NSW Premier League Round 3 Review

Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sydney United, Blacktown City FC and Marconi Stallions maintain a three-point lead over their closest rival Manly United FC.

The eagerly anticipated Marconi Stallions - Bonnyirgg White Eagles encounter at Marconi Stadium produced an entertaining 90' minutes of football for the on-lookers, as both sides fought tooth and nail in-order to make a real statement for their title ambitions. Despite the end to end action though, neither side managed to find the breakthrough which would have provided the victorious team a sole-hold on top-spot.

Shane Webb and Daniel Severino kept Stallions goalkeeper James Chronopoulos on his toes, meanwhile the Stallions best chances arrived via the feet of Aleksander Canak and Nahuel Arrarte, though the clearest chance was squandered by defender Brenton Rhodes from point-blank range midway through the second-half.

Over at Seymour Shaw, defending Minor Premiers Sutherland Sharks collected their first victory of the season with a 2-0 defeat of South Coast Wolves. Despite a very positive start by Trevor Morgan's men, the Sharks found the opening goal on 28' minutes courtesy of youngster Blake Powell who lost his marker to head home Yanni Fragogiannis' cross from the right-flank.

The Sharks doubled their lead shortly after the break when Hussein Jasli cleverly rounded the goalkeeper before playing an unselfish pass across the face of goal and into the path of Chris Price for the easiest of finishes.

On Sunday afternoon, Sydney United failed to claim maximum points despite dominating West Sydney Berries at the Sydney United Sports Centre for 90' minutes. The Reds peppered the Berries goal on numerous occasions, though a mix of poor finishing and exceptional goalkeeping by Hamish McLean ensured the Berries a share of the spoils with the 1-1 draw.

Luka Glavas had the Reds ahead on 22' minutes following a fine individual effort where the striker showcased his exceptional skills to beat his markers and slot home for the opener.

Despite being on the back foot for the larger part of the match, the Berries did manage to pull a goal back prior to the break courtesy of Sash Tirovski who converted from close-range past Vedran Janjetovic in the Sydney United goal.

At Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown City FC were held to a 2-2 draw by the newly promoted Rockdale City Suns. The Suns twice clawed their way back into the match; Marino Musumeci replied to Tolgay Ozbey's 12' minute goal, before Jordan Simpson restored the home-side's one-goal lead prior to the break.

The Suns secured a share of the spoils with a late strike to substitute Baturay Akin who, with his first touch, slotted the ball into the back of the net. Despite Blacktown's late onslaught, the Suns held out for a share of the spoils even though Mile Todoroski's men were unlucky throughout the course of the 90' minutes not to have taken something more from Lily Homes Stadium.

Bankstown City is still without a win after three rounds following the 2-2 draw at home against Sydney Olympic. Leading the Blues 2-1 with 4' minutes of normal time remaining - after Tallan Martin and Robbie Mileski found the back of the net to overturn Nik Tsattalios' 66' minute goal - the Lions conceded an 86' minute wonder goal via the boot of Mitchell Stamatelis. The Sydney Olympic player unleashed a venomous drive from distance that left Zlatko Joseski helpless in the Bankstown City goal, ensuring the Blues return to Belmore with a point, and Bankstown City remain on two-points after three rounds of the competition.

At Leichhardt Oval, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers' miserable start to the season continued with a third consecutive defeat in as many matches, this time at the hands of Manly United FC.

The Cromer Park side weathered the early running made by the Tigers attacking players, before Adam Foti combined well with Bradley Groves before converting a fine angled drive past Matthew Nash.

It was then Groves' turn to get his name on the score sheet, and what a goal it was indeed. Arguably a contender for goal of the season already, Groves unleashed a bomb into the top left-hand corner that left Nash helpless in the Tigers' goal.

The route was completed by Keith Shevlin on 75' minutes with Manly United FC's third of the afternoon. Shevlin had the chance to add a fourth in the dying stages of the match from the penalty-spot, though Matthew Nash saved exceptionally well down to his left.

-By Joseph Carlucci

NSW Premier League Round 3 Results and Table

Sutherland Sharks 2 (Blake Powell 27m Christopher Price 57m) South Coast Wolves 0

Marconi Stallions 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0

Bankstown City Lions 2 (Robert Mileski 65m Tallan Martin 73m) Sydney Olympic 2 (Luke Gearin 66m Mitchell Stamatellis 85m)

Blacktown City FC 2 (Tolgay Ozbey 12m Jordan Simpson 33m) Rockdale City Suns 2 (Marino Musumeci 28m Baturay Akin 82m)

Sydney United 1 (Luka Glavas 22m) West Sydney Berries 1 (Sash Tirovski 40m)

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 Manly United FC 3 (Adam Foti 6m Bradley Groves 24m Keith Shevlin 74m).