NSW Premier League Round 17 Review

South Coast Wolves continued its pursuit of the League leader, creating a bit of a buffer over third-placed Marconi with a win over the Stallions, meanwhile both Sydney Olympic and Blacktown City FC picked up results to help consolidate a spot in the finals series.
At the other end of the ladder, Parramatta FC and APIA-Leichhardt Tigers? poor run continued with losses over the weekend, meanwhile Manly United FC scored a massive point against the in-form Rockdale City Suns.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 Sydney United 58 FC 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles gave stern rival Sydney United 58 FC absolutely nothing in a one-sided encounter that saw arguably four of the best goals of the season ? each one a contender for goal of the season. The White Eagles? 4-0 whitewash kicked-off in the 22? minute when Chris Tadrosse latched onto a searching ball from the right to volley his left-footed effort inside Robert Kolak?s left-hand post.
The home side dominated possession with a neat passing game and doubled its lead in the 54? minute via Tynan Diaz. The right-sided midfielder got in behind the Reds defence to meet Mitchell Long?s exquisite pass and drive home his diagonal effort past Kolak.
Harris Gaitatzis added a third goal shortly after following a clean exchange with Aleksander Canak. The young striker, with his shoulders to goal, hit his shot on the turn, first time, across the face of goal and inside the far post.
The Bonnyrigg members present for this match were on their feet in the 85? minute as Diaz netted his second goal of the afternoon ? and an absolute screamer of a goal it most definitely was. In similar fashion to Tadrosse?s opener, a cross from the left this time picked out Diaz at the back post as the midfielder struck the ball sweetly across Kolak?s goal, finishing in off the upright to round out the 4-0 result.
Sydney United?s best efforts for the afternoon arrived via set-pieces though the side was well and truly overrun by the White Eagles who further strengthened its grip on top-spot with the win.
Sydney Olympic 2 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1
Sydney Olympic continued its series of ?home? matches away from home due to the unavailability of Belmore Sports Ground. Despite technically playing away every week, and a rather disappointing first-half showing against APIA-Leichhardt on Sunday, the reigning champions turned it on in the second-half to add a further three points to the League ladder. Phil Makrys converted an early second-half penalty after mark Byrnes fouled substitute Matthew Mayora. The Tigers did have some chances, created mainly via the boot of Franco Parisi, however it would be the Blues to net next. Playmaker Chris Triantis, who is having a tremendous season, blasted a world class strike past Anthony Costa late in the half to give Sydney Olympic a buffer.
APIA-Leichhardt did pull a goal back via the penalty-spot after Brett Studman handled the ball inside the penalty-area. Adam Casey was the man to convert the Tigers? consolation goal as the Blues continue to grow as we approach finals football.
Blacktown City FC 3 Parramatta FC 0
Blacktown City FC kept alive its hopes of playing finals football this season with a 3-0 home win against Parramatta FC on Sunday. Despite the result suggesting a whitewash, the former champions were made to work hard for the win in a strong second-half performance by the Eagles.
David Cain opened the scoring on 7? minutes after latching onto a loose ball inside the penalty-area to slot home.
Despite Parramatta FC creating the chances to draw level, Blacktown City rounded out the result with two goals in the final 16? minutes of the match. Ryuji Miyazawa scored the side?s second goal with a cool finish after combining with fellow Japanese import Yuchi Yamauchi, before Sean Rooney added the third goal in the 90? minute with a strong header from Matt Lewis? cross.
South Coast Wolves 1 Marconi Stallions 0
South Coast Wolves secured some breathing space in second-spot ahead of the third placed Stallions following a nail biting 1-0 defeat of Marconi on Saturday evening.
Mark Picciolini proved the hero for the home side as he tapped home Ricky Zucco?s delivery late in the first-half.
The Stallions did squander a number of chances on the evening, starting with a 6? minute penalty. Captain Nahuel Arrarte was denied by Daniel Collison from the penalty-spot ? the shot-stopper a constant menace for the visitors on an evening where he continually frustrated Marconi with a number of timely saves.
Sutherland Sharks 4 Blacktown Spartans 3
Sutherland Sharks returned to winning ways on Saturday evening at Seymour Shaw though the side was pushed to the limit by Blacktown Spartans.
The Sharks held a 2-0 lead at the break courtesy of a Panni Nikas double. The attacking midfielder grabbed his first of the evening in the 27? minute as he powerfully finished a Matt Gordon cross. Nikas added a second late in the half from the penalty-spot, before Andre Carle re-opened the contest shortly after the half-time break.
Matt Bailey restored the two goal lead in the 78? minute before Nikas secured his hat-trick moments later after his slalom effort around the Spartans? defence, selling goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre a dummy and skillfully slotting home.
With less than 10? minutes remaining the result seemed secure however the Spartans, who had been playing with ten-men following Djordge Degenek?s red card late in the first-half, made a real go of it. Nathan Millgate brought the deficit back to two with a fine finish before Greg Kondek netted a third in the 89? minute.
In the end, the home side managed to hold out for the 4-3 win, keeping alive its slim hopes of finals football in the process.
Manly United FC 2 Rockdale City Suns 2
Manly United FC twice came from behind to hold the in-form Rockdale City Suns to a 2-2 draw at Cromer Park on Saturday evening. Sash Tirovski had the Suns ahead on 37? minutes as he was quickest to react to a loose ball inside the penalty-area to stab the ball home.
Just prior to the break, Adam Foti drew the home side level via the penalty-spot. Danny Grant was fouled inside the penalty-area by the Suns defenders and Foti made no mistake in converting the spot-kick.
Following the break, Rockdale City restored its lead via Alec Urosevski. From six-yards, the talented youngster converted with confidence, much to the disappointment of the home supporters. Those supporters did have something to cheer about on 70? minutes however as Colin Iley was on the spot to drive home a spilt Adam Foti free-kick by Ryan Norval, ensuring both sides would have a share of the spoils.
-By Joseph Carlucci