Another change at the top sees Blacktown Spartans head back to the table’s summit albeit only on goal difference.
The Spartans thrashed St George 6-1 and in doing so took advantage of Blacktown City’s slip up at home to Rockdale City but with only three goals separating the two sides this premiership race promises to go down to the wire, especially with Bonnyrigg White Eagles only two points in arrears.
Sutherland Sharks 2-3 Sydney Olympic, at Seymour Shaw Park
Sydney Olympic drew themselves level on points with Sutherland after they ran out 3-2 winners in the Match of the Round on Saturday night.
It was chilly but clear at Seymour Shaw and Sutherland took the initiative from the kick-off, dominating possession and passing the ball around nicely.
Olympic kept them at an arm’s length though and were patient. They were rewarded when they took the lead thanks to a superb header from Dmitri Hatzimouratis who leapt high above Sutherland’s centre backs, James McKenzie and Jacob Tratt, to head in a great cross by Troy Danaskos.
If one was great, two was even better and Taiga Soeda thrashed home a fierce shot in the minutes before half time to put Olympic 2-0 up at the break.
Sutherland pulled one back with captain Nick Stavroulakis scoring a rare goal, even rarer given that it was a header. Panni Nikas’ cross was nodded back across goal by Jamie McMaster and Stavroulakis was there to capitalise from close range.
William Angel put the game to bed a few minutes later though, finishing accurately when set up nicely by Go Shirai. Even though Jordan Figon headed in a late free kick from Figon Olympic was able to hang on to the three points and bring themselves to 29 points alongside the Sharks.
Marconi Stallions 1-1 Sydney United 58 FC, at Marconi Stadium
It was a game that saw both goals scored in the second half as former National Soccer League rivals Marconi Stallions and Sydney United 58 FC shared the points.
United took the lead in the second half through Mirjan Pavlovic who has been in good-form since returning to the club mid-way through the season.
Mark Rudan’s side looked like they would hang on for all three points but a late penalty from Marco Sama equalised and saw Marconi steal a share of the points.
Manly United 1-0 South Coast Wolves, at Cromer Park
Manly United scored a surprise 1-0 win at home to the in-form South Coast Wolves on Saturday night.
Wolves travelled the long trip to the northern beaches in good nick and would have been favourites to take the three points but, as they have done on occasion this season, Manly threw the form book out the window.
Substitute Jack Green scored the late winner, netting in the 86′ minute after making his way on to the field as a substitute.
St George 1-6 Blacktown Spartans, at Seymour Shaw Park
The demolition by Blacktown Spartans of St George is a significant one as it sends Ben De Haan’s side back to the top of the table.
Seymour Shaw was hosting its second game of the weekend and it was the “home” team that took the lead when Juan Chavez scored in the 24′ minute. But from there it was all about Spartans.
Connor Evans levelled the score five minutes before the break but that gave little indication of the massacre to follow.
Spartans scored five unanswered goals in the second half to reassert their premiership credentials. Ray Miller put Spartans ahead just four minutes into the second half before Elsid Barkhousir’s penalty made it 3-1 to Spartans.
St George had to chase the game but Spartans attacked with relish, scoring thrice late on to give the scoreline an emphatic look.
Miller’s second was quickly followed by Barkhousir’s before Corey Biczo added the sixth and final goal in the second minute of added time.
Blacktown City 0-2 Rockdale City Suns, at Lilys Football Centre
Blacktown City’s pristine Lilys Football Centre suited the visitors Rockdale City Suns just as much as it suited Mark Crittenden’s side and it was the Suns who took full advantage, running out 2-0 winners.
Both goals came in the first half and it could be a costly defeat for Blacktown City who slipped to second in the premiership race on goal difference.
Nikola Taneski opened the scoring early on for the Suns, placing a great finish past young Blacktown City custodian Blake Tuxford.
Rockdale was transformed from the side that struggled against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers last weekend and doubled their lead thanks to a fantastic volley from veteran midfielder Paul Reid.
It sealed an important win for the Suns who are in fourth place, two points clear of Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Olympic.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2-3 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at Lambert Park
Bonnyrigg White Eagles did it the hard way against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, winning 3-2 against APIA’s ten men and needing a 94th minute winner to do it.
It looked like it would be one-way traffic when Aaron Peterson fired Bonnyrigg into an early lead with a sharp strike. Blake Powell’s second yellow card on the half hour meant that Bonnyrigg had their foot on the throat but Matthew Mayora drew APIA level early in the second half with a fine volleyed finish.
Then, madness ensued. APIA keeper Andrew Bazi’s howler, one of the all-time greats, put Bonnyrigg ahead once more when he contrived to drop David Vrankovic’s cross behind him and into the back of the net.
A few minutes later Bonnyrigg keeper Matthew Nash returned the favour; dropping a corner from Marc Warren and allowing APIA defender Michael West to bundle in an equalising goal.
A draw would have been the fair result but when Chris Tadrosse whipped in a late free kick Peterson was well placed to head home the winner.
