NSW Premier League Round One Review

SIXTEEN goals were scored in Round 1, with the Premiers claiming one-quarter of those goals in-front of a vocal Sydney United Sports Centre crowd. David Zdrilic, in his first official match as coach of the Reds, managed to get the best out of his group with fine showing by the new signings, though it was Elsid Barkhousir's sensational hat-trick that stole the show.

Mitchell Thompson had the Reds ahead via a free-kick early on in the opening half, before Pece Apololevski equalised from the penalty-spot for the Suns. The Barkhousir show commenced shortly after, scoring twice before the break, before the visitors lost defender Saso Trajcevski to a second yellow card early in the second-half.

Sydney United goalkeeper Roy Bell pulled off two fine saves to deny Rockdale City a look-in, before Barkhousir completed his personal hat-trick deep into injury-time with a fine effort from close-range leaving the Suns deflated.

At Belmore Sports Ground, 2010 champions Sutherland Sharks suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sydney Olympic in-front of a healthy crowd. Sydney Olympic withstood the early pressure from the Sharks before taking control of the match after the half-time break. Goals to Matthew Mayora and Chris Triantis ensured the Blues secured a first-up win for new boss Pat Morando, in a season where expectation around the club is very high following the disappointments of 2009.

Bankstown City Lions failed to get one over Manly United FC following the Cromer Park side's defeat of the Lions in last season's Elimination semi-final, as this weekend's encounter finished 2-2. An entertaining match from start to finish produced four second-half goals, marred slightly by a melee that broke out following some very strong tackling midway through the second period.

Robbie Mileski netted the opener after receiving a nice lay-off from new signing Almir Dizdaric, though the lead was short lived as Justin Hayward headed home with aplomb to draw the sides level.

Bankstown did regain the lead via the boot of Hussein Salameh, though Richard Luksic's late foul on Hayward inside the penalty-area resulted in the referee awarding Manly United FC a penalty, that was duly converted by Keith Shevlin to ensure both sides a share of the points.

At Lily Homes Stadium, Aytek Genc made a winning return to Blacktown City with the side securing a 1-0 win against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers.

Luke Roodenburg, also returning from a two-year absence from the NSW Premier League, scored the only goal of the match on 25' minutes in what proved to be a very physical encounter that produced five yellow cards and one red - Tyler Simpson of Bankstown City the player given an early shower. In the end, despite the Tigers' best efforts in attack, Blacktown City cleverly administered the lead to hold out for the win.

On Saturday evening, Bonnyrigg White Eagles needed to come from behind - with 10-men - to defeat South Coast Wolves in-front of their home supporters at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.

Andrew Paine sent the Wolves ahead on 22' minutes from the penalty-spot following Paul Cotte's red card for a desperate challenge on Paine. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Brian Brown's men managed to draw level on 35' minutes courtesy of an own goal. Jamie McMaster's whipped-in free-kick caught Lisandro Berbis unawares, as the effort finished past goalkeeper Brody Crane and in the back of the net.

Prior to the break, new signing Daniel Severino left his mark on his new supporters with a perfect free-kick beating an outstretched Brody Crane to finish inside the top right-hand corner of the goal and secure the White Eagles three-points from the opening round.

At Marconi Stadium, the Stallions overcame the challenge of West Sydney Berries with a workmanlike performance to secure maximum points.

Aleksander Canak combined well with Brenton Rhodes to set himself free and slot home past goalkeeper Hamish McLean. Despite the Berries best efforts in the second period, helped by some strong goalkeeping by James Chronopoulos, the Stallions administered the one-goal lead well to rack up their first win of the new season.

-By Joseph Carlucci

NSW Premier League Round One Results and Table

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Own goal 33m Daniel Severino 40m) South Coast Wolves 1 (Andrew Paine 22m),

 Marconi Stallions 1 (Alexander Canak 44m) West Sydney Berries 0.

 Sydney Olympic 2 (Matthew Mayora 66m Chris Triantis 74m) Sutherland Sharks 0,

 Blacktown City FC 1 (Luke Roodenburg 25m) APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0,

 Bankstown City Lions 2 (Robert Mileski 68m Hussein Salameh 80m) Manly United FC 2 (Justin Hayward 74m Keith Shevlin 89m),

 Sydney United FC 4 (Mitchell Thompson 7m Elsid Barkhousir 30/38/93m) Rockdale City Suns 1 (Pece Apolevski 19m) .