Round 11 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 11 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the books and so is the first half of this year’s regular season.
It was a week of tough fixtures but just like the previous 10 Rounds it is Wollongong Wolves who finish the week on top.
It was a massive week for Sydney FC who stunned reigning Champions Sydney Olympic on Friday night in a crazy game at Belmore Sports Ground.
Sutherland Sharks were millimeters away from ending their 10 week winless streak as a Charles Lokolingoy header was ruled to have not crossed the goal line in their hard fought draw against Rockdale.
Manly returned to the winners cirlce on Sunday while APIA Leichhardt needed some late heroics as they wrapped up the round with a 3-2 win against Mt Druitt.
Sydney Olympic 2 – Sydney FC 3 at Belmore Sports Ground
It was a hard-fought battle at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday night between Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC, with the young Sky Blues coming away with a shock 3-2 victory over last year’s Premiers and Champions.
Sydney FC were clinical in their execution, with Benjamin Koop, Luke Ivanovic and Joel King all scoring their goals through their fast-paced attack, while Olympic struggled to convert their chances, with Alex Sanchez’s double not enough to match the energetic young Sky Blues.
Olympic’s defeat means they drop out of the top five while Sydney FC climb up to ninth.
Sutherland Sharks 1 – Rockdale City Suns 1 at Seymour Shaw Park
A costly defensive error has cost Sutherland Sharks a break-though win as they were held 1-1 by Rockdale City Suns.
Suns’ striker Jordan Figon fired home to level the scores after Alec Urosevski pounced on a sloppy back pass to extend the Sharks winless streak to 10 games.
A sensational volley from Jeremy Cox had given Sutherland the lead after 37 minutes but it would only last for seven minutes until Rockdale found an equaliser.
It was a frustrating result as well for Rockdale as they missed the chance to move into top spot with a win.
Marconi Stallions 1 – Wollongong Wolves 3 at Marconi Stadium
A brilliant brace from Japanese midfield maestro Takeru Okada has inspired Wollongong Wolves to an incredible second half comeback to defeat Marconi Stallions 3-1 at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.
With the Wolves looking down the barrel at a second defeat in as many weeks as the Stallions took a 1-0 lead, Okada netted a pair of delightful finishes along side a Darcy Madden goal to claim all three points.
However, for the Stallions it was a game of what ifs as Peter Tsekenis’ side squandered their chances after taking the lead just after half time courtesy of Marko Jesic.
Jesic would go from hero to zero later in the match when he missed a penalty which would’ve put Marconi in the box seat to win.
The result means Wollongong stretch their lead at the top of the table while Marconi remain in the middle of the fight for a finals spot.
Blacktown City FC 1 – Hakoah Sydney City East 0 at Lily Homes Stadium
A Daniel Araujo strike has helped Blacktown City to consecutive wins as they edged Hakoah Sydney City East 1-0 at Lily Homes Stadium.
It was a match defined by the chances which were missed as both sides spurned penalties before City clung on for a hard fought three points.
Araujo found the back of the net early in the second half with a clinical headed finish from a Matthew Lewis cross.
The visitors had a chance to snatch a point when they were given a late penalty but it wasn’t to be for Hakoah as Amaury Gauthier’s spot kick was saved.
Manly United FC 3 – Sydney United 0 at Cromer Park
Manly United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sydney United 58 at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.
First-half strikes from flying wingers Charles Mendy and Adam Parkhouse gave the hosts some breathing space at the interval, before Brendan Cholakian sealed the deal with ten minutes to play.
A stubborn defensive effort from Paul Dee’s men saw the formidable firepower in United 58’s lineup restricted to half-chances for the majority of the ninety.
The result, Manly’s first victory in three and United 58’s first defeat in five, leaves both sides positioned narrowly inside the all-important top five at the mid-way point of the 2019 National Premier League NSW Men’s season.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3- Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Lambert Park
A Corey Biczo strike in the closing stages has helped APIA Leichhardt Tigers fight back to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Lambert Park on Sunday.
Goals from Sean Symons, Adrian Ucchino and Biczo gave the Tigers the edge in a thrilling end to end clash.
Toufic Allameddine opened the scoring early in the first half, before Symons equalised before the break.
Ucchino put APIA ahead a little over ten minutes after the restart but the home side were pegged back when Fabricio Fernandez scored for Mt Druitt with 10 minutes left on the clock.
However, Biczo was to have the final say in the closing stages netting the winner and a valuable three points for APIA.
