Hills United 2-1 Manly United
Hills United defeated Manly United 2-1 at Landen Stadium in Round 8 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition, played on Saturday evening.
Anthony Frangie gave the hosts the lead in the 37th minute with a bolter then Thomas Lopez made it 2-0 in the 58th to confirm the points. Manly United pulled a goal back late in the contest through Alen Aganovic in the 88th minute for 2-1.
Manly United FC had the first chance in the tenth minute. Harry McCarthy dug out an effort which went wide.
Hills United FC found their rhythm in the contest. Anthony Frangie whipped an effort wide then Nicolai Muller blasted over in the 18th minute.
Peter Kekeris returned to the left side into the box before he cut it back to Stefano Rossello who turned it wide in the 25th minute.
Yu Okubo was a constant outlet for Hills United FC. He glided inside his defender and lashed it wide of the mark.
Hills United FC hit the lead in the 37th minute in fine fashion. Anthony Frangie found some space and curled the ball into the net for a stunner and it was 1-0 to the hosts.
Manly United FC ended the half with a flurry of chances. Both McCarthy and Miguel Bauza had shots which Hills United FC keeper Ryan dealt with well.
The visitors picked up where they left off before the break. Kekeris broke into the area and he was denied by the defence.
They continued to push for an equalizer in the 55th minute. Bauza tried to curl one towards goal but Wood was up to the task again.
Hills United FC doubled their delight in the 58th minute. Frangie whipped in a free-kick which found the head of Thomas Lopez to make it 2-0.
The substitutes combined for a chance for Hills United. Sunday Yona cut it back to Cameron Philp who whistled it over.
Philp continued to be a danger on the break. He picked up an errant ball but couldn’t keep the shot down in the 74th minute.
Manly United FC hadn’t given up the ghost in the chase for a point. Bauza again found space and drove an effort right at Wood.
The visitors went close again through substitute Ezra Palombini. He unfurled an effort which went straight to Wood in the 80th minute.
Hills United FC thought they had a third in the 85th minute. Glen Kelshaw drove a free-kick home which was directed home by substitute Mitchell Smith but was ruled offside.
Manly United FC clawed back a goal in the 87th minute. The corner was whipped in and Alen Aganovic nodded home for 2-1.
Speaking post match, Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly reflected on the third win of the season for his side.
“We were really well organized because we have conceded too many goals recently.
“We wanted to be hard to break down and play through and we did that well.
“I am super pleased to get the win and it’s important to take belief from those wins and go again.”
For Manly United FC coach Patrick Zwaanswijk, the former A-League star reflected on back-to-back losses for his side.
“I think we controlled the game but it was similar to last week that we couldn’t take our chances and you can’t win a game like that.
“We created enough but then made a simple error for the first then concede from a set piece which we should’ve been better on.”
Match Stats
Hills United FC 2 (Frangie ’37 Lopez ‘58)
Manly United FC 1 (Aganovic’87)
Saturday 30 March 2024
Landen Stadium
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Thomas Aalders
Fourth Official: James Makris
Hills United FC:1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 8. Eoin Montford, 9. Yu Okubo (10. Jamal Belkadi ’77), 11. Anthony Frangie (24. Sunday Yona ’67), 12. Jordan Lane, 17. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 19. Glen Kelshaw, 20. Thomas Lopez (13. Cameron Philp ’67), 26. Thomas Makko (15. Noah Casserly ‘90+2), 27. Nicolai Muller (18. Mitchell Smith ’77)
Unused subs: 31. William Loucas
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Manly United FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Kieren Paull (25. Rocco Pelle ’77), 3. Zac Sfiligoi, 6. Saxon Hillyer, 7. Peter Kekeris, 8. Joseph Fox (34. Jack Mason ’65), 10. Harry McCarthy (11. Connor Rose ’45), 12. Miguel Bauza (13. Ezra Palombini ’77), 16. Zayne Ahluwalia (27. Corey Cronin ’45), 19. Alen Aganovic, 39. Stefano Rossello
Unused subs: 41. Montgomery Partington
Yellow cards: Aganovic ‘87
Red cards:nil
Player Ratings:
3: Anthony Frangie (HUFC)
2: Nicolai Muller (HUFC)
1: Ryan Wood (HUFC)
By Justin Davies for Football NSW
