This weekend brought us one of the most eye catching results of the season while there were two heavily lopsided fixtures that created a glut of goals.
The ‘match of the round’ at Ron Routley Oval did its job in delivering on the entertainment front as Inter Lions became the first team to knock off Enfield this season. Elsewhere, LFC Sports and Hurlstone Park were ruthless against their respective opposition while Marrickville were too good for the Titans in their derby.
Inter Lions FC – Enfield FC 2-1
One of the shock results of the season arrived at Ron Routley Oval as Inter Lions inflicted the first defeat of the campaign on Enfield.
The home side came firing out of the blocks and found themselves two to the good within 15 minutes thanks to Nick Paradisis and Adam D’Apuzzo’s goals.
Image: Inter Lions captain, Giancarlo Papaianni, successfully challenges for the ball. Credit: MMS Sports Photography
Ronaldo Ribeiro did manage to pull one back for the visitors after he dispatched his penalty just seconds before half time.
The men from Henley Park did their best to mount a comeback in the second half but they were constantly thwarted by the experienced Inter defence who held out for the massive three points.
Inter’s victory makes life interesting at the top of the table with only five points separating fourth place Inter and first placed Enfield.
All four of the top four sides will be playing each other next weekend with Inter travelling to LFC while Enfield do battle with Hurlstone Park.
Image: Anthony Foti in action for Enfield. Credit: MMS Sports Photography
Balmain DFC – LFC Sports 1-6
LFC Sports completed a demolition job in the rain at Birchgrove Oval after they came out on top 6-1 against Balmain.
However, the hosts were leading from the outset with Nick Jackson putting them ahead on 12 minutes.
What followed was an attacking masterclass with Abdelrahman Kuku and Lenox Tweneboa reversing the score line before half time.
The rampage continued after the interval with Sam Messam notching a brace while Francesco Giannetto added one of his own all before the hour mark.
It was then left to Tweneboa to wrap up the rout with his second and his side’s sixth goal of the afternoon in the 87th minute.
Enfield’s defeat at Inter means that LFC are now equal on points with the league leaders heading into round 12.
They have a mouth-watering fixture on the horizon as they prepare to face Inter at Bennett Park next weekend.
The defeat for Balmain has seen them switch places with the now sixth placed Marrickville. Next up for the men from Birchgrove is a short trip to Campbell Park to meet Abbotsford.
Hurlstone Park – Leichhardt Tigers 9-1
Turning our attention to Ewen Park where Hurlstone Park smashed Leichhardt Tigers 9-1 in what can only be described as a one way affair.
The afternoon belonged to Hurlstone Park’s latest recruit, Daniel Fiumara, who scored and played a role in a number of his side’s goals.
He was the man to open the scoring after he comfortably slotted the ball past the Leichhardt Tigers shot stopper. He then turned provider with his defence splitting through ball setting up an onrushing Johnny Inati who made no mistake with his finish.
The home side continued to press the opposition as they added another seven goals to their cause with Brian McCarthy most notably helping himself to a hat trick while Sebastian Coello and the competition’s leading goal scorer, Frank Calcagno, both secured braces.
Their latest win sees them extend their winning streak to five matches ahead of their top of the table showdown with Enfield next weekend while Leichhardt have a date with Marrickville at Lambert Park.
Marrickville – Cooks River Titans 2-0
It was a case of déjà vu for the home side at Mackey Park on Saturday as they posted the same score line against Cooks River as they did the weekend before with Strathfield.
Not only was the score line the same but it was the same two players who got on the score sheet this time around.
Two second half goals decided this contest with Felix Lacey’s 65th minute effort breaking the deadlock before Indigo Castro made sure of the points with his strike on 89 minutes.
The three points sees Marrickville complete quite a comfortable double over their rivals with 3-0 the score when they first met at Lambert Park back in round two.
Marrickville have leapfrogged Balmain into sixth thanks to their win as they prepare to go head to head against Leichhardt while Cooks River welcome Strathfield to Gough Whitlam.
Strathfield – Abbotsford 0-3 (Strathfield forfeit)
By CDSFA Communications Officer – Samuel Greco Schwartz
