NSW Premier League Round 22 Review

Brian Brown's men, who have arguably been the most consistent outfit over the twenty-two round competition, sealed an impressive 5-1 defeat of West Sydney Berries to enter the finals series full of confidence.

Daniel Severino grabbed a first-half brace to send the White Eagles on their way to victory - the first via the penalty-spot before Brad Boardman provided Severino with a fine square pass for the easiest of finishes. Nathan Elasi added a third before the break with a fine finish across the goalkeeper before Stefan De Jesus pulled a goal back after the break, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty-area.

Phillip Zabaks made his return to the Bonnyrigg line-up following his serious head injury earlier in the season, and the shot-stopper was in good touch, showing confidence in his approach to the match.

Jamie McMaster scored the White Eagles' fourth from the penalty-spot before David Gullo picked up the scraps in the Berries penalty-area to make it 5-1.

Blacktown City FC sealed second-spot on the League ladder with an emphatic 6-1 defeat of Bankstown City. In Peter Tsekenis' final match as a footballer, Bankstown City failed to send out their player/coach on a winning note on a rather difficult afternoon for the Lions who finished the match with nine-men. After the Lions missed an early penalty via Robbie Mileski, the Tolgay Ozbey show commenced for the visitors. Ozbey beat the offside trap in the 22' minute to slot home past Joseski before the Lions were reduced to ten-men. Richard Luksic was given a straight red card for a wild challenge, though as the Lions number 5 left the field and the other players protested the decision, Ozbey hit the free-kick from distance into an empty net for a two-goal lead. Despite further protests, the goal stood.

The afternoon got worse for the home-side as Steve Liavas too picked up a straight red card for handling on the goalline shortly after the break. Ozbey stepped up to complete his hat-trick with a well taken penalty. George Nohra exquisitely converted a one-on-one opportunity to pull a goal back for the Lions, though Joel Chianese reinstated the three-goal lead with a well taken glancing header.

Blacktown City captain Luke Roodenburg made it five with a powerful header, before second-half substitute Chris Bedzo converted late on to round out the 6-1 victory.

Sydney United secured third-spot with a 1-0 defeat of Manly United FC at Sydney United Sports Centre. In a not so impressive showing, and against a ten-man Manly United outfit from the 39' minute following Matthew Simon's sending off, a wonderful Mitchell Thompson strike shortly after the interval was enough for David Zdrilic's men to secure the three-points. Ryan Norval saved the Reds with a tremendous penalty save off Robbie Cattanach midway through the second-half, as Sydney United administered the closing stages of the match to ensure the side finished third on the League ladder.

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers sealed fourth-spot on the ladder with a 3-1 win over South Coast Wolves at Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre. The Tigers didn't have everything their own way as the Wolves certainly did press for large spells. Anthony Hartshorn opened the scoring on 12' minutes with a powerful finish following a scramble inside the Wolves penalty-area. Striker Robbie Younis doubled the lead 10' minutes later from the penalty-spot; Younis won the penalty following a nice run into the penalty-area. South Coast hit-back immediately via Chris Nathaniel, though Nick Rizzo put the match out of the Wolves reach in second-half injury-time with a well taken goal to send the Tigers into the finals-series, full of confidence.

Marconi Stallions secured fifth-spot on the League ladder with a narrow 1-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic at Marconi Stadium. Despite creating a plethora of goalscoring opportunities, the Stallions struggled to break the Blues resolve. Giorgio Speranza's fine work following a one-two with Mitchell Mallia allowed the young left-sided defender to centre into the path of Jason Naidovski in the 67' minute - the striker made no mistake in finding the back of the net for the match-winner. The win ensures the Stallions a spot in the finals series, the side forced to play until the final weekend of the regular season after a horrific run of results over the past six-weeks.

At Seymour Shaw, Sutherland Sharks ended the miniscule hopes Rockdale City Suns had of reaching the finals series with a 3-1 defeat of the Rockdale side. Jim Bakis opened the scoring via the penalty-spot for the Sharks before Neil Jablonski doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time with a fine finish.

On the hour, Rockdale had a penalty of their own though Adem Kir's effort was well saved by Nathan Denham in the Sharks goal. Sam Awad re-opened the match in the 81' minute with a headed goal past Denham, though any hopes of salvaging at least a point went up in flames as Ben Vidaic rose highest to head home past Ben McNamara to secure the defending champions a win in their last match for 2010.

-By Joseph Carlucci 

NSW Premier League Round 22 Results

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 (Daniel Severino 21/41m Nathan Elasi 42m Jamie McMaster 82m D.Gullo 88m) West Sydney Berries 1 (Stefan De Jesus 47m),

Bankstown City Lions 1 (George Nohra 59m) Blacktown City FC 6 (Tolgay Ozbey 22/42/52m Joel Chianese 65m Luke Roodenburg 75m Christopher Bedzo 87m),

APIA Leichhardt 3 (Anthony Hartshorn 12m Robert Younis 22m pen Nicola Rizzo 91m)  South Coast Wolves 1 (Jason Trifiro 25m),

Marconi Stallions 1 ( Jason Naidovski 67m) Sydney Olympic 0,

Sutherland Sharks 3 (Jim Bakis 14m pen Neil Jablonski 44m Benjamin Vidiac 84m) Rockdale City Suns 1 (Sam Awad 82m),

Sydney United 1 (Mitchell Thompson 49m) Manly United FC 0.

NSW Premier League Round 22 Table