Round 6 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Wollongong Wolves hold onto top spot on the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition for the sixth straight week after a massive Round six wrapped up on Sunday.
The Wolves needed a late goal from the competition’s top marksman Thomas Jane to ensure they snatched a point from a visiting Mt Druitt side and cling onto first place.
APIA Leichhardt missed a chance to leapfrog Wollongong after they were held to a scoreless draw by Hakoah Sydney City East.
Marconi Stallions claimed the biggest win of the week with a 5-0 drubbing of Sydney United 58 in what was a result nobody would have expected going into the weekend’s action.
Rockdale returned to the winners circle after the sacking of Paul Reid last week with victory against reigning premiers Sydney Olympic.
Finally Blacktown City jumped into the top three with a narrow win against Sydney FC.
Sutherland Sharks 0 – Manly United FC 0 at Seymour Shaw
A ten-man Sutherland Sharks have ended their four game losing streak after holding on for a scoreless draw against Manly United at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.
It was a hard earned point for the bottom of the table Sharks who were lucky to not concede a late goal after captain Marc Warren was sent for an early shower after receiving a second yellow card.
Both sides had their chances but paid the price for poor finishing in front of goal.
Goalkeepers Anthony Bouzanis and Dylan Mitchell were stand out performers as the Sharks and United ensure they took something away from an at times dour contest.
Sydney FC 0 – Blacktown City FC 1 at Lambert Park
James Demetriou scored a late goal to give Blacktown City a 1-0 win against Sydney FC in a tense encounter at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Neither side appeared capable of creating a chance in the final third for much of the game, and Demetriou’s goal did little to improve this match as a spectacle.
Still, Blacktown City won’t be particularly concerned by the entertainment on display, as they take three well-earned points back to Lily Homes Stadium at the end of Round 6.
Marconi Stallions FC 5 – Sydney United 58 0 at Marconi Stadium
A first half demolition job from Marconi Stallions have condemned Sydney United 58 to a humiliating 5-0 loss at Marconi Stadium on Saturday Night.
The Stallions star studded line-up was at their destructive best as they scored five unanswered goals in the first half to claim an emphatic victory against their local rivals.
New recruit Mitch Mallia opened the scoring inside the first 60 seconds before braces to Marko Jesic and Mirjan Pavlovic secured the five goal drubbing.
It was a shock result for third placed United 58 who had no answers in a tough day at the office for the Miro Vlastelica coached outfit.
Wollongong Wolves 1- Mount Druitt Town Rangers 1 at WIN Stadium
A late Thomas Jane penalty has helped Wollongong Wolves keep their unbeaten start to the season alive after they fought back to claim a 1-1 draw with Mount Druitt Town Rangers at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
The home side looked like their impressive start to the campaign was set to come to an end at the hands of a inspired Rangers team but Jane’s 77th minute finish from the spot saved the day in front of the Wolves faithful.
Wollongong had more of the chances in the first half but it was the visiting side who took the lead when a quick Alex Boyadjian counter-attack gave Mt Druitt a 1-0 advantage after 53 minutes.
However, Wollongong’s fighting spirit came through late with Mt Druitt sure to rue what could’ve been.
Rockdale City Suns 2 – Sydney Olympic 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns secured their second win of the season over a 10-man Sydney Olympic at Illinden Sports Centre on Sunday evening.
A goal to Khanh Hoon Cho and a penalty to Patrick Savor cancelled Olympic’s lone goal from Dimi Petratos to secure the victory for the home side.
The win was crucial to the Suns campaign after the departure of coach Paul Reid earlier in the week.
For Olympic the result could prove costly with the loss of Hagi Gligor to Injury a major blow.
Hakoah Sydney City East 0 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 at Hensley Athletic Field.
A dogged Hakoah Sydney City East has denied APIA Leichhardt Tigers from taking top spot after holding their opponents to a 0-0 draw at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday.
Hakoah fought hard for 90 minutes to silence APIA’s high profile attack doing enough to claim a point and deny their opponents the chance to finish the round on top of the ladder.
Both sides had their chances to break the deadlock but the combination of determined defence and sloppy finishing proved costly for Hakoah and APIA.
