NSW Premier League Round 20 Review

Bonnyrigg led the Suns 1-0 courtesy of Brad Boardman?s well-taken effort from close-range on 65? minutes, though the Suns scraped a draw in the 5? minute of injury-time, much to the disbelief of the Bonnyrigg supporters. Bonnyrigg goalkeeper Ali Akbal was adjudged to have handled the ball outside of the penalty-area, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a free-kick. And, with ultimately the last kick of the match, Adem Kir curled his free-kick into the back of the net to snare the Suns their twelfth League draw in 2010.
The draw keeps Rockdale?s hopes of finals football alive, though the Suns will need to rely on results to go their way in the closing two weeks of the regular season. As for Bonnyrigg, Brian Brown?s men still hold a strong five-point lead at the top of the table, two weekends out from the finals.
At Marconi Stadium, a very patient Manly United FC conceded the initiative to the Stallions, though came out on top with a 2-0 win in a rather scrappy affair. Goals to Robbie Cattanach and David Dodd in the closing 20? minutes of the match secured the Cromer Park side the points, as Craig Midgley?s men further eased their relegation fears with this vital victory.
The Stallions dominated possession, and goalscoring opportunities, from start to finish, though some wayward finishing, and two major slip-ups in defence, cost the newly crowned McDonald?s Cup champions three-points in the run to the finals-series. The loss lifts the pressure on the Stallions to keep their spot in the top-five, with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
Defending Minor Premiers Sutherland Sharks? bid to go back-to-back winners in 2010 ? following their 2009 triumph is almost certainly over as Blacktown City FC conquered Seymour Shaw with a 3-1 defeat of a relatively inexperienced Sharks side. Without regulars George Souris, Nick Stavroulakis, Chris Price, Ben Spruce and Steve McConologue, the Sharks held their own until going 2-1 behind midway through the second-half. Tolgay Ozbey had the visitors ahead on 46? minutes when he disposed the Sharks defence to score past Nathan Denham, before Jim Bakis drew Sutherland level in the 64? minute. Ozbey converted a 72? minute penalty before Joel Chianese slotted home to round out the 3-1 result.
At Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers recorded a 2-1 win over West Sydney Berries to move into equal third-spot on the ladder ? fifth on goal difference. Anthony Hartshorn?s glancing header late in the first-half had the Tigers ahead at the break, though a reinvigorated Berries following the interval drew level courtesy of talented attacking midfielder, Glen Trifiro. In arguably the Berries best run of play late in the second-half, Franco Parisi stepped up to score the Tigers? winner with a cool finish from close-range, ensuring the Tigers hopes of 2010 success remain alive.
In Wollongong, the South Coast Wolves recorded their most impressive home victory of 2010 with a resounding 4-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic. Leading 1-0 at the break courtesy of Tynan Diaz, the Wolves ran riot in the second-half, scoring three more goals without response. Sean van Rooyen doubled the Wolves? lead with the easiest of tap-ins following some sensational play by second-half substitute Samet Kaynak. Kaynak, who has missed such a large part of the season due to injury was instrumental for the home-side, scoring a goal of his own from close-range in the 70? minute. The Wolves performance was exceptional, with the Sydney Olympic goal peppered throughout the 90? minutes. Wolves top goalscorer Mark Picciolini rounded out the 4-0 win with an easy tap-in at the back post from an Andres Gomez cross. The win lifts South Coast Wolves one-point ahead of Sydney Olympic on the League ladder.
Last weekend, the Sydney United ? Bankstown City fixture was played at Sydney United Sports Centre in Round 20 action. Robbie Mileski and Shannon Burgin were on target for the Lions, securing the side a 2-0 and three-points.

– Joe Carlucci