NSW Premier League Grade 20 Round 15 Review

The middle of the table has not become any clearer though, with any number of sides still able to sneak in to the top five. 
MATCH OF THE ROUND
BLACKTOWN CITY 3-2 BLACKTOWN SPARTANS
Blacktown City fought hard to take all three points in the derby at home to Blacktown Spartans on Sunday afternoon, despite an off colour performance characterised by disruptions due to injury. Spartans proved to be worthy foe, however, and played their part in what turned out to be a gripping contest.
The match kicked off in beautiful sunshine in Seven Hills, the playing surface in resplendent condition as usual. It was a perfect afternoon in which to play attractive, passing football.
It was a sensational start for Blacktown Spartans, who took the lead in the second minute of play, courtesy of a stunning goal from Hoysar Cakal. 
Blacktown City were disorganised defensively from the outset and were punished in spectacular fashion. An accurate cross from the left was met by Cakal, who showed exceptional athleticism and technique in angling an overhead kick into the ground and past the stranded Luke Turnbull, the shot nestling in the bottom corner to give Spartans the lead.
Although the concession of an early goal failed to spark Blacktown City into life, they found a way back in to the game just five minutes later, courtesy of some clumsy defending from Spartans, who gave away a penalty. 
Jake Potter cut in from the left hand side and headed towards goal. He tangled with Spartans’ Tomislav Herceg on the edge of the area and as the defender went to ground, he handled the ball, giving the referee little option but to point to the spot.
Blacktown City skipper Harry Brown stepped up and placed the ball high into the net, evading the long reach of Spartans goalkeeper Jesse Shewan.
Both sides were scrapping hard and it made for a rugged encounter as neither side managed to settle into their usually expansive style of football.
Dillon Vorster lined up a long range shot for City that cannoned off the bar and out of play, as he looked to inspire the unusually sluggish home side. 
City goalkeeper Turnbull had to be sharp to save from Michael Khoury in the 38th minute, which was the closest either side came to scoring again in the first period. 
Blacktown City substitute Dolor Edosomwan should have scored early in the second half, when he nicked the ball from the Spartans defence, but keeper Shewan was able to get a vital touch as the Spartans attacker looked to round him and apply the finishing touch.
It didn’t take long for City to take the lead though, as Dillon Vorster’s accurate finish put the home side ahead in the 54th minute. 
Daniel Vellonio’s crafty backheel released Luke Clifford down the left hand side. His pace was too much for the Spartans defence, and in plenty of space he was able to find Vorster with a cut back. He had plenty to do still, but he showed great poise in getting the ball out of his feet and finding the bottom corner.
Spartans needed to find a way back in to the match and they almost found a goal immediately, but Turnbull made a good save to deny Chris Bedzo. 
On the hour mark it was Shewan’s turn to make a sharp save, the Spartans stopper touching a shot from Vellonio on to the far post.
The game had opened up significantly, Vorster and Vellonio constantly threatening the Spartans defence with their pace and incision and the former went close in the 61st minute but his shot whistled narrowly over.  
City had by now found their groove and were threatening to put paid to Spartans hopes, but the visiting side were clinging on with grim determination, last ditch challenges fast becoming the order of the day.
They weren’t, however, able to prevent Blacktown City scoring a third goal in the 67th and it was Daniel Vellonio who applied the finishing touch.
A super ball from midfield found Edosomwan, who had monstered the Spartans defence since his first half introduction. The big attacker was able to shrug off the attentions of his marker and cut the ball back to Vellonio who was unmarked and able to tap into an empty net.
Spartans, to their credit, refused to let the game get away from them and an own goal from Ryan Peterson got them back into the contest in the 74th minute. A free kick from the left evaded everyone and probably would have found the back of the net even without Peterson’s intervention.
By this stage, City were threatening to score with every counter attack as Spartans pushed for an equaliser, their pace and power proving a handful.
They should have put the game away in the 77th minute though, and Edosomwan was again the focal point of the attack. Substitute Kisha Pitso was unmarked in the penalty area but Edosomwan wasn’t able to pick him out with his  cut back.
Spartans continued to apply late pressure, but City showed enough composure to close out a win that keeps them in touch with Sutherland at the top of the table.
Match Stats
BLACKTOWN CITY 3 (H Brown PEN 7′, D Vorster 54′, Vellonio 67′)
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 2 (H Cakal 2′, Peterson OG 74′)
BLACKTOWN CITY: 20. L Turnbull, 22. D. Vorster, 23. H. Brown, 25. L. Clifford, 27. D. Adjassou, 26. J. Potter, 31. L. Jenner, 32. D. Vellonio, 33. D. Cain, 29. N. Sansom, 35. A. Schroeder.
Substitutes: 24. K. Pitso, 28. R. Peterson, 34. S. Adeli, 30. D. Edosomwan, 40. J. Harders.
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS: 40. J. Shewan, 16. H. Cakal, 4. M. Puskarcuk, 25. C. Biczo, 4. S. Ugarkovic, 34. C. Hedge, 35. H. Da Silva, 39. K. Simone, 2. M. Khoury, 9. C. Bedzo, 36. T. Herceg.
Substitutes: 24. G. Yousif, 30. K. Dalton, 33. R. Kelly, 37. D. Rees, 15. L. Bouzanis
ROUND REVIEW
SATURDAY
MANLY UNITED 3-0 BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES, AT CROMER PARK
Manly United tightened their grip on third place with a dominant 3-0 victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
Mike McGinley scored a hattrick for Nigel Mahoney’s side, who have proven themselves to be a real contender come the finals.
SOUTH COAST WOLVES 4-3 SYDNEY UNITED 58, AT JOHN CREHAN PARK
South Coast Wolves were pushed all the way by Sydney United 58, whose dismal season continued despite their impressive performance in this match.
South Coast ran out 4-3 winners in the end, thanks to goals from Matt Floro, who scored a double, Joey Lavalle and Hayden Lloyd.
SYDNEY OLYMPIC 1-2 MARCONI STALLIONS, AT MARCONI STADIUM 
Sydney Olympic went down 2-1 to Marconi Stallions, in the match that was moved from Belmore Sports Ground to Marconi Stadium.
Sam Awad got on the scoresheet for the “home” side, but it wasn’t enough against Stallions, who are still in contention for fifth place.
SUTHERLAND SHARKS 1-0 ROCKDALE CITY SUNS, AT SEYMOUR SHAW PARK
Top of the table Sutherland Sharks kept the pressure on the chasing Blacktown City on Saturday night.
Their late win against Rockdale City Suns saw them maintain their place at the top of the league, in what was a high quality, high intensity match.
SUNDAY
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS 1-4 PARRAMATTA FC AT LAMBERT PARK
APIA Leichhardt Tigers went down at home to Parramatta FC in the other Sunday afternoon match, at Lambert Park.
Leading 2-1 at half time, the visiting side added another two goals after the break to run out 4-1 winners. Aaron Petersen, Farris Aoun, Ishmail and Nick Napoli were the scorers whilst Sam Salamah scored for APIA, who were always going to struggle after the dismissal of influential midfielder In Jonh Yang in the 60th minute.
-By Matthew Connellan