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Melita Stadium has had a major work-over in the offseason. A vastly improved relaid pitch - which is greener and flatter than its predecessor - fences behind each set of goals, new signage, and fresh paint on the interiors and exteriors. The refurbishment makes for a much enhanced match day experience at the boutique venue. A single goal to Ante Tomic for Sydney United was enough to give last year's runners up their first win of the NSW Premier League 2012 season.
Parramatta FC, who spent much of 2011 at the foot of the table, played some attractive football at their refurbished home ground. The youthful Eagles were perhaps the better side in the first half against their more favoured visiting opponents. Coach Lee Sterrey can be happy with the performance of imported Japanese duo Yuya Tamari and Akiyoshi Saito, although Tamari came off injured (knee) in the 40th minute.
The deciding goal was a 15th minute screamer by Tomic. The Sydney United midfielder capitalised on a failed clearance by Parramatta shotstopper Tomislav Romic, collecting the ball from 35 meters out and sending it flying towards the goal. Racing back to his goalline, all Romic could do was watch as the ball sailed into the back of the net.
In the second stanza Romic would redeem himself for his forgettable first half, spectacularly denying United a second goal on several occasions. After a boisterous 45 minutes from the handful of traveling Sydney fans, the tension of a single goal lead got the better of them, the chanting ceasing in favour of folded arms and stern gazes.
But their sense of worry would be for nothing. The more experienced United held out to claim all three points, despite a late Mark O'Reilly 35 meter shot of his own almost testing Janjetovic, and an influential stint off the bench by Hassan Daramy.