PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 Round 13 Review
BLACKTOWN City and APIA Leichhardt Tigers continue to lead the way after round 13.
Meanwhile, Sydney United 58’s loss to Sutherland sees the Reds drop to fifth, but there is still a sizeable five point gap to the six placed Sharks.
ROUND 13 REVIEW
Marconi Stallions 1-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions hosted neighbours Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Saturday evening.
Two goals in three minutes from former Stallion Alex Canak was enough for the White Eagles to make the sure trip back from Bossley Park with all three points.
Canak’s brace came in the first half, and although an Anthony Flood goal gave Marconi hope, Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg were as professional as ever in finishing the job.
Sutherland Sharks 3-1 Sydney United 58 FC, at Seymour Shaw Park
It wasn’t a happy return to Seymour Shaw for Panni Nikas, as Sutherland ran out 3-1 winners over his new club, Sydney United 58 FC.
It could have been very different for United 58 as they took the lead in the first half through fit-again Mitchell Stamatellis.
But three goals in the second half for the Sharks put paid to United 58’s hopes of holding on to fourth place, and they are now leapfrogged by Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Alex Jovovic, Sean O’Connell, and Jacob Tratt all found the back of the net for the home side.
Rockdale City Suns 0-1 Blacktown Spartans, at Ilinden Sports Centre
It was a true smash-and-grab three points for Blacktown Spartans, who only needed one goal to beat their hosts, Rockdale City Suns.
Shu Sasaki scored the only goal of the match in the third minute, and from there it was all Rockdale City.
The Suns dominated and only Carlos Saliadarre’s brilliance denied them. Even with ten men, after Nicholas Petrillo was sent off, and then with nine after the sending off of Askin Oygur, the Suns still created chances, but couldn’t hit the back of the net.
Manly United 1-2 APIA Leichhardt Tigers, at Cromer Park
APIA overcame a potential "banana skin" by beating a spirited Manly United at Cromer Park.
Manly, who have beaten some of the competition’s best, including top of the table Blacktown City, will feel they could have done the same to the Tigers, especially after taking the lead through Chris Payne.
But APIA possess the master goal scorer, Blake Powell, and he tucked away a penalty, and then a spectacular volley, to take his tally to 18 goals in 13 games and keep APIA on Blacktown City’s coat-tails.
Sydney Olympic 0-1 Parramatta FC, at Belmore Sports Ground
Parramatta FC shocked Sydney Olympic, winning 1-0 at Belmore Sports Ground.
A deflected free kick by Juan Chavez was enough for the Eagles, who defended stoutly throughout.
Olympic’s coach Grant Lee said his side was in second gear for the entire match, and second gear isn’t good enough against any side in this division, as they found out to their cost.
Blacktown City 4-0 South Coast Wolves, at Lilys Football Centre
Blacktown City remained top of the table after a resounding 4-0 win over South Coast Wolves.
The Wolves’ new coach, Jacob Timpano, wasn’t able to get his side going for this formidable test and two goals in five first half minutes, to Joe Gibbs and Sasa Macura, effectively ended the contest.
In the second half, Travis Major scored his first goal since returning from the Hyundai A-League’s Central Coast Mariners, before young hot shot Patrick Antelmi added the fourth.
– by Matthew Lopez, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Editor
