NSW Premier League Finals Series Round 2 Review

Without the likes of goalkeeper Brody Crane and defender Matthew Pressello through suspension, coach Aytek Genc lost top goalscorer Tolgay Ozbey close to kick-off with the leading marksman pulling out of the match due to a hamstring injury. Despite the setback, Blacktown City kept their momentum from the victorious penalty shoot-out six days earlier against Sydney United to record a remarkable victory.
Young sensation Joel Chianese opened the scoring on 6? minutes as he intercepted a weak pass back to Phillip Zabaks in the Bonnyrigg goal by Kengo Takushima to chip the White Eagles goalkeeper with a classy finish.
Bonnyrigg nearly leveled proceeding shortly after via the boot of Nathan Elasi, though the attacking midfielder squandered a golden chance, blasting his effort directly at Justin Biega in the Blacktown City goal.
The visitors doubled their lead late in the opening half as Chianese added his second for the evening. It was Travis Major?s fine build-up play down the right-flank that delivered the easiest of finishes to Chianese ? the latter converting with aplomb from close-range.
After the break, Jordan Simpson added a third for the visitors with a powerful finish following some fine buildup play from Mitchell Long. The 4-0 routing was completed in the 87? minute as substitute Chris Bedzo ? who hadn?t been on the field for long ? cruised into the penalty-area before finishing off neatly past Zabaks.
The win ensures Blacktown City?s presence in the grand-final, where Bonnyrigg or Sydney United will be their opponent.
Sydney United kept their hopes of winning the title alive with an extra-time 2-0 defeat of A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers on Sunday afternoon. The Reds, with this victory, will now face Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend, with the winner to face Blacktown City in the grand-final.
Sydney United had to overcome the stern challenge of A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers to keep their season alive ? Luka Glavas and David Zdrilic?s strikes enough to end the dream run of the Leichhardt side.
Both sides created chances throughout the 90? minutes, with the Tigers going close via captain Franco Parisi and Nick Rizzo. Sydney United?s best replies arrived via Luka Glavas, with Elsid Barkhousir very lively throughout the encounter.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt will feel very hard done by with an offside call in the 75? minute denying Anthony Hartshorn a goal. The Tigers? midfielder seemingly timed his run into the penalty-area to perfection, though the linesman?s flag proved to be telling. The Tigers, continued to attack, though in the end, the brilliance of Glavas ultimately cut the Tigers legs.
The Reds striker beat the offside trap in the 112? minute to go one-on-one with Matthew Nash, before slotting home with a nice finish.
Player/coach David Zdrilic, who entered the fray in the closing stages of regular time, added a second 3? minutes from the end, starting and finishing a very swift counter-attacking move with an excellent finish.
2010 Finals Series Results
Major Semi Final
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0 ? Blacktown City FC 4
Under 20s
Blacktown City FC 1 ? Sydney United 2
Minor Semi Final
Sydney United 2 ? A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 0 (0-0 after full time)
Under 20s
Sydney Olympic 3 ? Bankstown City FC 1
2010 Finals Series Fixtures
Preliminary Final
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Sydney United
Winner advances to the Grand Final to take on Blacktown City FC
Under 20s
Blacktown City FC v Sydney Olympic
Winner advances to the Grand Final to take on Sydney United

-By Joseph Carlucci