Manly United were defeated 2-0 by St George City in the Friday night NPL Men’s NSW game at Cromer Park.
Paolo Mitry opened the scoring for the away side, before Nathan Grimaldi added a second goal in a flying first 12 minutes, which proved the platform for City’s victory.
City produced a sustained period of possession at the start of the first half as they probed for an early goal.
Eight minutes in, that opening goal spectacularly arrived for the visitors. Mitry flicked the ball up to himself to permit a dipping volley from outside the area, that nestled in the top left corner.
City continued to put Manly under pressure with a series of deliveries into the box that teased a second for the side.
In the 12th minute, the visitors snatched their second. Louis Khoury’s effort from the edge of the box deflected into Grimaldi’s path, and the defender slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
St George City’s blistering start put them in a commanding position within the first 15 minutes at Cromer Park. However, the visitors’ momentum fizzled out as the game descended into a midfield battle, with United demonstrating greater endeavour to advance up the pitch.
Mitry came close for St George City again 36 minutes in, when he sent a first-time side-footed shot just over the bar from outside the box. Moments later, the midfielder lined up once more, and this time the ball flew past the left post.
In the 43rd minute, Mitry got off another effort after he picked off a stray Manly pass, but he rolled the ball to goalkeeper Levi Kaye, and City took a two goal halftime lead into the dressing sheds.
The hosts made a strong start to the second half, with Harry van der Saag blasting an early strike that Jack Kenny caught in the City goal.
In the 65th minute, Mitry stepped up for a City free-kick, but Kaye proved equal to it with a comfortable catch.
The game became more stretched in the closing stages, yet the final touches were missing for both teams.
With two minutes of regular time to play, Peter Kekeris made room for a shot from the left edge of the box, which Kenny had to bat away.
Early in second half stoppage time, Matthew O’Donoghue sent a curling effort bouncing wide of the right post for the hosts. Then in the fourth minute of additional time, Levi Sciuriaga unleashed a powerful hit for St George City, forcing Kaye into a save.
The visitors saw out the remaining moments to earn a solid victory away from home.
Manly United FC 0
St George City FC 2 (Paolo Mitry 8’, Nathan Grimaldi 12’)
Match Stats
Friday 27 June 2025
Cromer Park, Cromer
Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistant Referees: Rory McFarlane and Rowan Fisher
Fourth Official: Alexandar Zastavnikovic
Manly United FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Aaron O’Driscoll, 3. Matthew O’Donoghue, 4. Jesse Piriz, 9. Benjamin Koop (13. Taiga Kawano 72’), 10. Harry McCarthy (7. Peter Kekeris 67’), 11. Lucas Meek (17. Farah Koko 67’), 19. Alen Aganovic, 23. Darcy Burgess (14. Maxwell Pengelly 81’), 26. Harry van der Saag, 28. Jasper Chipman (8. Stefano Rossello 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: 21. Anthony Carreras
Yellow Cards: Aaron O’Driscoll 64’
Red Cards: Nil
St George City FC: 1. Jack Kenny, 4. Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika, 5. Lewis Miccio (2. Matthew Wahby 72’), 8. Dominic Cox, 9. Marc McNulty, 10. Paolo Mitry (11. Fumoto Kamada 83’), 15. Nathan Grimaldi, 18. Goncalo Agrelos (7. Levi Sciuriaga 63’), 19. Jesse Photi, 23. Dakota Askew (17. Noah Ovens 83’), 33. Louis Khoury
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Cameron Kemp, 16. William Kounnas
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Paolo Mitry (St George City)
2 – Nathan Grimaldi (St George City)
1 – Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika (St George City)
