Round three of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition is in the books, and there is a new leader with Sydney United 58 finishing the week on top of the table.
United 58 have leapfrogged Rockdale Ilinden after a strong win in round three, while the reigning Premiers were held to a draw.
It was a big week for Manly United, Wollongong Wolves and Sydney Olympic, who all claimed their first wins of the season.
Remember you can catch-up on all the weekend’s match action on NPL.TV.
Manly United 1- Blacktown City 0 at Cromer Park
Manly United secured their first three points of the season with a tight 1-0 victory over a ten-man Blacktown City outfit at Cromer Park on Friday night.
A first-half goal on starting debut from winger Daniel Fabrizio split the sides, despite a gutsy showing from Mark Crittenden’s men who hung in the contest despite being reduced to ten men for the entirety of the second half after Jak O’Brien’s dismissal.
Unlike Manly’s last two fixtures, there was no late twist to the tale as the Northern Beaches outfit was greeted by an almighty roar from their home fans as they maintained their unbeaten run the expense of the previously undefeated Blacktown.
Sutherland Sharks 0 – Sydney United 58 2 at Seymour Shaw Park
A Patrick Antelmi brace has helped Sydney United 58 keep their flawless start to the season alive with a 2-0 victory against Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.
The visitors made it three wins from three starts in the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, with Antelmi finding the back of the net on either side of the interval to enforce a first defeat of the season on Sutherland.
Despite trading blows with United 58 in the opening stages, the Sharks could not contain their opponents free-scoring attack.
It could’ve been more for United as Antelmi missed his chance at a hattrick late, but it wouldn’t stop the visitors from taking all three points.
Sydney Olympic 1 – APIA Leichhardt 0 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic secured their first win of the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a 1-0 victory against local rivals APIA Leichhardt on Saturday afternoon at Belmore Sportsground.
With pressure building for both teams after difficult starts to the season, it was a clean header from Olympic defender Thomas Whiteside that separated the two teams at the final whistle.
It was the second straight defeat for APIA, who are yet to win a game this season.
Marconi Stallions 3 v Rockdale Ilinden 3 at Marconi Stadium
A late goal from Mitchell Stamatellis has snatched a draw for Rockdale Ilinden in a six-goal thriller with Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium.
The result maintains Rockdale’s undefeated record to start the season, while for Marconi, it was another frustrating game without a win.
It was a high tempo encounter that could have gone either way. Marconi led 2-0 before Rockdale equalised only to see Marconi pull ahead again for 3-2.
However, Stamatellis put away the definitive equaliser for the visitors to secure a point in the end.
Wollongong Wolves 3 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers o at Albert Butler Memorial Sports Centre
A comprehensive second-half performance at Albert Butler Park saw Wollongong Wolves claim their first victory of the season in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a 3-0 win.
It was a return to form for the Luke Wilkshire coached side, who netted a trio of goals in a brilliant second-half performance.
Hamish Lamberton opened the Wolves’ scoring in the 47th minute before Darcey Madden, and Lachlan Scott got in on the act to wrap up all three points.
Sydney FC 3 – Northbridge Bulls 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC has held on for a 3-2 win against Northbridge Bulls at Rockdale.
It was the Young Sky Blues second win of the season and their first-ever against the renamed Bulls.
Sydney took the lead after 27 minutes through Patrick Yazbek before Rory Jordan levelled the scores only moments later.
Jaiden Kucharski and Harry Van der Saag’s pair of goals helped the home side to a 3-1 advantage early in the second stanza.
A penalty in the 60th minute was converted by the Bulls Stephen de Robilliard to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finish.
However, it wasn’t to be as Sydney FC clung on for all three points.