The first round of the 2023 BUPL saw plenty of action with 32 goal scored across eight matches.
All four games would see a tale of two halves as they were all locked up at halftime with some thrilling second half performances.
The local derby between Greenacre Eagles and Central Sydney Wolves had to be postponed and will be re-scheduled shortly.
Padstow Hornets and Padstow United couldn’t be separated, while Panania Diggers were able to sneak past Georges River Thistle.
Elsewhere, Yagoona Lions held off a late surging Revesby Workers to claim the three points, while Bankstown Sports Strikers were able to ease there way to a win over the Bass Hill Rangers.
Match of the Round: Padstow Hornets 1-1 Padstow United
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Padstow Hornets 0-3 Padstow United
Padstow United were able too hold off the 2022 champions fiery attack as the two sides claimed a point each in the first round of the competition.
The fixture will go down in BUPL history as it was the first BUPL 1st grade match to be played out of Bankstown Football’s New Home of Football, Padstow Park Synthetic.
Padstow United put the pressure on early into the first half winning a lot of ball in midfield.
United were able to turn this pressure into a goal early as a lovely through ball from Padstow United’s midfield into their attackers started a quick counter, with one of their attacker’s playing a beautiful low driven cross into Rafa Coutinho on the back post to who slotted the ball away in the 11th minute.
Despite going a goal down, Padstow Hornet’s heads did not drop as they looked to create chances straight after conceding.
The second goal of the match wouldn’t come long after the first as Brendan Cklamovski scored in the 18th minute to bring the game back to 1-1.
The second half of the match saw chances missed on both ends with both teams attacks unable to find the winning goal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw as the 2022 finals series teams will be looking to get their first wins in round 2.
Padstow Hornets will take on Georges River Thistle at Coleman Park in Round 2, while Padstow United will also play away from home against Central Sydney Wolves in Round 2.
Bass Hill Rangers 0-3 Bankstown Sports Strikers
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Bass Hill Rangers 0-4 Bankstown Sports Strikers
Bass Hill Rangers did not have their dream return to the BUPL as they would have liked as Bankstown Sports Strikers eased to a 3-0 win.
The first 20 minutes of the game would see both teams evenly matched as both teams defences were able to hold out early pressure from their opposition.
However in the 22nd minute of the match, Bankstown Sports Strikers would be given a slight advantage for the rest of the match as Bass Hill’s number 6, Diego Herrera, would be issued a straight red card for a foul when challenging for a ball.
Bass Hill were able to hold out Bankstown Sports Strikers for the rest of the first half as the scored was all locked up at 0-0 at the end of the first half.
With all of the momentum from the first half, Striker’s would see their hard work pay off in the 52nd minute with a goal from Victor Fernandes after halftime substitute Pedro beat a defender down the right wing and went inside the 18 yard box to find Victor.
Bass Hill tried to find a much-needed goal throughout the second half. However, the one-man disadvantage would prove to costly for Bass Hill in the final 10 minutes of the game which saw substitute Cameron Campisi find the bottom corner in the 82nd minute before Robson Aparecido de Souza went on his left foot to score in the 89th minute.
Bankstown Sports Strikers coach Ali Hassan was very pleased with the result and the impact his subs made off the bench.
“Very happy with the result, especially seeing 2 of our new signings get on the scoresheet while keeping a clean sheet,” Hassan said.
Both sides will get their chance to play at Bankstown’s Home of Football, Padstow Park, in round 2 as Bankstown Sports Strikers take on Revesby Workers and Bass Hill Rangers play Yagoona Lions.
Georges River Thistle 1-3 Panania Diggers
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Georges River Thistle 0-7 Panania Diggers
Panania Diggers were able to claim the three points against Georges River Thistle after a thrilling late surge in the second half.
The first half would see the game evenly matched with both sides with Panania Diggers unable to take their attacking chances due to their final passes.
The first half would be locked up at 0-0 at halftime.
Georges River Thistle looked to come out of the dressing rooms revitalised for the second half as Fayez Ghamloush scored an early goal into the second half to give Thistle the lead.
Despite going a goal down, Panania started to control the match through their midfield which would see Thistle begin to tire out towards the last 20 minutes of the match.
Panania were able to turn their pressure into a goal which saw Joshua Adams score in the 73rd minute of the match.
Panania were able to continue their momentum which saw a goal by Nicholas Vertsonis in the 81st minute followed by a beautiful top corner striker by Max Stephens in the 84th minute.
Panania’s strong pre-season looked to have helped them claim a late 3-1 victory of Georges River Thistle.
Panania will take on Greenacre Eagles at Padstow Park in round 2, while Georges River Thistle will be at Coleman Park to take on the 2022 champions Padstow Hornets.
Revesby Workers 2-3 Yagoona Lions
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Revesby Workers 1-3 Yagoona Lions
Yagoona lions were able to hold out a late push from Revesby Workers, to claim the 3-points in a high scoring 3-2 encounter.
Yagoona Lions were able to start on the front foot early as their number 9, Joshua Briskoski, was able to find the back of the net in the 25th minute.
However, a determined Revesby Workers side did not drop their heads and were able to find the leveller in the 34th minute through a goal from their young star, Ashtun Letele.
The two sides would go into halftime locked up at 1-1.
Yagoona Lions would come out firing in the second half with one of their new recruits and a prolific scorer in Bankstown’s 2022 competition, Jamie Bazevski, scoring in the 48th minute to give Yagoona Lions a 2-1 lead.
Jamie Bazevski would then go on to score a brace in the 70th minute of the game which would give Yagoona Lions a 2 goal advantage.
With Yagoona Lions looking to have secured all 3-points, Revesby Workers did not give up at they piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Revesby Workers Caleb Tall was able to score consolation goal in the 85th minute, however unable to add the third, Yagoona lions held on for a 3-2 victory.
Yagoona Lions will take on Bass Hill Rangers on Friday Night in round 2, while Revesby Workers will play high flying Bankstown Sports Strikers at Padstow Park on Saturday.
