Manly United played out a scoreless draw against Sydney FC in Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition, played at Cromer Park on Friday evening.
On the last day of summer, warm conditions on the Northern Beaches certainly took their toll on both sides. As such, the first real opportunity of the game only arrived in the 20th minute and it was a wonderful chance for Sydney FC.
A long through ball found Northern Beaches local Mathias Macallister on the edge of the box and he created some beautiful space before firing on target, but he was thwarted by a superb save from Levi Kaye, who is always one of the best custodians in the business. However, the ball rebounded back into the field of play and Joe Lacey tried a spectacular overhead kick, but misconnected and the chance went begging.
A few minutes later, midway through the first half, the young Sydney FC side was at it again through Macallister, but once again his on-target shot couldn’t beat Kaye between the sticks.
Manly United had to wait until the 45th minute to try their luck when a precise Lucas Meek cross from the right was met by a Matthew O’Donoghue header, but in the end Sydney FC goalkeeper Jacob Cremen-Cowan was alert enough to save. Both sides then trudged off into the sheds for a well-deserved break at half time and a cool drink.
In the second half, the first goal scoring chance belonged to Sydney FC in the 67th minute when Lacey, with a brilliant effort from outside the box, brought out the best in ‘keeper Kaye, who turned his shot over the crossbar for a corner.
At this stage Manly United coach and Central Coast Mariners legend Patrick Zwaanswijk had seen enough to make four changes in the 68th minute, in an attempt to reshuffle the deck. Fresh legs on a hot night was the aim as the game desperately required a breakthrough, that in the end didn’t eventuate.
The game ebbed and flowed right until the final whistle, with both sides making some noise. However, real goal-scoring chances were few and far between as both sides struggled in the hot, humid conditions.
A long ball in the 90th minute by Benjamin Koop was at least an attempt to spark a goal for Manly United, but in the end the ball dwindled wide of the mark and out for a goal kick in what really summed up the night for both sides and the loyal fans at Cromer Park.
Both sides earned a point, probably the fairest outcome for such a tight contest.
For Sydney FC, coach Jimmy Van Weeren will be at least partially satisfied given the plethora of other teams on the ladder in their vicinity after a month of regular season football. It’s a credit to their young, talented playing group that they compete so well at such a high level.
Manly United might regret the loss of two points given the bonus of their home ground in what was technically Sydney FC’s home match. However, the team in general, and goalkeeper Levi Kaye in particular, deserve credit for a third clean sheet in four games.
Match Stats
SYDNEY FC 0
MANLY UNITED 0
Friday 28 February 2025
Cromer Park
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant referees: Aaron Bloch, Blake Sanchez-Cruz
Fourth Official: Travis Griffith
SYDNEY FC: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 4. Joseph Calusic, 5. Corey Cronin, 6. Tyler Williams, 9. Mathias Macallister, 10. Taye Hedley (11. Marin France 62’), 21. Zachary De Jesus (22. Will Kennedy 46’), 25. Alen Harbas, 26. Dylan Rose, 27. Lachlan Middleton, 29. Joe Lacey (2. Noah Mathie 75’).
Substitutes not used: 12. Alex Zaverdinos, 14. Jared Middleton, 15. Samuel Lancaster
Yellow Card: Rose 89′
Red Cards: Nil
MANLY UNITED: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Aaron O’Driscoll, 3. Matthew O’Donoghue (6. Bilal Belkadi 67’), 4. Jesse Piriz, 10. Harry McCarthy (39. Samuel Griffiths), 11. Lucas Meek, 13. Taiga Kawano (9. Benjamin Koop), 19. Alen Aganovic, 23. Darcy Burgess (16. Ryan Devine 67’), 26. Harry Van Der Saag, 28. Jasper Chipman (17. Farah Koko 67’).
Substitutes not used: 21. Anthony Carreras
Yellow Cards: McCarthy 44’, Devine 78’, Van Der Saag 90’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Mathias Macallister (SFC)
2 – Lucas Meek (MU)
1 – Joe Lacey (SFC)
By Football NSW
