Sydney University’s hopes of a finals berth in the NSW Men’s Super League were dealt a blow on Saturday when they were defeated 4-1 by ninth placed Dulwich Hill at Hensley Field.
Sydney University are now eighth on the competition ladder after 19 rounds, with matches against Blacktown Spartans and St George to round out the competition proper.
West Sydney Berries head the ladder on 34 points, with Macarthur Rams (33), Blacktown (31), St George (30), Northern Tigers (29) and Granville Rage (29) making up the top six. Spirit FC (28) and Sydney University (26) are knocking at the door, but will need some results going their way in the final two rounds.
Despite taking a one goal lead into the break on Saturday, courtesy of Liam McConaghy, Dulwich Hill dominated the second half to turn the tables on the home side.
Robbie Shields drew Dulwich Hill level three minutes after the restart and Darren Stapleton put the visitors ahead just after the hour.
Despite University still having their chances – one shot hit the crossbar – they couldn’t post an equaliser, and the writing was on the wall when Matt Bianco made it 3-1.
A penalty awarded to University could have reduced the deficit but that chance was spurned, with Matt Kasbarian saving the spotkick from James O’Rourke.
Matt Ferriera put the final nail in the coffin with a 90th-minute goal, giving Dulwich Hill their biggest win of the season.
It was a disappointing night for Sydney University coach John Calleja. “That was like a replay of the first round when we played them”, he said. “And we weren’t as good as we have been lately, our enthusiasm was a bit down.
“We definitely shaded them in the first half without creating too many chances and it seemed to be going to plan. But we just didn’t come out in the second half. We were diabolical and a rabble. In the end, we got punched”.
The news was better in the Under 20 camp, where Sydney University posted a 4-2 win over Dulwich Hill to maintain second place on the competition ladder.
Spirit FC lead the Under 20 ladder on 40 points, with St George (37), Central Coast (36), Sydney University (30), Northern Tigers (29) and Hills Brumbies (25) making up the top six.
Scoreboard
NSW Men’s Super League – Round 20
First Grade: Dulwich Hill 4 (Robbie Shields 48m, Darren Stapleton 63m, Matt Bianco 77m, Matt Ferreira 90m) d Sydney University 1 (Liam McConaghy 43m) at Hensley Athletic Field.
Under 20: Sydney University 4 d Dulwich Hill 2.
Super Youth League – Round 23
Grade 13: Sydney University 4 d West Sydney Berries 0.
Grade 14: Sydney University 2 d West Sydney Berries 0.
Grade 15: Sydney University 4 d West Sydney Berries 0.
Grade 16: Sydney University 3 d West Sydney Berries 2.
Grade 18: Sydney University 3 d West Sydney Berries 2.
Women’s Premier League – Round 20
First Grade: Sydney University 5 d Western NSW Panthers 0 at Alex Lamberton Field.
Reserve Grade: Sydney University 2 d Western NSW Panthers 0.
Under 16: Western NSW Panthers 3 d Sydney University 2.
Under 14: Sydney University 0 drew with Western NSW Panthers 0.
Under 12: Sydney University 2 d Western NSW Panthers 0
