NEPEAN BREAK INTO TOP FIVE WITH WIN OVER SOUTH COAST

Nepean FC showcased their class against South Coast Flame on Saturday night, as they produced a clinical performance to win 3-0. A first-half goal to Michael Fakiye was followed by goals to David Adjassou and Farres Aoun in the second half, as Nepean broke into the top-five for the first time since round one.

South Coast still sit in third spot; however the loss means that the chasing teams were able to decrease the points gap between themselves and the Flame.

In their previous encounter, Nepean and South Coast played out a 1-1 draw at Ian McLennan Park in Round 3.

Nepean looked dangerous from the first whistle and looked to grab an early goal. Jayden Young produced a chance in the 8th minute when he was able to turn and shoot – and his shot collided with the post, which issued a stern warning to the Flame.

Young created another chance in the 14th minute when he was able to turn and shoot for the second time, but his shot narrowly missed the right-post.

Louis Connell was out to make a statement after earning his first start since returning from injury. Connell was able to swiftly turn and force Rory McGowan to pull the striker down – and McGowan received a yellow card for the offence.

Nepean opened the scoring in the 38th minute through Fakiye, after the defender was able to pounce on a loose ball in the midfield and combine with his team-mates – before receiving the ball in the penalty box and finishing his chance.

Connell was able to link with Justin Smith in the 43rd minute after Connell was able to cross the ball into the path of Smith, but Smith’s shot just sailed over the bar.

Nepean continued to assert their dominance in the second half and won themselves a penalty in the 49th minute after a rash challenge in the box. Matthew White was able to get a hand to the shot, but Adjassou hit his shot with too much power – and the ball found its way into the back of the net.

Adjassou nearly had his second in the 52nd minute, after a corner from Paul Chester – which wasn’t cleared properly – found its way into the path of Adjassou, and his first-time shot narrowly missed the goal.

Matthew Mazevski cleverly linked up with Smith after being awarded a free-kick in the 61st minute, and Smith’s shot that followed was struck beautifully – but Thomas Hamilton was able to brilliantly deny Smith with a magnificent save.

Nepean had their third goal of the night in the 65th minute through Aoun, after Nepean’s front-three were able to brilliantly combine with each other – before Aoun placed the ball into the bottom left corner.

Nepean were able to control the match for the final 20 minutes and earned themselves a clean sheet and 3 vital points.

In a fixture which never fails to entertain – South Coast and Nepean’s U/20’s had to settle for a 1-1 draw, in a game which had almost everything. In their previous encounter, the two teams drew 3-3 – after Harrison Ellem snatched an equaliser at the death for the Flame.

Nepean took the lead through Abdul Mohseni – after a swift combination in the front third. South Coast equalised mid-way through the first half through a Jarrod Pollard goal – something we may never see until the next blue-moon. Daniel Blazevic was issued a red-card mid-way through the second-half, and Nepean had to fight for the final 20 minutes with 10 men. The match produced no more goals, and the scores remained 1-1 at full time.

In the previous U/18’s encounter between Nepean and South Coast, the two sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw at Ian McLennan Park – however South Coast’s U/18’s unfortunately went down 2-1 to Nepean in the first match of Saturday afternoon’s fixture. Fabian Zapata was able to pounce on a defensive error and put the Flame ahead early in the first-half, before two second-half goals to Nepean ensured that they were awarded the three points.

South Coast will make the long trip to face competition leaders – Central Coast United – next Saturday afternoon. U/18’s kick off at 1pm, U/20’s kick off at 3pm and First Grade kick off at 5pm.

Report by Jarrod Pollard