NSW Premier League Round 21 Review

Needing a win to secure the title, the White Eagles lost in one of the biggest surprise results of the season against Sydney Olympic on Saturday night. Despite the loss, closest rival Blacktown City FC failed to win their match on Sunday against Sydney United to send the decider to the last weekend of the regular season, meaning the White Eagles have mathematically clinched the title one-week out from finals football.

Sydney Olympic signed-off in style in their final home match of the season with a 2-1 defeat of Bonnyrigg. Todd Bamber was fouled inside the penalty-area on 14' minutes, as Phil Makrys stepped up to send the Blues into the lead. On a busy evening for Sydney Olympic goalkeeper Zaim Zanelli, the Blues custodian thwarted numerous Bonnyrigg goalscoring opportunities, there was little the shot-stopper could do in the 35' minute when the referee awarded Bonnyrigg a penalty. Daniel Severino with all his experience, converted to draw the sides level.

Despite Bonnyrigg's best efforts to find a winner, Todd Bamber made the most of some poor defending to round goalkeeper Ali Akbal and slot the ball home for the win - much to the delight of the home supporters.

On Sunday afternoon at Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown City FC saw their chances of catching Bonnyrigg White Eagles and snatching the Premiership trophy disappear as Sydney United recorded a hard fought 2-1 win. The win for the Reds sees the Edensor Park side close the gap on second-placed Blacktown City to one-point, with one match of the regular season remaining.

Sydney United hit the front on 27' minutes as Mitchell Thompson set Damon Collina up inside the penalty-area for the opener. Despite the home-side's best attempts to get back into the match, Aytek Genc's men would go in at the break a goal down. Blacktown City did draw level after the hour-mark as Lachlan Cahill centred for Joel Chianese to head home the equaliser, though it was short-lived as Luka Glavas would score the Reds winner 4' minutes later. Glavas had a penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper Justin Biega - who replaced Matt Nemes midway through the opening half - though the Blacktown City defence failed to cleanly clear the ball, and Glavas did not require a second invitation to slot the ball home for the win.

At Leichhardt Oval, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers secured their spot in the finals series for 2010 with a dominant display against Bankstown City. The Tigers scored two unanswered goals against a relatively inexperienced Lions side - coach Peter Tsekenis forced to make-do with an endless list of absentees due to suspension.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the 17' minute courtesy of captain Franco Parisi who was on-hand to drive home a fine left-foot drive past Zlatko Joseski, following a tremendous initial save by the Lions' goalkeeper off Nick Rizzo's venomous effort.

The Tigers doubled the lead via the penalty-spot moments after the re-start, Nick Rizzo coolly converting to secure the Tigers some breathing space and, more importantly, three-points that secure their participation in the finals series. 

At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City Suns added further woe to Marconi Stallions current state of form, and in the meantime kept alive their chances of reaching the finals series.

Adem Kir's incredible cross-turn-shot from the left-flank somehow finished in the back of the net, much to the surprise of the fantastic crowd turnout. Marino Musumeci cleverly headed the Suns' second into the back of the net 10' minutes from the end, keeping alive the Suns hopes of finals football. Rockdale will need to win their last match of the season against Sutherland next weekend, meanwhile Marconi would need to lose at home against Sydney Olympic.

The Stallions situation has become slightly concerning for their supporters, with the side failing to secure a win over the past month of League competition. With a talented group at his disposal, coach Lee Sterrey will be aiming to get the most out of his players in the week ahead, where even a draw against Sydney Olympic will suffice in securing a spot in the Top-Five.

South Coast Wolves annihilated West Sydney Berries 5-0 at WIN Stadium, the Wolves signing off from home duty in 2010 on a very positive note. Despite the best attempts of Berries young goalkeeper Nestor Tsioutsas - who has proved to be a real find for the Berries - West Sydney Berries were on the back foot from the opening goal, courtesy of Samet Kaynak on 20' minutes. A skillful solo effort by Kaynak saw the player beat his marker before firing low and hard into the back of the net. On the stroke of half-time, Mark Picciolini volleyed home the Wolves second, following some fine play by Nick McInerney, Tynan Diaz and Kaynak.

After the break, Chris Nathanial made it 3-0, coolly converting after some nice build-up play by the Wolves, before Picciolini and then Diaz added another two in the final 10' minutes, both players making the most of one-on-one situations with goalkeeper Nestor Tsioutsas to round out the 5-0 result.

At Cromer Park, Manly United FC ended Sutherland Sharks finals aspirations with a well earned 2-1 defeat of the reigning Premier League champions. Andrew Mailer's centre into the penalty-area on 11' minutes struck a Sharks player on the hand, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty - which was coolly converted by Robbie Cattanach. Shortly after the break, Ben Spruce headed the Sharks level with a fine finish at the back post, before David Dodd secured the three-points with a fine finish from close-range.

The win for Manly United FC was a perfect send-off for two of the club's experienced players, captain Joey Schirripa and goalkeeper Brad Swancott both of whom have chose to pursue other interests in 2011.

- Joseph Carlucci

NSW Premier League Round 21 Results

Sydney Olympic 2 (Phillip Makrys 15m pen Tod Bamber 78m) Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Daniel Severino 35m pen)

Rockdale City Suns 2 (Adem Kir 67m Marino Musumeci 81m) Marconi Stallions 0,

Manly United FC 2 ( Robert Cattanach 12m  David Dodd 59m) Sutherland Sharks 1 (Benjamin Spuce 47m),

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 ( Franco Parisi 17m Nicola Rizzo 48m) Bankstown City 0,

Blacktown City FC 1 (Joel Chianese 61m) Sydney United 2 (Damon Collina 27m Luka Glavas 66m),

South Coast Wolves 5 (Samet Kaynak 20m Mark Picciolini 45m/80m Christopher Nathaniel 58m Tynan Diaz 88m) West Sydney Berries 0 .

NSW Premier League Round 21 Table