25th minute Obeid got another header on target but Petrovski took it easily. Three minuted later it was individual skill by Cardozo that crafted a goal from nothing, when he turned outside the goal area and placed the shot into the top right hand corner of the net.
Ryde came out fired up and closed down Stanmore consistently frustrating their play, but despite this it was the Hawks with the 53rd minute goal when Maurice Soler hit an angled shot from 25m over Petrovksi and in. In the 73rd minute a possible penalty to Greg Fuchs was turned down by experienced referee Matthew Breeze when Fuchs was up-ended in the box. Ryde had their share of chances but lacked the killer punch. Olyroo hopefull Alex Wilkinson pushed forward at every opportunity, and in the 60th minute he got the ball to Turner but the crafty player's neat flick failed to deceive the Stanmore 'keeper. One expected that more goals would come but both teams played a fast containing game on the bumpy Arlington Oval pitch. Referee: Matthew Breeze; Best for Ryde: Daniel and Paul Nero, Greg Fuchs, Alex Wilkinson, Steve Baveas, Simon Turner.
"Liverpool Pressure Too Much For Ryde" Ryde had a recast side due to the return of Alex Wilkinson from Olyroo camp, and the lack of the suspended Oliver Skelding. In what was effectively a 6-point game against the bottom team coming into R11 the Gunners could not build on some recent good performances and were outgunned by Liverpool who pressured across the park and took their few chances whereas Ryde's lack of potency in attack is glaringly apparent.
Although Ryde started brightly with Damian Pisano almost getting a cross to a lurking Greg Fuchs disaster struck as early as nine minutes in when Simon Turner held back Eric Williams on the edge of the goal area, getting a yellow card and conceding a free kick. Liverpool's Daniel Georges stepped up to the mark and curled a perfect ball over the wall and into the top left corner. Ryde continued to press - notably with an early diagonal cross from Glen Murray almost finding Fuchs free in the area. Liverpool pressured the Ryde midfield and defence continually forcing errors, and Claudio Oricchio hit the crossbar with a header.
After the break Ryde seemed to be slow to pick up their game and losing the ball in a defensive position substitute Damanic Rossi was able to break away and beat the Ryde keeper one-on-one. This sparked the Gunners into attack but as soon as they pushed up there was Williams on the break forcing a good save from Ryde's 'keeper Tony Petrovski. The best chance for Ryde was when Pisano hit a shot on the run and almost beat an advancing Steven Minovski in the Liverpool goal but the custodian somehow got one hand down to deflect the ball. The game was wrapped up in the 80th minute when Williams again broke away, with Simon Turner close in attendance forcing him wide, but with Turner's co-defenders slow to get back Williams slotted the ball inside to an unmarked Rossi for 3-0. Ryde have a very large mountain to climb now being last, on goal difference from Dulwich Hill.
Best for Ryde: Daniel Nero had another very impressive game and Steve Baveas, Simon Turner, and Glen Willis worked hard but could not control the middle of the park. Ryde City Gunners are away next week versus high flying Stanmore Hawks at Arlington Oval, but return to Magdala Park on Sunday 30th May against top side Hajduk Wanderers United.
"Draw In Windy Tussle" In a game that was dominated by the strong wind up-field both teams dominated as they were assisted by it. Ryde City had a great chance only minutes into the game when Oliver Skelding hit a short just under the crossbar but the Minotaurs goalkeeper made a finger tip save. After several half-chances, late in the half Glen Willis hit a drive from an acute angle from the right but the ball caressed the underside of the crossbar and deflected down and back into play.
In the 2nd half Ryde made some forays but generally Minotaurs had the advantage. They gained a penalty when the ball struck Ryde captain Simon Turner's arm in the goal area but it was struck well wide. When Oliver Skelding got his marching orders after a second yellow card Ryde had to hang on, which they did in a game that both teams should see as two points lost.
Best for Ryde: Daniel Nero, Simon Turner, and Glen Willis, whilst all the team battled hard. Ryde City Gunners return to Magdala Park next Sunday against last placed MSC Liverpool.
"Fuchs Fires Gunners To Win!" Ryde City moved back off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win over Hurstville ZSC. Greg Fuchs scored a brace in the first half for the Gunners while Robert Babaic replied for the visitors.
"Dragons Dodge Gunners Fire" On a sunny Anzac day title chasing Fraser Park Dragons, orchestrated by the experienced midfielder Glen Sprod, defeated Ryde City Gunners by 2-1 in another entertaining game in front of a good crowd at Magdala Park, North Ryde. Ryde were without midfielder Callum Brown who tore a cruciate ligament last game and will be out for 6 months, but welcomed back Corey Pendlebury from a student football tour of Vanuatu.
Fraser Park were on the front foot straight from the kick-off pinning Ryde in their half for the first 15 minutes except for a speculator from defender Glen Willis after 6 minutes. Ryde conceded a soft free kick just outside the goal area in the 12th minute and ex NSL player Glen Sprod curled his kick over the wall and just inside the left upright with Ryde keeper Tony Petrovski stranded. The Gunners pressed back into the game firstly sending two headers wide but then in the 18th minute Young Socceroo Alex Wilkinson had the vision to call for a square ball as he surged from defence, and taking it up field pushed a tight pass to Greg Fuchs - who gathered it and knocked it wide of Jason Holmes in the Dragons goal. Ryde continued to pressure forcing corner after corner but failing to convert. Oliver Skelding made a 38th minute run into the area only to have Holmes out quickly to cover his shot. Spyro Kladis had a chance for Fraser Park before half-time but skied his snap shot.
After the break the game became an even battle with firstly Fuchs and Skelding having shots saved in succession and former Wollongong Wolves player Tanju Balabanel shot from the left but Petrovski palmed the ball over. Balabanel spent the game in a running tussle with Ryde captain Simon Turner (which Turner had won last time the striker had visited Magdala in 2003). In the 65th minute disaster for Ryde, when Turner won another battle near the left goal-line and cleared the ball upfield however the Assistant on the far river side flagged for a corner. Ryde did not react smartly to the set piece and Balabanel in a well rehearsed play sent the corner straight to a free Martin Bourke whose header was cleanly on target. Ryde tried to come back, with Fuchs, Damian Pisano, and Skelding all getting into shooting positions but unable to score, and Balabanel also could have extended the lead when with Turner up-field he beat two defenders and blasted his shot at goal only to see Petrovski equal to the task. A lady in the crowd exclaimed as we walked out, "Now that was an entertaining game!" - and indeed it was! Ryde City Gunners return to Magdala next Sunday, 2nd May, to play 7th placed Hurstville ZSC.
Squads: Ryde City Gunners - 23. Tony Petrovski, 4. Oliver Skelding, 3. Alex Wilkinson, 6. Simon Turner (c), 8. Daniel Nero, 10. Steve Baveas, 11. Damian Pisano, 12. Brad Harte (-87'), 12. Jamie Jackson (-76'), 7. Greg Fuchs, 5. Glen Willis : Subs - 13. Stuart Wright, 14. Paul Nero (+87), 15. Corey Pendlebury (+76'), 16. Glen Murray, Michael Stern (rgk); "Gunners Gain A Point Away Against Students" Ryde City Gunners travelled to Sydney University to play the students and came home with one-point from a 0-0 draw. It was a game that either side could have snatched at the end but both defences excelled throughout.
With an already thin squad Ryde had a blow after only 3 minutes when midfielder Callum Brown, after a typical crunching tackle, writhed in agony on the sideline and had to be replaced. Both sides had early chances with Steve Baveas breaking free in the 9th minute but instead of shooting he passed and the moment was lost. Six minutes later, from a cross from the left by Peter Peralta, Tyrone Lara hit the ball into the side netting on the volley. In the 16th minute Oliver Skelding got up well on the right and hit a scorching ground pass which Uni keeper James Meyer did very well to intercept. Gradually however Uni got on top with their quick interplay, and goal ace Rob Smithies always lurking and giving Alex Wilkinson and substitute Glen Willis a torrid time. A clear example was in the 30th minute as Smithies showed his danger when a long ball in from the right found him at the edge of the area and despite Ryde keeper Tony Petrovski getting out very fast for a big man, Smithies got his header in but just wide.
In the second half Ryde got back into the game and in the first 15 minutes Baveas, Damian Pisano, and Greg Fuchs all got themselves into shooting positions but were unable to find target. Uni started to apply more pressure but the Ryde defence held, although the game was stop-start due to the antics of referee Craig Pearce who was also tough on Ryde's tackling. In the 73rd minute Uni won another free kick but closer in and it was quickly played over the wall. Ryde's Glen Willis was forced to head clear over his own crossbar. As the game entered extra time it flowed from end to end but no-one could break the deadlock.
Ryde City are back at Magdala Park, North Ryde, next Sunday vs. 4th placed Fraser Park Dragons (1st Grade at 3pm, U20's at 1pm)
Squads: Ryde City Gunners - 23. Tony Petrovski, 4. Oliver Skelding, 2. Alex Wilkinson, 6. Simon Turner (c), 5. Callum Brown (-6'), 13. Daniel Nero, 10. Steve Baveas, 11. Damian Pisano, 12. Brad Harte, 14. Jamie Jackson, 7. Greg Fuchs (-80'): Subs - 8. Glen Willis (+6'), 15. Glen Murray (+80'), Michael Stern (rgk); "Cracking Draw At Magdala " Report by Chris Dunkerley: Goals to Ryde from Damian Pisano and Oliver Skelding took the Gunners to a 2-0 lead at the beginning of the second half but within 4 minutes the Tigers were back level. All out attack gave Tom Mikulski the opportunities and he took them. I can hear some saying a boring draw, but with four goals, three penalty claims (all turned down) it was a cracking draw as two young teams went at each other, giving the good local derby crowd plenty to talk about.
The Northern Tigers started on the offensive, hitting shots over the crossbar twice and forcing a save from Tony Petrovski in the first 12 mins. Somewhat against the run of play Steve Baveas forced a turn-over in possession from the Tigers and pushed the ball to Oliver Skelding. Skelding beat his markers and got toward the goal-line on the left, cutting the ball back to Pisano who placed his shot past Steve Angelov for Ryde to lead 1-0.
The rest of the half was action packed as Matt Hunter and Erik Paartalu had chances for the Tigers and Greg Fuchs got into a gilt edged location but failed to find his man with an easy cut-back. After the break Pisano received the ball and faced with a wall of defenders passed to Skelding who was free on the left and he made no mistake to take the lead to 2-0. Immediately the Tigers sprung into action with Michael Mouyis laying on a ball for Matthew Hunter on goal. It was only a timely interception by Jamie Jackson that saved the day, however it was short lived as a minute later Paartalu sent Mikulski away and his shot beat Petrovski on his right.
Two minutes later it was Mikulski again scoring after a quick free-kick and a back-header into the box by Eric Paartalu. Both teams took the game to the other looking for the winner. The Tigers came close when in the 84th min Hunter hit a snap shot which Petrovski could only parry, and Ryde had several chances when Greg Fuchs shot from 20m and Angelov dived to save, and some great lead up work got Pisano and then Skelding shots on goal. A game that Ryde would have wanted to win but will hope bring the fans back to Magdala on a regular basis, and one that fairly divided the points. Ryde are away next Sunday at Sydney University.
Report by Paul Goodwin, Soccer NSW: "Ryde City Gunners and nearest neighbours, Northern Tigers, got the Easter weekend programme under way at Magdala Oval on Saturday.
One of the most entertaining games of Super League football was played out in front of a sizeable crowd on the hill, standing room only for some, all of whom were enthralled for fully ninety minutes as the teams fought out an exciting 2-2 draw.
Ryde looked far more stylish and cohesive than they had in their previous outing at Dulwich Hill and took the game to their neighbours. The Tigers, for their own part, created a host of chances and simply failed to convert them.
The home side was able to get in front in the first half and then stretch their lead three minutes after the restart.
With the wind at their backs in the second period the Tigers managed to pull both goals back and the game finished with both sides striving tirelessly for the winner. A good piece of determination led to the first goal of the game being scored by Ryde City in the 21st minute. A ball that appeared to be going out for a throw was retrieved by the persistence and anticipation of Steve Baveas and then fed to Oliver Skelding, who got to the left byline very smartly.
Before the Tigers could recover from losing the ball, initially, the ball was crossed in and there was the tall figure of Damien Pisano to finish things off at the far post. The Northern Tigers team had countless first half opportunities to make good that goal, but a shot from the speedy Matt Hunter was headed off the Ryde line by Jamie Jackson and then put over the bar by Erik Paatalu. Also the same two players went close with further efforts, but Ryde too had a great chance to extend their lead in the 28th minute when Skelding nodded one on for Pisano only for Steve Angelov to produce a text-book save.
The wind may have been at the backs of the Tigers, but their heads were down when three minutes after the restart the Gunners had stretched their lead. Pisano intercepted a stray pass from Van Wyk and pushed the ball on for Skelding who was able to spring the offside trap and score with a very cool finish. Pisano also went down in the box in the 51st, but referee, Nick Asargiotis, was unimpressed and penalty appeals were immediately waved away. The Tigers did not look beaten, though and stuck to their game-plan with the result that they scored twice and spectators had a very enjoyable second half to watch. In the 49th minute a Northern Tigers' free kick was taken quickly and the ball was played by former Northern Spirit youth player, Erik Paatalu, in the path of Tom Mikulski who struck clinically from 15 yards out. And so that early second half goal had been cancelled out almost at once.
There was plenty of reason to celebrate again, three minutes later, when the same player was able to deliver his side a second goal.
An unfortunate handball by Ryde's Callum Brown led to a free kick for the Tigers on the right hand edge of the box.
The ball was played in nicely to Paatalu, by Michael Mouyes, then it was stuck away by Mikulski, after a nice nod-on from Paatalu, to bring whoops of joy from the Tigers' bench. Chances continued to fall to both sides but neither could get the better of two good goalkeepers and some disciplined defending, Pisano missing a couple of close range chances towards the end of a thrilling contest".
Squads: Ryde City Gunners - Tony Petrovski, Oliver Skelding, Jamie Jackson, Alex Wilkinson, Simon Turner, Daniel Nero (-83' Glen Murray), Steve Baveas, Damian Pisano, Brad Harte (-70' Stuart Wright) : Subs - Glen Murray (+83'), Sturat Wright + 70'), David Chircop, (rgk) Michael Stern; "Hill Too High For Gunners" For the second time in 2 weeks four goals went past Tony Petrovksi's gloves, and he had little say in it! Basically the the defence left him exposed, there was little cohesion between components of the team, and with Greg Fuchs on the way overseas and Damien Pisano with the flu there was not much menace up front despite 'Dully' having two debutante young defenders. What seemed to make the difference for them was the inclusion of ex Football Kingz striker Tallan Martin (signed on Thurs night) whose brace was clinical, and Ryan Jones, who teamed up with Jason Lal and Andrew Falas to dominate the play.
On a greasy, heavy pitch the Gunners started brightly and put real pressure on, with the the DH keeper having to touch a lob over in the 2nd minute, and Jamie Jackson hitting a long dangerous free-kick that couldn't be converted. Daniel Nero brought Tallan Martin down in the 6th minute and a penalty was awarded but Martin's low show was covered by Petrovski and it was cleared away.
Dulwich Hill scored their first goal when Jamie Jackson cleared the ball with a good tackle back, but it fell to Andrew Falas in the 15th min who slotted the ball past the advancing Petrovski from 18m. 'Dully' picked up the tempo and in the 28th minute a save with a parry by Petrovski off a Jason Lal snap header, that Ryan Jones hit into the side netting.
Disaster in the 32nd min when Jamie Jackson was again left exposed by his defence team-mates and couldn't dislodge the ball from Martin who lobbed Petrovski from 25m. The third was scored 3 mins later when after a mass of players battled in the box Jason Lal hit a shot which deflected off Alex Wilkinson on the way in. In the 42nd min Steve Baveas took Ryde's first aggressive step for 20 mins when he hit a low corner across goal but no one could connect.
After the break it was still all Dulwich Hill but Ryde coach Jim Harte had wrought three changes, including a debut for midfielder Callum Brown. In the 67th Falas hit one wide, and one min later Mansaray saw his shot touched wide by Petrovski. Dulwich Hill scored their 4th goal in the 63rd min when a long ball found Ryan Jones up on the left and he swung a perfect cross to the head of Tallan Martin who made no mistake despite the close attention of Jamie Jackson. Ryde slowly clawed back some play, with Corey Pendlebury getting up on the right, and his cut back found Baveas but he shot just wide in the 70th, and Pendlebury again got forward in the 77th but his shot was deflected wide. Dulwich Hill were content to sit on their lead but at least Ryde tried to grab a consolation goal - alas it was not to be! Back to the drawing board for the first home game on Saturday in the the derby versus Fred Mesiti's Northern Tigers.
Squads: Ryde City Gunners - Tony Petrovski, Oliver Skelding, Alex Wilkinson, Simon Turner, Daniel Nero, Steve Baveas, Stuart Wright (-45'), Philipe Fan (-45'), Brad Harte, Jamie Jackson, Alen Jozic (-45') : Subs - Corey Pendlebury (+45'), Glen Murray (+45'), 13. Callum Brown (+45'), 16. Damian Pisano, Michael Stern (rgk); "Rams Fleece Gunners" The Macarthur Rams took the shears to Ryde City on Saturday down Campbelltown way, through clinical finishing in a dominant display. They dominated both physically and mentally with little respite for the Gunners defence, which went missing too many times.
Ryde started without their so far standout player Greg Fuchs, and the lack of firepower for the Gunners got worse. The Rams certainly set about their task with elan, and in the 4th minute a pinpoint cross was played in briskly from the left by Rick Harrison, and Paul Wither was under no pressure from the defence being able to slam the ball into the net past Ryde keeper Tony Petrovski. Ryde gained some hope when Steve Baveas went down in the box and was awarded a penalty in the 14th minute. He stepped up and scored with the ball bouncing in off the left upright.
Disaster for Ryde, falling behind again when Rick Harrison again delivered the ball this time from a right-side corner which sailed over the outstretched arms of Petrovski. An unmarked Adam Wither headed cleanly to make it 2-1. In the 39th minute it became 3-1 when a fairly ordinary ball was lobbed forward by Macarthur but with the defence hesitant the Rams Male Vukosa steered his shot past Petrovski and into the left side of the goal.
Ryde's only half chance was one minute before the break when Corey Pendlebury received a long ball in the goal area but his weak shot was easily taken by the Rams keeper. After the break it was all Macarthur with Ryde not getting to the Rams goal area until the 63rd minute. However not much can be read from that as 2 minutes later Petrovski was forced to palm a shot past his left upright, followed by a point blank shot saved one minute later.
In the 78th minute Petrovski was again in action bundling the ball against the left upright and out of play. The 85th min saw a long range shot rebound off the Ryde cross-bar. With a minute to go substitute Glen Murray failed to control a ball with two Rams players in attendance and being put on-side by this they were able to one-two past Petrovski for an easy knock in by Rick Harrison. A deserved 4-1.
Squads: Ryde City Gunners - Tony Petrovski, Oliver Skelding, Alex Wilkinson, Simon Turner, Paul Nero (-87'), Daniel Nero, Glen Willis, Steve Baveas, Damian Pisano, Stuart Wright (-68'), Corey Pendlebury (-87') : Subs - Glen Murray (+87'), Jamie Jackson, F. Fan (+87'), A Jozic (+68'), M. Stern; "Ryde Tame Fairfield Bulls" Ryde City Gunners gained their first win tonight at Hajduk Stadium in Round 3 through a 22nd minute goal by Damian Pisano and held the Fairfield Bulls scoreless for the remainder of the game. Bolstered in defence by former Spirit players Alex Wilkinson and Oliver Skelding the revamped Ryde team took care of respected strikers Leigh Gunn and Cory Babington and gave notice that they will be no pushovers. In the 4th minute Gunn got up on the right but his shot was rushed and went wide on the left. Ryde struck back with a long ball from captain Simon Turner finding Greg Fuchs on the left, but his shot was pushed wide by Claudio Fernandez in the Bulls goal. In the 17th minute Fuchs snap shot was taken by the keeper. In the 22nd Fuchs put in some tenacious work getting to the right edge of the goal area, and cut it back to Damian Pisano whose shot rebounded off the diving keeper but it span into the net to give Ryde the lead. In the 32nd minute the Bulls Cory Babington put in a speculator from 25m and seven minutes later Leigh Gunn got in a soft header which Ryde keeper Tony Petrovski took easily.
In the early second half Pisano got up well on the right but his shot was across goal. Ryde were playing on the break and keeping men behind the ball and the Bulls struggled to break them down. Ryde did put pressure on the keeper however in the 62nd and 64th minutes. Fairfield pushed back up and Babington grazed the crossbar in the 71st minute, and also got in a header in the 88th. A good win to Ryde. The U20s had an excellent hard fought first win also by 3-2.
Best players for Ryde were Greg Fuchs, Paul Nero, Simon Turner, and Stuart Wright, with Jamie Jackson and Damian Pisano also showing encouraging signs.
Squads: Ryde City - Tony Petrovski, Jamie Jackson, Oliver Skelding, Alex Wilkinson, Simon Turner, Greg Fuchs, Paul nero, Glen Willis, Steve Baveas, Damian Pisano, Stuart Wright: Subs - Daniel Nero, Corey Pendlebury Fil Fan, A Tozic, M. Stern; Fairfield - Claudio Fernandez, Paul Jurckvic, Brendan Mitrovich, Johnny Ghisso, Robert sacco, Corey Babington, Ryan O'Shea, Lisandro Berbis, Leigh Gunn, Javier Mancino, Chris Spinos; Subs - Khazi Kandro, Bebe Nenes, Carlos Arango, Pasq Corsso.
"Sharks down Ryde" From Soccer NSW: "Sutherland got their season off on a winning note putting Ryde City to the sword 2-0 at Seymour Shaw Park. Unveiling a host of new signings, Sharks coach Vic Ellul handed debuts to Wollongong Wolves trio Dean Heffernan, Nathan Abel and Stewart Van Bentum and they proved way too strong for the youthful Gunners. Heffernan showing his class with two goals, one from a brilliant shot just outside the area, and a second from a one on one but should have had three after Ryde City goalkeeper Petrovski saved a penalty. At the other end, Adam Kurtz kept a cleansheet denying everything that Ryde could muster".
"Star Packed Warringah Overcome Ryde"
Manly Warringah Dolphins showed their undoubted class in defeating Ryde City 2-0 at Cromer Park today. A first half goal by Mick Williams was followed by a demoralising early goal after the break to NZ international Brent Fisher. The Super League started with this local derby which fielded several players who have just completed the final NSL season, notably on the Warringah side in Fisher and Mexico bound Spirit goal-keeper Paul Henderson, but Ryde had NSW fringe player Steve Baveas returning this season, although he was also returning from injury and wasn't match fit. The ground was firm despite heavy rain across Sydney closed other grounds, and it remained fine throughout.
An early fright to Ryde when Jamie Jackson gave away a free-kick a Scott Wells pile-driver was fortunately deflected. In the 10th min Greg Fuchs got up on the right but his well directed cross was intercepted by Henderson. Five minutes later a Warringah free-kick was deflected goal-ward by former Gunner Rob Portelli however it just missed the left upright. Then Simon Turner saved off the goal-line from a shot by Daniel Lock. In the 22nd min Williams got his goal, but Ryde were comptetive as three minutes later Damien Pisano slipped the ball to Greg Fuchs, whose ran into the goal area and his shot was spilled by Henderson but made safe. A snap shot by Fisher was followed by a speculator by Greg Fuchs, and Fisher took another snap shot which Petrovski palmed away.
Three minutes into the half Ryde failed to clear and the ball fell to Fisher who slotted it past the keeper. Then a Steve Berry shot from 25m was saved by Petrovski diving to his right. Ryde's best chance came in the 51st minute when Itau Batista's shot rebounded off the underside of the crossbar with 'Hendo' beaten. In the 54th minute Lock hit a screamer which came through a crowd of players but Petrovski made an amazing reflex save. After the half deteriorated into a midfield battle as legs tired, Ryde lift the tempo but twice Fuchs failed the get a shot on target. Although it was obvious that Warringah has class they will be dissapointed that they couldn't get on top of a tenacious Ryde City who showed signs of making mischief during the season. Ryde coach Jim Harte thought that there signs of promise, and that the later coming together of the squad would mean a late start for his side. He also revealed that Alex Wilkinson from Spirit would join in the few weeks.
Ryde Squad: 85. Tony Petrovski, 3. Paul Nero, 14. Corey Pendlebury (16. David Chircop 81'), 5. Glen Willis, 6. Simon Turner, 7. Greg Fuchs, 8. Jamie Jackson (11. Stuart Wright 61'), 9. Damien Pisano, 10. Itau Batista (4. Glen Murray 67'), 12. Steve Baveas, 15. Daniel Nero; Subs: 4. G. Murray, 16. David Chircod, 11. Stuart Wright, 1. (rgk) Hessam Hami. Yellow Card: Nil' "Brookvale Down Ryde with Extra Time Screamer"
Continental Tyres Cup - Round 1:
Their experienced former state league players led the 2003 amateur 'Champion of Champions' winner, Brookvale 'blues' to a 3-2 win over Super League outfit Ryde City Gunners in round 1 of the Continental Cup today. An extra time golden goal, a screamer from 30m by substitute Frank Giggliotti after 2 minutes sent the Brookvale players and spectators into wild celebration.
In warm conditions at Cromer Park, Dee Why, Ryde City were very slow to get going with the obviously more worked team play of the local Association team proving a handful. It was no surprise then when in the 20th minute Stuart Cleary grabbed the first goal of the 2004 season. A long ball into the goal area saw Ryde keeper Petrovski palm the ball out but it was knocked straight back in by Brookvale to Cleary free in the area and whose shot left the keeper stranded.
Playing with only three players from last years 1st grade squad and with make-shift striker 19 yo Brad Harte up front Ryde didn't look threatening all in the first half, with any shots being blasted well over the crossbar.
Brookvale extended their lead after the break in the 51st minute with a controversial penalty. The referee adjudged Simon Turner to have fouled Cleary in the area, despite the crafty sweeper coming up with the ball. Steve Riches stepped up to the spot and buried the ball past the hapless keeper.
It looked like it could be a runaway win to Brookvale with their experienced strikers testing the fledgling Ryde line-up. As the second half wore on Brookvale noticeably tired and Ryde were given space to set up some shape and get their teamwork in better tune. In the 51st minute Glen Murray was free on the right, received the ball and as two defenders came out he stepped left and swung his well placed shot to the left of the keeper.
Brookvale continued to threaten through Cleary, Riches, and substitute Frank Giggliotti and some robust play by both sides brought passions out though they never boiled over. In the 81st minute a quick one-two found Greg Fuchs in shooting range on the left and he slipped the ball past the advancing Brookvale keeper to even the score and to send the game into sudden death extra time.
Before some of the fans had re-focussed on the game having gone for refreshments in the heat, the ball was played into the Ryde area, and cleared. Picking it up was Giggliotti who seeing Petrovski moving to the right, took aim and sent a curling ball from 30m across goal and into the top left hand corner for a 'golden goal'. Brookvale advance to Round 2. Ryde - to a lot of work before they face Warringah Dolphins in R1 back at Cromer Park on March 7th. Bring a chair - the new 'grandstand' is still not complete!
Squad: 85. T. Petrovski, 3. S. Wright, 4. C. Pendlebury, 5. G. Willis, 6. S. Turner, 7. G. Fuchs, 8. B. Harte, 9. J. Jackson, 10. P. Nero, 11. G. Murray, 12. F. Fan (14. D. Nero 45') ; Subs: 14. D. Nero, 16. D. Chircop. Yellow Card: B. Harte 41'
Disclaimer: As 90 Minutes & We'll Be Home is a fanzine we offer opinion and hearsay! Match reports are one person's view. It's care only - NO responsibility! In doubt - ring the club or Soccer NSW. This fanzine has no official connection with, or endorsement by, Ryde City SC!
Copyright © 2001 - 2004 (other than photos) C Dunkerley Webmaster
Tony Petrovksi to take the ball vs Rams - R17
Referee - Jonathan Streater
Macarthur - 1. P Zabaks, 2. J Suzor, 3. A Eljamahl, 4. W Horne, 5. R Harrison, 7. A Borg, 9. M Thompson, 10. M Dowling, 11. M Toogood, 12. B Evans, 16. P Wither; Subs - R Cruickshank (RGK), 6. B Wither (+83'), 13. J Duffell, 15. A Mathews, 18. C Cevinini (+60').
Next Sunday's game, again at Magdala Park at 3pm, is versus 11th placed Dulwich Hill.
Round 16:
Ryde City Gunners 1 (Alex Wilkinson 90')
lost to
Fairfield Bulls 3
(B Mitrovitch 58', T Ozbey 75', L Gunn 82')
Under 20:
Ryde City 1 lost to Fairfield Bulls 3
Referee - Nick Asargiotis
Fairfield - 1. C Fernandez (GK), 2. P Jurcevic, 3. M Oliverio YC, 4. Brendan Mitrovich YC, 7. David Harding, 9. R O'Shea YC, 10. Lisandro Berbis, 11. Leigh Gunn, 12. Sammir Issa YC, 14. Javier Mancino, 18. A Akiwasi YC ; Subs: 5. Johnny Ghisso, 8. Kory Babbington, 16. T Ozbey, 19. M. Cairic, K Kaadu (RGK).
Round 15:
Ryde City Gunners 0
lost to
Sutherland Shire Sharks 1
(Ian McDonald 66')
Under 20:
Ryde City 0 lost to Sutherland Shire Sharks 3
Best for Ryde: Alex Wikinson, Glen Willis, Steve Baveas, Paul Nero, Corey Pendlebury; and Craig Young quite did well when he came on for 68 minutes.
Sutherland - 22. A. Kurtz, 3. Matthew Dihm, 6. Damon Collina, 7. Ian McDonald, 9. A. Sarmonikas, 8. P. Badolato, 13. D. Heffernan, 16. M. Pfrengle, 14. M. Hilton (YC 55'), 5. D. Tossalini, 4. G. Moring (YC 73'); Subs: 20. S. Van Bentum (+58'), 2. D. Wilson (+80'), 19. M. Said, 1. N. Hughes (RGK).
Round 14:
Ryde City Gunners 2
(Steve Baveas 43', Oliver Skelding 88')
lost to
Manly Warringah Dolphins 4
(James Monie 7', John Hutchinson 11', Michael Williams 26', Rob Portelli 41')
Under 20:
Ryde City 0 lost to Manly Warringah Dolphins 4
Ryde warm up before the game
Squads: Ryde - 85. Tony Petrovski (gk), 18. Alex Wilkinson, 6. Simon Turner (c), 17. Corey Pendlebury, 13. Daniel Nero, 10. Paul Nero (-75'), 8. Jamie Jackson (-84'), 14. Steve Baveas, 11. Glen Willis, 12. Oliver Skelding, 7. Greg Fuchs; Subs: 16. Glen Murray (+75'), 4. Craig Young (+84'), 3. Stuart Wright (+90'), Michael Stern (rgk); Yellow Cards: S Baveas 51', T. Petrovski 64'
Squad: Dolphins -1. Dean McCreath (gk), 3. Adam Israel, 4. Phil Moss, 5. Pascal Julliard, 6. Bradley Groves (-81), 8. Michael Williams, 9. Rob Portelli, 10. John Hutchinson, 12. James Monie (-73'), 14. Ashley Short (-68'), 16. Steve Berry; Subs: Paul Henderson (rgk), 7. Damien Rosenthal (+81'), 13. Ian Church (+68), 15. Robert Davidson, 17. Stefano Teghini (+81); Yellow Cards: Phil Moss 86', Damien Rosenthal 81'
Referee: Craig Pierce
Round 13:
Ryde City Gunners 1
(Simon Turner 59')
lost to
Hajduk Wanderers United 2
(Paul Crisp 43', B. Salameh 78')
Under 20:
Ryde City 1 lost to Hajduk Wanderers United 2
Round 12:
Stanmore Hawks 3
(Omar Obeid 7', Pablo Cardozo 29', Maurice Soler 53')
defeated
Ryde City Gunners 1
(Greg Fuchs 2')
Under 20:
Stanmore Hawks 4 defeated Ryde City 2
Ryde's battle the Stanmore Hawks at Arlington
Round 11:
Ryde City Gunners 0
lost to
MSC Liverpool 3
(Daniel Georges 9', Damanic Rossi 53', 80')
Under 20:
Ryde City 0 drew with MSC Liverpool 0
Round 10:
Hurstville City Minotaurs 0
drew with
Ryde City Gunners 0
Under 20:
Minotaurs 3 defeated Ryde City 1
Round 9:
Ryde City Gunners 2 (Greg Fuchs 2)
defeated
Hurstville ZSC 1 (R Babaic)
Under 20:
Ryde City 2 defeated Hurstville ZSC 1
Round 8:
Ryde City Gunners 1 (Greg Fuchs 18')
lost to
Fraser Park Dragons 2 (Glen Sprod 12', Martin Bourke 65')
Under 20:
Ryde City 0 lost to Fraser Park 2
Ryde push up vs. Fraser park at Magdala
Fraser Park Dragons - 1. - Subs:
Best for Ryde: Stand out was Simon Turner, but hard to pick between Greg Fuchs and Alex Wilkinson, with Daniel Nero, Glen Willis also deserving special mention - but there wasn't a poor performance to speak of!
Round 7:
Sydney University 0 drew with Ryde City 0
Under 20:
Sydney University 3 defeated Ryde City 1
Sydney University - 1. James Meyer, 3. Brad Wibler, 4. Josh Heath, 5. Tyrone Lara (-53'), 6. Enzo Sansone, 7. Peter Peralta, 8. Adam Snyder (YC 81'), 9. Rob Smithies (c), 10. Peter Satos (-79'), 12. Daisuke Nakayama (RC 87'), 16. Luke McDougall - Subs: 13. Goshu Saama (+79'), 20. Carl MacMahon, 2. Luke Gray, 15, Andy Christie (+53'); Referee: Craig Pearce
Best for Ryde: Glen Willis, Alex Wilkinson, Simon Turner; Ryde's Yellow Cards: Damian Pisano 73', Greg Fuchs 70'
Round 6:
Ryde City 2 (Damian Pisano 21', Oliver Skelding 48')
drew with
Northern Tigers 2 (Tom Mikulski 50', 52')
Under 20:
Ryde City 1 lost to Northern Tigers 3
Ryde up in numbers (Photo: Chris Dunkerley)
Northern Tigers - Steve Angelov, Anthony Oppedisiano, Damon Thompson, Barry Van Wyk, Cameron Jones, Marcus Frost, Michael Mouyis, Jason Mesiti, Tom Mikulski, Matthew Hunter, Erik Paartalu; Danny Hurwitz, Nick Femia, Matt Godwin, (rgk) Ivan Aul, Scott Ryan; Referee: Nick Asargiotis
Best for Ryde: Oliver Skelding, Damian Pisano, Greg Fuchs
Round 5:
Dulwich Hill 4 (John Chavez 15', Tallan Martin 32', 63', Jason Lal 36') defeated
Ryde City Gunners 0
Under 20:
Dulwich Hill 4 defeated Ryde City 0
Dulwich Hill - 1. Michael Xuereb, 2. Joel Di Biasi, 12. Daniel Toscano, 14. Mohamed Mansaray, 5. Matt Percy, 6. Jose Mendes, 7. Tallan Martin, 8. Jason Lal, 9. Andrew Falas, 15. John Chavez, 11. Ryan Jones: Subs - 20. Josh Da Palma, 10. Matt Ferreira, 3. John Theodopolous, 4. Steve Kalamvokis, 16. John Pieris; Referee: Sebre Delovski
Best for Ryde: Tony Petrovski, Steve Baveas for effort, and Daniel Nero (same).
Round 4:
Macarthur Rams 4 (Paul Wither 4', Adam Wither 21', Male Vukosa 39', Rick Harrison 89') defeated
Ryde City Gunners 1 (Steve Baveas 14' pen)
Under 20:
Macarthur Rams 1 defeated Ryde City 0
Macarthur Rams - P. Zabaks, J. Suscr, A. El Jaimal, W. Horne, R. Harrison, B. Wither, G. Seymour, B. Evans, M. Vukosa, P. Wither, A. Wither: Subs - D. Bradley, A. Borg, S. Piggott, M. Duffell, P. Walker; Referee: James Barnes
Best for Ryde: Steve Baveas, Tony Petrovski, and Glen Willis.
Round 3:
Fairfield Bulls 0
lost to
Ryde City Gunners 1 (Damian Pisano 22')
Under 20:
Fairfield Bulls 2 lost to Ryde City 3
Round 2:
Sutherland Shire Sharks 2
(Dean Heffernan 20', 65') defeated
Ryde City Gunners 0
Under 20:
Sutherland Sharks 0 drew with Ryde City 0
Round 1:
Manly-Warringah Dolphins 2
(Mick Williams 22', Brent Fisher 48') defeated
Ryde City Gunners 0
Best for Ryde: Greg Fuchs, Simon Turner, Tony Petrovski, and Paul Nero. The Under 20's looked unlucky to go down 7-0.
Warringah Squad: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. David Lock, 3. Adam Israel, 5. Tom Corte, 6. Scott Wells, 11. Marc Nicholson (12. Damian Rosenthal 67'), 8. Michael Williams, 9. Rob Portelli, 10. Brent Fisher, 7. Roland Weber (17. Matthew Gale 76'), 16. Steve Berry 15. Sean Walsh 76'); ? (rgk) Michael Steele, 12. Damian Rosenthal, 14. Rod Davidson, 15. Sean Walsh, 17. Matthew Gale
Referee: Nick Dracarkis
Ryde City 2 (Glen Murray 56', Greg Fuchs 81')
lost to
Brookvale 3 (Stuart Cleary 20', Steve Riches 51' pen., Frank Gigliotti 92' 'golden goal')
Ryde City in white (Photo: Chris Dunkerley)
Production