Manly United 0-2 Hills United
Manly United were defeated 2-0 by Hills United at Cromer Park on Friday evening.
Hills’ Japanese target man Yu Okubo was the difference maker with goals in the 28th and 55th minute.
Manly’s Miguel Bauza seemed lively at the start of the match as the talented midfielder was amongst everything, hoping to stamp his authority on the match early.
The visitors replied in turn with an aggressive style of play as they attempted to disrupt the hosts physically. Five minutes in Byron Ginn brought down Peter Kekeris by his collar, then two minutes later he thumped into him with some authority.
That got the ball rolling as Hills’ new recruit Lachlan Sepping combined almost perfectly with Okubo, only to run out of space and lose possession with an unnecessary backheel in the 9th minute.
Then seven minutes later Sepping’s powerful shot from outside the box had to be tipped over with one hand by Levi Kaye, as the Manly goalkeeper pulled off a miraculous save.
As the 28th minute rolled around it was Okubo who turned things into gold for Hills, as he smartly placed his boot high and latched onto the ball, beating everybody to register his sixth goal of the NPL Men’s NSW campaign.
Six minutes later the physical style of play from Hills United was more forceful than ever as Bauza flew straight into the back of Noah Casserly, with both players fearlessly competing for the ball.
Manly built up a brilliant attacking passage of play early in the second half, however Jordan Lane had other ideas and inserted himself in the middle as he safely cleared the ball away in the 49th minute.
In the 55th minute, Okubo doubled his tally with ease from close range and made it 2-0.
Kekeris nearly dragged Manly back into the game in the 64th minute via his curling, long range ball, but Ben Koop couldn’t capitalise.
Kieren Paull troubled Ryan Wood shortly after as his shot from outside the box caused the keeper to drop it initially and then pick it up.
It was to be one of the last meaningful action highlights of the evening, as Hills United recorded a massive win to boost its chances of surviving relegation.
“I was happy with the performance, we showed very good signs and we worked hard,” said Hills United’s Jamal Belkadi post-match.
“We are like a family, and it was on display, and if we keep on playing this way, we’ll be off the bottom soon and be stronger for next season.
“Come our next game against Sutherland we’ll be looking to do the exact same thing by scoring goals. During the week we focused a lot on pressing and being able to position ourselves to penetrate the opposition. This was what we prepared for, and all the hard training paid off.”
Manly United 0
Hills United 2 (Yu Okubo 28’, 55’)
Match Stats
Friday 05 July 2024
Cromer Park, Cromer
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Jackson Mackie and Blake Sanchez-Cruz
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
Manly United: 1.Levi Kaye, 2.Kieren Paull, (3.Zac Sfiligoi 72’), 4.Jesse Piriz, (6.Saxon Hillyer 61’), 7.Peter Kekeris, 8.Joseph Fox, 9.Benjamin Koop, (11.Connor Rose 61’), 12.Miguel Bauza, 18.Alen Aganovic, (22.Blake Bamgbose 72’), 25.Rocco Pelle, 39.Stefano Rossello, 45.Bilal Belkadi
Unused subs:26.Oliver Burden, 41.Anthony Carreras
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Hills United: 1.Ryan Wood, 5.Daniel Petkovski, 8.Yerasimakis Petratos, 9.Yu Okubo, (10.Jamal Belkadi 85’), (11.Anthony Frangie 79’), 12.Jordan Lane, 13.Cameron Philp, 15.Noah Casserly, 16.Lachlan Sepping, (20.Thomas Lopez 59’), 22.Byron Ginn, 26.Thomas Makko, 27.Nicolai Muller, (77.Dimi Petratos 79’)
Unused subs: 31.William Loucas, 49.Kaya Akdeniz
Yellow cards: (Nicolai Muller 90+1’)
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Yu Okubo (HU)
2: Jordan Lane (HU)
1: Miguel Bauza (MU)
-By Football NSW
