The match of the Round, arguably the Sydney United-Marconi Stallions match on Sunday – which doubled as the Capitol Hill Cup Estate first-leg – provided Sydney United fans with further belief that this – the club’s 50th anniversary – could be a Championship winning season.

A 3-0 romp of the Stallions not only sits the Reds at the top of the table with two wins from two matches, though also plants Marconi at the bottom end of the table – the Stallions with only one-point from the two matches.

Despite a brave effort by David Barrett’s men – playing with ten-men from the 18’ minute after Kain Rastall’s uncharacteristic reaction to a hard tackle got the midfielder sent-off – the Stallions held their own until the 64’ minute.

A double striker by Luka Glavas inside 10’ minutes was then consolidated by Josip Moric ten minutes from the end, as Ivan Petkovic’s side hold a firm grasp of the Capitol Hill Estate trophy.

Round 2 also confirmed the fairy-tale start to the regular season for ‘new boys’ West Sydney Berries continued.

The Scott Baillie coached outfit secured their second-straight victory in as many matches, shooting the pre-season strugglers into top-spot.

Goals from defender Angelo Petratos, John Tsironis and Ryan Jones secured the three-points for the Berries in an impressive 3-0 defeat of fellow ‘new boys’ Macarthur Rams.

Pre-season favourite Sydney Olympic – who did clinch the Johnny Warren Cup title before a surprise first-up loss against the Berries last weekend – sent out an ominous warning to all adversaries that last weekend’s showing was a mere episode.

Milan Blagojevic’s men were quickest out of the block, annihilating Wollongong FC 4-0 at Belmore Sports Ground.

Two superb free-kick efforts by youngster Shannon Cole, along with strikes from Anthony Hartshorn and Matthew Mayora, gifted the Blues its first victory for regular season.

At Penrith’s CUA Stadium, former Penrith-Nepean United striker Brad Boardman scored twice against his former club as Sutherland Sharks secured their second win of the campaign.

The Sharks, who have yet to lose a match over ninety-minutes – Pre-Season Cup comprised – fended off the challenge made by Abbas Saad’s men and secured a win at a very difficult venue for visiting teams.

Additional bright news for the Sharks was the return to the playing field for midfielder Nick Stavroulakis who has missed the opening part of the campaign through injury.

Stavroulakis played the final 24’ minutes against Penrith and looks certain to add further strength to an already solid midfield.

A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers and Bankstown City picked up their first points of the new season with a 1-1 draw at Lambert Park.

James Monie scored a 92’ minute equaliser to cancel out Franco Parisi’s early go-ahead goal.

Bankstown City finished the match with 10-men following red cards to Danny Slaveski and Peter Tsekenis.

Manly United’s impressive start to the season continued with yet another strong showing against Blacktown City Demons.

The Demons sit in bottom-spot on the ladder after the 3-0 loss – a far cry from the Championship winning outfit of last season.

Manly defender Beau Busch scored twice meanwhile goal machine Robbie Cattanach again found the back of the net.


TELECHOICE PREMIER LEAGUE: ROUND 2:

FIRST GRADE: Macarthur Rams 0 West Sydney Berries 3 (Angelo Petratos 32m John Tsironis 57m Ryan Jones 84m), Sydney Olympic 4 (Anthony Hartshorn 18m Shannon Cole 30/37m Matthew Mayora 35m) Wollongong FC 0, Penrith Nepean United 0 Sutherland Sharks 2 (Bradley Boardman 62/90m), APIA Leichhardt Tigers
1 (Franco Parisi 9m) Bankstown City FC 1 (James Monie 92m), Manly United FC 3 (Beau Busch 13/51m Robert Cattanach 85m) Blacktown City Demons 0.

GRADE 20: Macarthur Rams 2 West Sydney Berries 2, Sydney Olympic 1 Wollongong FC 0, Penrith Nepean United 2 Sutherland Sharks 2, APIA Leichhardt Tigers NSWIS Washed Out, Sydney United 0 Marconi Stallions 4, APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 Bankstown City FC 3, Manly United FC 0 Blacktown City Demons 0