Round 9 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
Blacktown City FC is top of the table and remains the sole undefeated team after Round 9 of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
A dominant win against Rockdale City Suns catapulted Blacktown to the top of the pile.
In the round’s other matches there were big wins for Manly United, Hakoah Sydney City East and Sydney FC with competition points at a premium heading into the midpoint of the season.
In this week’s Match of the Round Sydney United 58 took on Sydney Olympic in what is one of the competition’s most heated derby matches.
Sydney Olympic 0 – Sydney United 58 FC 2 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney United 58 eased to a 2-0 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s win against Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
Goals in either half from Matthew Sim and Yutaro Shin helped United 58 leapfrog their hosts and move into third on the ladder at the end of round 9.
The Reds dominated a slow first half, taking the lead through Sim after a clever build up from Panny Nikas.
Nikas gave Olympic hope of a comeback when he missed from the penalty spot just before half time, but Shin found the back of the net late in the clash to ensure United 58 secured all three competition points.
Manly United FC 4 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 2 at Cromer Park
Manly United recovered from a two-goal deficit in the first half to beat APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-2 during their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
A double to Scott Balderson, as well as goals to Nikola Taneski and Sasa Macura was enough for the home side to upset a talented APIA outfit.
Tasuku Sekiya and Josh Symons found the back of the net for the visitors but it just wasn’t night.
Parramatta FC 0 – Hakoah Sydney City East 3 at Melita Stadium
A brace from Oliver Green led Hakoah Sydney City East to a comfortable 3-0 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory over ten-man Parramatta in a scrappy round nine affair at Melita Stadium.
The Hakoah midfielder struck early on after sweeping home from close range and added a stunning third for his side late on with a sweetly struck effort from outside the box.
Minutes earlier Robert Ezequiel had made it 2-0 after racing on to a clever flick from Andre De Jong before steering the ball past Parramatta gloveman Ryan Norval.
The Eagles had their luckless showing compounded by the send-off of defender Tomislav Mijic, who saw red after a melee between both sides.
It capped a hugely frustrating night for the hosts, who offered a lot of endeavour after going behind early but saw several chances to restore parity go begging.
Sydney FC 3 – Sutherland Sharks FC 2 at Lambert Park
A strong attacking display has helped Sydney FC claim its second PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s win of the season after they edged Sutherland Sharks 3-2 at Lambert Park.
A free-flowing display of attacking football helped the young Sky Blues to victory, with goals to Charles Lokolingoy, Brendan Curtis and Juan Zapata helping the home side to three competition points.
Sutherland Sharks didn’t have the same control of the match as their opponents but their ability to punish Sydney FC’s mistakes kept them in the match right until the final moments, thanks to goals from Tomohiro Kajiyama and Nathan Elasi.
The result is sure to please Sydney FC coach Robbie Stanton as his side begins to find their groove at senior level.
Rockdale City Suns FC 0 – Blacktown City FC 4 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Blacktown City has claimed top spot on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder with an emphatic four goal domination of Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
An early goal to Joey Gibbs was followed by a Mitchell Mallia strike on the cusp of halftime, before Gibbs scored his second and pacey winger James Andrew wrapped up the result when he hit the back of the net in the 89th minute.
The win means Blacktown is now the only undefeated side in the competition with Sunday’s defeat the first of Rockdale’s season.
It was a difficult day for the home side who were unable to hit their usual high standards during the 90 minutes.
Wollongong Wolves FC 0 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 3 at WIN Stadium
Bonnyrigg White Eagles have ended their horror run of losses with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium.
Goals to Hassan Jalloh, Sam Gallaway and Greg Kondek helped the White Eagles to a long-awaited victory against a shell-shocked Wolves.
The defeat was added salt in the wound for Wollongong after a terrible week for the club who were stripped of three competition points for fielding an unregistered player in round one.