Round 12 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
It was all about history during Round 12 as the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition celebrated Heritage Round.
Once again it was a weekend of cracking football with the competition edging closer and closer to finals football.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers have retained their spot at the top of the ladder, but Blacktown City FC are right behind them with goal difference the only thing separating first from second.
APIA featured in this week’s Match of the Round as they took on the might of Sydney United 58 FC at Lambert Park.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 1 – Sydney United 58 FC 0 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers have solidified their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s premiership credentials with a hard fought 1-0 heritage round win against Sydney United 58 at Lambert Park on Saturday.
A thunderous second half volley from substitute Matthew West was the difference between the two sides in a tense encounter.
It was a valuable three points for the home side as they ended the eight game unbeaten run of Mark Rudan’s Reds.
Sydney Olympic FC 4 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 1 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic has claimed a 4-1 win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles during their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues
NSW Men’s Heritage Round clash at Belmore Sports Ground.
Two late goals to Radovan Pavicevic and Jason Madonis in added time wrapped up the three points for Olympic after the match was evenly balanced at 2-1 going into the final seconds of the game.
Madonis had earlier opened the scoring before Olympic doubled its lead when Yu Kuboki struck with 25 minutes left to play. A goal from Bonnyrigg defender Sam Gallaway brought Brian Brown’s team back into the match heading into the match’s final stages.
However, Bonnyrigg were unable to deliver during the final ten minutes of the match as Olympic struck twice to secure all three competition points.
The win cements Olympic’s position in the top five while Bonnyrigg’s resurgence faces yet another speed bump
Manly United FC 1 – Sutherland Sharks 2 at Cromer Park
It was the same old story for Manly United on Sunday afternoon in their 2-1 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s defeat against Sutherland at Cromer Park.
Celebrating Heritage Round, the hosts were keen to put on a show, but once again poor finishing was their achilles heel.
A Brendan Cholakian goal had the home side in front after 25 minutes, but it was a lead which wouldn’t last.
Sutherland struck midway through the second half scoring twice in eight minutes courtesy of strikes from Tomohiro Kajiyama and Nathan Elasi.
A last ditch fightback from Manly wasn’t enough as Grant Lee’s Sutherland side collected all three points.
Blacktown City FC 2 – Hakoah Sydney City East FC 0 at Lilys Football Stadium
Blacktown City joined APIA Leichhardt Tigers at the top of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s table after a streetwise 2-0 victory over Hakoah Sydney City East at Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Mitchell Mallia’s sublime first half free-kick and a header from City skipper Zachary Cairncross helped the hosts build an unassailable 2-0 lead at the break.
Mark Crittenden’s side needed to ride their luck at times during the second half, with Hakoah denied twice by the post, Blacktown diligently ground their way to three points.
City trail the ladder-leading Tigers on goal difference with the Lambert Park outfit three goals ahead of the 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s champions on the competition table.
Hakoah remain rooted in mid-table after their run of four unbeaten games came to a halt at the hands of their Blacktown opponents.
Wollongong Wolves FC 3 – Parramatta FC 0 at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves gave their finals aspirations a much needed boost with a 3-0 win over Parramatta FC in their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s heritage round clash at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
It was one way traffic for the home side as star signing Nick Montgomery opened his account for the Wolves while Christopher Price and Patrick Antelmi also hit the back of the net
The visitors disappointed again in a performance not to be remembered on the road.
The victory kept finals football in range for Jacob Timpano’s Wollongong side with 10 weeks left to play.
Rockdale City Suns FC 2 – Sydney FC 0 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns cruised to a 2-0 win over Sydney FC in their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Heritage Round match at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Brayden Sorge and Aleksander Canak either side of halftime ended a run of three straight losses for the home side.
Sydney FC might have pulled a goal or two back after an improved second half performance, but Rockdale were well worth their win, and held their opponents out for a clean sheet and three crucial points.
The result consolidates Rockdale’s position in the top five as they finish the round in fourth position on 24 points.