NSW Premier League Round 1 Review

Last season?s front runners Sydney Olympic and Sydney United showed they will again be leading the way this season, as new boys Blacktown Spartans were given a difficult time in their first hit-out.
There were goals galore at Marconi Stadium as the Stallions gave newly promoted Blacktown Spartans a baptism of fire in their first NSW Premier League match.
An emphatic start to the encounter saw the home side take the lead in only the 3? minute as Keith Shevlin converted from close-range after Jamie McMaster?s set-piece delivery was not handled by the Spartans? shot-stopper.
The Spartans were not to be overawed early, and the new boys on the block drew level 2? minutes later as Jacob Ott clinically finished to score his side?s first ever goal in the top flight.
The Stallions took control from this point, restoring their lead from the kick-off via Nathan Elasi who grabbed his first of three goals for the evening. Elasi doubled his tally on 28? minutes with another fine finish, before claiming his hat-trick in the 77? minute.
Some fine build-up play by Christopher Nunes for the Stallions set Elasi up with the chance, and the former Melbourne Victory player made no mistake with another tremendous finish to round out the 4-1 win for Marconi.
At Seymour Shaw, Sutherland Sharks were forced to dig deep against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers to grind out a 1-0 win, despite playing over 30? minutes of the second-half with ten-men.
Sharks? attacking midfielder Blake Powell was given his marching orders following an altercation with APIA?s David D?Appuzzo, leaving the home side to fend with a man less. Despite chances at both ends throughout the encounter, the visiting Tigers failed to find a break through as the Sharks made the most of a forward foray on 68? minutes.
Matt Bailey timed a perfect run into the penalty-area though was brought to ground, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Sharks? playmaker Panni Nikas showed composure as he stepped up for the spot-kick and secured his side three-points with a cool finish.
On the South Coast, Bonnyrigg White Eagles kick-started their campaign in fine style with an impressive showing in the 3-2 defeat of South Coast Wolves.
New signing Robert Younis showed his worth with a hat-trick for the visitors in his first official outing for the club.
Following a scoreless first-half, Younis won his side a penalty on 54? minutes before dusting himself off and converting to give his side the lead.
Mark Picciolini did the same at the other end 9? minutes later, winning his side a penalty before stepping up to the spot to draw the Wolves level.
In a match that produced three penalties, Younis again sent his side into the lead from the penalty-spot soon after, before John Martinoski finished with aplomb to draw the Wolves level for the second time on the night, on 74? minutes.
South Coast?s hard work came undone 1? minute later as Younis completed his hat-trick from the re-start. The burly striker was left completely unmarked inside the penalty-area, allowing him the time to side foot his effort past the goalkeeper to secure Brian Brown?s men a first-up win for 2012.
Blacktown City FC and Manly United FC played out an entertaining encounter at Lily Homes Stadium with the match finishing 2-2. The home side fought back from two goals down to earn a point in an evenly contested match.
Manly United appeared to have the match wrapped up as a brace from former Sydney FC striker Chris Payne either side of Ray Miller?s red card for the hosts put the visitors in prime position to take all three points.
Ryuji Miyazawa pulled one back for the hosts before Roberto Hamad?s dismissal handed the initiative back to Blacktown.
Mark Crittenden?s men were duly rewarded for their persistence late on as Miyazawa?s magnificent 93? minute equaliser on his NSW Premier League debut ensured the 2010 champions took a point from their opening match of the season.
Sydney United 58 confirmed they will be a force this season following a hard fought 1-0 win at Melita Stadium against Parramatta FC.
An effort from 35-yards by Ante Tomic was enough to secure the win for the Reds in a match where Jean-Paul De Marigny?s Men did control proceedings.
The Eagles? approach was to hit the side on the counterattack and perhaps did have a chance to take something from the match via Bruno Pivato. The Eagles? player, prior to Ante Tomic?s goal, was one-on-one with Vedran Janjetovic, though failed to hit the target.
In the end, the win sets up an interesting encounter for the Reds next weekend in a replay of last season?s grand-final.
In the final match of the weekend, defending champions Sydney Olympic kick-started their campaign with a win at home against Rockdale City Suns. Played in wet conditions following a heavy downpour ? which continued throughout the match ? the Blues? sealed a 1-0 win courtesy of Brett Studman?s 38? minute header.
The Blues? defender was on hand to powerfully head home Emmanuel Giannaros? headed attempt back across goal, much to the relief of the boisterous crowd following a shaky start to the match.
The Suns created the better of the chances in the early stages prior to Studman?s effort, with Sash Tirovski the man calling the shots for Wally Savor?s men.
The Blues had the chance to break the deadlock in the 8? minute after the referee awarded Sydney Olympic a penalty, though Phil Makrys saw his effort ricochet off the crossbar.
After the break, the Blues had two glorious chances to kill off the Suns. Chris Triantis and Kutaiba Elrich both failing to find the second goal before Peter Triantis was given his marching orders late-on for a second yellow card.
In the end, despite the numerical advantage, Rockdale City failed to find an equaliser as the Blues administered proceedings to seal the points.
-By Joseph Carlucci