Premier Youth League The Finals Series

Grade 13
Elimination Semi Final
Sydney United had beaten Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-0 and 2-1 when they met each other in competition matches and that proved to be the perfect form guide for this match as United produced a 3-0 result thanks to A. Vrilic, C. Coskerie and J. Temelovski. This means that United have progressed to the Minor Semi Final while Bonnyrigg have bowed out of the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Bankstown City had battled out two draws, 0-0 and 1-1, when they faced each other earlier this season but this time there was a winner as the Tigers posted a 2-1 result with both their goals coming through second half strikes from Daniel Maskin while Mortaza Safdari had given the Lions a first half lead. Leichhardt will now play in the Major Semi Final while Bankstown will contest the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 14
Elimination Semi Final
In matches played earlier this season, Manly United and Parramatta Eagles had shared the spoils with Manly winning 2-1 and Parramatta winning 2-0. That certainly set the stage for a nail-biter this time as Manly opened the scoring through A. Kelik in the 23^rd minute and then Parramatta equalised with a goal from M Nicola just six minutes later. Parramatta put their noses in front seventeen minutes into the second half thanks to a strike from C. Torrelli and they were able to maintain that lead through to the final whistle. Manly have now bowed out of the finals series while Parramatta will compete in the Minor Semi Final.
Preliminary Semi Final
Sutherland Sharks had beaten Sydney Olympic on both previous occasions this season, 3-2 and 2-1, and that proved to be a useful form guide for this match. Olympic drew first blood with a 16^th minute goal from Mick Tratovski but the Sharks bounced back to square the scoreline thanks to a goal from Cameron Belle. Jeremy Cox gave the Sharks the lead in the 39^th minute and they maintained that advantage until the final whistle sounded. The Sharks have graduated to the Major Semi Final while Olympic will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 15
Elimination Semi Final
Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic had fought out two draws during the competition, both ending with a 1-1 scoreline and that served as an indication that this would be another very tight game. Neither team could find the back of the net despite many chances in an action-packed first half and then the spectator galleries were treated to a thrill-a-minute second half but there were still no goals and so extra time was required. Chances came and vanished as neither team could find a way to rattle the net and this meant that the match would be decided from the penalty spot. It was here that Marconi came to the fore as the won the shootout 5:4 and that has allowed them to progress to the Minor Semi Final while Olympic have completed their commitments to the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
Bonnyrigg White Eagles had defeated Manly United on both previous occasions this season, 2-1 and 3-1, giving us an indication that this might be another close match. Bonnyrigg opened the scoring in the 20^th minute thanks to a goal from Saun Borthwick and then Manly equalised in the 32^nd through Liam Archer but within a minute the White Eagles had restored their lead with a goal from Corey Garcia. Bonnyrigg made it 3-1 in the 63^rd minute courtesy of a Sebastian Cza goal and Manly narrowed the gap in the 70^th minute through Oliver Green. That has taken Bonnyrigg through to the Major Semi Final while Manly will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 16 
Elimination Semi Final
Parramatta Eagles and Blacktown City had split the points in previous matches this season with Parramatta winning 1-0 and Blacktown winning 2-0. The first half was a tight affair with D. Holz giving Parramatta the lead in the 9^th minute but Blacktown found an equaliser through D. Aruja just before the interval. Blacktown went on with the job in the second stanza with goals from P. Peterson in the 56^th and B. Robins in the 65^th minute. That has given Blacktown a berth in the Minor Semi Final while Parramatta have bowed out of the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
Sutherland Sharks and Marconi Stallions had battled out a 1-1 draw and Marconi had taken all the points with a 2-1 victory when the teams faced each during the competition. That gave us every indication that this might be another tight match and that proved to be the case. Marconi took an early lead when Radovan Pavicevic found the net in the fifth minute but then the Sharks had squared things up before the break with a goal from Luke McCosker. Right on the hour Pavicevic scored his second and that was enough to take the Stallions through to the Major Semi Final and to force the Sharks to compete in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 18
Elimination Semi Final
Bonnyrigg White Eagles had won their home match against Blacktown City, 2-0 and Blacktown had posted a 4-1 victory when they played at home. On this occasion the White Eagles simply outgunned Blacktown to register a 3-1 win which has taken them through to the Minor Semi Final while Blacktown will take no further part in the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
Manly United had taken all the points from their previous meeting with Sydney Olympic, winning the matches 1-0 and 2-1. This time the form guide proved to be useless as Olympic produced a 2-0 win that has allowed them to progress to the Major Semi Final while Manly will now play in the Minor Semi Final.
-By Barry Davis