NSW Premier League Grade 20s Round 13 Review

There were at least two goals in each game on a weekend where open, attacking football was the order of the day. 
In an upset, Bonnyrigg White Eagles defeated top of the table Sutherland Sharks, whilst in another upset, Parramatta FC defeated Blacktown Spartans at Melita Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
BLACKTOWN CITY 3-1 ROCKDALE CITY SUNS
Rockdale had an early opportunity to sting Blacktown City on the break. Although Marino Musumeci’s shot was well struck, it whistled just wide of Luke Turnbull’s goal. 
Both sides were feeling out the other in the opening twenty minutes, however stalemate ensued as neither side was able to find an advantage.
Rockdale’s Lachlan O’Connor was booked for a robust challenge, but the resulting free kick didn’t create a goalscoring opportunity. 
As the first half wore on, Rockdale began to assert some significant authority on the match, without quite managing to create any clear goal scoring chances. 
Roberto Speranza followed his team mate O’Connor into the referees book, the yellow card produced after an agricultural challenge near the half way line.
Speranza was soon involved in a more positive sense, turning and firing a well struck shot at goal, which brought out the best in Turnbull who showed great agility and reflexes to plunge to his right and hold on to the shot.
However, against the run of play, Blacktown City took the lead. 
Daniel Vellonio swung an innocuous looking corner in to the near post, where an airswing by a Rockdale defender cost the visiting side dearly.
David Cain was on hand to score with a cheeky flick from a few yards out, to give his side the lead in the 37th minute.
Just three minutes later, Blacktown scored a second goal, the provider of the last goal, Vorster, this time turning goal scorer.
A swift passing exchange saw the Blacktown attacker released on the left and his quick feet took him past Rockdale’s keeper Aaron Lidell, leaving him with the simple task of tucking the ball away to make the score 2-0.
It could have been three before the break, but Lidell made a decent save to his left to keep his side within touching distance.
Blacktown’s David Adjassou fired a long range effort very narrowly over Lidell’s crossbar at the start of the second half, as the home side showed the confidence they had acquired since taking the lead.
Rockdale’s Matt Dibiasi was booked for bringing down Harry Brown, after the Blacktown midfielder broke towards goal. Dibiasi was lucky to escape further punishment for his indiscretion and was immediately substituted as Daniel Kamel took his place.
A minor melee ensued after Blacktown were awarded a corner when they took the resulting free kick quickly, and Lidell was booked for saying his piece to the referee in the aftermath.
The Rockdale keeper though, showed his talent soon after, making a sensational save to deny David Cain, before once again showing fantastic reactions to prevent Brown scoring the third.
Blacktown City had taken the second half by the scruff of the neck and Rockdale were struggling to contain their creative talents. 
They added a third in the 70th minute and it was a goal reflective of their second half dominance.
A beautifully chipped ball from Yianni Perkatis released Andre Schroeder and the influential midfielder unselfishly squared to Daniel Vellonio, who made no mistake in tucking the ball past Lidell to score his first goal of the match.
It was a goal that encapsulated the craft and guile of this Blacktown City side and they continued to threaten to now fragile looking Rockdale City defence.
The visiting side pulled one back in the 76th minute though, as Alan Kovacevic showed composure and accuracy in front of goal to finish past Julian Harders, who had replaced Luke Turnbull in goal. 
They were nervous times for Blacktown, as Rockdale piled on the pressure. Blacktown had made four substitutions in the wake of their third goal and they seemed to unsettle the shape and composure of the side.
Blacktown should have had a fourth when Vellonio released Schroeder, but rather than squaring to the unmarked Dolor Edosomwan, he shot straight at Lidell, thereby wasting the opportunity.
When Edosomwan did create an opportunity a few moments later, he was denied by a wonderful sprawling save by Lidell, who excelled himself in the one-on-one situation.
Rockdale should have scored from a set piece, but Sam Cornish wasted the opportunity by heading over the bar. 
Sherwin Adeli, another Blacktown substitute, stung the palms of Lidell from long range in the final few moments. The Rockdale goalkeeper had played excellently throughout, and were it not for him, Blacktown would have run away with the game.
As it were, the visiting side were unable to muster the comeback that they briefly threatened in the aftermath of their goal and Blacktown City were able to take the three points that they deserved.
MATCH STATS
Blacktown City 3 (Cain 37′, Vellonio 70′, Vorster 40′)
Rockdale City Suns 1 (Kovacevic 76′)
BLACKTOWN CITY: 20. L. Turnbull, 22. D. Vorster, 23. H. Brown, 24. Y. Perkatis, 25. L. Clifford, 26. J. Potter, 27. D. Adjassou, 29. N. Samson, 32. D. Vellonio, 33. D. Cain, 35. A. Schroeder.
Substitutes: 28. J. Basara, 30. D. Edosomwan, 31. L. Jenner, 34. S. Adeli, 40. J. Harders.
ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 24. A. Lidell, 26. S. Cornish, 27. J. Villazon, 29. A. Kovacevic, 30. M. Cimino, 34. P. Gyamfi, 37. K. Dotti, 39. M. Dibiasi, 44. L. O’Connor, 33. R. Speranza, 35. M. Musumeci.
Substitutes: 28. J. Pupkovski, 32. V. Kanneh, 36. D. Kamel, 38. T. Elhafiane, 40. S. Tamusaki.
ROUND REVIEW
SATURDAY
MANLY UNITED 1-1 SOUTH COAST WOLVES, AT CROMER PARK
Manly United shared the points with South Coast Wolves in an entertaining match at Cromer Park on a clear Saturday night. 
Alex Dicker scored for South Coast, whilst Manly United captain Josh Ward scored for the home side.
Both sides put in terrific performances, although they will also missed rued opportunities, a good chance was spurned late on by South Coast, whilst Manly United missed from the penalty spot. 
SUTHERLAND SHARKS 1-2 BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES, AT SEYMOUR SHAW PARK
League leaders Sutherland Sharks went down at home to Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Saturday evening Seymour Shaw Park. 
In a surprise result, Bonnyrigg were the better side over the 90 minutes and were able to score a remarkable result.
MARCONI STALLIONS 1-1 APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS, AT MARCONI STADIUM
Marconi Stallions and APIA Leichhardt Tigers shared the points in the Italian derby at Marconi Stadium on Saturday evening.
Nick Taneski scored the goal for APIA, but they squandered a number of opportunities to win the match, whilst Pan Gotsis was sent off with fifteen minutes to go. 
Coach Rod Williams was frustrated at APIA’s lack of composure in front of goal, which has proven to be a thorn in their side all season.
SUNDAY
SYDNEY OLYMPIC 3-0 SYDNEY UNITED 58, AT BELMORE SPORTS GROUND
Sydney Olympic defeated Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon, scoring three unanswered goals to give themselves half a chance of making the top five. 
Alexi Mitrogiannis and a brace from Jason Madonis was more than enough for the home side to take the three points.
PARRAMATTA FC 2-1 BLACKTOWN SPARTANS, AT MELITA STADIUM
Parramatta FC upset Blacktown Spartans at Melita Stadium on Sunday afternoon, running away 2-1 winners in a tense and exciting encounter.
16 year old Jair Fernandez was called up to make his debut in goal due to an injury to the first choice Parramatta keeper.
He conceded just before half time, but a brace from Luke Grima in the second half sealed a much deserved win that left coach Paul De Lucca understandably elated.
-By Matthew Connellan