Marconi Stallions sealed top-spot on the League ladder at the halfway stage of the NSW Premier League 2010 season with an emphatic come-from-behind victory against Sydney Olympic on Saturday night.
Marconi Stallions sealed top-spot on the League ladder at the halfway stage of the NSW Premier League 2010 season with an emphatic come-from-behind victory against Sydney Olympic on Saturday night.
Trailing the Blues 0-2 at the break, courtesy of two well-taken goals by Matthew Mayora, the Stallions performed admirably in the second 45- minutes to overturn the deficit and maintain a strong hold on top-spot. Nahuel Arrarte reduced the deficit to one, converting from the penalty-spot following a foul by Andre Gumprecht, before Nathan Jagelman equalized for the Stallions shortly after. The win was completed by Arrarte who converted a second penalty following the dismissal of goalkeeper Paul Henderson in the 72- minute.
On Sunday afternoon, Rockdale City Suns and Sutherland Sharks fought out a 0-0 draw in Rockdale, in a match that promised more than the near 750 spectators had hoped for.
Despite dominating the greater share of possession, the Sharks failed to create clear-cut chances against a very well organised Suns team. Panni Nikas and Ben Spruce created arguably the best chances for the Sharks – both in the second-half – meanwhile the Suns best chances were initiated via the boot of captain Peter Apolevski. In the end, the draw keeps both sides in fifth (Sutherland) and sixth (Rockdale City) spots on the ladder, at the season halfway point.
Manly United-s difficult run continued with yet another loss at Cromer Park, this time at the hands of title contenders, Sydney United. Second-half goals to Ante Tomic and Mirjan Pavlovic secured the Edensor Park side the three-points, ensuring David Zdrilic-s men remain within striking distance of the table-topping Stallions. Manly United did have their chances throughout the contest, though some sloppy defending proved to be the side-s undoing.
At Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre, West Sydney Berries – under the guidance of new coach Steve Karavatakis – were moments away from securing a mammoth victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles before disaster struck. The Berries led from the 14- minute when Fadi Ghosson hit the home-side ahead with a fine finish past Ali Akbal.
Deep into injury-time though, a poorly dealt with Daniel Severino corner by the Berries defence saw the ball deflect off a defender and finish in the back of the net – much to the disappointment of the Berries faithful following a courageous display.
In Wollongong, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers sent a stern warning to all adversaries that the side is here to challenge this season with another win, this time against South Coast Wolves, following their disastrous start to the season.
The Tigers remained well-organised throughout the 90- minutes, and managed to deal with the attacking threat posed by the Wolves in-front of their home supporters. The side-s winning goal arrived shortly after the re-start courtesy of a Mark Byrnes header. The Tigers- player made a perfect run to the near post to meet Nick Rizzo-s corner to seal the victory for the Tigers.
Blacktown City remains two-points behind the League leaders following their hard fought defeat of stern rival Bankstown City. Played at a frantic pace – the home-side were second best for large spells as the Lions peppered the Blacktown City goal without reward.
Against the run of play in the opening minutes, Ante Deur hit the home-side in-front before Damien Brosque finally got the Lions onto the score-board moments after the re-start. Despite Hussein Salamah and Hussein Akil creating strong scoring opportunites, the Lions could not break the Blacktown City rearguard, and 6- minutes from time, Ante Deur stepped up to claim his personal brace from close-range to ensure the home-side would take maximum points.
