TeleChoice Premier League Round 14 Review

League leader Sydney United returned to winning ways after a lean three-week run, meanwhile Manly United FC slipped up on a chance to keep the Reds under the pump with what could be a costly draw against the Berries.

At the other end of the ladder, Penrith-Nepean United made the biggest statement, defeating Sydney Tigers with a last ditch effort to leapfrog the Tigers on the ladder.

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich helped Sydney Olympic secure a point at Bonnyirgg on Sunday afternoon with an impressive first-up performance for the Blues. In a rather dour encounter, Bosnich showed 1,700+ supporters present that he still means busy with a confident display. The former Socceroo would have disappointed though to concede via a set-piece as Jay Lucas hit the White Eagles ahead on 68' minutes.

Sydney Olympic's reply was swift as Chris Triantis played Tolgay Ozbey through on goal; the Blues' striker was quick to beat his marker and coolly slotted past Nenad Vekic to salvage the side a point. Vekic was perhaps the most impressive player on the field, saving a Chris Triantis penalty earlier in the afternoon with the scores still locked at 0-0.

At Sydney United Sports Centre, League leader Sydney United returned to the winner's list after three weeks as the side put on a late show to defeat Wollongong Community FC 2-1. In a less than inspiring match, player/coach Ante Milicic headed the Reds ahead, before young-gun Andrija Petkovic drilled a fine effort past Alex Augusto to double his side's lead.

Despite Kieran Deane pulling a goal back for the visitors in the 89' minute, Joe Vrkic & Co. kept the Reds defensive line on alert as Sydney United held out for the win.

Sydney Tigers slumped to another defeat in an important win for Penrith-Nepean United at Leichhardt Oval. Ian Gillan's men secured maximum points in the 6' minute of injury-time as Greg Kondek beat the offside trap to sneak home the winner.

Despite the Tigers dominating the second period - and the heroics of goalkeeper Phil Zabaks - the side remains win-less since Round 11 as Penrith-Nepean surpasses the side on the League ladder, leaving the Tigers in eleventh-spot.

At Lidcombe Oval, West Sydney Berries ground out an important point against Manly United FC in extremely cold conditions on Saturday evening. Manly United FC, following a week off after the big wet saw their Round 13 encounter against Marconi Stallions washed out, missed out on a chance to move into top-spot on the ladder in anticipation of Sydney United's Sunday match.

The Berries hit the front on 9' minutes when Liam Austin converted from close-range after a sluggish start by the home-side. Despite Manly United's dominance of possession across the park, Giosue Sama and Robbie Cattanach encountered a brick-wall in the form of the Berries defensive line, and a goal was difficult to find. Sama eventually found the back of the net against his former club, poking his effort into the bottom right-hand corner following a failed clearance by the Berries defence.

The draw caps off an exceptional seven-days for the Berries. The side secured seven-points from nine on offer, giving supporters hope of a surge up the League ladder over the final stage of the season.

Bankstown City performed an immense comeback at Seymour Shaw to overturn a 1-3 deficit with 16' minutes remaining and leave the picturesque venue with maximum points. Neil Jablonski had the Sharks ahead inside 60' seconds, though despite Bankstown finding a 27' minute Hussein Salameh equaliser, the advantage was restored by Jablonski 1' minute later. Chris Price combined with Jim Bakis to make it 3-1 (Price), though much to the surprise of the 821 spectators present, the Lions pulled the Sharks back to seal the win.

George Nohra proved he has returned to a good level of fitness following a long injury lay-off with a strong performance; the central midfielder deservedly added his name to the scorer's list. New signing, free-kick specialist, Daniel Severino drew Bankstown level with an effort from 30-yards leaving goalkeeper Nathan Denham stranded. Speedster Hussein Akil then snuck in behind the Sharks defence to add further salt to the Sharks wounds as he converted past Denham to secure a 4-3 win and keep the Lions charge up the League ladder in shape.

Marconi Stallions continued to pile on the pressure on the two teams above them on the League ladder with an impressive showing in their 3-1 defeat of Blacktown City Demons.

A powerful Chris Bedzo drive put the visitors ahead on 9' minutes though the Stallions ensured they would go into the break on level terms as Ali Al-Hilfi curled in a stupendous effort much to the relief of the home supporters.

The Stallions ran away with the match in the second-half as Alexander Canak scored a quick double in the space of 3' minutes to hand Marconi full control of proceedings. Vuko Tomasevic first, then Nahuel Arrarte, picked out Canak for both his goals; converted from close-range in almost identical fashion.

ROUND 14

Sutherland Sharks 3 (Neil Jablonski 1/28m Christopher Price 51m) Bankstown City 4 (Hussein Salameh 29m George Nohra 73m Daniel Sevarino 78m Hussein Akil 88m),

Marconi Stallions 3 (Ali Al-Hilfi 45m Alexander Canak 50/55m) Blacktown City Demons 1 (Christopher Bedzo 9m),

West Sydney Berries 1 (Liam Austin 10m) Manly United FC 1 (Gosue Sama 75m)

Sydney Olympic 1 (Tolgay Ozbey 73m) Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Jay Lucas 70m),

Sydney Tigers 0 Penrith Nepean United 1 (Gregory Kondek 94m),

Sydney United 2 (Ante Milicic 81m Andrija Petkovic 83m) Wollongong FC 1 (Keiran Deane 89m).

-By Joseph Carlucci