Seventh Heaven For Blacktown

Sydney Olympic 2 (Robert Mileski 1’, David Gullo 78’)
Parramatta Eagles 0

Sydney Olympic maintained a strong grip on top spot with a business-like performance in the 2-0 defeat of Parramatta FC at Belmore Sports Ground.

The Blues, coming off a loss at home against Manly United FC a fortnight ago, got straight down to business from the opening whistle as Robbie Mileski scored with a fine finish after only 23’ seconds.

The playmaker beat two defenders before curling his effort, from an acute angle, past Anthony Costa in the Parramatta FC goal.

The Eagles were reduced to 10 men on the hour as Kutaiba Elrich was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Eagles carved out a magnificent chance to draw level.

Shayne Ardel’s cross picked out Luke Grima, though Grima’s header was perfectly save by Paul Henderson in the Blues goal.

At the other end, Sydney Olympic secured the three points in the 78th minute as David Gullo was on hand to drive home a neat pass by Mileski for the 2-0 result.

South Coast Wolves 1 (Mark Picciolini 30’)
Sydney United 2 (Benjamin Vidaic 44’, Elsid Barkhousir 56’)

Sydney United ensured the Blues lead would remain at six-points as Jean-Paul De Marigny’s side returned from the South Coast with maximum points following the 2-1 defeat of the Wolves.

It was not all easy running for the Reds who found themselves a goal behind after 30 minutes.

Jake Duczynski’s cross from the left skipped under the body of Sydney United goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic and Andres Gomez was on hand to tap home from close range.

Ben Vidaic ensured the sides would go in at the break on level terms as he blasted home a loose ball inside the area to make the score 1-1.

After the break, Elsid Barkhousir, as he has done so many times before for the Reds, found the match-winner with a well-taken volley.

The striker latched onto Antony Golec’s flicked attempt, finishing with aplomb to seal the three-points.

Rockdale City Suns 1 (Jason Naidovski 39’)
Manly United FC 1 (Adam Foti 26’)

At Ilinden Sports Ground, Rockdale City Suns came from behind to seal a point against Manly United FC.

Trailing the recently crowned Waratah Cup champions 1-0 following Adam Foti’s well-taken opener, the Suns found their equaliser prior to the break via Jason Naidovski.

Despite both sides creating chances late on in the match, the spoils were shared as both Manly United FC and Rockdale City sit three-points outside of the top five – the Northern Beaches side still with a match in hand.

Blacktown City FC 7 (Mitchell Duke 4’90’, Zachary Cairncross 7’, Luke Roodenburg 38’43’50’, Travis Major 83’(pen))
Bankstown City 1 (Hussein Salameh 75’(pen))

At Lily Holmes Stadium, Blacktown City FC gave an under strength Bankstown City side a heavy football lesson with an emphatic 7-1 win.

A hat-trick from Luke Roodenburg, a brace from Mitchell Duke and goals to Zac Cairncross and Travis Major saw Blacktown home, with Hussein Salameh scoring the only goal for Bankstown via the penalty spot.

Sutherland Sharks 2 (Matthew Bailey 15’, Panagiotis Nikas 16’)
APIA Tigers 0

On Saturday evening, Sutherland Sharks played arguably their best 90 minutes of football this season to score a comfortable 2-0 win over A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers, adding further woe to a Tigers side that is slipping further down the ladder.

Matt Bailey’s 15th minute strike from close range, followed by Panni Nikas’ exceptional free-kick two minutes later, were enough to seal the Sharks the points.

Despite A.P.I.A.’s chances late on, Sutherland remained in control to close out the match and keep the pressure on the top two sides on the ladder.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 (Bradley Boardman 65’, Brendan Gan 68’, Blake Powell 86’) Marconi Stallions 1 (Gosue Sama 34’)

Bonnyrigg White Eagles came from behind to defeat Marconi Stallions 3-1.

Giosue Sama had the Stallions ahead after he drove Christopher Nunes’ cross into the back of the net.

The visitors kept their lead going into the break, though two goals in two minutes midway through the second half proved to be the side’s undoing.

Substitute Brad Boardman equalised with a fine diagonal finish, before Brendan Gan scored his first goal for the White Eagles, converting amidst a sea of legs to send Bonnyrigg ahead.

Blake Powell added a third for Bonnyrigg four minutes from the end, much to the delight of the Bonnyrigg supporters.

 -By Joseph Carlucci

NSW Premier League Table @ Round 16

NSW Premier League Round 17 Fixtures