NSW Premier League Grade 20s Round 6 Review

The unpredictability of the competition was again encapsulated, as Marconi Stallions went down to South Coast Wolves and Bonnyrigg White Eagles surprisingly beat Sydney United 58.
Fast improving Parramatta FC are a team to watch in the coming weeks, despite their impressive performance this weekend yielding one point instead of three.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS 2-2 MANLY UNITED
Rockdale City Suns and Manly United played out a fascinating 2-2 draw at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, in a match that showcased everything there is to love about the great game of football.
A cagey first half gave way to a thrilling second, as the match that began slowly came to life as both sides chased victory, which resulted in some moments of breathless excitement in the final fifteen minutes.
Rockdale City Suns got off to a lightning start, as Justin Bucciarelli’s side took the lead in the first minute of the match.
A slick passing move led to a scramble in the penalty area and Adrian Karakolevski was on hand to confidently finish and put Rockdale ahead.
Manly United were devoid of any creativity in what was a lacklustre first half performance from the Northern Beaches side. They should, however, have equalised in the eighth minute.
Jack Green was the culprit, heading over from close range after a cross from the right hand side found him in space inside the area.
Rockdale were in control of the match throughout the first half though, and if it wasn’t for Manly United goalkeeper Kang He Lee then they would have been further ahead at the break.
Karakolveski, who had an impressive half before being substituted at half time for first grade purposes, smoked a volley from 25 yards that the United keeper showed impressive agility in turning around the post.
Vandy Kanneh saw a free kick from wide on the left land on top of the cross bar on the half hour, as Rockdale continued their lively performance in attack.
Grant Brown and Aiden Darcy were both booked in the latter stages of the half, with tackles seemingly borne out of frustration as Manly struggled to impose themselves on the match.
Nigel Mahoney’s side lifted their game in the second half though, and they commenced it with renewed application and intensity.
United’s Louis Edwards had to be alert in clearing off the line in the early minutes of the second period though, before the United equaliser came, courtesy of the penalty spot.
Rockdale’s Sean Thomas conceded a penalty for a foul on Tom Morissey, which was confidently dispatched by Mitchell Lensin, high into the net above Aaron Liddell.
United could have edged ahead just before the hour mark, but Grant Brown’s cross fizzed through the area when a touch from anyone surely would have resulted in a goal.
As it turned out, it was Rockdale who took a 2-1 lead just after the 70 minute mark, the goal scored by Sam Cornish.
A set piece led to a scramble in the area, where Cornish prodded goalwards. United keeper Lee was unsighted by a Rockdale player immediately in front of him and the ball trickled over the line.
The game picked up in intensity in the final fifteen minutes as Manly United began to get on top as they searched for an equaliser.
Their endeavour was rewarded in the dying stages as William Pritchard found a deserved equaliser for United.
A cross from the left was tapped in by Pritchard who was sliding in at the far post.
Sam Cornish was dismissed by the referee in the closing stages and Nathan Simm talked his way into the referee’s book.
Neither incident was to have a major affect on the outcome of the match however, in a match that provided rollicking entertainment once it came to the boil.
MATCH STATS
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: A Lidell, N Jagelman, A Karakolevski, D Kamel, M Dibinst, S Cornish, L O’Connor, K Dotti, S Thomas, V Kanneh, A Kovacevic.
SUBSTITUTES: J Pupovski, J Villazon, P Gyamfi, A Elhafiane, S Dubocanin.
MANLY UNITED: K, Lee, M Lensin, M Willis, N Simm, L Edwards, A Darcy, J Ward, W Pritchard, J Green, T Morrisey, G Brown.
SUBSTITUTES: J Craic, D Ferguson, H Sweeney, D Chung, M McGinley.
GOAL SCORERS: Karakolevski (RSC) 1′; Lensin (pen) (MAN) 54′; Cornish (RSC) 72′; Pritchard (MAN) 88′.
ROUND REVIEW
SATURDAY
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 3-1 SUTHERLAND SHARKS, BLACKTOWN FOOTBALL PARK
Blacktown Spartans continued their good form with a 3-1 home victory over Sutherland Sharks at Blacktown Football Park.
The home side were 3-0 up at the break, thanks to goals from Andre Carle, Corry Biczo and Calum Hedge.
Sutherland managed to score a consolation goal towards the end of the game, but that won’t take the shine off an excellent win for Spartans.
MARCONI STALLIONS 0-3 SOUTH COAST WOLVES, MARCONI STADIUM
South Coast Wolves turned in an impressive performance in defeating Marconi Stallions 3-0 at Marconi Stadium.
Marconi have endured back to back defeats since their stunning 8-1 victory over Sydney Olympic a few weeks ago, whilst South Coast Wolves certainly built on their comeback from 3-0 down against Sydney United last weekend in a fantastic attacking display.
Matt Floro scored a brace and Jake Madgewick was also on the scoresheet. Wolves coach Richard Lloyd, needless to say, was hugely satisfied with the performance of his side.
PARRAMATTA FC 2-2 BLACKTOWN CITY, MELITA STADIUM
Fast improving Parramatta FC dominated their match against Blacktown City, but were only able to come away with a point from it.
Despite being in command of the game, Parramatta conceded to a decent finish from Harry Brown, who swept the ball home after a good cross from Kieran Paull.
Nicholas Napoli equalised just before half time for the home side with a well taken header.
Mike Svercic put Parramatta into a deserved lead, however there was to be heartbreak for Paul De Lucca’s side as they conceded a late penalty, converted by Harry Brown.
De Lucca was disappointed in the result considering the outstanding performance of his side and Blacktown coach Mark Strachan readily agreed that his side had been outplayed. However, with six players from the 18s stepping up this weekend, he remained positive about the result itself.
SUNDAY
APIA LEICHHARDT 2-4 SYDNEY OLYMPIC, LAMBERT PARK
There were six goals scored at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon as APIA Leichhardt went down 4-2 to Sydney Olympic.
Jerry Bilokapic’s side have bounced back well after conceding eight to Marconi Stallions a fortnight ago, and they came back from 2-1 down at the break to secure victory in this match.
In Jang scored both goals for APIA, the playmaker again very impressive, but goals from James Demetriou and a hattrick for Troy Danaskos secured the points for Olympic.
APIA coach Rod Williams said that whilst the score didn’t reflect the balance of the match entirely, his players are still gaining the valuable experience they need to be competitive at this level.
SYDNEY UNITED 58 2-3 BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES, SYDNEY UNITED SPORTS CENTRE
Bonnyrigg White Eagles picked up their first victory of the season at the home of their traditional rivals, Sydney United 58.
Goals from Krajicic and Bilic weren’t enough for the home side, who will disappointed given their decent recent form.
-By Matthew Connellan