Round 16 – NPL NSW Men’s Review

Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues NSW season is in the books and the battle for the Premiership is now a two horse are between APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Sydney Olympic. 

Sydney Olympic were tested this week by a determined Marconi outfit but did enough to secure all three points.

APIA were determined to not let Olympic stretch their lead at the top of the pile and comprehensively defeated Rockdale City Suns to keep the gap at only four points between first and second.

Blacktown CIty’s struggles stretched to a third week as they were held to a draw by Manly.

Sydney FC snapped their losing streak with victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Wollongong were triumphant against Hakoah while Sydney United 58 moved into third with a win against Sutherland Sharks.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1- Sydney FC 2 at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

A 10-man Sydney FC has ended their losing streak with a 2-1 victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Saturday

It was an incredible performance from the Young Sky Blues who lost Luke Ivanovic to a red card in the 6th minute.

A crazy opening 10 minutes saw Sam Mcillhatton put FC in front before Ivanovic saw red and Jaewook Woo then had the White Eagles level.

A second half strike by Jerry Skotadis saw Sydney FC take all three points.

Wollongong Wolves 2 – Hakoah Sydney City East 1 at WIN Stadium

A dramatic injury time goal has helped Wollongong Wolves snatch a 2-1 victory against Hakoah Sydney City East on Saturday.

Peter Simonoski’s 90th minute strike sent the home fans into raptures as Wollongong made it back to back wins.

The goal was SImonoski’s second of the night with the young striker hitting the back of the net in the 75th and 90th minutes.

It was another heartbreaking result for Hakoah who pushed Wollongong all the way but lacked the discipline to hold out and claim a point from the contest.

Sydney United 58 FC 3 – Sutherland Sharks 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 has cruised to a 3-1 win against Sutherland Sharks at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Goals to Glen Trifiro, Tariq Mair, and Mathew Sim helped the home side collect all three points in their second three goal effort in as many weeks.

Nick Littler netted a late goal for Sutherland but it proved to be mere consolation for Grant Lee’s side.

The win moved United 58 into third spot on the ladder leapfrogging rivals Blacktown CIty FC.

Sydney Olympic FC 2 – Marconi Stallions 1 at Lambert Park

An Alejandro Sanchez double has helped Sydney Olympic FC to a 2-1 victory against Marconi Stallions at Lambert Park on Saturday.

The Spaniard struck in both halves as Olympic held out a determined Stallions outfit to stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

Olympic were rewarded for a positive start to the match when Sanchez fired a brilliant shot from the edge of the box into the net after 21 minutes to open the scoring.

Marconi snatched an equaliser on halftime as Sean O’Connell’s quick thinking helped him tap home Marko Jesic’s missed penalty after it rebounded off the cross bar.

However it wasn’t to be for the visitors as Sanchez found his second of the match to give Olympic the win and take him to the top of the Golden Boot standings with 11 for the season.

Manly United FC 1 – Blacktown City FC 1 at Cromer Park

Manly United and Blacktown City shared the points after an intriguing 1-1 draw at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

In what was very much a game of two halves, Manly should have led by more than a single Dylan Macallister goal at the break.

However a second half Blacktown resurgence saw the visitors pull one back through Giorgio Speranza, before almost snatching an unlikely victory.

In a high quality contest, both sides experienced lengthy periods of possession but were unable to effectively capitalise upon chances created.

Both clubs are now four weeks without a win, but were provided with plenty of positives to focus on heading into the business end of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park

A Jordan Murray hat-trick helped APIA Leichhardt Tigers to a 4-1 win over Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park.

Tasuku Sekiya opened the scoring in the first half after good work by Corey Biczo, before Murray struck thrice to take his tally to 14 goals for the season.

Half-time substitute Toufic Alameddine scored a consolation for the visitors, but it was far too little, far too late.

The result cuts Sydney Olympic’s lead at the top of the table to four points and keeps APIA in with a fighting chance of snatching the premiership for the second straight year.