Round 8 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s

Round 8 of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the books with Sydney United 58 coming out on top of the pile once again after a thrilling weekend of action.

Mark Rudan’s side holds a three point lead in first spot over Blacktown City who were upset by an inspired Rockdale City Suns outfit 3-2 on Saturday.

In other match action Blacktown Spartans and Manly United shared the spoils, Wollongong returned to the winners circle against Sutherland and Sydney Olympic took home 3 points from its match against Hakoah Sydney City East.

Parramatta FC claimed the upset of the round with a hard fought 2-1 win away from home against Bonnyrigg.

Match of the Round

Rockdale City Suns 3 – Blacktown City FC 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre

An 81st minute Hristijan Tanoski goal has given Rockdale City Suns an inspired 3-2 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory against a fast finishing Blacktown City FC.

Tanoski’s late goal at Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday night sent the Rockdale fans into raptures as Paul Reid’s side was required to find a winner after Blacktown had clawed it’s way back from an early 2-0 deficit.

Goals to Rockdale’s Tanoski, Dylan Macallister and Blake Ricciuto cancelled out strikes from Blacktown players Sasa Macura and Joey Gibbs.

It was an emotional win for the Suns who went into the match without usual starters Alec Urosevski and Steve Hesketh while midfielder Blake Ricciuto made an inspirational return after nearly a week in hospital.

Blacktown Spartans 1 – Manly United FC 1 at Blacktown Football Park

Manly United has fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw with Blacktown Spartans in its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Clash at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday.

Dom Ferguson’s 57th minute strike saved Manly from a frustrating away defeat after Jacob Ott gave the home side the lead after only five minutes.

It was a strong bounce back performance from Blacktown after leaking five goals to APIA last round.

On the other hand it was a frustrating result for Manly who paid the price for poor finishing.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 – Parramatta FC 2 at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

An Ante Tomic brace has helped a canny Parramatta FC side to a priceless 2-1 comeback victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Saturday.

Franco Consentino’s side got off to the worst possible start when Ibrahim Haydar sliced into his own net but Tomic’s excellently claimed double, which put him to four goals for the year, salvaged the three points for the visitors who valiantly withstood a landslide of second half pressure from their opponents.

It was a match won and lost in thirds for the home side, who had convincingly dominated the opening half hour but struggled to open up a well-drilled and energetic Parramatta.

But it was a shrewd performance from Parramatta who, helped immensely by a pair of tirelessly committed cameos from brothers Gosue and Marco Sama, executed their second-half defensive mission with impressive aplomb.

Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Sydney Olympic 3 at Hensley Athletic Field

Sydney Olympic defeated Hakoah Sydney City East 3-1 in a gripping PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday night.

The sides were level at one-all and the match looked like ending in a draw before Olympic scored two goals at the death to clinch an unlikely and to many, an undeserved 3-1 victory.

A 31st minute strike to Michael Gaitatzis opened the scoring for Olympic but it was strikes to Jason Madonis and Oliver Green in the dying stages of the match which secured the win for the visitors despite a goal to Hakoah’s Declan Gilmartin.  

APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Sydney United 58 FC at Lambert Park

Sydney United 58 FC has stretched its lead at the top of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a 3-0 win against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Sunday.

Goals to Panni Nikas, Chris Payne and Robbie Mileski helped Mark Rudan’s side to its seventh straight win.

It was a tough day at the office for APIA who challenged United 58 for most of the match but lacked the killer edge required to take down the competition’s top side.

APIA striker Jordan Murray continues to justify his reputation as one of the competition’s brightest young stars with another big performance. The former Wollongong local was a constant menace for the Sydney United 58 defence.

Wollongong Wolves – Sutherland Sharks at WIN Stadium

It was a return to form from the Wollongong Wolves with a 3-1 victory against local rivals Sutherland Sharks in its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at WIN Stadium on Sunday evening.

A first half domination, including a brace from Nicolas Bernal and a goal from Darcy Madden, set the tone for the match.

It was one way traffic in the first 45 minutes as Sutherland battled to stay in the match

The Sharks made headway in the second half but could not match the intensity of the Wolves

Only a late Joshua Da Silva strike prevented the home side from a clean sheet victory.