The Olympic Sharks, touted as the team to beat by some after their spanking of Spirit last Sunday, were given a timely jolt when Parramatta Power out thought and out played them to win 1-0 through a 45th min goal by veteran David Barrett, coming from a defensive error by former Socceroo Steve Laybutt.
David Mitchell reshuffled his team for this clash, after bringing back a point from Adelaide where the improving City gave them a hard workout. Rather than opt for speed on the break Mitchell looked for more balanced attack, so out went youngsters Adam Kwasnik and Brett Holman and in came more experience in John Buonavoglia and Zlatko Arambasic. A very interesting inclusion was left flanker Damien Brown, back from injury, who had a more central role.
Olympic's Gary Phillips despite the win last week came into the game with several players such as Greg Owens still out injured and some of his side on the park carrying injury or not fully match fit.
As the game started on the infamous Parramatta Stadium pitch, being honed for Rugby League and that's it according to Board member Dennis Fitzgerald, it appeared at least to have less erratic bounce due to the heavy rain of the past 10 days.
In the 5th min Troy Halpin got a lob to Tom Pondeljak on the left but he was closed down.
A moment later Pondeljak robbed the experienced Alex Tobin but the ball ran on to far and allowed Les Pogliacomi in the Power goal to gather it to safety.
Olympic's Andrew Packer on the left was getting behind Ahmed Elrich but not the central defenders, however when in the 8th he received a ball at the corner post and got a snap cross in it looked as if Olympic may be on the way. Alas, it reached Pondeljak but he twisting shot screwed off his boot to safety.
It wasn't until about 12 mins into the game that Parramatta made real headway in attack.
Pondeljak took a rising free kick in the 13th min that was held very well by Pogliacomi.
Ahmad Elrich using his burst of speed beat two men on the right and crossed to Arambasic who could only win a corner.
The game was now being played with intensity by both sides and it would be a matter of time before Mark Shield had to assert authority.
The teams battled up and down the midfield, with little time given to either team to move the ball about for probing. Parramatta seemed to grow in confidence every minute that Olympic didn't swamp them.
In the 33rd min Elrich again broke free on the right but his early cross was intercepted by Clint Bolton in the Olympic goal.
At the 39th min David Barrett, pushing up and seeing no options available took a few more strides and blasted it from 30m. His shot was not held first time by Bolton, who regathered it before it could drop and roll into the net.
In a great piece of improvisation Parramatta's Elrich stole the ball in the middle of the park, move up on the right and got a curling cross dropping into the box. Wayne O'Sullivan beat Bolton to the ball and as it dropped he back headed it. Bolton could just palm it away for a corner.
As the press were glancing in the direction of the new media area kitchen, Parramatta made one last raid into the Olympic half. From the left the ball was played forward and to the right. Steve Laybutt appeared to have the ball well covered but when he lost control of it trying to play it back to Bolton Barrett was on hand to scoop it away and wack it from 10m into the left side of the net past a stranded Clint Bolton.
After the break, it was obvious that Power's instructions were to close the Sharks down all across the park and as quickly as could be done.
In the 47th Halpin robbed Barrett in the middle of the park but when in range at about 25m Halpin blasted the ball way over the crossbar.
A Damien Brown free kick from 15m was wasted, going well over the crossbar.
Parramatta from then on held Olympic out in the first third of their half, and counter attacked.
In the 64th min John Buonavoglia slipped the ball through to Arambasic on the right side of the penalty area but he deeply angled shot was blocked.
In the 77th min Elrich got the ball through to Eagleton deep but it was just over from 30m.
With Olympic pushing men up for an equaliser, Buonavoglia was having a 'field day' and doing what he likes best. In the 82nd min he got around the Olympic defence but his cross could not get to Halpin.
3min later Buonavoglia received the ball in his own half, beat his marker, and got the ball to Barrett. Barrett struck it on the run and it smacked against the crossbar with Bolton beaten.
It fell to Buonavoglia whose shot rebounded off Bolton, but as Brett Holman closed on the ball a defender cleared the danger.
As the short extra time played out Buonavoglia switched play to Wayne O'Sullivan on the left who switched it back again. Buonavoglia was just unable to stretch his foot to connect.
Power deserved their win as their disciplined display was in stark contrast Northern Spirit's surrender against Olympic. They showed that whilst Olympic are real contenders for the title; they will have a say in that journey as well.
Parramatta was best served by Nick Orlic, Ahmad Elrich, Wayne O'Sullivan, Alex Tobin, David Barrett, Peter Bennett, John Buonavoglia, and a good return by Damien Brown.
Olympic's best were harder to pick as those who starred in the first half faded or were taken out of play by Power. Tom Pondeljak was probably the best (although he didn't get service,) Troy Halpin toiled (somewhat aggressively), plus Andrew Packer when he could lose Elrich, and Paul Kohler.
Parramatta coach David Mitchell was of course well pleased with his charges whom he said had "played with discipline across the park". He said his focus is "consolidating the top 6 position first" but is still eying that 2nd spot.
Gary Philips, for Olympic, said that the missing Lindsay Wilson (away for a week's trial) 'was no excuse, we had 11 players the same as them and perhaps we just weren't as desperate." "We probably took a calculated gamble playing some players were not fit, and today we got caught!" "Parramatta are a workmanlike side, and don't allow you to play, don't allow you to settle. It's not pretty but its pretty effective".