NSW Super League Round 10 Review

Bankstown Lions remain third after another win while Granville Rage move into the five for the first time this season.
Bankstown Berries v Northern Tigers
The season just gets better and better for Northern Tigers as they claimed their seventh win of the year to stay top, comfortably accounting for fellow title challengers Bankstown Berries.
It was a victory which never really looked in danger, despite the Tigers only having a one goal lead for the majority of the game.  
Northern Tigers had started at full strength, while Bankstown Berries were missing the unavailable Dimitri Zakilas, and David Gardiner, who was injured in the pregame warmup.
But despite those absences, it is difficult to see that the final result would have been much different. The Tigers, still undefeated, are playing some stylish football, and even though this match may have been a little scrappy at times, they showed plenty of class when it mattered to take the points.
Max Glanville was always dangerous, and his first goal was taken with pace and skill. A quick pass found him just clear of the defence, and though the Berries backline did well to put him immediately under pressure, Glanville was able to control and turn, gaining just enough space inside the area to shoot past George Bouropolous.
From then on, certainly in the first half, the Tigers controlled the play with Glanville almost doubling the lead on the half hour mark. But this time, Bouropoulos was down to save, and Adam Biddle shot over the resultant loose ball.
It was an escape for the Berries, who always found Stuart Page at the other end the equal to their attacks. Jordan Figon worked hard, but was well marshalled by Daniel Cunningham and it was always going to prove difficult to breach this backline. The Tigers have only conceded five goals this season, two of those penalties, and on the evidence in this game, it will take a very good team to bring them undone.
The second half proved better for the Berries, dominating much of the possession, but not really putting the Tigers goal under too much pressure. John Tsironis came on for Figon just before the hour, but his first act was to pick up a yellow card for entering the field of play without permission.
But despite the change, it still looked likely that the Tigers would be the ones to score another. Glanville had two long range strikes which went very close, one in particularly heading for the net but for a fine save from Bouropolous. The Berries were most likely to score from corners, or free kicks, but the crowded area on such occasions, with often only Glanville for the Tigers outside the box, always going to be a hit or miss chance.
It was a break from one such corner, that the Tigers did get their second. And a quicker and more decisive goal you would be hard pressed to see.
Liam McCreesh picked up the clearance just outside his own area, a quick pass to Steven Baveas, who then pushed the ball through to Paul Davies, charging down the middle. Davies collected without breaking stride, and bore down on goal, ultimately slamming his shot into the roof of the net. It was over in a matter of seconds and the Berries had no chance.
The result was never in doubt after that, although the Berries did continue to try to reduce the deficit. Aram Tayebi came closest, Page saving well and Peter Peralta also attempted from distance.
But it was the Tigers? night, and one senses there will be a few more similar nights to come.
?Max was on fire tonight, wasn?t he? ?, stated Jason Eagar. ?He always looked like he would score, whenever he got the ball. And Stuart Page did very well too, especially that save at the end, when he wasn?t too busy tonight?.
It was a fine Tigers performance, no question. 
Bankstown Berries 0 v Northern Tigers 2 (Max Glanville 12?, Paul Davies 83?)
Saturday 26 May 2012
at The Crest
Referee: Adam Susz
Assts: Luke Burley and Grant South
Bankstown Berries: 22. George Bouropoulos 7. Peter Peralta 5. Liam McKenna 6. Nick Tantalos 3. Steve Wright 9. Ante Deur 8. Matthew Clowes (14. Nick Paras 71?) 21. Ben Delicata 18. David Stojic (4. Alex Becerra 66?) 11. Aram Tayebi 23. Jordan Figon (10. John Tsironis 57?).
Subs not used: 1. Nestor Tsioustas 15. Peter Crevani.
Yellow Cards: Peter Peralta, John Tsironis
Coach: Tony Pace
Northern Tigers: 1. Stuart Page 12. Rhys Williams 2. Travis Oughtred 5. Daniel Cunningham 3. Jamie Lobb 6. Paul Davies (c) (13. Travis Cooper 84?) 7. Liam McCreesh 14. Brendan Salameh (16. Steven Baveas 76?) 24. Tom Spencer 11. Adam Biddle 8. Max Glanville (17. Will Thom 88?).
Subs not used: 4. Michael Rolston 30. Brandan Bowd.
Yellow Cards: Travis Oughtred, Liam McCreesh
Coach: Jason Eagar
Fraser Park v Bankstown Lions
Bankstown Lions are keeping within touching distance of the leaders, and came away with another valuable three points, after defeating Fraser Park 3-0.
While it was 0-0 at the break, the introduction of Shannon Burgin added some spark to the Lions, and it was Burgin?s goal, his third of the season, which set the stage for the victory. It was an excellent team goal, coming at the end of perhaps fifteen passes, a slight bobble at the end paying dividends.
The Lions dominated play and it was no real surprise when two further goals were added, as time ticked down. Again, some fine team passing provide the chances for firstly, Robbie Mileski and then Gosue Sama, to make the result comfortable.
?It was a good win?, said George Nohra, ?as the conditions were tough. Fraser Park battled hard and worked, and they have some very good players. Teams that get results here have done well?.
?The lead up to all three goals were all great, and even though a couple came late, I thought it was a well deserved win?.
?It is eight in a row now, too, in all competitions. We started off slowly, and Super League was harder than we imagined it would be.?
?And that is our first clean sheet. But our attitude before was that if we conceded a couple, we could score more. But that is not good enough. We have changed that now, as it won?t work all the time?.
Especially, not when Northern Tigers visit Jensen Park in two weeks time.
Fraser Park FC 0 Bankstown City 3 (Shannon Burgin 64? Robbie Mileski 89? Gosue Sama 90?)
Mounties Wanderers v St George
It was a bare bones Mounties Wanderers who overcame a shortage of personnel, and an early own goal, to defeat St George 3-1 to move within touching distance of the five.
A miscommunication between Eli Squillacioti and keeper Ali Akbal presented an early lead to the Saints but they were unable to hang on to that lead, and Reece Iredale drew the Mounties level ten minutes before half time.
With thirteen minutes left, and with the match seemingly headed for a draw, a result which would not have suited either side, Mark Symington was able draw the Mounties in front. A send off to Daniel Willoughby, for dissent, gave St George some hope but Squillacioti redeemed himself at the right end, making sure of the points in the final minutes.
?I?m glad to get that one out of the way?, explained Glenn Lockhart. ?I was a bit worried what with injuries and suspensions, we were down to the bare eleven, and we have had to juggle players around. But we played very well last night and it is very pleasing to get the three points?.
?We have given away some points recently, with the Uni game and Macarthur, when we were in with a chance, plus the late goal at Spirit, so we needed these?.
?I counted our stats at half time, and it was something like 16-4 shots in our favour. We were a bit more adventurous, and Daniel Nash pulled off some great saves for them. But also, so did Ali near the end, when perhaps it could have gone to 2-2?.
The Mounties will be missing further players now, with the news that Cole Peverley has played his last game for the Mounties, having signed with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League, a move designed to improve his New Zealand international chances. 
Mounties Wanderers 3 (Reece Iredale 35? Mark Symington 77?, Eli Squillacioti 90?) v St George 1 (Eli Squillacioti own goal 23?)
Dulwich Hill v Sydney University
Dulwich Hill may have been the lowest scorers prior to this weekend, but they certainly aren?t now. Dully knocked in five against Sydney University and while they remain bottom for the moment, the win will add huge confidence to the club.
Fabio Ferreira gained a double, a ball delivered by Sunny Sunamoto setting Ferreira for his first, and then Sunamoto collected his own just after half time.
Ferreira got on the end of a cross for Dully?s third, before Ko Kimura intercepted and ran clear on the Uni goal, to make it 4-0. Sunamoto again, within a minute, drew the scoreline out to 5-0.
To their credit Sydney University continued to work, and were determined to get at least a goal from the game, but Dulwich Hill held firm.
It was a welcome win at last for Paul Carter.
?You just have a day when it all goes well?, he declared. ?We got a couple of players back, though not the full complement, and Fabio is back to full fitness now. I feel it was a result that was coming?.
?The little things made a difference and maybe that gave us that bit of confidence. We pressed higher up the park and were able to capitalise. Plus we muscled up a bit this time and maybe that rattled them a little?.
?But I was still impressed with Uni, John does a really good job and even when they were five down, they kept coming, they showed plenty of determination?.
Dulwich Hill 5 (Fabio Ferreira 9?, 68? T Sunamoto 53?, 71? Ko Kimura 70?) Sydney University 0
Hills Brumbies v Granville Rage
A double to Almir Dizdaric helped Granville Rage move into fifth spot, the Rage?s third win in a row.
After giving the visitors a half time lead, Dizdaric again put Granville in front, just a minute after Michael Noro had drawn the Brumbies level. 
Kris Holbrook confirmed the win, scoring Granville?s third a minute before time.
Hills Brumbies 1 (Michael Noro 72?) Granville Rage 3 (Almir Dizdaric 20?, 73?, Kris Holbrook 89?)
Spirit FC v Macarthur Rams
There were no goals at Christie Park as Spirit and Macarthur Rams went head to head.
Even a penalty award didn?t result in the scoreboard attendant being called into action, as Murray Nelson saved from the Rams? Shannon Hankin.
The point keeps Macarthur in second spot while Spirit drop slightly to eighth.
Spirit FC 0 v Macarthur Rams 0
Leading Scorers
9 –        Dimitri Zakilas               (Bankstown Berries)
8 –        Almir Dizdaric                (Granville Rage)
Gosue Sama                 (Bankstown Lions)
7 –        Tom Spencer                (Northern Tigers)
5 –        Max Glanville                (Northern Tigers)
Shannon Hankin            (Macarthur Rams)
Under 20s
Spirit FC increased their stranglehold on the Under 20s competition, comprehensively defeating Macarthur Rams 4-0 to open up a six point gap at the top.
Bankstown Berries proved too good for Northern Tigers, a single goal by Peter Dimitropolous on the hour doing the damage, while St George also had a win, overcoming Mounties 3-1. Fred Umlil, on his way back from injury, Daniel Tini and Jonathan Kontalis were the Saints scorers while Jake Marsden replied for Mounties.
Sydney University overtake the Rams into third position after their 4-0 defeat of Dulwich Hill.
Full results: Dulwich Hill 0 Sydney University 4, Mounties Wanderers 1 St George FC 3, Bankstown Berries 1 Northern Tigers 0, Fraser Park FC 2 Bankstown City 1, Hills Brumbies 4 Granville Rage 2, Spirit FC 4 Macarthur Rams 0.
-By Peter Rowney