United get a point as Sutherland remain undefeated

The best thing about state league football is when the car park is full and you're left to park on the street, you know you're in for a treat of a match.

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A vocal crowd in excess of 500 gathered at Edensor Park, possibly avoiding spending time with their families on Mother's Day or alternatively because there was a mouth watering clash between two of the league's top clubs.

Labelled prior to season start as the side every team wanted to beat, Sydney United suffered their first loss of the season last weekend to the hands of Mark Crittenden's Blacktown City. The 2-1 result meant United's grip on second spot on the ladder was slipping away. However this did not phase head coach, Jean-Paul de Marigny who was determined to get the result his side needed against Sutherland.

Robbie Stanton's men have been a level above the other sides in the competition so far this season. For a club who usually start poorly and improve as the season goes on, there haven't been many people who are embracing the strong form moreso than the coach himself. Stanton has mentioned on previous occasions that his secret to their good form is to simply take each game one step at a time and not get too far ahead of themselves.

Arguably the most exciting moment of the first half was the referee's whistle to say it was time for a break. With both sides setting out in a 4-4-2 shape and relying on individual players in midfield, Steve Hayes for United and Nick Stavroulakis for Sutherland, this fixture was always going to be based on 'who would make a mistake first'.

There was one moment in the first half which brought the crowd to their feet. Nick Stavroulakis appeared to handle the ball in the box after a cross from United forward Ben Vidaic was sent into the fray. United players surrounded the referee protesting for a penalty and United supporters lined the edges of the stadium shouting their views. The referee waved play on suggesting the incident was 'ball to hand' and not the other way around.

It has become fairly common knowledge that both United and Sutherland perform better in the second half, with each side generally taking the first half to 'warm up'.


Sutherland's first name on the teamsheet, Nathan Denham, continued to prove how valuable he's been this season in goals for the sky blue club. Almost as soon as the second half whistle was blown Denham was forced into a diving save from an Ante Tomic shot on goal. This was just the start of many attacks by United.

As the match hit the hour mark there were some nervous moments at the back for Sutherland, the ever present and usually indestructible George Souris was caught out at the back when his attempted clearance came off the shins of an on-coming Luka Glavas. Luckily for Sutherland, Glavas is not as prolific in front of goal as he used to be and his shot edged wide.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, who else but Matt Bailey realised that one goal would be enough to win this fixture, attempting an audacious lob over United's 'keeper from distance which sailed over the post. In the 80th minute Bailey was gifted another chance, this time from three yards out. Panni Nikas provided a perfectly weighted ball but Bailey's target was off and a goal kick was awarded.

Former Sydney FC and North Queensland Fury midfielder Ufuk Talay came on with 15 minutes to make an impact. His first opportunity was a free kick, cleared by Sutherland's Hayden Morton with ease. The second was another free kick and this time it was Nick Staroulakis who proved to be the hero, his clearance off the line in the dying moments of the match enough to guarantee his side got a point from the encounter.

Speaking with Sutherland coach Robbie Stanton post-match he was content with the result yet still believes there is room for improvement.

"Happy with a point, especially in these conditions tonight. Our performance was good. If you look at where we are at the moment, Round Seven, and then look at how the club has performed in recent years. Rounds Six and Seven have been a turning point for us, we've usually gone from poor to much better, this time around we had a very good start so this could be a change for good or bad. Teams will struggle at this point, others will get complacent, sides will start to pick up.

"In the end though, we were strong, obviously not playing our football, but this fixture was a real arm wrestle. Have to be happy with the way we handled ourselves on the pitch and showed strength, commitment and team unity."

This result sees Sutherland move from the top spot on the table into second, however they can be still embrace the fact they are the only club to have not lost a game all season.

"We've just got a good bunch of players who are capable of great things to be honest. Being undefeated was not a goal of ours, and obviously we won't stay undefeated all season, thats pretty tough, but at this stage we've picked up some good points - four wins at home and three away draws. Just got to work on turning those away draws into wins down the track.

"The team is playing some good football, there is no doubt, but we haven't been able to beat a side three or four nil, all of our games have been tight. I think we are capable of those big scorelines, we're only going to get better now."

End Result: Sydney United 0 - Sutherland Sharks 0.

Upcoming Fixtures:
Sutherland Sharks v Marconi Stallions at Seymour Shaw Park - Saturday 14th May, 7pm kick off
Sydney United v Sydney Olympic at Edensor Park - Sunday 15th May, 3pm kick off

Match Highlights courtesy of Football NSW