NSW Premier League Round 8 Grade 20 Review

The Match of the Round saw Rockdale City Suns pull off one of the great comebacks as they scored three times in four minutes to come from behind and defeat Sydney United 58 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre. 
The open nature of the competition was once again evident in results that will absolutely keep the table very close, despite being two months into the season. 
MATCH OF THE ROUND
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS 4-3 SYDNEY UNITED 58, SUNDAY, ROCKDALE ILINDEN SPORTS CENTRE
Rockdale City Suns completed an astonishing comeback at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre to defeat Sydney United 58 4-3. Sydney United were 2-1 up at the break and 3-1 with eleven minutes to go, but Rockdale scored thrice in four minutes to steal all three points from their visitors. 
The first chance of an enthralling game fell to Rockdale’s Marimo Musumeci, who flashed a header wide of the far post after a good cross from the right. It wasn’t to be long before the home side took the lead though, as Jason Naidovski showing a cool head when presented with a one on one opportunity. 
Some sloppy defending in the 13th minute saw the Rockdale striker in on goal and he made no mistake, slotting past the Sydney United keeper.
A rash challenge from Matt Dibiasi saw him enter the referee’s book as the first yellow card of the match, before Sydney United equalised just moments after going behind.
An optimistic ball through the middle of the Rockdale defence caught them napping, as well as goalkeeper Aaron Liddell, allowing the prolific Mark Cindric to add yet another goal to his already impressive tally, right on the quarter of an hour mark. 
In what was an open and attacking game despite the inclement weather in Sydney’s south, Sydney United took the lead in the 23rd minute, through Jakov Radas.
Afforded far too much time and space on the edge of the area, the United midfielder thundered a shot past Liddell with the aid of a slight deflection. It would have made little difference had it not been deflected, it was past Liddell in a flash. 
Both sides maintained a commitment to playing passing football, despite the conditions making it difficult at times for the players to keep their feet. 
There was a small flashpoint just before the half hour mark, as Liddell slid out to claim a loose ball, only for United striker Balic to slide in on the keeper. Liddell wasn’t impressed and Balic was shown a yellow card for the challenge. 
Rockdale striker Musumeci was guilty of missing another very good headed chance soon after, after a long throw from the right was flicked on by Naidovski. Considering the ebb and flow of the match, it would have been a useful time for Rockdale to bring themselves level again. 
Rockdale fullback Keifer Dotti flashed a shot wide from just inside the area, as the home side looked to draw level before the break. 
Cindric almost had his second of the match though, as in the 36th minute he latched on to a cut back from the left. Luckily for Rockdale, Daniel Slaveski was back to block the goal bound effort and keeper Liddell was alert to plunge on the loose ball inside his six yard box.
The rain really settled in as the half drew to a close. Nathan Jagelman shot well over when attempting to find parity on the scoreboard and Rockdale were not able to find another goal before the half time interval, despite Naidovski having the ball in the back of the net from a rebound, as he was offside when the original shot was struck. 
Naidovski, who was having a highly involved match, had the first opportunity of the second half, but he volleyed over in the 54th minute. 
Sydney United could have scored again just before the hour mark, but they couldn’t take advantage of some weather induced sloppy handling from Liddell, who spilled the ball as he went to ground at the feet of Cindric. However, the United striker fired wide when perhaps a cut back was the better option. 
Their profligacy was made to pay in the end, even though Antony Zmire’s side put a bit of daylight between themselves and Rockdale after the substitute Semialjal fired past Liddell to make the score 3-1. 
Little did they know that Rockdale City Suns, in a devastating five minute spell, would pull off one of the season’s most spectacular comebacks.
Alan Kovacevic was brought down in the area and Vandy Kanneh made no mistake in converting from the spot in the 79th minute to make the score 3-2. 
Just a minute later, Kovacevic himself was on the scoresheet, equalising after a cross from the right fell perfectly into his path. At this stage, Rockdale would probably have been satisfied with a point, but their astonishing comeback was complete in the 83rd minute when another substitute, James Villazon found the back of the net.
A stunned Sydney United 58 were left to play out the game in vain hope of finding an equaliser, but they never really troubled the Rockdale goal as the home side completed a sensational win.
MATCH STATS
Rockdale City Suns: A. Liddell, S. Thomas, S. Cornish, K. Dotti, M. Dibiasi, J. Naidovski, N. Jagelman, A. Kara, R. Speranza, D. Slaveski, M. Musumeci.
Substitutes: J. Villazon, A. Kovacevic, P. Gyamfi, D. Kamel, V. Kanneh.
Goalscorers: Naidovski 13′; Kanneh 79′ (PEN); Kovacevic 80′; Villazon 83′
Sydney United 58: I. Johnson, S. Jerzeric, M. Vukovic, M. Jonjic, S. Chapple, J. Radas, J. Kranjic, S. Drewery, M. Cindric, P. Balic, M. Bilic. 
Substitutes: D. Semialjic, J. Banic, T. Borovickic.
Goalscorers: Cindric 15′; Radas 23′; Semialjal 68′;
ROUND REVIEW
SATURDAY
SYDNEY OLYMPIC 3-0 SOUTH COAST WOLVES AT BELMORE SPORTS GROUND
Sydney Olympic were excellent in defeating South Coast Wolves at Belmore Sports Ground. 
Amaury Gauthier, Marco Sama and Ibby Haydar were all on the scoresheet as the home side notched a well deserved win.
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 0-3 MANLY UNITED AT BLACKTOWN FOOTBALL PARK
Blacktown Spartans suffered a shock defeat at home to Manly United on Saturday evening.
In a performance that hugely pleased coach Nigel Mahoney, a double from Michael McGinley and a goal from Mitchell Lensick saw the side from the Northern Beaches take all three points.
PARRAMATTA FC 0-7 SUTHERLAND SHARKS AT MELITA STADIUM
Parramatta FC were thrashed at home by Sutherland Sharks, as the weekend produced yet another away victory. 
Parramatta, who are in the midst of an injury crisis, were blown away by Sutherland’s depth and quality as they produced seven unanswered goals.
MARCONI STALLIONS 0-2 BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES AT MARCONI STADIUM
Marconi Stallions difficult run of form continued as they lost at home to Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
They now have four wins and four losses from their eight rounds, but the four defeats have all come in a row. Bonnyrigg’s victory leaves them sitting just outside the top five and well placed. 
SUNDAY
BLACKTOWN CITY 0-3 APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS AT LILY HOMES STADIUM
In another upset, APIA Leichhardt Tigers defeated Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium on a wet Sunday afternoon. 
A brace from Nick Taneski and a goal from the outstanding In Jang gave APIA a victory that had been coming for a few weeks, their hard work rewarded as their luck finally changed. 
-By Matthew Connellan