TeleChoice Premier League Round 7 Review

Round 7 of the TeleChoice Premier League produced no change to the top-two positions on the League ladder, as both Sutherland Sharks and Manly United were held to draws by Bankstown City and A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers respectively.
Of the top-two, Sutherland would be the more satisfied as the team from the Shire picked up a point at Jensen Park ? a venue few teams will successfully take points from Bankstown City.
Despite conceding possession ? and the clearer cut goal scoring opportunities ? Sutherland gained an important point which keeps the side un-beaten after seven Rounds of the competition.
Sutherland Sharks had their goalkeeper Phillip Zabaks in exceptional form as the shot-stopper frustrated both the Bankstown City players and supporters with saves of an extremely high level.
Bankstown City, despite their great play and numerous goal scoring opportunities, will be bitterly disappointment not to have taken the three-points from the clash, considering a number of regular first team players had returned to the playing fields.
Robbie Mileski led the charge for Bankstown, meanwhile the influence of Steve Liavas and Shane Webb was very important for the chances created.
Bankstown remain in the bottom-half of the ladder with only six-points from six-matches played to-date.
Manly United on the other-hand will be happy to have secured a last-minute point following Joseph Schirripa?s equaliser at Cromer Park against the Tigers.
Manly was facing defeat in the face with only moments remaining, though Phil Moss? men managed to salvage a point ? one-point from a home match where Manly would have certainly wanted maximum points to surpass the Sharks.
The 10-man Tigers led 2-0 at the break, with goals to Marton Vass in the 18? and Christian Care in the 27? minutes.
Manly?s first ?come-back? arrived via a quick double between the 61? and 63? minutes, as Chris Payne and Craig Midgley drew the Cromer Park boys level.
A.P.I.A.?-Leichhardt would have thought Robert Younis? strike 19?minutes from time was enough to secure a huge morale boosting victory ? despite playing with 10-men since the 28? minute after Peter Peralta was shown a straight red-card for an elbow behind play – though Schirippa would prove to be the hero.
Schirippa?s powerful strike keeps Manly one-point behind Sutherland Sharks.
Macarthur Rams handed Sydney United another win-less week ? their third over the past
three weeks ? as the two sides fought out a 0-0 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Elsid Barkhousir and Luka Glavas? liveliness up-front for the Reds was not enough as Sydney United failed to break-down the Rams rear-guard.
Rams? boss Paul Carter was happy with his side?s point away from home, though Sydney United?s fine start to the season has certainly dissolved as the Reds have slipped to fifth position on the League ladder.
Another side to slip down the ladder has been ?new boys? West Sydney Berries.
Despite their recent tough luck in matches that Scott Baillie?s men have dominated, the Berries had no answer for two wonder-strikes by Wollongong FC pairing Ballamadou Conde and Osagie Ederaro. A goal by each of these talented footballers on either side of the half-time break secured a very happy John Turner a second consecutive away win, signalling Wollongong FC?s intentions for a successful season.
In arguably the shock of the Round, Penrith-Nepean United ? who have been a mountain to overcome at their CUA Stadium in Penrith ? sent an ominous warning to all adversaries as the team from out West defeated the much fancied Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.
In a tense affair with many fouls ? not aided by the wet conditions from a downpour prior to the match ? Eric Anabalon?s tap-in off a Ryan O?Shea header just before half-time was enough to secure Abbas Saad?s men a win over the Blues.
The win secures Penrith-Nepean a top-four spot after seven matches ? a far cry from Premier League season 2007 where Penrith-Nepean were the ?easy beats? of the competition.
On Saturday evening, the clash between two TeleChoice Premier League heavy-weights ? both of which found themselves occupying the bottom-two places on the Ladder going into the match produced an entertaining encounter at Gabbie Stadium.
Blacktown City Demons collected their first win of the campaign against Marconi Stallions ? who now remain the only side along with Macarthur Rams not to have recorded a win this season.
Benjamin Ellis and Bruno Salas scored the goals for the Demons, Salas? goal cancelling out Wade Oostendorp?s equaliser on 40? minutes.
For the Stallions the picture still looks bleak as David Barrett?s side continue to struggle in-front of goal.
The Stallions sit at the foot of the table with two-points to show for their seven matches, one-point less than Macarthur Rams.
-By Joseph Carlucci
Round 7 TeleChoice Premier League Results
Blacktown City Demons 2 (Benjamin Ellis 5m Bruno Salas 50m) Marconi Stallions 1 (Wade Oostendorp 40m), West Sydney Berries 0 Wollongong FC 2 (Ballamodou Conde 26m Osagie Ederaro 63m), Bankstown City FC 0  Sutherland Sharks 0, Sydney United 0 Macarthur Rams 0, Sydney Olympic 0 Penrith Nepean United 1 (Ryan O?Shea 44m), Manly United FC 3 (Christopher Payne 61m Craig Midgley 63m Joseph Schirripa 90m)  APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 (Marton Vass 18m Christian Care 27m Robert Younis 72m).