IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 6 Review

The heavy rain in Sydney on Saturday played havoc across the State competitions this weekend with two IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Round 6 fixtures postponed.
The Central Coast Mariners Academy and Sydney United 58 FC clash and Blacktown City FC’s clash with Sutherland Sharks were both washed out.
Elsewhere, Bonnyrigg failed to pick up the three-points for the first time this season, held by the Suns in Rockdale, meanwhile Marconi Stallions won the bragging rights over APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in the ‘Italian Derby’.
Sydney Olympic’s lean start to the season continued with Blacktown Spartans claiming all the spoils in that encounter, meanwhile Manly United FC continued its run up the League ladder with an impressive showing against South Coast Wolves.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0 Marconi Stallions 1
Marconi Stallions grabbed the bragging rights over historic rival APIA-Leichhardt Tigers on Saturday evening, scoring a marginal 1-0 win on a very soggy Lambert Park following the heavy downpours to hit Sydney throughout the course of the day.
Damien Travis proved the match-winner, netting 3’ minutes from half-time with a fiercely hit drive past Ryan Norval in the Tigers goal – the shot-stopper in some great form otherwise for the home side.
Marconi’s Milorad Simonovic continued his fine start to the season with another fine showing – the Stallions’ number 10 forming a very impressive partnership with Anthony Proia in the front-third.
For APIA-Leichhardt Tigers it wasn’t the best start for newly appointed coach Nick Rizzo – the Tigers’ player/coach taking over the reigns as first team boss after the departure of Gary Ward in midweek.
Travis’ fine evening was spoilt by a late second yellow-card, forcing the Stallions’ right-sided defender to take an early shower on an otherwise successful evening for the club.
Manly United FC 4 South Coast Wolves 2
Matt Sim inspired Manly United FC to a massive three-points with a fine first-half brace to lead his side to a 4-2 win over the Wolves at Cromer Park.
Sim’s opener arrived in only the 2’ minute with a fine finish past Daniel Collison, before netting his second just after the 30’ minute mark from the penalty-spot after Colin Iley was fouled.
Moments before the half-time interval, Joseph Lavalle halved the deficit with a neat finish at the near post, though the two-goal lead was restored after the restart when Brendan Cholakian drove home past Collison after receiving a neat cut-back by Sim.
Roberto Hamad set-up Scott Balderson with a pin-point cross to make it 4-1, before the Wolves pulled a goal back courtesy of James Baldacchino who drove home Michael Robinson’s cross, though it was too little too late for the visitors.
Blacktown Spartans 4 Sydney Olympic 2
Blacktown Spartans caused a massive upset on Saturday evening with a 4-2 home win against pre-season favourite for the title, Sydney Olympic.
An inspired second-half performance saw Blacktown Spartans fight back from a goal down to defeat heavyweights Sydney Olympic 4-2 at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday night.
Luke Austin’s first of the night – a neat finish following some nice build-up by Andre Carle – was cancelled out by a Phil Makrys penalty on 13’ minutes.
The Blues had the lead at the break following Elsid Barkhousir’s fine finish. The striker was a little fortunate to control the long searching ball with his back, however the way he beat his marker and put the ball into the back of the net was pure class.
Corey Biczo and Austin combined to restore parity after the re-start; the latter calmly slotting home to make it 2-2.
Luke Austin completed his hat-trick from the penalty-spot shortly after, converting after Brendan Hooper was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty-area.
Despite losing Nathan Millgate following a second yellow card, the Spartans added a fourth via Carle. The attacking midfielder curled an effort from 25-yards over the helpless Paul Henderson, much to the delight of the home supporters.
The win is the second of the season for the Spartans.
Rockdale City Suns 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Bonnyrigg’s 100% start to the 2013 season came to an end at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday as Rockdale City Suns held the 2012 Premiers to a 0-0 draw.
In a match that lacked the consistency from both sides, those present at the venue were treated to some decent goal scoring chances, despite the final result.
The home side perhaps could have taken the points had Richard Cardozo & Co. been a little more sharper in-front of goal, though the draw goes to show that the Suns hard work is starting to pay off after a slow start to the season.
Brian Brown’s men were not at their best in this encounter, though the side will be more than eager to get back to winning ways back at home next weekend.
Central Coast Mariners Academy v Sydney United 58 FC – Washed out.

Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks – Washed out.
-By Joseph Carlucci