Round 10 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Wollongong Wolves’ perfect season is no more with their defeat at the hands of Rockdale City Suns the big story after another big week of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
After nine games unbeaten, Wollongong finally suffered their first loss in round 10 as the chasing pack close in on the league leaders.
It was a week of exciting matches with Round 10 featuring a number of dramatic late goals and nail biting results.
The battle for finals places is as tight as ever with only six points separating first from fifth.
Blacktown and Mt Druitt were the other winners in week 10 while Sutherland, Sydney FC, Sydney Olympic, APIA, Manly and Sydney United all took home a point.
Wollongong Wolves 0 – Rockdale City Suns 1 at WIN Stadium
A long-range strike from Alec Urosevski has helped Rockdale City Suns snap Wollongong Wolves incredible nine game undefeated streak with a 1-0 win at WIN Stadium on Saturday.
It was league leader Wollongong’s first defeat of the season and the first match they were unable to find the back of the net.
Urosevski’s 31st minute strike was the only goal of the encounter, with the visitors holding off a strong Wolves attack in the second half to secure their fifth league win in a row since interim boss Nick Porecca took over the side.
The result catapults Rockdale into second on the ladder and cuts Wollongong’s lead over the chasing pack down to two points.
Sutherland Sharks 1 – Sydney FC 1 at Seymour Shaw
A last gasp goal from Charles Lokolingoy has stunned his former side to help Sutherland Sharks to a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.
It was the former Sydney FC ace’s debut match in Sharks colours after only joining the club this week and what a maiden performance it was.
The match was a story of missed opportunities for the home side but Lokolingoy’s strike helped the NPL NSW cellar dwellers to a vital point.
For Sydney FC, it was almost the perfect game plan. Substitute Hamish Lamberton nodded home a goal to get them ahead in the 82nd minute but they weren’t able to hold on for the three points, leaving them enough to work for for next week.
APIA Leichhardt 1 – Manly United 1 at Lambert Park
An incredible last ditch goal from Chris Payne in added time has helped APIA Leichhardt Tigers snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manly United at Lambert Park on Saturday.
The former Manly striker came back to haunt his former club to save the Tigers from defeat with a brilliant display of goal poaching in the final seconds of the match.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the boys from the Northern Beaches who thought Brendan Cholakian’s first half penalty would be enough to secure all three points.
However, it wasn’t to be for Manly as they slipped up in the dying stages to give APIA a morale boosting result.
Blacktown City 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 at Lily Homes Stadium
Mani Gonzalez proved the difference at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Blacktown City overcame Marconi Stallions 1-0 in Round 10.
Gonzalez scored midway through the first half, hitting a clever shot past Nenad Vekic after finding space on the right.
Marconi’s cause was hardly helped by Yianni Nicolaou, who earned himself a red card just minutes after the halftime break to leave the Stallions a man down as they chased the game.
The Stallions rallied well in the second half, but Blacktown were able to see out the pressure to edge their first win since Round 6.
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Mount Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Hensley Athletic Field
An Alex Boyadjian goal deep in added time has helped Mount Druitt Town Rangers claim a dramatic 2-1 win against Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday.
With scores locked as regulation time elapsed, Boyadjian was the man on the spot to fire home as the final seconds elapsed to give Mt Druitt their first win in seven league matches.
The visitors were the ones to break the deadlock after 35 minutes when a brilliant free-kick from Fabricio Fernandez hit the back of the net.
Hakoah finally found an equaliser with 12 minutes left on the clock thanks to James Coombes but it wasn’t to be enough as The Rangers snatched the winner at the death.
Sydney United 1 – Sydney Olympic 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre
An inspired performance by shot stopper Thomas Manos has helped Sydney United 58 claim a point against rivals Sydney Olympic after a 1-1 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.
The United goalkeeper made save after save to stop a relentless Olympic attack in a thrilling match between the traditional rivals.
Peter Simonoski’s 60th minute goal saw the home side take the lead early in the second half.
However, Olympic was quick to respond, with Radovan Pavicevic equalising for the visitors in the 63rd minute to finish the game square.
A late flurry from the visitors threatened to pinch all three points but United 58 clung on to secure a hard earned point.
