The Youth League Report (Premier Youth League) Round 21
The weekend of weather we experienced and the football on display more that matched the sparkling conditions. With teams seeking to fulfil their ambition of playing in the finals series and others wanting to protect their position or simply improve it, the stage was set for what proved to be a very interesting weekend.
Overview
Wollongong FC had taken nine points last time they met Blacktown City Demons buthe tables were really turned on them this week as the Demons bagged thirteen points from the encounter.
Marconi Stallions had earned ten points from their first round clash with Bonnyrigg White Eagles so they must have been pleased that they could take eleven points from the matches this time around.
Manly United had grabbed all fifteen points last time they faced Bankstown City so they may have been just a tad disappointed when they could only take twelve points on this occasion.
The last time Sutherland Sharks met Sydney Olympic the Sharks made off with ten points so they may not have been all that disappointed when this week?s yield was nine points.
West Sydney Berries and Sydney Tigers had shared the first round points at six apiece but the Berries had the upper hand this time when they took twelve points from the encounter.
Sydney United and Penrith Nepean United had taken seven points each from their first round clash but on this occasion Penrith came to the fore when they pocketed nine of the available points.
Grade 13
The top two are still fighting it out to be crowned Premiers and there is quite a race for the other positions in the finals as the top seven are still capable of making the cut, the results this week posed as many questions as they answered. With some of those teams scheduled to play each other in the coming week the final outcome should be fascinating.
Competition leaders Sydney Olympic had taken the first round points with a 3-1 win but this time ninth placed Sutherland Sharks fought back and did well to keep the final scoreline to 0-0.
Second placed West Sydney Berries had beaten twelfth placed Sydney Tigers 2-1 when they met in the first round and they went on with the job with a 2-0 result this time around.
Wollongong FC held onto third position despite suffering a 1-0 loss to seventh placed Blacktown City Demons who the Wolves had beaten 5-1 when they met last time.
Sydney United had lost the first round match against Penrith Nepean United 2-0 but the tables were turned this week when Sydney United came up with a 1-0 result that moved them up one place to fourth and left Penrith at tenth.
Marconi Stallions fell back one place to fifth when they were held to a scoreless draw by eighth placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles who had won the first round clash 2-0.
Sixth placed Manly United had won the first round meeting with eleventh placed Bankstown City 2-1 and they took the points again with a 1-0 victory this time.
Grade 14
The Premiership has already been decided so the main interest will focus on the pecking order for the next three teams and then on who will claim the fifth spot. Some of those teams will face off over the coming week so the interest in those results will be intense to say the least.
With only a catch-up game to be played, Marconi Stallions have claimed the Premiership after they were 4-1 winners over twelfth placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a match played in advance. That completes the double for the Stallions as they had won the first round game 4-0. The Stallions had already collected a point from the 2-2 draw with NSWIS Girls.
Second placed Sutherland Sharks were held to a 1-1 draw by Sydney Olympic who the Sharks had beaten 3-0 in the first round. That result has pushed Olympic back one place to ninth and they have now completed all their commitments for this season.
Blacktown City Demons moved up one place to third when they drew 2-2 with fifth placed Wollongong FC after the Wolves had won the first round encounter with a 2-1 scoreline.
Sydney Tigers dropped back one spot to fourth place following their surprising 2-0 loss to tenth placed West Sydney Berries who the Tigers had beaten 2-1 when they met in the first round.
Penrith Nepean United are placed sixth after they registered a 2-1 win over seventh placed Sydney United who had the first round match 1-0.
Manly United climbed one place to eighth with a 2-0 success over twelfth placed Bankstown City who Manly had beaten 2-1 when they met in the first round.
Grade 15
The race for the Premiership is still on in earnest with Blacktown City Demons still to play Bankstown City next week plus a Round 3 catch-up match against Marconi Stallions who have completed all other commitments to the competition.
And then there is the matter of the composition and pecking order of the remaining spots in the finals as the next four teams fight it out. Interestingly, Manly United will play Sydney United (3rd v 4th) and Sutherland Sharks will meet Penrith Nepean United (5th v 6th) so their fate is really in their own hands.
Marconi Stallions are the competition leaders following their 2-0 win over twelfth placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a match played in advance. The Stallions also picked up three points from a 2-0 win over NSWIS Girls and now Marconi have only one catch-up match to play.
Second placed Blacktown City Demons had beaten seventh placed Wollongong FC 5-1 in the first round and they went on to complete the double with a 1-0 result this time.
Manly United remained in third position thanks to their 2-1 victory over Bankstown City who have slipped back one place to seventh. Manly had taken the first round points with a 3-2 win.
Sydney United are still fourth despite their 2-0 loss to sixth placed Penrith Nepean United after the first round match had ended in a 1-1 draw.
Fifth placed Sutherland Sharks had beaten ninth placed Sydney Olympic 3-1 when they met last time but on this occasion the match was a 1-1 draw. Olympic have now completed their commitments for this season.
The first round clash between eleventh placed West Sydney Berries and tenth placed Sydney Tigers was a scoreless draw but this time around the Tigers took all the points when they won 2-0.
Grade 16
It is now down to the top two to decide which of them will be the Premiers and neither can afford a slip-up. Then there is the final order of the top five to be determined so next week?s results will be followed with much interest.
Blacktown City Demons are the competition frontrunners following their 1-0 victory over Wollongong FC who have slipped back one place to third. The Demons had taken the first round points with a 2-1 win.
Manly United climbed one place to second when they were 3-1 winners over eleventh placed Bankstown City who they had beaten 1-0 when they faced each other in the first round.
Fourth placed Sydney United had beaten twelfth placed Penrith Nepean United 3-0 when they met in the first round and they completed the double with a 1-0 victory this time around.
Sydney Olympic are in fifth position despite suffering a 2-1 loss to Sutherland Sharks who have risen two places to eighth. The first round match was a scoreless draw.
Sixth placed West Sydney Berries were 2-0 winners over Sydney Tigers who have fallen back one place to ninth. The first round clash had ended at 2-2.
Marconi Stallions are in seventh position after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bonnyrigg White Eagles who have dropped back one place to tenth. The first round clash was also a 1-1 draw.
Grade 18
What a fascinating finish we have to a fabulous season! There is nothing between the top two teams and then the composition of the top five has yet to be finalised. The nerves are certain to be jangling over the coming week.
Wollongong FC arrived at this game as the competition leaders, three points ahead of second placed Blacktown City Demons who had won the first round encounter 2-1. After the Demons registered a solid 3-0 win this time the teams were neck-and-neck going into the finals game but Blacktown also have a game in hand.
Bankstown City are in third position following their solid 4-0 win over sixth placed Manly United who had taken the first round points with a 2-1 win.
Fourth placed Marconi Stallions had beaten eleventh placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-0 in the first round and they doubled it this time with a 2-0 result. Bonnyrigg had picked up three points from a 3-2 win over thirteenth placed NSWIS Boys.
Sutherland Sharks are placed fifth after they posted a 2-0 victory over tenth placed Sydney Olympic ho the Sharks had beaten 1-0 when they met in the first round.
Seventh placed West Sydney Berries had played out a 2-2 first round draw with twelfth placed Sydney Tigers but the Berries took all the points this time when they won 1-0.
Sydney United and Penrith Nepean United swapped places on the table when Penrith won 4-1, a result that placed them at eight and put Sydney United back to ninth.
-By Barry Davis
