White Eagles flying high at the helm
Two quick goals before half-time, and a screamer from Milorad Simonovic on the hour mark, ensured an easy three points for the league leaders.
The away side should have taken the lead after just 5? minutes. A teasing corner from Daniel Severino landed at Jamie McMaster?s feet at the near post but the former Central Coast Mariners utility couldn?t force the ball home from six-yards.
15? minutes later Manly?s Roberto Hamad had the home crowd on their feet following a speculative effort from 25-yards which hit the side netting.
A few moments later Bonnyrigg were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. A blatant handball inside the box from United skipper Joey Schirripa was waved away by referee Khodr Yaghi.
Hamad was once again exciting the crowd in the Lucas Neill grandstand on 35? minutes after testing Bonnyrigg gloveman Ali Akbal from the edge of the area following a Schirripa free-kick which Akbal had to tip over the crossbar.
42? minutes in Bonnyrigg took the lead. A McMaster corner made its way to the far post before Jimmy Oates deflected the ball into his net.
On the stroke of half-time the rampant White Eagles doubled their advantage. Brilliant lead up play from Simonovic saw Nathan Elasi cash in from six yards, to ensure Manly would be in a deflated mood heading into the sheds.
With Manly pushing forward at every opportunity in the hope of clawing their way back into the contest after the break, it was only a matter of time before the White Eagles caught them on the counter. And that killer third goal after 61? minutes was top shelf.
Simonovic created room from the edge of the box before rifling a shot in the top right hand corner past Brad Swancott that oozed class.
Bonnyrigg almost grabbed a fourth in the 83? minute but Swancott denied Elasi with a sharp save low at the far post to ensure the rout didn?t become obscene.
Brian Brown was understandably beaming at full-time:
?I felt it could be a danger game for us?.Manly have a very good squad despite where they are sitting on the table, so I told the boys to be positive from the first kick of the game,? the Bonnyrigg coach said.
?Our approach was first class which I was happy about.
?We have a good balance and just need to keep working hard, we haven?t won anything yet.?
His opposite Craig Midgley paid tribute to the ruthless nature of Bonnyrigg:
?They are a quality side and showed why they are top of the league,? the Manly boss said.
?The second goal killed us, if we go into the break 1-0 down it?s not the end of the world, but two goals in three minutes will hurt any team.
?We just have to regroup and pick up points over the next few weeks to finish off the season on a high.?
In the Grade-20 match, Manly United FC defeated Bonnyrigg 3-0 thanks to a double from Gavin Forbes.
Match Stats
Manly United FC 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (own goal 42?, Nathan Elasi 45?, Milorad Simonovic 61?)
Sunday, 4th July 2010
Cromer Park, Dee Why
Crowd: 250 Approx.
Referee: Khodr Yaghi
Assistant Referees: Adam Coombes and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Leigh Pigram
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ali AKBAL; 2.Paul COTTE, 20.Wade OOSTENDORP, 12.Chris TADROSSE, 7.Nikola ZONJIC, (14.K.TAKUSHIMA 53?) 8.Milorad SIMONOVIC, (17.David GULLO 85?) 10.Daniel SEVERINO, 11.Shane WEBB, 19.Jamie McMASTER, (4.Michael BROWN 81?) 9.Brad BOARDMAN, 15.Nathan ELASI
Substitutes Not Used: 3.Gavin FORBES, 90.Nenad VEKIC
Yellow Cards: Severino 41?
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United FC: 1.Brad SWANCOTT; 3.Roberto HAMAD, 5.Pascal JULLIARD, 6.Luke CASSERLY, (9.Robbie CATTANACH 56?) 8.Keith SHEVLIN, 11.Adam FOTI, (19.Brad GROVES 60?) 16.Joey SCHIRRIPA, 17.Jimmy OATES, 22.Joey GIBBS, (21.Chris GALLO 84?) 23.David DODD, 24.Beau BUSCH
Substitutes Not Used: 14.John HALL, 20.Rhyss KEANE
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
