TeleChoice Premier League Championship Series Review

The Reds, who only just squeezed into the Top-Five with a final day draw against Sydney Olympic, fell in the final minutes of the match as Manly United FC?s Craig Midgley headed his side into an elimination battle against Sydney Olympic.
Phil Moss? Manly United went ahead after the break courtesy of Midgley, despite Sydney United creating two immense goal scoring opportunities via Mitchell Thompson and Elsid Barkhousir in the first-half. The introduction of Robbie Cattanach provided Midgley with the room he needed to slot past Vedran Janjetovic in the Reds? goal to put Manly ahead.
Their lead lasted 10? minutes as Sydney United striker Luka Glavas won a penalty for his side after his great individual effort into the penalty-area was flattened by Roberto Hamad. The former A-League striker dusted himself off to equalise for the Reds.
Midgley?s match winner arrived 5? minutes from the end, ending Sydney United?s 2008 campaign.
Manly United will face Sydney Olympic following the Blues? 3-2 loss against Wollongong FC. Following the disappointment of the Tiger Turf Cup Final loss at the hands of Bankstown City Lions, Sydney Olympic was 6? minutes away from setting up a showdown with Sutherland Sharks after Siraj Al-Tall and Matthew Mayora cancelled out Ilija Prenzoski?s first-half goal for the Wolves.
As they have done twice in the past month Wollongong FC came from behind to snatch victory at the death, sending the Wolves into a re-match with Sutherland Sharks in this weekend?s second semi-final.
Michael Hawrysiuk?s pin-point cross was headed home by Matthew Bailey on 84? minutes, evening the ledger at WIN Stadium.
Ilija Prenzoski continued his fine form with a goal poacher?s finish on 90? minutes to seal the Wolves? win.
The TeleChoice Premier League Championship Series continues this weekend with Sydney Olympic and Manly United FC playing for survival.
Meanwhile, Sutherland Sharks and Wollongong FC will play for a Grand-Final spot in arguably the match of the season to-date. The two sides were separated only on goal-difference at the end of the regular season, prompting for another memorable clash this weekend.
In the Grade 20 division, Sydney United?s season ended at the same stage as their senior side; the Reds bowing out 1-0 at the hands of Sutherland Sharks thanks to a Aram Derazkala goal in the 40th minute.
The Sharks will meet Manly United following the Cromer Park side?s loss against Marconi Stallions. Brodie Mooy sealed the win for Marconi Stallions.
Telechoice Championship Series Fixtures
Major Semi Final Sunday 24th August 2008 at Seymour Shaw Park
Sutherland Sharks v Wollongong FC at 3:00pm
Minor Semi Final Sunday 24th August 2008 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic v Manly United FC at 3:00pm
Under 20?s Finals Series
Major Semi Final Sunday 24th August 2008 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic v Marconi Stallions at 12:30pm
Minor Semi Final Sunday 24th August 2008 at Seymour Shaw Park
Manly United v Sutherland Sharks at 12:30pm
-By Joseph Carlucci