A lone strike from Panni Nikas was just enough for Sutherland Sharks to see off their neighbours St George in round three of the McDonald's Cup. In a match which saw both clubs field their strongest side, a rarity it seems in this competition, it was the Premier League outfit, and Cup holders, who progressed to the next round over their Super League opponents.
It was St George though who dominated the first period but they were unable to break through the Sharks defence, led as always by the evergreen George Souris.
Jordan Figon had a good chance for the Saints while Daniel Nash tipped over a Sharks attempt, direct from a free kick. It was an entertaining match despite the cool conditions and there was little between the two sides.
The Sharks came back into the game in the second half and twenty minutes after the break, Nikas broke the deadlock. Receiving the ball in midfield, he was allowed too much time and picked his spot with a nice strike.
St George pressed for an equaliser and Ivo de Jesus came very close but Nathan Denham was equal to the task.
In the dying minutes, Saints keeper Daniel Nash was adjudged, perhaps harshly, to have brought down Nikas just outside the area and received a red card for his troubles. The Saints battled on gamely but just couldn't draw level and it was the Sharks that went into the draw for Round Four.
MATCH STATS:
St George Saints FC
:
Daniel Nash (gk), Hussein Rachid, David Smith, Daniel Firth (Aaron Liddell +88'), Simon Verrender (c), Aram Derakzala, Reuben Lagos, Ivo de Jesus, Arthur Diles (Blake Ricciuto +65'), Peter Crevani, Jordan Figon
Player listing:
Substitutes not used: Andrew Heath, Daniel Fallico, Gillian Buckley
Coach: Nick Orlic
Yellow Cards:
Nil
Red Cards: Daniel Nash
Sutherland Shire Sharks FC
:
Player listing:
Nathan Denham (gk), George Souris (c), Michael Robinson, Chris Price (Tyson Rhodes +), Blake Powell, Ben Spruce (Panni Nikas +), Nick Stavroulakis, James Lawrence (M Hardwick +), Paul Kohler (Stephen McConologue), Huseyin Jasli, Brad di Salvo
Substitutes not used: Jack Duncan
Coach: Robert Stanton
Yellow Cards:
Nil
Red Cards:
Referee: Kevin Peddie
Assistants: Thomas Diakos and Lance Morton
Pitch rating: tba/10
Game rating: tba/10
Players to note: n/a
Match Report by Peter Rowney
