NSW Premier League Finals Series Week 1 Review

Blacktown City FC overcame the challenge of Sydney United to setup a shot at Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend for the right to reach the 2010 NSW Premier League grand-final.

With scores locked at 1-1 after 90' minutes - Joel Chianese's 13' minute goal cancelled out by Luka Glavas' 52 minute equaliser, and the home-side down to ten-men - Blacktown City were reduced to nine-men at the start of extra-time. Despite Sydney United's best efforts to find a match winner, Tolgay Ozbey and Joel Chianese carved out the clearer of the match winning chances during the 30' minutes of extra-time.

The dreaded penalty shootout produced spot kicks of the highest quality, with substitute goalkeeper Justin Biega guessing correctly to deny Shane Lyons' effort for Sydney United. Mirko Jurlj stepped up for Blacktown City to take the match winning penalty - the experienced defender produced an exquisite chipped effort 'alla Francesco Totti' down the middle of the goal, beating an already committed Ryan Norval in the Sydney United goal for the win.

The victory will certainly add much confidence for the side who fought 'tooth and nail' despite the numerical disadvantage, in anticipation of next weekend's clash at Bonnyrigg. Coach Aytek Genc though will be without goalkeeper Brodie Crane and defender Matthew Pressello - both players picked up straight red cards and leaving a big whole to fill in the defensive third.

At Leichhardt Oval, Marconi Stallions' season came to an end as A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers scored a 1-0 win courtesy of Franco Parisi in the elimination semi-final.

Played in a real finals match pace, with both sides eager to not make any mistakes, both outfits gave a good account of themselves throughout the 90' minutes. With the Tigers dominating the opening half, the Stallions managed to get on top of possession early in the second-half. In perhaps the Stallions best moment midway through the second period, Tigers' captain Franco Parisi stepped up to send his side into another elimination bout against Sydney United next weekend.

Parisi was on hand to pick up the crumbs following a defensive error in the Stallions back-line. The Tigers' number 10 did not need a second invitation as he sent a low-driven effort into the bottom right-hand corner past the outstretched James Chronopoulos in the Stallions' goal.

Any hopes the Stallions had of pulling a goal back went out the window on 82' minutes as Aleksander Canak was given his marching orders with a straight red card.

The Tigers win sets up a matchup with Sydney United next weekend - the winner to play for a grand-final berth against either Bonnyrigg White Eagles or Blacktown City FC the following weekend.

In the Grade-20 division, Sydney United setup a showdown with Blacktown City FC following their 1-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic. Luke Gearin's unfortunate own goal midway through the first-half was enough to secure the Reds a shot at Blacktown City FC, meanwhile Sydney Olympic will have to defeat Bankstown City to have a chance of reaching the grand-final.

Bankstown City secured a 3-1 victory over Sutherland Sharks at Leichhardt Oval following 120' minutes of football. With the scores locked at 1-1 after regular time - Michael Svircevic's 9' minute goal for the Sharks was cancelled out by Cameron White's 38' minute equaliser. Bankstown City secured the win with a brace to Troy Danaskos in extra-time, goals in the 96' and 110' minute enough for the Lions.

Finals Series Fixtures

Preliminary Final

First Grade

Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown City FC

Grade 20

Blacktown City FC v Sydney United

Elimination Final

First Grade

Sydney United v A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers

Grade 20

Sydney Olympic v Bankstown City

*Fixture dates to be announced shortly on Football NSW website, stay tuned.

-By Joseph Carlucci