Sharks compile more misery on winless White Eagles

Sutherland Sharks have got themselves off the bottom of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder with a convincing 3-2 victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles, who slumped to the foot of the ladder at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre on Saturday.

A brace from Jeremy Cox and a flicked header from Nathan Elasi was the difference as the Sharks proved triumphant in the battle of the competition cellar dwellers.

Bonnyrigg gave Sutherland a scare with goals to youngsters Hassan Jalloh and Luke Ivanovic, but it was the visitors who took all the points.

The previously winless Sutherland Sharks got the start they desired tonight, as with only four minutes on the clock – Jeremy Cox waltzed through the Bonnyrigg White Eagles midfield to make it 1-nil.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles had their chance a minute after the goal through Martin Lo after a goalmouth scramble that he couldn’t prod home.

For the home side, the best chances came through experienced midfielder Ray Miller. Twice he was afforded space but both times Sutherland Sharks custodian Nikolas Loe denied him.

Sam Gallaway found himself in the box as Bonnyrigg White Eagles continued to push for the equaliser but he rolled past the post.

The home side would eventually have their equaliser just before halftime. Hassan Jalloh, who was a bright spark all half, latched onto a through ball and slotted past Loe for 1-1.

Sutherland Sharks came out of the sheds quicker after the break and restored their advantage. In the 49th minute Matthew Gordon provided a smooth cross for Nathan Elasi to flick home for a 2-1 lead

Sensing their first win of the season, Sutherland Sharks doubled their advantage in the 59th minute. Cox was on hand to deflect it home and make it 3-1 to the visitors.

The Sharks could have scored a fourth goal in the 75th minute. Tomohiro Kajiyama was free at the far post but pushed his header wide.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles gave the Sharks a late scare with some neat interplay between Jalloh and Ivanovic allowed the latter to slot home for 3-2.

Afterwards a delighted Carlos Villazon was proud of his Sharks side.

“I am delighted for the players.

“We came to Bonnyrigg which is a tough venue against a desperate team. We had a plan to play from defense and we had some good chances,” he said.

Conversely, Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown lamented some easy goals.

“Apart from the first five minutes we dominated the half. Second half we lost concentration and conceded some bad, bad goals.” Said Brown.

Match Stats

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Jalloh ’44 and Ivanovic ’87)

Sutherland Sharks 3 (Cox ‘4, ’59 and Elasi ’49)

Saturday, April 22 2017

Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Referee: Katie Patterson,

Assistant Referees: Nicholas Back & Nathan Wotton

4th Official: Declan Broderick

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 3. David VRANKOVIC, 5. Adam JENNER (McKENZIE ’72), 6. Zachary MACKENZIE, 7. Gregory KONDEK (IVANOVIC ’72), 10. Martin LO, 12. Mun-Soo GIL, 14. Taylor McDONALD, 15. Raymond MILLER, 16. Samuel GALLAWAY, 20. Stevan SAVICIC 21. Hassan JALLOH

Substitutes not used: 17. Leon FARIA, 28. Nikola KRLJAR and 77. Max ROWSTON

Yellow cards: Gil and Gallaway

Red cards: nil

Sutherland Sharks FC: 3. Takuya MURAYAMA, 4. Stephen KAYES (O’SHEA ’75), 5. Nicholas LITTLER, 6. Matthew GORDON (MCSTAY ’80), 9. Tomohiro KAJIYAMA, 10. Joshua Da SILVA, 11. Nathan ELASI, 12. Blair BROWN, 13. Jeremy COX, 21. Nikolas LOE, 25. Wade OOSTENDORP

Substitutes not used: 15. Kevin LOPES, 18. Claudio FABIANO

Yellow cards: McStay, Oosendorp

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jeremy Cox (SS)

2 – Nathan Elasi (SS)

1 – Hassan Jalloh (BWE)

-By Justin Davies