The run has come to an end for Blacktown Spartans, who finally tasted defeat, against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in the shock result of round ten.
The run has come to an end for Blacktown Spartans, who finally tasted defeat, against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in the shock result of round ten.
Nevertheless they are still eight points clear of Blacktown City who they play in a blockbuster clash next Sunday afternoon at Lilys Football Centre.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Blacktown Spartans 1-3 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, at Blacktown Football Park
All good things must come to an end and Spartans' epic nine match winning run was brought to a shuddering halt at the hands of the previously winless APIA-Leichhardt Tigers.
APIA had proven difficult to beat this season but they put together a spirited, match winning performance that will delight the coaching staff Billy McColl and Nick Rizzo.
David Gullo opened the scoring when he converted at the back post from a cross from Greg Kondek. It looked like it would be one way traffic from there but APIA had other ideas.
Blake Powell equalised when he converted the rebound after Franco Parisi's rasping drive came down off the crossbar.
Powell scored again a few minutes later when he finished beautifully after delightful interplay by Parisi and Jordan Simpson.
Then the game was put to bed when Brad Bartels' header was diverted into his own net by Nathan Millgate, capping off a remarkable 12' minutes in which APIA blew away the league leaders and registered a richly deserved win.
Marconi Stallions 1-1 South Coast Wolves, at Marconi Stadium
South Coast Wolves' renaissance continued as they took a point against Marconi away from home.
Under new coach Nahuel Arrarte they have really begun to play to their potential and they took the lead in the first half through hotshot forward Ricky Zucco.
Arrarte of course played at Marconi and captained them to their grand final victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles a few seasons ago.
He couldn't prevent Marconi from taking a point though as they equalised in the second half through Milorad Simonovic.
Marconi keeper and captain James Chronopoulos returned for the home side and had an excellent match, preserving a point for the home side against a plucky Wolves outfit.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-0 Sutherland Sharks, at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Bonnyrigg leapfrogged Sutherland Sharks into third place in the competition with a narrow 1-0 victory at home on Saturday night.
Terry McFlynn made his home debut for his new club, and he played an energetic 69' minutes before being replaced by the eventual match winner Mitchell Long.
Long had been on the field for a handful of minutes when he turned the ball past Nathan Denham to score the only goal of the game and send Bonnyrigg into the top three.
Nick Stavroulakis matched up against Terry McFlynn and put in another strong performance in the heart of the Sutherland midfield, earning the praise of head coach Robbie Stanton.
Sydney United 58 1-0 Blacktown City, Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 kept Blacktown City in check by beating them 1-0 at home, thereby preventing Blacktown City from closing the gap on their cross town neighbours Blacktown Spartans.
For Blacktown City a win would have taken them within striking distance of Spartans, who they will play next weekend, but alas the gap remains at eight points.
United will welcome victory after they were denied all three points by APIA keeper Andrew Bazi last weekend.
Alec Urosevski scored last week and he was the hero this time, scoring the only goal of the match early in the second half.
Rockdale City Suns 1-0 Sydney Olympic, at Ilinden Sports Centre
Another narrow game, another 1-0 win.
Rockdale City Suns beat Sydney Olympic at home on Sunday afternoon thanks to a goal from the prolific Nick Taneski, who is enjoying a real breakthrough season as a regular goal scorer in first grade.
David Bradasevic again deputised in goal for the suspended Tomislav Arcaba and turned in another solid performance between the sticks.
The game looked destined to end 0-0 before Taneski strike just five minutes before full time to win the match for the Suns.
St George 4-3 Manly United, at Seymour Shaw Park
The final game of the weekend produced seven goals and a win for St George at "home" to Manly United.
St George actually led 4-1 at Seymour Shaw Park and in fact took the lead in the opening minute through Aleks Jovovic.
Chris Payne equalised for Manly three minutes later as the game got off to a rollicking start.
Juan Chavez was back in the starting eleven and put St George 2-1 up before the break, before Christopher Gomez and Andreas Vais put Saints 4-1 clear in the second half.
Youngster Christopher Arditti scored late on and then Daniel Saric also found the back of the net to set up a grandstand finish, but St George held on to take all three points.
More information about the competitions can be found at www.nplnsw.com.au