IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 18 Review

Sydney United 58 FC has drawn its way closer to League leader Sutherland Sharks over the weekend with a 2-0 win over Robbie Stanton’s men in the Match of the Round.
Blacktown City FC showed its intentions of fighting for silverware this season with a great showing to overcome a struggling Bonnyrigg White Eagles side, meanwhile Marconi Stallions too secured some important points with some big matches to come over the closing month of the competition.
At the bottom of the ladder the Mariners situation has not improved in its bid to avoid the wooden spoon, meanwhile the situation of APIA-Leichhardt Tigers does not look great as South Coast Wolves caused the upset of the Round with a win at Rockdale City.
Sydney United 58 FC 2 Sutherland Sharks 0
The top of the table clash saw Sydney United 58 FC score a very impressive 2-0 win over Sutherland Sharks to reduce its lead to four-points on the ladder – the Reds still holding a catch-up match up its sleeve.
Despite coach Mark Rudan’s absence from the team bench, the Reds looked extremely comfortable, creating chance after chance before Glen Trifiro opened proceedings with a well-taken first-half goal.
Robert Mileski put the result beyond the Sharks reach with an equally impressive finish to round out the result, the performance further strengthening the belief around the Reds camp in the run home to the end of the regular season.
Blacktown City FC 4 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1
Blacktown City FC provided its supporters with a memorable afternoon following an impressive 4-1 defeat of stern rival Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Sean Rooney initiated proceedings with the opening goal on 36’ minutes with an almighty finish before Ryuji Miyazawa made it 2-0 just before the break.
Following the interval, Miyazawa netted a third for his side before Robbie Younis came off the bench to pull one back for the White Eagles with a good finish.
Anny hope of a late comeback was truly dashed when the ever impressive Travis Major added his name to the score sheet with Blacktown City’s fourth of the afternoon.
The win sees Mark Crittenden’s men move into fifth-spot on the ladder meanwhile the White Eagles recent dip in form sees the side falling behind Sutherland Sharks and Sydney United 58 FC in the top two spots.
Blacktown Spartans 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1
An open, attacking, encounter at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday evening provided action aplenty, though both the Spartans and Tigers were left to share the spoils following referee Khodr Yaghi’s final whistle.
The topsy-turvy encounter, where both sides had their dominant passages of play, saw the visitors hit the lead midway through the first-half.
Jason Oswell’s well-timed run down the right, and pin-point centre into the path of Aaron Clapham, saw the latter anticipate goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre to net the opener.
With the Tigers gaining much confidence, the Spartans hit the side in the closing stages of the half to ensure the sides entered the break all level.
Corey Biczo weaved his way past his markers on the left byline before centering to Greg Kondek who headed home inside an empty net.
APIA-Leichhardt goalkeeper Andrew Bazi was in great touch, producing some fabulous saves – equally impressive was Saliadarre  for the Spartans who produced some timely interventions too.
The final result ends the Tigers’ losing run in the competition, though wins will be required in the closing rounds if the side is to avoid relegation.
The Spartans too will be looking to finish with as many points as possible in what has been a great season for Ben De Haan’s men.
Manly United FC 3 Sydney Olympic 1
Manly United 58 FC put together its best 90’ minutes of the season to score an impressive 3-1 win over Sydney Olympic at home on Sunday afternoon.
Scott Balderson opened the scoring on 25’ minutes with a powerful drive past Paul Henderson before Graeme Forbes doubled the lead midway through the second-half from a corner.
Sydney Olympic immediately re-opened the contest as Renato Franco Ramirez netted following a scramble inside the penalty-area, though it really was too little too late as Leigh Egger combined with Matt Sim to drive home a third for Craig Midgley’s men and secure the three-points.
Marconi Stallions 4 Central Coast Mariners Academy 1
Marconi Stallions strengthened its chances of reaching the finals series with a big 4-1 win against Central Coast Mariners Academy. Despite the result seeming very convincing, the Stallions had to endure some real pressure from the visitors in a tough outing for the reigning champions.
Milorad Simonovic and Elsid Barkhousir netted in the dying minutes of the first-half after Adriano Pellegrino & Co. had Stallions goalkeeper James Chronopoulos under the pump.
Following the interval, Tadgh Purcell showed skill and composure as he slotted past David Bradasevic – only 26’’ seconds into the half – to make it 3-0.
Pellegrino pulled a goal back for the visitors just after the hour as he cleverly made his way into the penalty-area before blasting home, though in the final moments of injury-time, Purcell forced the issue with some further pressure on the Mariners rearguard and the final outcome was an own goal to make the result 4-1.
Rockdale City Suns 0 South Coast Wolves 1
South Coast Wolves caused a massive upset with a 1-0 win at Ilinden Sports Centre against Rockdale City Suns. Despite the Suns dominating the encounter for large spells, the tactics of the Wolves – who applied some superb tactics with the absence of influential duo Ricky Zucco and Jacob Timpano – were spot on.
Peter Simonoski netted with a fine finish at the back post as he latched onto Steve Hayes’ cross.
Despite the best efforts from the Suns’ players, the Wolves administered proceedings to score three very valuable points in the sides bid to avoid the drop this season. 
-By Joseph Carlucci