Nikas was seen as one of the NSW Premier League?s standout players in 2009 as he notched up an amazing 22 goals in all competitions which included 11 in the NSW Premier League competition, 2 in the NSW Premier League Championship Series and 9 in the McDonald?s Cup.
The 21-year-old had a splendid debut season with the Sharks after his move from Penrith Nepean United in 2009; a transfer manufactured by Sutherland coach Robbie Stanton.
Nikas also appeared in the 2009 All-Star Team of the Year after his fantastic performances for the Sharks.
His presence was then spotted by Hyundai A-League side Central Coast Mariners who snapped him up on a National Youth League contract and the club gave him the honour of skippering the squad.
Nikas then featured in all but three of the Premiership winning young Mariners? matches this season, picking up the team?s golden boot award in the process with 13 goals in 22 games.
The 21-year-old made his Hyundai A-League debut in the round 21 clash against Wellington Phoenix on New Year?s Eve and went on to feature in three first team matches.
The attacking midfielder?s presence will surely spice up the Sharks? attack as they hope to re-enter the top five finals series race with a match against current cellar dwellers A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers at Seymour Shaw this Easter Saturday with kick off scheduled for 7pm.
The Sharks have lacked that killer instinct in front of goal and with the inclusion of Nikas, this could well be the turning point for the Shire based outfit.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
Archives for March 2010
Bonnyrigg grab bragging rights with defeat of Sydney United
Played at an often frantic pace, the White Eagles? two first-half goals courtesy of Brad Boardman were too much for the Reds, who re-opened the contest via a Luka Glavas penalty, though finished the match with nine-men.
Sydney United forced the issue in the opening minutes with new signing Mirtan Pavlovic causing grief for the White Eagles defence with his physical presence. It was Pavlovic that orchestrated the opening chance as Damon Collina met Pavlovic?s cross from the right-flank only to scuff his first-time effort as Bonnyrigg shot-stopper Ali Akbal parried at the second attempt.
Bonnyrigg?s response arrived on 7? minutes via Jamie McMaster. The speedy midfielder left three Reds defenders behind en-route to the edge of the penalty-area before his run was ended by a Sean Mitchell foul. The result was a free-kick from the edge of the penalty-area where dead-ball specialist Daniel Severino sent his curling effort agonisingly wide of the mark.
The White Eagles backed up moments later, again via a set-piece, as Brad Boardman?s header was deflected wide for a corner.
The resulting corner produced the opening goal of the match. The Reds defence poorly dealt with Severino?s cross, as Vedran Janjetovic misjudged the trajectory of the ball, leaving Bonnyrigg?s Brad Boardman unmarked for the easiest of tap-ins.
The White Eagles continued to pepper the Reds defence with McMaster ?running a muck? out of midfield. It was McMaster?s cross from the left on 13? minutes that had the Reds on the back foot; another poorly cleared attempt allowed Vuko Tomasevic a shot on target, though he failed to beat Janjetovic with his low-driven effort.
The Reds replied courtesy of Pavlovic. The burly striker used his strength well to beat his markers before providing Steve Hayes with a look-in. From point-blank range, Hayes drove his effort over the crossbar, much to the despair of the Sydney United bench.
Bonnyrigg extended their lead on 22? minutes, again via a set-piece. Severino?s curling free-kick from deep picked out the glancing header of Boardman who finished off at the back post for a two-goal lead.
The Reds defensive woes continued as Boardman exquisitely turned, with his back to goal, to beat his marker and create a yard of space to shoot. The burly striker picked his spot, though lacked the power as Janjetovic easily parried to thwart any danger.
Milorad Simonovic kept the pressure on for the visitors when he latched onto Shane Webb?s cut-back from the right on 38? minutes to unleash a venomous low-drive on goal, denied only by a goal line clearance by Michael Cindric.
Sydney United closed the half with a Pavlovic free-kick from a promising position following a foul on Steve Hayes. The striker?s curled attempt lacked any conviction as Ali Akbal coolly watched the ball finish well-wide of the intended target.
Sydney United?s task at hand took a turn for the worse as captain Joe Vrkic was given his marching orders moments after the break. Vrkic?s tackle on McMaster was deemed a bookable offence by the referee, leaving the Reds to play-out the afternoon with ten-men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Reds pulled a goal back via the penalty-spot courtesy of Luka Glavas. The Sydney United striker won the spot-kick after being challenged illegally in the penalty-area by Wade Oostendorp, before sending Ali Akbal the wrong way to re-open the contest.
Elsid Barkhousir should have drawn the home-side level moments later as Glavas? square ball across the face of goal picked out the striker. Ali Akbal was quick off his line to pressure Barkhousir; the shot-stopper?s presence was enough to put the striker off and the chance went begging.
Bonnyrigg brought some calm to the Reds storm with a strong-hold of possession shortly after. David Gullo was picked out at the back post on 63? minutes, though his fierce drive failed to hit the target.
At the other end, Ali Akbal produced a fine save from point-blank range when Barkhousir rose highest to head Pavlovic?s cross from the left-flank, before sending his teammates forward on the counter-attack.
Substitute Juan Carlos Chavez combined well with McMaster down the right-flank to send the latter clear on goal. McMaster?s curled left-foot effort from a slightly decentralised position failed to hit the target.
The visitors should have put the result beyond the Reds reach following another swift counter-attacking move. Chavez and McMaster again combined well down the right-flank as the latter delivered a pin-point cross into the path of Severino who could only watch as his diagonal effort across the face of goal finished agonisingly wide of Janjetovic?s left-hand post.
Severino was at it again moments later as his long-range bomb via his trusted left-foot finished inches over the crossbar.
Bonnyrigg went close again via their playmaker in the closing stages as Severino again saw his effort thwarted by some desperate defending. The White Eagles number 10 took a touch too long to create the space to shoot, though despite getting an effort on goal was denied by the head of Collina on the goal line.
Sydney United striker Luka Glavas was also given an early mark with a straight red card on 89? minutes, leaving the Reds to fend with nine-men for the closing minutes.
Despite the final forward forays in the closing minutes, Brian Brown?s White Eagles held out for a massive three-points.
White Eagles boss Brian Brown was ecstatic following the win:
?I am very pleased with the boys, they battled really hard in some warm conditions, and we have taken three-points from Sydney United,? Brown stated.
?We were well organised across the park, managed to go two goals up and I am very pleased with the attitude of the team as a whole.
?To Sydney United?s credit, they challenged in the second-half and pressured us somewhat, though I am just glad that we kept our shape and gave them very little in the final third throughout the match,? Brown ended.
Sydney United boss David Zdrilic managed to draw some positives from the match, despite the loss:
?I am not as disappointed as I would normally be, considering the effort that the boys put in during the second-half.
?Playing most of the half with a man down, and behind on the scoreboard, my guys went out and gave it everything, and I can?t ask for more than that from the players.
?The conditions were difficult, playing the match early as well made it tough, though this was the case for both teams, so full credit must go to Bonnyrigg for their win.?
In the Grade 20 division, Sydney United secured maximum points with a come from behind 2-1 defeat of the White Eagles. S. Mallira had the visitors ahead inside of the opening minute following a slip-up by the Reds defence, before S. Veleski drew the home-side level on 45? minutes. Veleski secured the points for Sydney United with a fine solo effort 20? minutes from time.
Match Stats
Sydney United 1 (Luka Glavas 52? (pen))
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Brad Boardman 10?, 22?)
Saturday, 27th March, 2010
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Murray Wilson and Adam Coombes
Fourth Official: Matthew Samson
Crowd: 250
Sydney United: 1.Vedran Janjetovic; 19.Mitchell Thompson, 5.Damon Collina, 6.Joe Vrkic (C), 4.Michael Cindric, 23.Ivo Bosnar, 21.Sean Mitchell (22.Peter Zorbas 54?), 10.Steve Hayes, 16.Elsid Barkhousir (32.Ante Tomic 73?), 11.Luka Glavas, 25.Mirtan Pavlovic (29.Adam Jenner 79?)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Roy Bell, 34.Tomislav Cirjak
Yellow Cards: Sean Mitchell 7?, Mitchell Thompson 21?, Joe Vrkic 28?, 49?, Vedran Janjetovic 80?
Red Cards: Joe Vrkic 49?, Luka Glavas 89?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Ali Akbal; 7.Nikola Zonjic, 20.Wade Oostendorp, 6.Vuko Tomasevic (C), 4.Michael Brown (3.Graeme Forbes 75?), 9.Brad Boardman, 10.Daniel Severino, 11.Shane Webb, 17.David Gullo (13.Juan Carlos Chavez 64?), 8.Milorad Simonovic (16.Stefan Helata 70?), 19.Jamie McMaster
Substitutes Not Used: 90.Nenad Vekic, 5.Milan Zoric
Yellow Cards: Michael Brown 31?, Milorad Simonovic 42?, Jamie McMaster 58?, Stefan Helata 90?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Brad Boardman (BWE)
2 ? Daniel Severino (BWE)
1 ? Mitchell Thompson (SU)
-By Joseph Carlucci
NSW Premier League Update- Sydney United v Bonnyrigg White Eagles (Round 5)
Following a review of security arrangements which involved the NSW Police, the Round 5 clash scheduled for this weekend at the Sydney United Sports Centre will only be open to accredited members of the Sydney United Football Club and private box holders.
The number of person which fall into this category is approximately 250 individuals.
Strict security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all players, officials, members and local residents.
Parents, partners and relatives of players and of match officials will not be able to gain entry to the match.
The arrangement for match day entry has been agreed between Sydney United, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Football NSW and the NSW Police Force.
This will protect the match from any outside influences not connected with the sporting contest between these two iconic clubs.
Football NSW General Manager Ian Holmes issued this statement.
?The match between Sydney United v Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be conducted in line with the game day operations which applied in 2009. The match will not be open to the general public.
“There will be very restricted entry to the venue. The only persons who will be permitted to attend are paid up club members of the home team who pre-purchase tickets. Identification will be required on match day for pre-purchased tickets.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with the NSW Police Force and the committees of both NSW Premier League clubs and Football NSW.
“Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles are working in close co-operation with Football NSW and the Fairfield local area command of the NSW Police Force to ensure orderly conduct is maintained and the match can proceed without disturbance caused by people outside of the sport,? Holmes stated.
All media groups have also been restricted access to the game.
A match report and photographs of the match will be available through Football NSW.
As reference, the corresponding fixtures played between these two clubs in 2009 also followed similar guidelines put in place during this fixture. Both matches were successful and the game was without incident.
For any media enquiries please contact either Media Manager Mark Stavroulakis (8814 4416) or Public Relations Coordinator Bruce Da Silva (8814 4460).
Bonnyrigg late show salvages point against Sharks
The high flying White Eagles were second best during the first 45? minutes and found themselves under the pump for much of the time and can thank former Sharks goalkeeper Phil Zabaks for keeping them in the match, along with some stoic defending by Graeme Forbes and Wade Oostendorp, with Sutherland creating enough half chances and good opportunities to win a dozen games under normal circumstances.
Chris Price shot narrowly wide inside 60?? seconds of the start and a Jimmy Bakis free-kick had Zabaks bravely down among the flying boots to sharply gather the ball inside 3? minutes.
Nathan Denham was forced to tip over the bar in Bonnyrigg?s first attack at the other end, closely followed by former Sharks striker Brad Boardman crossing from the left to find David Gullo – the youngster was caught marginally offside as the visiting defence stepped up.
Sutherland were soon on the attack again and a sweeping move saw Blake Powell slip the ball to Jimmy Bakis, back from injury, who crossed to the back stick for Steve McConologue to head narrowly over when under intense pressure.
Bakis then had Zabaks forced into a full stretch to save around the post from another free-kick that was destined for the bottom corner as the Sharks turned up the heat that Bonnyrigg had to endure throughout the half, whilst manfully keeping the visitors at bay as they were harried and given no time on the ball which left Boardman with little or no service up front.
Boardman did come close though, with a solo move that saw him inside the defence and rush a shot, with Michael Robinson closing down, that stung the hands of Denham.
The Sharks took control of the game and a plethora of chances followed as the frustration for the home-side told when Nikola Zonjic found himself in the book for Bonnyrigg after a petulant challenge in the 35? minute.
When Bonnyrigg did make a break through on goal, it was Robinson to the rescue once more when Boardman was clean through and only a last ditch tackle prevented the lanky striker getting his shot away with just Denham to beat.
McConologue almost had the last word when his over shoulder effort whisked past the angle with his back to goal as the game remained scoreless at the break.
It was almost a reversal of the opening stanza as Bonnyrigg approached the second period like a steam train as Tomasevic scuffed his shot inside the box within 60?? seconds of the resumption, and Daniel Severino had Denham at full stretch tipping the ball past the left-hand upright for a corner before Sutherland finally started to play.
The visitors should have taken the lead on 53? minutes when McConologue chased down a hopeful ball, shrugged off his defender and went one-on-one with Zabaks who had originally come for the ball only to be grateful to the bar when the striker?s lob came bouncing back off it and into play before being cleared away up-field.
The deadlock was finally broken by Bonnyrigg in the 58? minute when Severino shot from outside the box to see the ball deflected into the net by team-mate Tomasevic only for it to be ruled offside by the official, much to the chagrin of the home fans who were unusually quiet on the night.
Neil Jablonski picked up a caution for Sutherland quickly followed by Michael Brown, who had a terrific game up and down the left flank for Bonnyrigg, and Bakis for the Sharks as the game went end to end in thrilling fashion until the 77? minute. A loose ball broke to Sharks bustling midfielder Nick Stavroulakis just outside the box and his thunderous right-footed shot left Zabaks no chance and the visitors took a deserved lead.
Bonnyrigg are made of stern stuff under coach Brian Brown and they threw everything at Sutherland without success until the moment of debate that eventually led to the equaliser in stoppage time.
Boardman slipped the ball back to a team-mate on the right flank as two Sharks players converged on the danger but when it was played back to him the linesman immediately flagged for offside. However, with two Sharks defenders sliding in the referee overturned the decision and gave a free-kick instead that was taken by Jamie McMaster, another to show well for the White Eagles, and up jumped Tomasevic at the back stick to head across the goal and into the net in the 92? minute.
With barely enough time to restart the game it was a different tale in each camp afterwards when White Eagles coach Brian Brown stated:
?We were awful in the first-half as we didn?t compete or chase for the ball and they dictated much of the play and we were probably fortunate to go into the break still level.
?We changed things up at half-time and produced plenty of chances and were perhaps unlucky not score a couple but we kept fighting and the lesson was that we played to final minute and didn?t drop our heads and got away with a point so I can?t be upset with that as this was an important game for us.
?We kept going and with their players starting to tire we managed to grab a goal that, whichever way you look at it, got us something from the game and it was a well taken goal so if people think we were fortunate to get the free-kick this game will always even itself out over the course of the season,? he concluded.
Robbie Stanton was diplomatic when saying:
?We created plenty of chances in the opening 45? minutes and we need to start taking them but in the cold light of day we have to look at it being our own fault that we only came away with a draw from this match as the game is never over until the final whistle and maybe we were guilty of not playing to that.
?Bonnyrigg have been set up as one of the benchmark clubs this season and the way we played tonight shows me we are capable of holding our own and are coming together as a solid unit as we did create the better chances this evening.?
Both coaches declined to comment on, perhaps, the controversial moment preceding the goal showing an enormous amount of dignity.
In the Grade-20 division, Sutherland Sharks were victorious with an impressive 3-1 defeat of Bonnyrigg White Eagles putting the home side towards their first loss of 2010.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Vuko Tomasevic 91?)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Nicholas Stavroulakis 77?)
Saturday, 20th March, 2010
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and David Lockeridge
Fourth Official: Matthew Samson
Crowd: 900 Approx.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 99.Phillip Zabaks; 3.Graeme Forbes (8.Milorad Simonovic 77?), 4.Michael Brown, 6.Vuko Tomasevic, 7.Nikola Zonjic, 9.Brad Boardman, 10.Daniel Severino, 11.Shane Webb, 17.David Gullo, 19.Jamie McMaster, 20.Wade Oostendorp
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Ali Akbal, 5.Milan Zoric, 13.Juan Carlos Chavez, 16.Stefan Helata
Yellow Cards: Zonjic 35?, Brown 66?
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.George Souris, 4.Michael Robinson, 6.Chris Price, 7.Jimmy Bakis, 8.Blake Powell, 10.Steven McConologue (31.Huseyin Jasli 71?), 11.Ben Spruce, 12.Neil Jablonski, 14.Nick Stavroulakis, 22.Yanni Fragogiannis
Substitutes Not Used: 3.Kyle Stuart, 9.Ben Vidaic, 16.James Lawrence, 24.Jack Duncan
Yellow Cards: Jablonski 60?, Bakis 68?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Michael Robinson (SS)
2 ? Nick Stavroulakis (SS)
1 ? Phillip Zabaks (BWE)
-By Micky Brock
Nikas caps superb season
Nikas polled highest in the vote made by all players who featured in the NYL this season, and says the honour is a highlight of his short career.
?To win any award is fantastic but to be voted the best by the guys you play with and against week in, week out is extra special.
?I?ve been really happy with my season but also the team?s effort in winning the minor premiership. All the boys had a fantastic year and they are a big part of this too,? Nikas said.
Nikas featured in all but three of the Premiership winning young Mariners? matches this season, picking up the team?s golden boot award in the process with 13 goals in 22 games.
The 21-year-old made his Hyundai A-League debut in the round 21 clash against Wellington Phoenix on New Year?s Eve and went on to feature in three first team matches.
?The club congratulates Panny on his achievement, it?s a testament to not only his fine season but also to the work of the entire National Youth League squad and its coach Tony Walmsley,? said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.