IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 14 Review

Bonnyrigg White Eagles maintained its one-point lead over Sutherland Sharks at the top of the League ladder with Marconi Stallions entering the top-five after Round 14 matches this weekend.
At the bottom of the table, three-points separate the bottom three sides with APIA-Leichhardt Tigers still ahead of South Coast Wolves and bottom-placed Central Coast Academy.
Central Coast Mariners Academy 3 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4
Central Coast Mariners Academy netted three goals against the runaway League leaders, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, though it wasn’t enough as Brian Brown’s men breached the Mariners’ goal four times.
The encounter delivered action aplenty as the seven-goal thriller was littered with cracking goals to Bonnyrigg’s Robert Younis, Aaron Peterson, Tynan Diaz and a tap-in to Adrian Ucchino which was enough to cancel out a Christopher Payne treble and pick up three points.
Payne’s second hat-trick in recent weeks was brilliant, though not enough to secure a point against the competition’s top side.
Sutherland Sharks 4 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
Sutherland Sharks kept pace with Bonnyrigg White Eagles with a big 4-2 win over APIA-Leichhardt Tigers.
Nicholas Olsen netted in the 2’ minute to open the scoring for the Sharks with a fine finish before Sean Symons equalised in the 10’ for the visiting Tigers.
Nathan Elasi ensured the Sharks would go in ahead at the break, giving his side the lead much to the delight of the Sharks’ supporters.
Klim Gjorseski extended the Sharks’ lead midway through the second-half before Adel El Jamal re-opened the contest with a strong finish for APIA-Leichhardt. In the end, despite the Tigers best efforts to find an equaliser, playmaker Panni Nikas put the result beyond doubt with an injury-time goal.
Blacktown Spartans 1 Manly United FC 1
At Blacktown Football Park, the Spartans failed to overcome the challenge of Manly United FC. Brendan Cholakian, who has been in tremendous form for the Northern Beaches side, sent the visitors into the break with a late first-half goal. The splendid attempt stunned Carlos Saliadarre, finding the back of the net in the process.
The Spartans drew level via Daniel Wilkinson who’s tricky free-kick found the back of the net.
A winning goal was not forthcoming for either side as Manly United went down a man 9’ minutes from the end following Cholakian’s second yellow card of the evening.
Somewhat surprisingly, Luka Austin scuffed a golden opportunity to win it for the Spartans via the penalty-spot. The normally reliant Austin saw his attempt fizzle well over the crossbar to ensure the match finished level.
Marconi Stallions 1 Rockdale City Suns 0
Marconi Stallions handed Rockdale City Suns a second consecutive loss with a dramatic late show at Marconi Stadium.
Elsid Barkhousir netted the winner in the 92’ minute, capitalising on a fine square ball by Tadgh Purcell from the left before slotting home into the back of the net.
The Stallions were looked most likely to take the win all afternoon, though the Suns did create some decent chances along the way – most notably Richard Cardozo’s missed attempt midway through the opening half where James Chronopoulos was super quick off his line to make a point-blank save.
The result keeps the Stallions in a fine position for finals football, meanwhile the Suns will need to return to basics after two losses on the trot.

Blacktown City FC 3 Sydney Olympic 0
Sydney Olympic suffered its first League loss under the guidance of coach Grant Lee against a red hot Blacktown City FC. A Travis Major inspired Blacktown City had a big performance, netting his side’s first goal midway through the opening half after a fabulous through ball by Harris Gaitatzis sent him through on goal.
Sean Rooney double his side’s lead 5’ minutes later when he capitalised on a weak back pass to round goalkeeper Paul Henderson before netting.
The second-half saw Harris Gaitatzis make it 3-0 in the 60’ minute with a composed finish before Blacktown City FC administered the final 30’ minutes to secure the win.
Sydney United 58 FC 4 South Coast Wolves 0
Sydney United 58 FC further proved that it will be a force this season with an emphatic 4-0 win over South Coast Wolves on Sunday.
Mirjan Pavlovic returned to the side with a fabulous double, as Glen Trifiro continued his goal scoring run with his second strike in two weeks and Stjepan Paric too found the back of the net.
Pavlovic opened the scoring in the 5’ minute when capitalising on a neat pass by Yuichi Yamauchi before netting.
2’ minutes later and Trifiro made it 2-0 when collecting the ball at the back post and slotting home with precision.
The Wolves failed to clear a goalmouth scramble in the 38’ minute, giving Paric the look-in – which he took – to make it 3-0 with his shot going in off the post.
The Wolves’ Zachary Mackenzie, on the stroke of half-time, conceded a penalty, which Pavlovic converted with a cheeky chip to round out the result inside of the first 45’ minutes.
The Wolves attempted to put on a brave fight in the second period though there was no real opportunity for the side to re-open the contest against a well-drilled Sydney United 58 FC.
-By Joseph Carlucci