Sydney Olympic remains the only side to hold a 100% record in the NSW Premier League following a second win in Round 2 NSW Premier League action this weekend.
Sydney Olympic remains the only side to hold a 100% record in the NSW Premier League following a second win in Round 2 NSW Premier League action this weekend.
The Blues were sound across the park with Peter Tsekenis- men well organised defensively, sharp across the middle of the park as the strikers carved out a number of chances in the 1-0 defeat of Blacktown City FC at Lily Homes on Sunday.
Sydney Olympic found their winner in the 61- minute courtesy of ‘man of the moment- Alex Smith who scored his fourth goal of the season – Smith is incidentally the scorer of each of Sydney Olympic-s goals thus far, this season.
Smith collected a through ball out of midfield before rounding Blacktown City goalkeeper Symon Jaeger. Despite a very acute angle to the right side of the goal, Smith finished with power, and precision, to secure the win.
Both sides were reduced to 10-men in the closing 25- minutes as Jerry Kalouris first (64- minute) and Mitchell Long (77- minute) both picked up second yellow cards.
At Cromer Park, Manly United FC and Sutherland Sharks fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw. The Sharks had goalkeeper Nathan Denham to thank for numerous saves throughout the encounter – the goalkeeper without a doubt the man of the match.
The Sharks lost Paul Kohler late in the first-half after receiving a straight red card for a last man foul on Robbie Cattanach. Adam Foti converted the spot-kick to send the home-side ahead, though the Sharks were level shortly after the break. Jimmy Oates conceded a penalty with a foul on Matt Bailey, and Panni Nikas stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
The 10-men of Sutherland hit the lead 10- minutes from the end as Bailey made the most of a napping Manly United FC defence to find the back of the net, though the home-side found their equaliser 4- minutes from time as Foti headed home his second goal of the afternoon.
South Coast Wolves bounced back from their Round 1 loss against Sydney Olympic to hand newly promoted Parramatta FC their first loss of the season at John Crehan Park. The Wolves overturned a one-goal first-half deficit – a fabulous strike from Parramatta FC midfielder Chris Camilleri – to score two second-half goals for the win.
New signing Sasho Petrovski opened his goalscoring account with a brilliant free-kick before youngster Stephen Paric dispossessed the Parramatta FC defensive line to slot home past Anthony Costa and seal the win.
On Saturday evening, Sydney United grabbed bragging rights in game one of the Capitol Hill Cup with a 1-0 defeat of neighbours, Marconi Stallions. An entertaining 90- minutes of football was decided by Ante Tomic-s 4- minute strike. A swift Sydney United counterattack saw Steven Hayes centre a dangerous ball across the face of goal that eluded the Stallions defenders and goalkeeper James Chronopoulos. Tomic was on hand to pick up the loose ball and bury his effort past the Stallions shot-stopper.
Marconi created chances throughout the night to draw level, with the best opportunities falling to new signing Matthew Mayora, though an equalising goal was not forthcoming.
At Ilinden Sports Centre, Bankstown City scored their first win of the season with a 1-0 defeat of stern rival Rockdale City Suns. The Lions found their break through shortly after the re-start as Shannon Burgin headed home a Steven Bozinovski free-kick from the left-flank. A flick-on at the near post provided Burgin with the chance, and the Lions midfielder finished well to secure his side the points.
Rockdale City new signing Hsuki Hasegawa proved to be a positive for the Suns, despite the loss. Hasegawa was good value for his 60- minute appearance as the signs do appear positive for Rockdale City.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles were held to their second consecutive draw of the season, this time by A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers at home. After the Tigers- striker Robert Younis missed a penalty inside the opening 8- minutes – Phil Zabaks saving brilliantly down to his right – Bonnyrigg took control of proceedings with a dominant display.
The White Eagles hit the lead on 20- minutes as Brad Boardman half-volleyed an effort into the bottom right-hand corner past Jose Bello-Amigo. Despite creating chances via Daniel Severino and Nathan Elasi before and after the break, the Tigers clawed their way back into the match with an equalizing goal in the 69- minute.
For the second time on the night the Tigers were awarded a penalty, and this time Younis did not fail as he slotted the ball past Zabaks to secure A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt a point.
