Picture: Football NSW
SYDNEY United 58 FC claimed the silverware eventually, but not without a stern test from Sydney Olympic in the PS4 Preseason Cup final on the weekend.
The match was played at Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park.
Mark Cindric’s goal in the first half was all that separated the two sides and although United had the better of the first half, it was Sydney Olympic who made the most of the second 45 minutes.
They went close to scoring a number of times but only some desperate defending and wasteful finishing saw United keep a clean sheet.
The opening was, as expected, cagey, and neither side managed to get on top of the other during the opening quarter of an hour.
Both Mark Rudan and Grant Lee started with relatively strong sides and despite the preseason nature of the contest, there was silverware on the line after all.
The heat kept the sting out of the contest early but a 21st minute free kick provided an opportunity for the Reds.
Ante Tomic’s curler looked destined for the top corner, but Paul Henderson showed he hasn’t lost any of his famed athleticism, arching his back to tip away the free kick as it arrowed towards the back of the net.
The goal came 10 minutes later.
Henderson came through a crowd to punch away a free kick, but Nick Stavroulakis headed it back into the area. Superb chest control from Robbie Mileski took him around his defender and he showed great composure to square the ball to Mark Cindric, who couldn’t miss.
Olympic struggled to get a foot-hold in the match after conceding, though Dimitri Hatzimouratis forced a save from Justin Pasfield in the last minute of the half.
United clung on and although Proia missed a great one-on-one chance late on, it mattered not as the Reds claimed the first trophy of the season.
MATTHEW LOPEZ
