Sharks grab valuable victory over Bulls
Sharks grab valuable victory over Bulls
7 May , 2022 By Football NSW
Sutherland Sharks FC recorded their third win of the 2022 NPL NSW Men’s campaign in a 2-1 win against Northbridge Bulls FC on Saturday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Northbridge Bulls FC started the contest off brightly but faded away against the Sharks press.
Nick Sullivan drove home the opener before Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu slotted home after the break to give the Sharks a two-goal advantage.
Substitute Jed Drew did pull a goal back for the hosts but they lost Anthony Sparacino to a red card which didn’t help their cause.
It will be a precious three points for Sutherland Sharks FC after their lean run in recent weeks. =
Two desperate sides strode onto the park at Sydney United Sports Centre, aiming to get themselves back into the winner’s circle.
It showed in a willing and combative opening quarter of the game where no quarter was given or taken.
Northbridge Bulls were the first to settle on the ball, stroking it around comfortably but unable to create chances.
Their first effort in anger came from Diego Bonilla whose shot cannoned off a defender and away.
Sutherland Sharks had been in a goal drought headed into this contest but found the opener in stylish fashion through Nick Sullivan.
He found a pocket of space before he drove an effort which flicked the post and into the net for 1-0.
Following the opener Sutherland Sharks smelt blood in the water and started to up the ante to try to extend their lead.
Their press had started to create chances which fell to Sullivan again and James Andrew who flayed wide.
The Bulls were stuck at the gates for much of the first half, their best chance after conceding fell to Rory Jordan whose glorious chance from a free kick went high and wide of the goal.
The visitors continued to find pockets of space in the Northbridge Bulls defence.
Jason Madonis snatched the ball, cushioned the ball to Ahmed-Shaibu who thundered a shot off the crossbar as the Sharks headed to the break, up 1-0.
Sharks doubled their delight straight from the break.
Andrew danced through the Bulls defenders before his shot was parried into the path of Ahmed-Shaibu to roll home, 2-0.
Northbridge Bulls were seeing red after conceding the second.
Bonilla almost cut the deficit in half with his shot which hit the crossbar then fell to the head of Mason Wells to force Sharks custodian Anthony Bouzanis into an acrobatic save.
Mile Sterjovski turned to his bench, making a triple substitution for Northbridge Bulls.
One of those substitutes, Jed Drew picked a nice time to pull one back for the Bulls when he shaped one into the top corner to make it 2-1.
As the game started to open up with Northbridge Bulls surging forward, Sutherland Sharks did have a few chances on the counter but weren’t able to find the third to kill off the contest.
The Bulls stacked up the set pieces to find the equaliser or a way past Bouzanis.
Their task was made tougher when Sparacino got a red card for his second yellow card offence.
Substitute James Cakovski had a pair of chances to find the equaliser – his first effort was well saved by Bouzanis then he thundered an effort against the crossbar.
Deep in stoppage time, Northbridge Bulls kept pushing forward for the goal.
There was a heroic block from Sharks defender Lachlan Everett to deny the Bulls and preserve the three points for the visitors.
Post match Northbridge Bulls FC coach Mile Sterjovski was disappointed that his side didn’t play to their usual standard and seem to be repeating their mistakes.
“We didn’t play our normal football, we dropped to their standard which they are good at,” Sterjovski said.
“It doesn’t suit us.
“I am sick of conceding the way we do and need to review how we do things.
“We have to be better overall.”
For jubilant Sutherland Sharks coach Nick Dimovski, he was delighted to snap their recent losing streak in such fashion for the historic club.
“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish,” he explained.
“We got our just rewards and happy to take the three points back to Seymour Shaw.
“We have a good group here and it is a great old club here.
“To win today I am quite happy.”
Match Stats
Northbridge Bulls FC 1 (Drew ‘69)
Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (Sullivan ‘24, Ahmed-Shaibou ‘48)
Saturday, 7 May, 2022
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Karl Davies
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Maggie Price
Fourth Official: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Northbridge Bulls FC: 3. Nathan Dimou, 4. Anthony Sparacino, 7. Mason Wells (2. Jack McLoughlin ‘58), 8. Brodie Clarkson, 9. Diego Bonilla, 10. Rory Jordan (21. Abbas Karnib ‘84), 11. Stephan De Robillard (13. James Cakovski ‘58), 14. Charlie Ragg (17. Jed Drew ‘58), 16. Oliver Jones, 19. Lachlan Sepping (15. Eddie Caspers ‘68), 20. Levi Kaye
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Griffin Barry
Yellow Cards: Dimou ‘14, Sparacino ‘59
Red Cards: Sparacino ‘86
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 2. James Baldacchino, 7. Harry Callahan, 8. Jason Madonis, 10. Lachlan Everett, 12. Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu (18. Mitchell Smith ‘74), 14. Chris Lindsay, 17. James Andrew (9. Jeremy Cox ‘80), 21. Michael Neill, 22. Nick Sullivan (6. Patrick O’Shea ‘38), 23. Mark Rodic
Substitutes Not Used: 26. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 29. Jacob Tresoglavic, 80. Nelson Lam
Yellow Cards: Madonis ‘14, Callahan ‘38, O’Shea ‘41
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu (SS)
2 – Michael Neill (SS)
1 – Jed Drew (NB)
-By Justin Davies
Congratulations to Micky and Lukman on their selection in the team of the week for round 10