TeleChoice Premier League Round 15 Review

 Apart from the Lions, no Top-Five side managed to secure a win, leaving Manly United FC four-points behind the Reds - Phil Moss' team still has a match in hand - meanwhile the pressure from sides currently outside the Top-Five continues to build as Bonnyrigg White Eagles and West Sydney Berries have stated their claims for a shot at finals-series football.

Bankstown City continued their positive run of form that has included the defeats of Sutherland Sharks (League), Sydney United (Tiger Turf Cup) and Marconi Stallions in the space of seven-days. A fabulous strike from distance by Stefanos Liavas - arguably a contender for goal of the season - and an opportunistic strike by Hussein Akil following some poor Stallions defending secured the Lions a home win. Marconi Stallions, far from their recent dominating form, did draw level moments before the break courtesy of a well taken Wade Oostendorp header at the near post, though the Lions energy was too much for the visitors in the second period. The win was tarnished in injury-time as key striker Hussein Salameh picked up his second yellow card of the evening, meaning he will be unavailable for the clash against West Sydney Berries next weekend.

Sutherland Sharks held Sydney United to a 2-2 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre following an entertaining 90' minutes of football on Sunday. Both sides were on the scoreboard inside the opening 10' minutes as Neil Jablonski (Sutherland Sharks) on 3' minutes and Roger Galayini (Sydney United) in the 10' minute found the back of the net.

Sydney United hit the front following an exceptional free-kick by youngster Andrija Petkovic. With the goalkeeper beaten, the ball ricocheted off the wood-work as Luka Glavas was quickest to react and convert from close-range past Nathan Denham. Ben Spruce ensured the Sharks would return to Seymour Shaw with a point after he headed home a Panny Nikas free-kick on 79' minutes.

At Cromer Park, Manly United FC salvaged a point against a nine-man Sydney Tigers with a late 93' minute goal to striker Giosue Sama. The Tigers deservedly lead the encounter following David D'Apuzzo's well-taken header on 35' minutes, though red cards to Mark Byrnes (62') and Michael West (87') proved all too much for the Tigers to handle as Sama converted from close-range to keep the side four-points behind Sydney United.

Blacktown City Demons' inconsistent run continued as West Sydney Berries scored an important 2-1 win on the road to keep their chances of finals football alive. Matthew Lewis had the home-side ahead on 15' minutes though the Berries were level 8' minutes later as Dimitri Zakilas headed the visitors back in the match. Zakilas found his second goal of the afternoon midway through the second-half as the Demons were left to rue some poor play in what could be a telling loss in their bid to qualify for finals football this season. The win for the Berries sees John Calleja's men surpass Ken Schembri's side on the League ladder.

At Hooka Park in Wollongong, Wollongong Community FC were held by Sydney Olympic to a 1-1 draw. The home-side were ahead courtesy of a Steven Hayes goal on 22' minutes. Michael Cindric's poor shielding of a ball that seemed destined to finish over the byline was kept in play by some desperate WCFC play; the ball was played into the path of Hayes who headed with precision past former Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Bosnich. Matthew Mayora drew Sydney Olympic level with a fine solo effort, taking his tally to ten for the season. Mayora powerfully drove his effort past Alex Augusto to salvage a point for Sydney Olympic. Ilija Prenzoski did miss an immense chance for the home-side with only Bosnich to beat, the miss denying WCFC their second win of the current campaign.

On Saturday evening at Cook Park in St. Mary's Bonnyrigg White Eagles kept their gradual rise up the League ladder with a 1-0 win. A Daniel Willoughby corner on 17' minutes was powerfully headed into the back of the net by Graeme Forbes, securing the visitors the 1-0 win. Despite the home-side's best efforts, an equaliser was not forthcoming as Penrith-Nepean now occupy second-last spot on the ladder with a match in-hand against Marconi Stallions.

Round 15 Results and Tables

Penrith Nepean United 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Graeme Forbes 16m).

Manly United FC 1 (Gosue Sama 90m) Sydney Tigers 1 (David D'Apuzzo 35m),

Blacktown City Demons 1 (Matthew Lewis 16m) West Sydney Berries 2 (Dimitri Zakilas 23/65m),

Bankstown City 2 (Stefanos Liavas 40m Hussein Akil 53m) Marconi Stallions 1 (Wade Oostendorp 45m),

Sydney United 2 (Roger Galayini 10m Luka Glavas 70m) Sutherland Sharks 2 (Neil Jablonski 3m Benjamin Spruce 79m),

Wollongong FC 1 (Steven Hayes 22m) Sydney Olympic 1 (Matthew Mayora 38m).

-By Joseph Carlucci