TeleChoice Premier League Round 10 Review

On Saturday evening, the Stallions were relentless at Bonnyrigg Sports Club as they secured a 5-1 defeat of the White Eagles. The home-side had no answer to the attacking prowess of Lee Sterrey's men - imports Ali Al-Hilfi, Vamara Diarra and Kader Toure immensely impressive throughout the encounter.

Al-Hilfi had the Stallions ahead after 5' minutes and played a large part in goals to Diarra and Toure before captain Nahuel Arrarte consolidated the win with a goal of his own just after the hour. Bonnyrigg's Milorad Simonovic continued his fine run in-front of goal with another long-range effort finding the mark, before Al-Hilfi added his second goal of the evening after toying with the Bonnyrigg defence to make it 5-1.

Sydney Tigers returned to their spiritual home of Lambert Park, a move that proved successful as the side returned to the winner's list with a 2-0 defeat of West Sydney Berries. In an exciting contest, played at an energetic pace by both sides, the Tigers prevailed courtesy of Jamie McMaster's 12' minute strike and Robert Younis' late effort, lifting the Tigers to 10-points - and ninth-spot on the ladder.

At Gabbie Stadium, Blacktown City Demons bounced back from their heart-breaking draw against Manly United FC in Round 9 - where the side conceded late goals after leading 3-1 - to secure maximum points against Wollongong Community FC.

The visitors' early push failed to dent the Demons rear-guard and the home-side hit the team from the 'Gong on 19' minutes as Akwasi Agyei was fouled inside the penalty-area by Alfredo Esteves. Ante Deur stepped up to the spot and converted comfortably for the one-goal lead.

Following the break, and another positive start to the half by Wollongong, the Demons took complete control via Chris Bedzo. Despite missing two huge chances to extend the Demons lead, the talented attacking midfielder made amends on 74' minutes when his potent effort from outside the penalty-area left goalkeeper Alex Augusto with no chance. Youngster Ray Miller completed the 3-0 win for the Demons on 88' minutes, 20' minutes after replacing Nick Sama.

Bankstown City's inconsistent season took another bad turn at Cromer Park as Peter Tsekenis' men fell 2-0 against Manly United FC. Manly United's defence is arguably one of the strongest to break down at the best of times, and the Lions task was made almost impossible on 33' minutes when defender Brett Studman was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Joey Schirripa.

The home-side failed to score in the opening half - Giosue Sama guilty of two misses, one from the penalty-spot - though made the most of their numerical advantage after the break as Bradley Groves blasted a Michael Lloyd-Green cross from the right-flank into the back of the net.

Bankstown City players were furious after a penalty claim was waived away by the referee on 75' minutes. The home-side took full advantage of a tiring Lions defence when they scored their second via Lloyd-Green following some excellent build-up play by Sama and Scott Thomas.

The visitors evening got worse in the dying stages of the match when Shane Webb too was shown a red card.

On Sunday, Sydney United's unbeaten run continued with an impressive 4-0 defeat of Penrith-Nepean United. A stirring second-half display by the Reds was too much for Penrith-Nepean to handle; the home-side playing with 10-men from the 13' minute of the first-half following Paul Crisp's poor challenge on Mitchell Thompson.

Despite the Reds failing to open the scoring in the first-half, Ante Milicic's words of encouragement at the break proved successful as Sam Munro and Ricky Perinich had the side two-goals up within the opening 15' minutes. Elsid Barkhousir deservedly got his name on the score-sheet following another impressive display for the Reds, before striker Luka Glavas - who replaced Milicic at the start of the second-half - rounded out the result with Sydney United's fourth of the afternoon.

Sydney Olympic only just holds onto fifth spot after a less than inspiring 4-1 loss at home against Sutherland Sharks. The Blues have been hit with a string of injuries unsettling the team, though a poor 20' minute period in the opening half proved to be their undoing on Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground.

Sydney Olympic was ahead courtesy of a Chris Triantis penalty after 3' minutes, though what followed between then and the 24' minute left the home crowd in total disbelief.

Panny Nikas squared the ledger on 8' minutes before Jim Bakis sent the Sharks ahead on 21' minutes. Brad Boardman chipped in one-minute later with a goal of his own, before 'Man of the Match' Nikas scored his second of the afternoon on 24' minutes.

The win sends Sutherland Sharks into equal third spot with Marconi Stallions, three-points clear of Sydney Olympic and within striking range for a Top-Two finish.

-By Joseph Carlucci

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Milorad Simonovic 73m) Marconi Stallions 5 (Ali Al-Hilfi 5/85m Ousmane Toure 38m Vamara Diarra 51m Nahuel Arrarte 66m),

Manly United FC 2 (Bradley Groves 55m Michael Lloyd-Green 84m) Bankstown City 0,

Sydney Tigers 2 (Jamie McMaster 16m Robert Younis 84m) West Sydney Berries 0,

Blacktown City Demons 3 (Ante Deur 19m Christopher Bedzo 74m Raymond Miller 88m) Wollongong FC 0.

Penrith Nepean United 0 Sydney United 4 (Sam Munro 51m Ricky Perinich 63m Elsid Barkhousir 76m Luka Glavas 83m),

Sydney Olympic 1 (Chris Triantis 4m Pen) Sutherland Sharks 4 (Panagiotis Nikas 8m Jim Bakis 21/24m Bradley Boardman 23m).