TeleChoice Premier League Round 21 Review
Closest rival Bankstown City?s loss at home against Manly United FC handed Sydney United first-spot following a consistent campaign to-date.
The Reds saw off the challenge from Penrith-Nepean United with a well-taken goal by former Socceroo International David Zdrilic on 54? minutes. Both sides were plagued with the effects of a poor playing surface at Sydney United Sports Centre though it was the home-side that managed to take their chance. The win sealed win number 12 of the season for Ante Milicic?s side, along with the Premiership, in anticipation of finals football in the coming weeks.
At Jensen Park, Bankstown City fell against a rejuvenated Manly United FC to ensure both sides will be in need of points next weekend as only one-point separates the two sides (Bankstown City and Manly United FC) placed second and third on the League ladder, respectively. In an action-packed 90? minutes of football, Robbie Cattanach and Giosue Sama scored in the space of 7? minutes following the 70? minute mark, much to the disappointment of the home supporters. Manly United FC has had an indifferent run of form this season with a number of injuries, though Phil Moss? men now seem one hot ticket for the title come finals football.
Marconi Stallions scraped home to a 2-1 defeat of Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday afternoon courtesy of a late Wade Oostendorp goal from an Andrea Merenda free-kick. The Stallions did hold a one-goal lead at the break following a rather fortuitous goal. Ali Al-Hilfi?s low-driven effort deflected off the boot of White Eagles defender Paul Cotte, sending goalkeeper Nenad Vekic the wrong way.
Bonnyrigg did draw level on 81? minutes as Ilkay Gurbuz and Aleksandar Draca combined well for the latter to slot home past James Chronopoulos. The White Eagles momentum was short-lived though as Oostendorp sealed the Stallions three massive points in the run home.
At Hooka Creek Park, Wollongong Community FC failed to sign-off with a win in their final match at home in a very disappointing 2009 campaign. The visiting Blacktown City Demons made the most of their chances, and defended well, to grind out an impressive 4-2 win.
Goals to Tyler Simpson, Nicolo Sama and Raymond Miller had the Demons 3-0 up after 49? minutes, though the home-side did make a go of the second-half with goals to Corey Gameiro and Peter Simonovski re-opening the contest. Despite WCFC?s best efforts, Blacktown City shut-off any hope with a fourth goal, 6? minutes from the end, to Peter Simonovski sealing the 4-2 win.
Sutherland Sharks confirmed their spot in the TeleChoice Premier League Top-Five with an emphatic 4-1 defeat of Sydney Olympic at Seymour Shaw on Saturday evening, bringing to an end any slight hope the former NSL side had of finals football.
Sharks boss Robbie Stanton ? up against former coach Nick Theodorakopoulos ? saw his side play some of their best football to-date with an exquisite passing game led out of defence by captain George Souris. Through the middle, Nick Stavroulakis and Neil Jablonski were at their menacing best, meanwhile Panni Nikas did not fail to disappoint with two well taken goals complimenting strikes by Chris Price and Brad Boardman. The visitors did pull a goal back in injury-time courtesy of Emmanuel Giannaros ? the strike not enough to keep the Blues? season alive.
At Lidcombe Oval, a Dimitri Zakilas hat-trick was enough to secure the West Sydney Berries maximum points against the Sydney Tigers with a neat 3-1 victory.
Zakilas beat Tigers goalkeeper Philip Zabaks in the 35?, 64? and 85? minutes, the Tigers Nick Rizzo momentarily drawing the sides level on 55? minutes with a well-taken effort.
Despite the fine win, due to other results not going in favour of the Berries, West Sydney Berries are out of the running for finals football in 2009.
By Joseph Carlucci
