Report: Outrageous goals and late drama to close memorable Round 1
The first round of the Australian Championship concluded on Sunday with all five matches providing unique storylines.
Heidelberg United 1 – 0 Marconi Stallions
Heidelberg United edged out Marconi Stallions 1-0 in a close-fought clash.
After a goalless first half, the hosts grabbed the opener in the 57th minute. Anthony Lesiotis worked the ball out to the right side, where Anthony Theodoropoulos arrowed a strike into the left of the goal.
The away side had several chances to equalise, including an excellent headed opportunity for attacker Jordan Swibel that went amiss.
However, they could not find a route back into the game as Bergers claimed a win in their first match.
South Hobart 1 – 3 Wollongong Wolves
In a slippery battle, Wollongong earned a 3-1 win against South Hobart.
It was a hard-fought first half, and the Wolves took the lead after 36 minutes courtesy of Alex Masciovecchio. Thomas James sprinted down the left wing before picking out the winger to tap in the opener.
It took the hosts just five minutes to equalise as they capitalised on a loose ball for Austin Yost to blast into the left of the goal.
The tense tone of the match continued into the second half, before a wonder strike from Kazuya Yamamura won the points for the visitors. The midfielder lined up from just inside South Hobart’s half and watched the ball float all the way in.
Wollongong survived some nervy moments to seal the victory in stoppage time. The side made the most of a giveaway at the back from their opponents, with Nicholas Olsen squaring the ball for James, who made no mistake.
Broadmeadow Magic 2 – 3 Moreton City Excelsior
Moreton City Excelsior prevailed with a stoppage-time penalty to beat Broadmeadow Magic in a five-goal thriller.
The visitors opened the scoring half an hour in as Seita Murai played the ball out to the right wing, where Joe Scott steered a first-time finish inside the far post.
Magic fought back to equalise 10 minutes later through Jarred Baker, who reacted fastest to a loose ball in the box and prodded home.
Moreton City re-established their lead just before the hour mark when Scott snuck in behind down the left and steered a low finish in.
The hosts were not out of it yet, and in the 79th minute, Cody Nancarrow bundled the ball in following a corner to restore parity once more.
It looked like the teams would have to settle for a point, but deep into stoppage time, Murai was taken out in the box, leading to a likely decisive penalty being awarded.
Murai stepped up and picked out the top right corner to secure three points for Moreton City in the most dramatic fashion.
Sydney United 58 1 – 1 Bayswater City
Bayswater City snatched a late point against Sydney United 58.
It was a tight contest between the teams in the first half, as neither gave much away.
United 58 broke the deadlock in the 70th minute from the penalty spot. Carlos De Oliveira took responsibility and fired the ball into the left of the goal.
Time was running out for Bayswater, but in the second minute of additional time, they found a way to draw level. Jackson Stephens scored with a dipping side-footed volley from outside the box that flew into the top right corner and earned a valuable point for the visitors.
Avondale 3 – 1 Canberra Croatia
A fluid attacking display from Avondale guided the hosts to a 3-1 win over Canberra Croatia.
In a cagey first half, the home side dominated possession, but chances were limited at both ends.
Avondale’s probing paid off before the hour mark. Aamir Abdallah’s right-wing cross met Bruno Fornaroli, who sent a bullet header into the goal.
The momentum stayed with Avondale, and they grabbed their second goal in the 69th minute. Cian Cuba clipped a left-wing cross in for George Ott, who efficiently brought the ball down and slotted a smart finish home.
Canberra Croatia responded a few minutes later through Shoki Yoshida, sliding to convert a cross from the right.
The side kept pushing and almost restored parity, but Zachary Cianci put the game beyond doubt for Avondale with an instinctive finish late on.