Canterbury Bankstown FC-Bankstown Spartans 1-2
Canterbury Bankstown FC’s outstanding nine-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, with the Berries going down 2-1 to League One Men’s leaders Bankstown Spartans in a hard-fought contest at Jensen Park.
With both teams chasing promotion objectives, the match lived up to expectations, but it was the visitors who claimed all three points to strengthen their grip on automatic promotion.
After 24 rounds, the Berries sit fifth on the ladder with a record of 12 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses. They are now five points behind Northern Tigers in the promotion play-off position with six rounds remaining, setting up a season-defining derby against Bankstown City Lions this Saturday.
The home side made the perfect start, opening the scoring after just nine minutes. Spartans goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis could only spill a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, allowing Joel Beattie to react quickest and finish from close range for his first goal since returning to the Berries during the transfer window.
Both sides battled fiercely throughout the opening half, fully aware of what was at stake in the race for promotion. Peter Kostopoulos came close to doubling the lead in the 35th minute, but his effort sailed over the crossbar to the relief of Bouzanis.
The missed opportunity proved costly. On the stroke of half-time, Dakota Askew made an incisive run before finding winger Jayden Tram, who calmly slotted home from close range to level the scores at 1-1.
The Berries started the second half brightly and thought they had regained the lead in the 52nd minute. Patrick Savor’s dangerous set-piece was met by a thunderous header from central defender Dejan Bakrdanikoski, only for the assistant referee to controversially rule the goal offside, much to the disbelief of the home bench and supporters.
Just three minutes later, Spartans made the most of a corner when striker Aedan Kyra poked home his 18th goal of the season to put the visitors ahead 2-1. The goal also moved Kyra within two goals of Berries striker William Kounnas, who leads the Golden Boot race with 20 goals.
The Berries pushed hard for an equaliser and almost found one late in the contest. Substitute Aleks Zecevic created space on the edge of the area before finding Kounnas, whose first-time effort was well held by Bouzanis.
Head Coach Wally Savor praised his side’s performance despite the defeat.
“It was disappointing to have our goal ruled out early in the second half because it could have changed the game. Overall, I thought the boys gave a really good effort against the runaway leaders of the competition.”
Club President Stan Seraskeris remained optimistic despite seeing the unbeaten run come to an end. “It’s disappointing to see our winning sequence end, but we still have six games to play. The boys have shown great character all season and we’ll keep fighting for that second promotion spot.”
Attention now turns to one of the biggest matches of the season as the Berries host fierce rivals Bankstown City Lions at Jensen Park this Saturday, 25 July, with kick-off at 5.00pm.
The Lions sit just two points ahead of Canterbury Bankstown, while the Berries are only five points behind Northern Tigers in the race for the promotion play-off position. With Football NSW set to live stream the match, all the ingredients are in place for a blockbuster local derby and a contest worthy of Match of the Round.
