Sydney Olympic re-emphasised their 2011 ambition with a strong performance to see off the challenge of Bankstown City and further strengthen their grip on first-place at the top of the NSW Premier League competition.
Sydney Olympic re-emphasised their 2011 ambition with a strong performance to see off the challenge of Bankstown City and further strengthen their grip on first-place at the top of the NSW Premier League competition.
Played at the end of a very difficult week for the club following the passing of Mr. Triantis – the father of Chris and Peter Triantis, two stand-out performers for the club so far this season – the Blues players lifted their games to ensure the week would close with a win.
Chris Triantis took to the field for the Blues, and scored an absolute screamer of a goal to make it 2-0 following Robbie Mileski-s opener.
Bankstown City-s afternoon was made almost impossible following Steve Liavas- second yellow card in the 38- minute, leaving the Lions with ten-men for the remainder of the encounter.
Despite the Lions best efforts in the second-half, Sydney Olympic wrapped up proceedings with a late third goal, in injury-time, to rubber stamp the win.
Sydney United lost their chance to keep pace with the Blues heading into the top of the table clash next weekend following their narrow loss to Sutherland Sharks on Saturday evening. In arguably the best match of football in the NSW Premier League this season, where both sides played an exceptional short, quick passing game, the Sharks closed the gaps on the second-placed Reds with a Chris Price goal 2- minutes into the second-half. Both sides held a monopoly on possession at different stages throughout the encounter, though it was the Sharks that created the clear-cut scoring chances.
A late penalty miss by Panni Nikas sparked a Sydney United final flurry in the attacking third with Elsid Barkhousir first, and Michael Cindric late in injury-time, threatening to find an equaliser.
At Bonnyrigg Sports Club, the White Eagles survived the entire second-half with ten men against Manly United FC following Chris Tadrosse-s dismissal at the start of the second period. Bonnyrigg failed to capitalise on some positive scoring chances in the first-half before the visiting Northern Beaches side found their stride. Craig Midgley-s men squandered a golden chance to take the lead following Tadrosse-s red card for hand ball. Adam Foti lined up the penalty though was denied by an exceptional Andrew Bazi save, ensuring the White Eagles secured a point from the encounter.
At John Crehan Park, South Coast Wolves scored a very impressive 4-1 win over Rockdale City Suns. In an exceptional 4- minute spell at the end of the first-half, the Wolves scored three goals much to the delight of the home supporters. Debutant Sean Robertson opened the scoring for the Wolves, anticipating Dion Shaw to give the home side the lead.
John Martinovski doubled the lead with a well-taken effort before Andres Gomez-s shot from the edge of the penalty-area took a wicked deflection before beating Shaw.
Rockdale City pulled a goal back courtesy of Shay Spitz midway through the second-half, though experienced campaigner Sasho Petrovski killed off any hopes of a late comeback with a ferocious effort in the 84- minute beating Shaw in the Suns goal and sealing a memorable 4-1 victory.
In the battle between bottom-placed Parramatta FC and A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers at Melita Stadium, the Eagles came out victorious adding further momentum to a side that has shown great progress over the past month with some very good results.
First-half goals to Ben Jurman and Daniel Fogarty proved enough to defeat the Tigers – the team from Leichhardt still struggling to find results in what has been a disastrous season for the former NSL giant.
At Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown City FC and Marconi Stallions shared the spoils following an entertaining 1-1 draw. Keith Shevlin was on the spot to drive home a fumbled ball by Blacktown City goalkeeper Symon Jaeger – the shot-stopper couldn-t handle the power of Nahuel Arrarte-s long-range drive, leaving Shevlin with the easiest of tasks to slot home.
Blacktown City found their equaliser before the break via Milorad Simonovic. The experienced midfielder latched onto an exceptional through ball by Mitchell Long before curling his shot past James Chronopoulos to secure his side a point.
