The hosts produced a brave performance to keep the NSW Premier League leaders at bay until second-half goals to Robbie Younis and Tynan Diaz saw Bonnyrigg secure all three points on the night.
This morning?s fire disgracefully lit at Eastern Creek saw the ground coated in a continual thin layer of smoke, and while conditions must have been tough on the lungs, the players still produced an intense 90? minutes of football.
Bonnyrigg looked to assert their dominance from the outset, pushing forward in search of an early opener while Spartans appeared unfazed by the stern task ahead, staving off wave after wave of Bonnyrigg attacks.
The early pressure was temporarily alleviated by an injury scare to Spartans goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre, however the captain was soon back on his feet after a brief treatment from the Spartans physio team.
The visitors finally managed to breach the Spartans backline just before the quarter hour mark, however Saliadarre was alert to dart off his line and block Younis? finish.
The home side sought to carve out chances on the counterattack, swiftly pushing forward on the flanks while Greg Kondek and Luke Boyd looked to boss the centre of the park; both receiving bookings within the first half hour for overzealous challenges.
While the action was end to end, chances were few and far between as Ken Chun fired over and Nikola Stanojevic?s effort was saved while the Spartans best effort on goal came from Kondek who saw his 30-yard free kick well held by Andrew Bazi in the Bonnyrigg goal.
Kondek blazed a late chance over from the edge of the box after yet another sharp counterattack just before the sides went into the sheds all square at the interval.
The half-time score appeared to spur the hosts on as they came within inches of breaking the deadlock shortly after the restart.
Kondek, Andre Carle, and Boyd combined well on the break, and the latter?s cross narrowly missed the outstretched leg of Kondek at the far post with only Bazi to beat.
Bonnyrigg responded in kind as Harris Gaitatzis found Ben Spruce unmarked in the box; however the defender?s finish was wayward as he skewed his first time effort wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
Despite a sterling opening hour between the sticks it was an unfortunate aerial misjudgement from Saliadarre that led to the opening goal.
In an attempt to claim Chris Tadrosse?s free kick the Spartans goalkeeper failed to find his way through a crowd of players and was caught out of position as the ball found its way back into the box.
Younis made no mistake, breaking the deadlock with a natural poacher?s finish as he clipped the ball over Saliadarre and brought the travelling fans to their feet.
The NSW Premier League top scorer attempted to double his tally from the set piece minutes later, yet Saliadarre was not to be beaten on this occasion as he produced a confident low save.
The visitors came close to doubling their advantage soon after as Diaz found Gaitatzis in the box with an inch perfect cross, however Tomislav Herceg was on hand to pressure Gaitatzis into scuffing his finish and keep his side in the match.
Spartans looked to force their way back into the match as Chris Bedzo, Kondek, Carle, and substitute Steven Veleski looked to get in behind the Bonnyrigg backline, yet it was Bonnyrigg who accomplished the feat with a long ball that caught the host?s backline off guard.
Diaz timed his run to perfection, beating the offside trap to control the ball, skip past the onrushing Saliadarre, and tuck the ball into the open goal to wrap up the three points for Bonnyrigg.
Spartans came agonisingly to pulling a goal back soon after as Kondek struck the post with a deflected free-kick from the edge of the Bonnyrigg box while Gaitatzis saw his powerful low drive well held by Saliadarre.
After five weeks on the sidelines defender Alex Mansueto made his long awaited return from injury in the dying minutes, coming off the bench just before substitute Jacob Ott produced the final effort of the match ? a rasping 30-yard drive that was spectacularly tipped over by Bazi who held onto his clean sheet.
While disappointed with the final result, Blacktown Spartans coach Ben DeHaan found many positives in his side?s fearless performance against their highly fancied opposition tonight:
?I?m extremely proud,? said DeHaan.
?That was probably the best intensity we?ve shown all year.
?It was a hard night as at times we couldn?t even get a tackle or a bump in but I think our did a fantastic job on Younis and the rest.
?Effort-wise the boys were fantastic.
?They were soft goals ? a couple of errors ? but at the end of the day we had our chances at the other end which was a positive thing.
?It was just one of those games; everyone got their heads down and went for it ? it was a good match.?
DeHaan also took time out to make special mention of Greg Kondek, who ran his socks off throughout the match and was at the heart of nearly every attacking opportunity for the hosts:
?Kondy has been excellent,? said DeHaan.
?When we look at guys that have stepped up this season he?s probably been the standout for us.
?He?s really taken well to the league.?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown was pleased to come away with a win against a team that his squad were more than wary of going into the match:
?I?m very happy with the result,? said Brown.
?I think this is one of those games that had danger written all over it.
?Blacktown Spartans have been playing really good and while the pitch surface is really good the ball sticks a little more than other synthetic turfs so it was very stop-start with a lot of free-kicks.
?In the last two or three games, especially against Rockdale, it?s been very stop-start with a lot of corners and free-kicks from which nothing really came out of it so we just had to keep going.
?Credit to them, it was due to them stopping us, and at the end I?m happy with the three points.?
Brown also made special mention of a few key players who have stood out in recent weeks, stating his surprise that A-League clubs have not been tracking a number of players within his squad:
?In the last 6 games Tynan (Diaz) has been outstanding,? said Brown.
?He?s been one of our better players ? and we?ve got some top performers.
?Nikola Zonjic at the back and Ben Spruce have stepped up in the last weeks since we lost (David) Vrankovic and Mansueto through injury.
?We?ve got some very good players and I?ve been surprised that the A-League clubs haven?t been taking a look at them.
?Some of these boys deserve at least a chance.?
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Robbie Younis 63?, Tynan Diaz 79?)
Saturday August 4^th, 2012
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Adam Susz
Assistant Referees: Grant South and Michelle Allen
Fourth Official: Samuel Grasso
Blacktown Spartans: 1.Carlos Saliadarre; 2.Michael Khoury, 3.Nathan Millgate, 5.Luke Boyd (15.Louis Bozanic 82?), 6.Greg Kondek, 9.Christopher Bedzo, 10.Christopher Gomez (11.Steven Veleski 70?), 14.Jonathan Castano-Acero, 17.Peter Hubbard, 22.Andre Carle (27.Jacob Ott 80?), 36.Tomislav Herceg
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Sean Mitchell, 40.Daniel Sadaka
Yellow Cards: Greg Kondek 25?, Luke Boyd 29?
Red Cards: Nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 20.Andrew Bazi, 13.Nikola Stanojevic (2.Alex Mansueto 90?), 6.Nikola Zonjic, 11.Ben Spruce, 5.Chris Tadrosse, 7.Tynan Diaz (15.Chris Payne 82?), 21.Ken Chun (10.Jordan Simpson 87?), 19.Harris Gaitatzis, 23.Mitchell Long, 9.Robbie Younis, 18.Adrian Ucchino
Substitutes Not Used: 17.Jordan Crighton, 33.Nikodin Matic
Yellow Cards: Tynan Diaz 41?
Red Cards: Nil
-By Michael Shoolman

The League leaders were always in control following Chris Tadrosse?s go-ahead goal midway through the opening period, as a superb Tynan Diaz double and Harris Gaitatzis strike sealed the deal for Brian Brown?s men.
A physical opening saw both sides trade blows in the middle of the park with the defensive lines at both ends keeping a close lid on any forward forays.
The home side managed to create the first look-in on goal for the afternoon on 8? minutes as Tynan Diaz?s searching ball from the right sent Robbie Younis through. The burly striker however, closely marshalled by the Reds defence, was unable to unleash an effort on target.
The opening chance spurred Bonnyrigg to continue pressing in the front third as they again stretched visitors down the right moments later. Diaz?s delivery into the penalty-area this time finished over the goal line.
In the 15? minute, Younis created a yard of space on the edge of the penalty-area to drive on goal. The striker turned his marker neatly though was denied by a fine Robert Kolak save down to his left.
A goalmouth scramble followed on 17? minutes as Ben Spruce and Aleksander Canak both attempted to get shots on target as some desperate Sydney United defending saw the chance thwarted.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles continued to press forward on 20? minutes, and once more Diaz was the orchestrator with his trusted right peg. The right-sided midfielder delivered a pin-point free-kick from the right, picking out the head of Spruce who forced Kolak into a fine save.
All Bonnyrigg?s early possession and pressure finally paid dividends as captain Tadrosse netted an exceptional goal on 22? minutes. The left-sided midfielder met an accurate delivery from the right to volley his attempt across goalkeeper Kolak and inside the far post.
Sydney United?s attempts to hit back immediately took a huge setback after Canak fouled Ante Tomic on halfway. The skillful Sydney United midfielder remained on the surface clutching his knee, as the visitors reverting to their bench with Daniel Barac taking to the field.
On 28? minutes, Sydney United created its first real chance of the match via a set-piece. Stjepan Paric sent a dipping effort over the Bonnyrigg defensive wall though Andrew Bazi was well positioned to save on his goal line.
Sydney United had another set-piece opportunity on 38? minutes that went begging, once more from a promising position. Mario Simic?s left-footed attempt had some good pace behind it though once again there wasn?t enough dip on the ball.
Brian Brown?s men remained composed in the middle of the park, administering the lead with some possession and quick ball movement.
The side close to doubling its lead on 42? minutes as Canak received a short square ball outside the penalty-area before driving his first-time effort over the crossbar.
In the final chance of the half on 47? minutes, a swift Sydney United counterattack saw Pavlovic released down the right. The striker showed his strength, and speed, to distance himself from his marker before sending his diagonal effort across goal, only inches wide Bazi?s post.
Sydney United re-emerged from the dressing sheds with gun striker Luka Glavas on the field. The target man has missed a large part of the season through injury, though his goal scoring prowess in these matches is unquestionable.
It was the home side however who started the second-half on the front foot, much the same as the opening period. An early Tadrosse free-kick from the left had the Sydney United defenders on alert as Michael Cindric headed the ball away from danger.
Sydney United replied in the 50? minute with successive chances. Mitchell Speer?s snap-shot was well blocked by Spruce, who bravely put his body on the line, before Glavas had his first touch of the match with a volley on the turn that finished well wide of goal.
The Reds, today in their away ?yellow? strip threatened once more down the right moments later as Speer and Jared Lum combined to send the latter clear. Lum, with a fabulous first touch to beat his marker, reached the byline though failed to pick out a teammate with his centre into the penalty-area.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles doubled its lead in the 54? minute following a well worked move. Mitchell Long?s exquisite chipped pass into the path of Diaz allowed the Bonnyrigg number 7 the time to unleash a powerful diagonal effort inside Kolak?s right-hand post.
Long continued his wonderful performance with a slalom effort on the edge of the penalty-area 3? minutes later. The playmaker eased his way into space though failed to hit a clean shot on goal as Kolak made a comfortable save.
On 61? minutes, Bonnyrigg put the match well beyond reach as Gaitatzis slotted home with a world class finish to make it 3-0. The young striker latched onto a tantalising through ball by Canak before driving his left-foot shot on the turn past a helpless Robert Kolak.
Sydney United?s best efforts to get forward were constantly thwarted by some expert defending by Nikola Zonjic as Bonnyrigg nearly added a fourth goal via Adrian Ucchino on 66? minutes at the other end. Ucchino wiggled his way past two defenders though failed to get a clean shot on goal as Kolak made a routine save.
Sydney United had Bazi on the back foot in the 75? minute as Simic?s in-swinging corner from the right forced the shot-stopper into punching the ball clear.
The Glavas and Elsid Barkhousir attacking combination, sent on by Sydney United coach Mike Gibson, struggled to get any real service in the front third as the home side looked to kill off the match with lengthy spells of possession across the park.
Bonnyrigg?s season members allowed at the venue for this fixture were all in full voice on 85? minutes as Diaz scored an absolute screamer of a goal. The right-sided midfielder latched onto a delivery from the left to blast a venomous first-time volley into the back of the net – in off the post.
The win further adds momentum to Bonnyrigg?s ambition to finish the regular season in top-spot.
The man of the moment, Tynan Diaz was understandably delighted with the emphatic result over their rivals.
?I am obviously very happy with what we achieved today and thought we played really well.
?We trained hard all week after what was a disappointing loss for us last weekend against Rockdale and turned it around with a positive performance today.
?I?m delighted for the fans and the club as I understand this victory meant a lot to them.?
With five goals in 2012, asked whether this was something he had worked hard on during the off-season Diaz replied.
?I am obviously happy scoring goals, they don?t come around too often but more importantly it?s all about winning matches and getting the three valuable points for the team and for the club ? that?s what counts in the end.?
Opening up a four-point gap at the top of the NSW Premier League table and with a match against the Blacktown Spartans in round 18, Diaz remained coy that the Premiership title was far from settled but remained up-beat about being a team on the rise week in week out.
?We don?t take any game differently and we know that there are still five matches remaining so we need to remain positive and continue with our consistency in results.
?We?re at the top of the table and every team should be fearing us we shouldn?t be fearing them, we need to go out and perform the way we know and I am confident we can carry our form right till the end.?
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 (Chris Tadrosse 22?, Tynan Diaz 54?, 85?, Harris Gaitatzis 61?)
Sydney United 58 FC 0
Sunday 29^th July, 2012
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Craig Fisher and Scott Edeling

Bench: J. Woods, Z. Elrich, W. Angel, V. Rigoli, I. JohnsoBonnyrigg White Eagles: 20.Andrew Bazi; 13.Nikola Stanojevic, 5.Chris Tadrosse (C), 11.Ben Spruce, 6.Nikola Zonjic, 23.Mitchell Long, 9.Robbie Younis (15.Chris Payne 78?), 8.Aleksander Canak, 19.Harris Gaitatzis, 18.Adrian Ucchino (21.Ken Chun 85?), 7.Tynan Diaz (2.Alex Mansueto 89?)
Substitutes Not Used: 10.Jordan Simpson, 44.Vincent Veneri
Yellow Cards: Aleksander Canak 24?
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58 FC: 30.Robert Kolak; 2.Mitchell Speer, 4.Michael Cindric, 6.Mitchell Stamatellis, 7.Mirjan Pavlovic (9.Elsid Barkhousir 65?), 8.Jared Lum, 14.Petar Markovic (11.Luka Glavas 46?), 16.Stjepan Paric, 18.Mario Simic, 21.Ante Tomic (22.Daniel Barac 26?), 23.Ivo Bosnar (C)
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Daniel Barac, 10.Mitchell Thompson, 20.Ian Johnson
Yellow Cards:  Michael Cindric 19?, Mirjan Pavlovic 44?, Mitchell Stamatellis 59?, Stjepan Paric 58?
Red Cards:  Nil

-By Joseph Carlucci

The Suns have been one of the form teams in the NSW Premier League in recent weeks, but were jolted by the news that striker Dylan Macallister has played his last game for the club after penning a two-year deal with Melbourne Heart in the A-League.
Suns coach Mark Rudan went with Alec Urosevski and Sash Tirovski up front and the duo didn?t disappoint, both finding the back of the net either side of the break.
Manly United also reshuffled their line-up with Todd Bamber handed a rare start with Scott Balderson injured, meanwhile experienced defender Marc Richards also sat on the bench.
After a cagey first 20? minutes, Bamber almost opened the scoring midway through the first half. 
He pounced on a loose ball in the area, but Rockdale gloveman Ryan Norval was up to the task, comfortably dealing with the effort.
3? minutes later Urosevski carved out a decent chance, only to balloon his shot over the bar.
After half an hour Tirovski tested Dylan Mitchell?s reflexes, and the gloveman was up to the task, brilliantly turning the ball away from the bottom corner.
5? minutes later Tirovski exacted his own form of revenge, nabbing the first goal.
A loose ball on the 18-yard box was there to be cleared, but the veteran marksman got to the ball first, lobbing Mitchell to open his personal account.
It was harsh on United and many of their supporters feared they would go into their shells.
Instead pocket dynamo Danny Grant bustled his way into the area after 41? minutes from a throw in and was chopped inside the box.
Adam Foti didn?t need a second invitation, comfortably stroking home the resulting penalty to square proceedings.
Manly?s second-half substitute Justin Hayward then provided a real talking point after 61? minutes.
He appeared to be fouled by Askin Oygur when bearing down on the Suns goal, only to see referee James Lewis wave play on.
Seconds later Urosevski poked home an effort from six-yards to restore Rockdale?s lead.
Manly again refused to lie down and were duly rewarded after 71? minutes. A Foti free-kick was parried by Norval into the path of Colin Iley, who stroked the ball home to even things up.
With 12? minutes on the clock Urosevski was denied by a Mitchell wonder save and with 4? minutes remaining United defender Leigh Egger cleared an effort off the line following a great run from Hussein Jasli.
At the death Hayward appeared to be fouled inside the area but Lewis waved play on to ensure honours remained even.
Rockdale coach Mark Rudan was relatively happy to snare a point on the road: 
?When I saw our (crammed) fixture list a few weeks ago I was a little concerned, but credit to the boys, they have got on with the job and played some outstanding football,?? he said. 
?They all loved playing on the new turf pitch, it is sensational.
?In hindsight it was a match we shaded and probably should have won, but you can?t win them all.?
His opposite Craig Midgley lauded the effort from his Manly lads: 
?All I ask is that we give our all, and the boys definitely did that in spades,?? he said.
?It shows lots of character to come from behind twice.
?Rockdale are a very good side and are finals bound, I am happy with a point.?
United can now look forward to home fixtures over the next eight days against former NSL heavyweights Sydney Olympic and Sydney United:
?It doesn?t get any easier, a few of the lads have knocks so the midweek game (against Olympic) will be especially tough,?? Midgley added.
?But you won?t find us complaining, the games need to be played.
?We are getting used to new pitch, and those two teams always give a good account of themselves.?
Match Stats
Manly United FC 2 (Adam Foti 42? (pen), Colin Iley 70?)
Rockdale City Suns 2 (Sash Tirovski 37?, Alec Urosevski 62,),
Saturday July 28^th, 2012
Cromer Park
Referee: James Lewis
Assistant Referees: Adam Coombes and Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: John Lalic
Manly United FC: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 3.Roberto Hamad (18.Jordy Edwards 31?), 4.Graeme Forbes, 6.Michael Daly, 8.Danny Grant, 11.Matt Sim (14.Mitch Macedo 73?), 12.Colin Iley, 17.Todd Bamber (19.Justin Hayward 58?), 21.Leigh Egger, 22.Adam Foti, 36.James Cullingworth
Substitutes Not Used: 5.Marc Richards, 16.Mitch Lensink
Yellow cards:  Hamad 24?
Red cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Ryan Norval; 2.Takuya Muruyama, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 6.Josh Lawson, 23.Askin Oygur, 5.Pece Apolevski, 8.Paul Kohler, 15.Tommy Cirjak, 16.Anthony Perri, (12.Hussein Jasli 79?) 17.Sash Tirovski, 18. Alec Urosevski
Substitutes Not Used: 10.Jason Naidovski, 11.David Talevski, 19.Marino Musumeci, 22.Aaron Liddell
Yellow cards:  Oygur 68?, Lawson 71?
Red cards: Nil