SYDNEY - Canterbury Bankstown FC continued their outstanding run of form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Western Sydney neighbours, Prospect United, extending their unbeaten streak to nine matches and strengthening their promotion push.
The Berries have now climbed to third place on the League One Men’s ladder after 23 rounds with 41 points from 12 wins, five draws and six losses. Their impressive run of eight wins and one draw has kept them firmly in the promotion race as they close the gap on Northern Tigers and prepare for a blockbuster clash against league leaders Blacktown Spartans at Jensen Park next Saturday (July 18) at 5.00pm.
Prospect United arrived with a defensive game plan, looking to frustrate the Berries and strike on the counterattack or from set pieces. They were well served by goalkeeper Stefan Giglio, whose outstanding performance kept the visitors in the contest and prevented a much heavier defeat.
The Berries threatened early when Patrick Savor’s outswinging corner in the 10th minute found Taketo Ochiai, whose powerful header was well saved by Giglio.
Ten minutes later, Ryan Jom combined with Savor before the veteran midfielder slipped William Kounnas through on goal. The striker’s left foot effort beat Giglio but cannoned off the post, while Nicholas Azzi’s follow-up was brilliantly saved as the home side continued to dominate.
Prospect almost stole the lead in the 24th minute when Jacob Micalef burst down the right before finding Gabriel Vulcik, who fired narrowly wide.
Canterbury felt aggrieved not to receive penalties in the 27th and 29th minutes after Kounnas and Fiks Berisha were brought down inside the area, with Berisha’s appeal appearing the stronger of the two. Berisha continued to trouble the Prospect defence and forced another excellent save from Giglio in the 35th minute.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 41st minute when Nicholas Azzi dispossessed Joshua Okan before delivering a perfect pass across goal for Kounnas to calmly finish for his 19th goal of the season.
The lead lasted just one minute. A defensive mix-up between captain Gino Cerasoli and goalkeeper Luke Grenfell allowed William Dimartino to capitalise and equalise for Prospect, sending the teams into the halftime break locked at 1-1.
The second half was dominated by the Berries as they relentlessly searched for the winner. Peter Kostopoulos, deputising impressively for suspended winger John Fotopoulos, was influential down the left and continually created opportunities.
Kounnas and Azzi both went close in the 53rd and 58th minutes before Azzi forced another outstanding save from Giglio in the 61st minute. Substitute Joel Beattie headed wide from a Dejan Bakrdanikoski cross in the 71st minute, while Kounnas narrowly missed after excellent combination play between Ryan Jom and Kostopoulos four minutes later. Berisha also headed wide as the pressure continued to build.
The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when Kounnas unleashed a superb curling left-foot strike from outside the box that gave Giglio no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any match and took the prolific striker’s tally to 20 league goals for the season, extending his lead in the Golden Boot race with seven rounds remaining.
Head coach and former Socceroo Wally Savor was delighted with another important victory. “We were pleased to get another three points and come out of the game with no injuries”.
Club President Stan Seraskeris also praised the team’s continued success during the club’s historic 140th anniversary season. “We’re delighted with another important win in our club’s 140-year anniversary season and now look forward to our home clash with Blacktown Spartans next week”.
