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Round Seventeen brought another thrilling weekend to this season's competition with Bonnyrigg strengthening their stance at the top of the table with a 4-0 win over seventh placed Sydney United.Sutherland Sharks 4-3 Blacktown Spartans
(Nikas '27, '40 (p), '84; Matt Bailey '79) (Andre Carle '46; Nathan Millgate '85; Greg Kondek '90)
Sutherland Sharks just held on in a thrilling match at Seymour Park. The Sharks went ahead with Panni Nikas finishing off a Matt Gordan cross before Panni Nikas converted a penalty to take a 2-0 lead into half time.
Straight after kick off in the second half Blacktown Spartans player Andre Carle gave hope for a comeback as he got a goal back but with missed chances for both sides Matt Bailey restored the two goal lead in the 79th while shortly after Panni Nikas completed his hat trick with a beautiful finish past Spartans goalkeeper Saliadarre.
The Spartans made it interesting late on with two quick goals from Nathan Millgate and Greg Kondek to make it 4-3, but with Djordge Degenek already sent off for the away team the Sharks held on to claim the three points in a thrilling match at Seymour Park.
South Coast Wolves 1-0 Marconi Stallions
(Mark Picciolini '43)
South Coast Wolves continued their strong season with a 1-0 win over fourth placed Marconi. The only goal of the game came when Mark Picciolini tapped in on 43 minutes. Marconi had many chances throughout the game to get an equaliser but failed to do so.
Manly United 2-2 Rockdale City Suns
(Adam Foti '42 (p); Colin Iley '70) (Sash Tirovski '36; Alec Urosevski '62)
A come from behind draw from 10th place Manly United kept them in good stead against APIA with a match in hand. Sash Tirovski opened the scoring for the Suns who are playing without recently departed Dylan Mcallister to Melbourne Heart. The lead didn't last long though as Adam Foti equalised through a spot kick just before half time.
After the break young Rockdale player Alex Urosevski scored a goal from six yards and the pressure was put back on Manly to equalise which they did eight minutes later when Colin Lley scored with a free-kick.
An entertaining match that ended 2-2 with Manly having to come from behind twice at Cromer Park.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4-0 Sydney United 58
(Chris Tadrosse '22; Tynan Diaz '54, '85; Harris Gaitatzis '61)
Top placed Bonnyrigg went out firing against Sydney United with a dominating performance which ended in a one sided 4-0 win at Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
Chris Tadrosse started the romp with a shot past United keeper Robert Kolak but it was in the second half when the game really opened up with Tynan Diaz and Mitchell Long working together to further their lead to two goals. Five minutes later Gaitatzis added another with a fine shot from a first touch which ended inside the far post. Diaz completed the win with an amazing goal which left Sydney United players stunned.
Bonnyrigg have furthered their stance at the top of the table by four points whilst United stay in seventh.
Blacktown City Demons 3-0 Parramatta Eagles
(David Cain '7; Ryuji Miyazawa '74; Sean Rooney '90)
Blacktown City continued to put pressure on Marconi with a 3-0 win over bottom placed Parramatta Eagles. David Cain opened the scoring in the early part of the match after latching onto a pass in the penalty area.
Ryuji Miyazawa combined with fellow Japanese player Yuchi Yamauchi to slot home the second goal of the afternoon in the second stanza as Parramatta failed to capatilise on their few chances. Demons striker Sean Rooney finished off the win with a header from a Matt Lewis cross.
Sydney Olympic 2-1 APIA Leichardt Tigers
(Phillip Makrys '47 (p); Chris Triantis '81) (Adam Casey '90 (p))
The final match of the round came from Lambert Park where Sydney Olympic overcame APIA Leichardt Tigers 2-1 after goals from Phillip Makrys and Chris Triantis.
Both sides had a poor showing in the first half but that soon changed after the break as Phillip Makrys Mark Bynes fouled Matthew Mayora in the penalty area. Makrys cleanly slotted home the penalty.
APIA had some chances in the second half but failed to capitalise while Olympic did take a late second half chance with Chris Triantis slotting in a class strike which Anthony Costa had no chance of saving. APIA picked up a consolation goal with Adam Casey completing the penalty kick after Brett Studman handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Next weeks fixtures:
Blacktown Spartans v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Blacktown Football Park - Saturday 7pm
Marconi Stallions v Sutherland Sharks, Marconi Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm
Parramatta Eagles v South Coast Wolves, Melita Stadium - Sunday 3pm
Rockdale City Suns v APIA Leichardt Tigers, Ilinden Sports Centre - Sunday 3pm
Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City Demons, Belmore Sports Ground - Sunday 3pm