Round 13 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 13 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the book with Wollongong stretching their lead at the summit.
The Wolves clinched their 13th straight week as League leaders with a comprehensive win against second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers to extend the gap to seven points.
It was a massive week for Blacktown City who have rediscovered their shooting boots with another big win, while Marconi Stallions also roared back into contention with a dominant showing against Rockdale City Suns.
Incredibly Sutherland Sharks hold the best current results streak of any team not named Wollongong Wolves as they stretched their unbeaten run to six games .
Sydney FC 1 – Manly United 3 at Lambert Park
Manly United has fought back to claim a 3-1 victory against Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Hamish Lamberton netted early for a resilient Sydney FC but a brace via Lewis Miccio and a late Nikola Taneski strike cancelled out the early advantage in a dominant display from Manly.
It was a solid return to form for the boys from the Northern Beaches as they bounced back from last round’s loss to Sydney United 58.
The result puts them back in the race for finals football closing the gap to the top five.
Wollongong Wolves 4 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 at WIN Stadium
An outstanding second-half performance has helped Wollongong Wolves run over APIA Leichhardt Tigers in a comprehensive 4-0 at WIN Stadium on Saturday.
A brace from Thomas James – who extended his goal-scoring tally to 15 goals for the campaign – headlined the Wolves’ strong second half turn as they scored four unanswered goals to secure victory.
The result means Wollongong has cracked open a six-point lead over second placed APIA to further their dominance at the top of the competition.
The visitors uninspired display in the second half is sure to frustrate APIA coach John Calleja with Blacktown’s win putting extra pressure on the Tigers.
Sydney Olympic FC 2 – Mount Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Belmore Sports Ground
Mount Druitt Town Rangers has salvaged a point in a 2-2 draw with Sydney Olympic on Sunday evening at Belmore Sportsground.
The home side managed to quintuple the amount of shots had by Mount Druitt, but Carlos Saliadarre’s stellar efforts kept them at bay.
Alex Sanchez’s double was muffled out by goals to Alex Boyadjian and Jordan Roberts.
The draw comes in stark contrast to the last time the two teams met, where Olympic enjoyed a remarkable 6-2 victory over the Rangers.
Sydney United 58 2 – Blacktown City 4 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Blacktown City has roared back into premiership contention after fighting back to claim a 4-2 win at Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a pair of Daniel Bragg goals from the penalty spot.
Patrick Antelmi put United ahead inside a quarter of an hour, before Bragg equalised from the spot barely three minutes later.
Joey Gibbs nodded Blacktown in front early in the second half before Bragg scored his second, while Leroy Jennings added a fourth before Matt Sim came off the bench to score a late consolation for the hosts.
The result moves Blacktown up to third on the table on 23 points. Only one point behind second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers and seven behind league leaders Wollongong Wolves.
Rockdale City Suns 2 – Marconi Stallions 5 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Marconi Stallions has flexed their attacking muscle in a comprehensive 5-2 thrashing of Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The win broke a four game losing streak for the Stallions and keeps their hopes of finals football alive.
It seemed like it was going to be Rockdale’s afternoon when Jordan Figon and Idris El Hafiane gave the home side a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.
However, a first half brace to Mitch Mallia turned the game on its head with Marconi racing away with a valuable three points after scoring three goals in the second half.
Marconi move to seventh on the table with the win while Rockdale drop out of the top five into sixth.
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Sutherland Sharks 2 at Hensley Athletic Field
A costly error from Hakoah Sydney City East midfielder Adison Sayan has gifted Sutherland Sharks a late winner to snatch a 2-1 victory at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday.
It was Sutherland’s second win on the trot and sixth game unbeaten with the club re-igniting their season after a run of ten games without a win.
With the match headed for a draw and only a few minutes left on the clock, substitute Sayan set up Sharks striker Charles Lokolingoy to score with an errant pass to nobody across his own goal.
It was a heartbreaking result for Hakoah who had only 10 minutes earlier had stunned the Sharks when they made it 1-1 through an own goal from Sutherland defender Marc Warren.
It was a brilliant response from Hakoah who had trailed 1-0 since Raul Romero’s ninth minute goal, but it wasn’t to be as Lokolingoy upset their hopes of a competition point when he hit the back of the net with four minutes left on the clock.
Hakoah remain anchored to the bottom of the competition with only three wins from 13 games this season while Sutherland jump up to ninth.
