Round 5 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

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Wollongong Wolves has cemented their spot on the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder but APIA Leichhardt Tigers are hot on their tail.

The South Coast side added another win to their tally to secure another week as the league’s top team after a big week five in the NPL NSW.

Winning form doesn’t only reside in Wollongong with APIA delivering another big performance to thrash rivals Rockdale, while Manly United also clinched all three points for the second week in a row with victory against Blacktown City.

Mt Druitt had a hard reality check with their second loss in three days as Sydney FC eased to victory at Popondetta Park.

Marconi Stadium was the site of the final match of Round 5 with the Stallions running out 3-1 victors over Hakoah Sydney City East thanks to a brace from marksman Mirjan Pavolvic.

Sutherland Sharks 2 – Sydney United 58 3 at Seymour Shaw
A 93rd minute winner from Tariq Maia has lifted Sydney United 58 to a dramatic last gasp 3-2 victory against Sutherland Sharks during their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Seymour Shaw on Saturday night.

The talented midfielder delivered at the death with a clinical finish to give United 58 a return to winning ways.

It was Sutherland’s fourth straight defeat and was yet another frustrating result despite a strong performance for the boys from the Shire.

United 58’s Glen Trifiro scored twice but his efforts were cancelled out by goals to Jeremy Cox and a Raul Romero penalty for Sutherland.

However, it wasn’t enough to settle the tie as Maia netted at the second attempt in time added on.

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 2 – Sydney FC 4 at Popondetta Park
A Jordan Swibel double has spurred Sydney FC Sydney FC to a stunning second half comeback to defeat Mount Druitt Town Rangers 4-2 at Popondetta Park on Saturday.

An inspired substitution from Young Sky Blues coach Jimmy van Weeren lifted the side in the second half as the injection of Hamish Lamberton helped them to four second half goals and the win.

Lamberton entered the game in the 62nd minute, produced a fierce strike with his first touch then assisted a pair of goals for Jordan Swibel and a deflected own goal to give Sydney FC their second victory of the season.

For Mount Druitt Town Rangers, they leaked four goals after Cooper Coskerie and Jordan Gomez had given them a 2-0 half-time lead.

Once the Sky Blues got a foothold in the contest, the home side panicked and made it ten goals shipped within a week for the promoted side.

Manly United 1 – Blacktown City 0 at Cromer Park
Manly United laboured their way to a valuable 1-0 victory over a fast-finishing Blacktown City at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

The match’s sole strike arrived just prior to the hour mark, as Adam Parkhouse pirouetted inside the penalty area and clinically tucked the ball home past Tristan Prendergast.

However, the vocal Northern Beaches crowd were forced to endure a nail-biting finale, as the visitors heaped on the pressure in spades.

But Manly’s ever-reliable shot-stopper Dylan Mitchell was up to the task time and time again, producing a hatfull of remarkable saves to secure himself a treasured maiden clean sheet for the campaign.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4 – Rockdale City Suns 0 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers have heaped extra misery on a struggling Rockdale City Suns outfit with a 4-0  demolition job of they rivals during their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was a one sided display with APIA rarely looking troubled throughout the 90 minutes as they handed Rockdale their third defeat in as many games.

Chris Payne followed on from last week’s hat-trick performance by scoring a double in the win while captain Sean Symons and new signing Andre De Jong also finding the back of the net.

It was the third straight game Rockdale’s high profile attack failed to score leaving coach Paul Reid with some big decisions to make if he is to help the side resuscitate their season.

Sydney Olympic 0 – Wollongong Wolves 2 at Belmore Sports Ground
Wollongong proved they are serious contenders for silverware this season, continuing their undefeated start to the season with a 2-0 win over reigning Champions Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday evening.

The visitors extended their lead at the top of the ladder, capitalising on their chances to take all three points thanks to goals from Lachlan Scott and Darcy Madden.

Wollongong’s defensive prowess was crucial to their victory as they kept out the home side who continued their attacking pressure until the last moments of the game.

Marconi Stallions 3 – Hakoah Sydney City East 1 at Marconi Stadium

A Mirjan Pavlovic brace has helped inspire Marconi Stallions back into the winners circle as the claimed a 3-1 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s win against Hakoah Sydney City at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.

Pavlovic found the back of the net each side of the interval as his Marconi Side secured only their second win of the 2019 season.

The veteran striker notched his first after 16 minutes to give the Stallions the perfect start but Hakoah’s Shohei Okhuno equalised for the visitors sending both sides into the break deadlocked at one apiece.

Marconi lifted their game in the second stanza with Marko Jesic scoring only moments after the restart before Pavlovic wrapped up the result by scoring his second of the night.