TeleChoice Premier League Round 6 Review

The Sharks, who are still carrying the ?unbeaten tag?, scored an impressive, yet hard-fought, victory against Macarthur Rams on Saturday evening.
Playing in-front of their home supporters at the picturesque Seymour Shaw venue, the Sharks were made to work for the win, with Paul Carter?s Rams desperate to turn their fortunes around.
Once again, Brian Brown could count on the experience of George Souris in defence and Brad Boardman up-front ? the striker added his sixth goal of the season for the Sharks in the closing stages against the Rams.
Shane Lyons had calmed the nerves of the anxious home supporters in the 76? minute as the Sharks midfielder diverted home a loose ball in the penalty-area following some splendid skill from Jim Bakis.
The Sharks win set-up a four-point lead at the top-of the ladder, even though it did stay that way for less than 24-hours.
Manly United reduced the Sharks lead to 1-point on Sunday afternoon when Phil Moss? team clinched an extremely hard-fought three-points against West Sydney Berries. Manly United needed to wait until the 90? minute to secure the win as Craig Midgley sealed the points with a last-ditch effort for the home side at Cromer Park.
Manly had previously taken the lead courtesy of a Berries own goal, though were pegged back with some great play by Berries? striker Giosue Sama.
Midgley?s strike at the death ensured Manly would keep the pressure on League leader Sutherland Sharks.
Sydney Olympic remain the closest rivals to the top-two, though the Blues? encounter at Belmore Sports Ground with Bankstown City was postponed to a later date ? the new date for the fixture to be released shortly by Football NSW.
Blacktown City Demons managed to take a point from Penrith-Nepean United at Penrith?s CUA Stadium ? an achievement that not too many sides will be able to boast about this season.
Penrith-Nepean has been impressive at home, and the side seemed destined for another home three-pointer as the second-half commenced. Eric Anabalon got the ball rolling for Penrith, though the Demons ? in the space of 10? minutes ? equalised through Daniel Wilkinson and then hit the front via the boot of Ben Willis.
15? minutes from time though, Anabalon salvaged a point for United with a powerful drive from the edge of the penalty-area.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers v Marconi Stallions ? the ?Italian Derby? ? did not fail to live up to expectations as both sides attacked in a bid to get their respective seasons on track.
A.P.I.A., who have managed to collect two wins and a draw from their last three outings now ? including the 2-0 win against the Stallions this last weekend – have their season back on the right track though the Stallions season is far from heading in the right direction.
David Barrett?s side was left to rue a number of scuffed opportunities at Lambert Park on Sunday, including a second-half penalty miss by Tolgay Ozbey ? A.P.I.A.?S Matthew Nash doing his chances of gaining an A-League contract no harm with a fine penalty save.
Stephen Kayes and Robert Younis scored the goals for the Tigers ? both in the first-half ? as John Romeo?s side moved up to seventh-spot on the ladder.
At Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney United?s drop in form continued with a home loss against Wollongong FC.
John Turner?s Wollongong FC side seemed stronger and quicker throughout the match, taking control from the 8? minute when Ilija Prenzoski opened the scoring.
With the Sydney United defence constantly at ?sixes and sevens? Wollongong FC ended any chance the home side had of taking anything from the match when Prenzoski scored his second of the afternoon in the 56? minute.
-By Joseph Carlucci
TELECHOICE PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 6 RESULTS
Sutherland Sharks 2 (S Lyons 74m B Boardman 86m) Macarthur Rams 0, Penrith Nepean United 2 (E Abalon 50/74m) Blacktown City Demons 2 (D Wilkinson 55m B Ellis 65m), Sydney United 0 Wollongong FC 2 (I Prinzoski 8/56m), Sydney Olympic Bankstown City FC Postponed, APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 (R Younis 15m S Kayes 36m) Marconi Stallions 0, Manly United FC 2 (Own goal 57m C Midgley 90m) West Sydney Berries 1 (G Sama 71m).