Round 6 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

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Sydney Olympic has proven they are not to be underestimated with their hard fought win against Blacktown City one of the highlights of a huge sixth round of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition. 

Olympic’s win puts pressure on league leaders APIA Leichhardt Tigers who also tasted victory in round 6.

Manly United showed they shouldn’t be written of with an incredible comeback from 3-0 down to snatch a draw against Rockdale City Suns, while Sydney United 58 has moved up the ladder with their fourth straight win.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0 – Sutherland Sharks 3 at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Sutherland Sharks produced a counter-attacking masterclass on Saturday evening to defeat a hapless Bonnyrigg White Eagles by a 3-0 scoreline at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre.

Adrian Vranic did the damage with a marvellous hattrick as Grant Lee’s men defied the odds to take all three points from their out of form yet highly fancied opposition.

The hero of the evening headed his side into the lead with the first opportunity of the match before doubling his side’s advantage from the penalty spot in the second half.

Vranic then put the icing on the cake in the closing minutes with his third of the evening to seal an impressive away victory and take home the match ball.

The match featured an incredible quantity of defensive blocks from the Sharks as their organised and aggressive defence showed a perfect blend of character and desperation to firmly hold onto an impressive clean sheet.

The result compounds a frustrating spell for Bonnyrigg who will need to dust themselves off over the coming weeks to get their 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW campaign to remotely follow the predicted script.

Manly United FC 3 – Rockdale City Suns 3 at Cromer Park

Manly United have completed an incredible comeback to snatch 3-3 draw with Rockdale City Suns at Cromer Park on Saturday.

The reigning Champions appeared down and out after conceding three goals in the opening 27 minutes but an inspired fightback ensured the Northern Beaches side took home a point in a six goal thriller.

An attacking flurry from Rockdale had Manly searching for answers midway through the first half as Alec Urosevski, Blake Ricciuto and Jordan Figon all hit the back of the net to give the visitors a seemingly unattainable lead.

But Manly, playing only their second home game of the season, gave their fans plenty to smile about with a spirited fightback as Nikola Taneski, Jamie Lobb and Dylan Macallister all scored to claim an unlikely draw.

Marconi Stallions 1 – Hakoah Sydney City East 1 at Marconi Stadium

It was a frustrating night for Marconi Stallions and Hakoah Sydney City East FC as the two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Marconi Stadium.

neither side reached their potential in a night off missed opportunities and ill-disciplined play.

Both sides were coming off a loss in the previous week and it was  the Marconi Stallions struck just before half-time, as Sean Rooney lashed an effort past the keeper. Before the referee could signal the end of the half, Andre De Jong nodded in an equaliser for the visitors.

The second half was littered with half chances for both sides, but it came to naught as the game ended a stalemate as Stallions coach Peter Tsekensis admitted that not winning has become a habit recently for his side.

Sydney United 58 2 – Wollongong Wolves 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 won its fourth match in a row after second half goals from Chris Payne and Panny Nikas helped the Reds to a 2-0 victory over Wollongong Wolves at Sydney United Sports Centre.

After a battling opening forty five minutes, Payne slammed home a Nikas cutback to put Jason Culina’s side ahead on the hour mark before the mercurial midfielder made sure of the victory with his fifth of the season on the stroke of full time.

The win pushes Culina’s Reds into second place on the competition ladder with second-placed Sydney Olympic and third-placed Blacktown City meeting at Belmore later on Sunday afternoon.

Having opened the campaign with two back to back losses the performance over Wollongong will bolster confidence around Edensor Park with the side set to take on strugglers Hakoah Sydney City East and Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the next fortnight.

Sydney Olympic FC 1 – Blacktown City FC 0 at Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic has ended Blacktown City’s unbeaten record with a 1-0 win in a drama filled match at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.

There was no love lost between both National Premier Leagues NSW Premiership contenders during a fierce contest which featured two red cards.

Sydney Olympic maintain their unbeaten home record with a solitary headed strike from skipper Max Burgess the difference.

It was only the second goal conceded by Blacktown City this season as Mark Crittenden’s side dropped points for the second straight week after they was unable to find an equaliser despite a late flurry.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 3 – Sydney FC 0 at Lambert Park 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers have cruised to victory against Sydney FC with a flurry ten minutes from half time helping them to a 3-0 triumph at Lambert Park on Sunday.

Sydney FC conceded a penalty in the first stanza of play before two late APIA goals going into the halftime interval gave the Tigers an unassailable lead going into the break.

Jordan Murray struck from the spot after 30 minutes before netting a second only minutes later. Tasuku Sekiya wrapped up the result with a goal on the cusp of half time.

Despite the result it was a solid performance from Sydney FC who paid the price for a lapse of concentration late in the first half.