NSW Premier League Finals Grand Final review

Played at a frantic pace, the team from Blacktown clinched the trophy courtesy of Tolgay Ozbey?s 77? minute penalty following an open free-flowing game.
Blacktown City carved out the better openings in the first-half with Tyler Simpson denied three headers in the space of 20?? seconds ? denied firstly by the post, then a tremendous reflex save by Phillip Zabaks, before the Blacktown player headed his final attempt wide.
Bonnyrigg?s best chances arrived via set-pieces, with Daniel Severino a constant menace for Blacktown, delivering some perfect centres into the penalty-area ? all to no avail though for the White Eagles.
The second-half brought out a much hungrier Bonnyrigg, and it was the White Eagles to carve out early openings. Jamie McMaster and Brad Boardman were both through on goal, though on both occasions, the referee and linesman respectively thwarted Bonnyrigg?s hopes.
McMaster nearly caught Blacktown City goalkeeper Brody Crane off guard with his audacious long-range half-volley, though the final effort finished inches over the crossbar.
Blacktown City found their goal in the 77? minute after Ante Deur was brought down inside the penalty-area by Graeme Forbes. Forbes, already booked, was shown a straight red card for his troubles, leaving Tolgay Ozbey with the chance to hit his side into the lead.
The League?s top goalscorer made no mistake with his spot-kick, blasting past Zabaks ? who had an exceptional match in goal for Bonnyrigg ? to send Blacktown City on their way to victory.
The closing stages provided Bonnyrigg with two clear goalscoring chances, again via the set-piece, though neither attempt proved successful. Severino and Wade Oostendorp combined on both occasions, though it wasn?t meant to be for Bonnyrigg as Luke Roodenburg & Co. celebrated a fine Blacktown City triumph.
In the Grade-20 division, Blacktown City FC made it a winning start on grand-final day with an extra-time 4-2 defeat of Sydney United. Locked at 2-2 after 90? minutes, Blacktown City found goals courtesy of Dean Caletti and Bruno Pivato to seal the 4-2 win, and defeat last season?s champions.
While finally in the Grade 18?s Sutherland Sharks defeated the South Coast Wolves 2-1 with the Shire side scoring two goals through Michael Stuart and Aaron Daly while the Wolves had Haydyn Lloyd scoring their only goal of the game.
You can read all the match reports in the NSW PL website.
-By Joseph Carlucci