Round 9 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 9 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Competition is in the books at it Wollongong yet again at the top of the pile.
The Wolves have stretched their incredible unbeaten run to nine weeks and have been the league leaders from the opening day of the season.
Second placed APIA reversed their recent downturn in form on Saturday night to keep the heat on Wollongong while Sydney United 58 cemented their claim to third spot with a narrow win on Sunday night.
Marconi suffered their first defeat in weeks against a resurgent Sydney Olympic, while Rockdale continue to gather momentum after claiming their fourth straight league win.
With the midway point of the season only two weeks away the pressure is building and the battle for finals spots is only going to get tougher from here.
Sydney FC 1 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 at Lambert Park
Chris Payne helped APIA Leichhardt Tigers return to winning form with two goals in their 3-1 win over Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Payne scored either side of halftime before setting up Franco Parisi for APIA’s third.
Benjamin Koop came on late to score a consolation goal for the hosts.
The Tigers were made to work for their win, with Ivan Necevski putting in a particularly impressive performance between the sticks.
The result keeps APIA in second position only ahead of Sydney United 58 on gaol difference
Marconi Stallions 1 – Sydney Olympic 3 at Marconi Stadium
An Alejandro Sanchez brace has helped Sydney Olympic put an end to Marconi’s four game unbeaten run with a 3-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.
Sanchez was in inspired form for the reigning champions to help Olympic to consecutive wins for only the second time this season.
It appeared as if Marconi were on their way to another high scoring performance when Anthony Frangie gave the home side the lead inside two minutes.
However, Sanchez struck back immediately for Olympic before finding the back of the net again midway through the second half to give his side the lead.
Nikola Kuleski wrapped up the result in the dying stages with a sublime free-kick to condemn Marconi to their first defeat in over a month.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 – Sutherland Sharks 1 at Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt has fought back to claim a valuable point in a 1-1 draw against Sutherland Sharks at Popondetta Park on Saturday night.
Mount Druitt again showed they are meant for this level, as the home side matched it with Sutherland equalising with a moment of magic from Fabricio Fernandez on the hour mark.
The Rangers couldn’t find the vital second goal to avoid back-to-back draws.
For Sutherland Sharks, it was a missed opportunity to get themselves off the bottom of the ladder. Jeremy Cox drilled home the opener, as the visitors held sway for the first half but much like the home side, their finishing deserted them.
Wollongong Wolves 4 – Blacktown City 0 at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves turned on the style to fire past Blacktown City with a 4-0 victory at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
A brace from leading scorer Thomas James and goals to Taylor McDonald and Nicholas Litter helped the Wolves to their first win over Blacktown City since June 2010.
The win ensures Luke Wilkshire’s side maintain their four-point lead at the top of the 2019 National Premier League NSW Men’s ladder
For Blacktown it was a tough day at the office as they continued their struggles in front of goal before falling away defensively in the second half.
Rockdale City Suns 2 – Manly United 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns incredible midseason turnaround has added another chapter with a 2-1 comeback win against Manly United at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
It was Rockdale’s fourth straight league win and sixth overall since interim boss Nick Porecca took charge of the Suns helping lift them into the top five for the first time since round two.
A brilliant solo effort from Manly’s Brendan Cholakian gave the visitors the perfect start but it wasn’t to be as the home side found their rhythm in the closing stages of the first half when Jordan Figon levelled the score.
A brilliant header from Sasa Macura midway through the second half wrapped up the win for Rockdale and a vital three points.
Sydney United 58 2 – Hakoah Sydney City East 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 recorded a 2-0 win over Hakoah Sydney City East in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday
United forced their way above Sydney Olympic into third spot thanks to a cracking strike from the dead ball by Matthew Bilic while Glen Trifiro wrapped up the result in the dying stages of the clash with a goal to secure the 2-0 win.
The loss means Hakoah remain in ninth spot and extending their winless run to six matches.