NSW Premier League Round 10 Review

The Stallions victory, with Sydney United?s heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Blacktown City FC on Sunday, ensures Marconi a two-point lead at the top of the ladder heading into Round 11.
Erick Anabalon sealed the points for the Stallions on Saturday with the only goal of the match against Rockdale. Marconi was in the mood to improve on the previous weekend?s performance at Manly, and the fine passing game out of midfield made the side?s intent obvious for all to see. Despite conceding the Stallions initiative for large spells of the opening period, the Suns gave Marconi a mighty challenge in the second. Led by the hard working Peter Apolevski out on the right, along with Marino Musumeci and Robert Di Meglio through the middle, the Suns frustrated Marconi and very nearly found their equaliser via the counter-attack on numerous occasions. The Stallions though did create some clear-cut chances of their own late on ? substitute Nathan Jagelman was culprit of squandering two golden opportunities to kill off the Suns challenge.
At Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg White Eagles fought off the brave challenge of Sydney Olympic in a sensational second-half performance to seal a 4-2 win. Nikolas Tsattalios had the Blues ahead early on in the match, though Brad Boardman drew the home-side level prior to the break. After the break, the White Eagles show commenced as Boardman was on the spot to convert from close-range to send Bonnyrigg ahead.
Despite Sydney Olympic pulling a goal back via the penalty-spot, courtesy of Phillip Makrys, the White Eagles? intentions to attack were clear, and Nikola Zonjic headed Bonnyrigg ahead once more on 77? minutes. The result was put beyond doubt in the 1? minute of injury-time as Daniel Severino scored his side?s fourth, sending Bonnyrigg into second spot on the League ladder.
At Seymour Shaw, Sutherland Sharks scored an impressive 3-0 win against Manly United FC, on the back of the impressive win at Blacktown City last weekend. The Sharks were ruthless in a second-half display that saw Panni Nikas grab a brace, before Blake Powell rounded out the result in the 81? minute. The win sees Sutherland move into fifth-spot on the ladder, meanwhile Manly United?s difficult moment sees the Cromer Park side in the bottom-four after ten rounds.
Sunday afternoon?s match of the Round was at Sydney United Sports Centre, and it was Blacktown City FC that returned to Lily Homes Stadium with a big smile following the 3-2 win against Sydney United. The loss for the Reds sees David Zdilic?s men relinquish top-spot on the League ladder, meanwhile Blacktown City have moved into equal second ? third on goal difference behind Bonnyrigg.
Elsid Barkhousir continued his phenomenal goalscoring run with the opener for the Reds, though Blacktown City ensured not to be deterred as they would go into the break 2-1 up with goals from Ante Deur and Joel Chianese overturning the early deficit. Despite the lead, Aytek Genc?s men would need to play the second 45? minutes with 10-men as Tyler Simpson was given an early shower following a scuffle between the two sides. Even with the numerical advantage, the Reds were frustrated by a well-organised Blacktown City, and needed to wait until the 78? minute before Luka Glavas scored a wonderful goal to draw his side level. With momentum now entirely with Sydney United, Tolgay Ozbey took the responsibility onto his shoulders, to kill off the Reds. A fine solo effort, where the gun striker turned the ball back onto his right boot, before unleashing a powerful effort low and hard past the outstretched Vedran Janjetovic for what initially appeared an unlikely victory.
At Jensen Park, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers inflicted further woe to Bankstown City with a fine performance in their 2-1 defeat of the Lions. Goals to Anthony Hartshorn and Nick Rizzo, on either side of Tallan Martin?s equaliser for Bankstown City, were enough for the Tigers to seal the win and move into eighth-spot on the League ladder, a tremendous turnaround following the very poor start made this season by the Tigers.
In the final match of the round, West Sydney Berries and South Coast Wolves failed to find the back of the net in a rather lackluster 0-0 draw at the Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre. With chances few and far between ? Dimitri Zakilas for the Berries and Mark Picciolini for the Wolves the most lively for their respective teams ? the small crowd present left the venue very disappointed with the showing by both sides. The draw does very little for both sides on the League ladder ? both teams sit in the bottom three, heading into Round 11.
-By Joseph Carlucci