TeleChoice Premier League Round 12 Review
This has come, following the dominance of both Sutherland Sharks and Manly United over the first-half of the campaign.
In a weekend that produced late goals that determined matches in no-less than four encounters, both Manly and Sutherland ? Phil Moss? side led the Ladder on goal difference going into the Round ? failed to collect three-points in Round 12, enabling both Sydney United and Wollongong FC to close the gap on the top-four.
Manly United somewhat surprisingly proved that confidence is down at the moment, following the side?s second-consecutive home loss.
Bankstown City has played some great football this season, though has lacked the killer instinct in-front of goal ? typified by their League placing to-date.
On Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park though, Peter Tsekenis? men gave their claims for a top-four finish a ?shot in the arm? with a last ditch winner against the League leader.
Tayfun Devrimol latched onto a filtering through ball by Andre Gumprecht to seal three-points for his side.
The defeat ? for Manly United ? costs Phil Moss? men top-spot as Sutherland Sharks picked up a point at Lambert Park against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers.
At Lambert Park, the Sharks left it late to take a point, despite a spirited display by the Tigers.
Once more, Robert Younis led the way for the Tigers with a 22? minute free-kick. Brendan Gan equalised for the Sharks on the stroke of half-time, though the Tigers hit the front via the boot of TeleChoice Premier League debutant Jamie McMaster. McMaster had only just entered the field of play after replacing Jason Garrido and found the back of the net with his first touch.
Robert Younis and Sharks? goalkeeper Phillip Zabaks continued a personal war of attrition throughout the second-half, though the Sharks custodian would not be beaten again. Instead, Pedj Bojic scored what will certainly be one of the goals of the season 2? minutes from time with a stunning effort from 30-metres out finding the back of the net, and sealing a point for the visitors.
Sydney Olympic got one back over their local rivals West Sydney Berries, following their shock Round 1 loss against the ?new boys?.
An Anthony Hartshorn header, from a perfectly floated Ian Ramsay cross ? was enough for the Blues as Milan Blagojevic?s side annulled the efforts of a brave Berries outfit.
Marconi Stallions collected their second consecutive win ? also their second win of the season ? with a late strike by Vuko Tomasevic against Macarthur Rams.
In an encounter dominated by the Stallions, David Barrett?s men were unable to consolidate the large number of chances created ? Tolgay Ozbey the main culprit.
Tomasevic?s winner arrived three-minutes from full-time ? a double effort parried by Roy Bell firstly, and then converted by the Marconi man at the second attempt.
On Saturday evening, Sydney United ensured they kept the pressure on the top-two with an important 2-0 home win against Blacktown City Demons.
Despite their precarious position on the League ladder, the Demons were great value over the ninety-minutes and will feel hard done by ? leaving the Sydney United Sports Centre without a point.
The Demons, who are without a number of regular ?first-teamers? dominated for large spells in the match, though Sydney United rose to the occasion when it mattered.
Two free-kicks on either side of half-time sealed it for Ivan Petkovic?s men, Luka Glavas? right-footed swerving effort was matched by Josip Moric?s left-footed attempt late in the match.
In Penrith, Penrith-Nepean United was on the lookout for a vast improvement following their demise against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers one-week earlier.
The encounter with Wollongong FC was destined for a draw, until the 90? minute when a Tynan Diaz cross from the right found the head of Chris Price lurking at the far post ? the Wollongong FC player did not faulter in-front of goal, heading past Penrith-Nepean goalkeeper Chad Taylor.
-By Joseph Carlucci
