Round 6 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

Round six of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition is in the bag and it was another huge weekend of state league action as it produced the biggest shock result of the 2021 season thus far.

Manly United are top of the table and the only team yet to lose a game this season, leapfrogging Sydney United 58 into first place.

The battle for the top five is heating up with United 58 in second spot, but only on goal difference, while Rockdale, Blacktown City and Northbridge FC make up the remaining places in the top five. 

APIA Leichhardt remains in last place but is only one win away from catapulting up the standings. 

Remember, if you missed any of the action from round six you can watch replays and highlights of all games on NPL.TV

Marconi Stallions 2- Wollongong Wolves 2 at Marconi Stadium

Wollongong Wolves have fought back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium on Friday.

Strikes from Darcy Madden and Stefan Dimovski helped the visitors take a valuable point after going behind early in the contest.

It was a frustrating result for the Stallions, who looked set for back-to-back wins after a brace from Marko Jesic inside the first 20 minutes.

However, it wasn’t to be for the home side as Wollongong rallied with the game on the line.

Manly United 2 – Sydney FC 0 at Cromer Park

Youngster Ben Gibson stole the show with a goal minutes into his senior debut as Manly United maintained their unbeaten start to the National Premier Leagues NSW season with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC at Cromer Park on Good Friday.

The win moved Manly United to the top of the NPL NSW ladder as their incredible start to the campaign continues.

Despite a slow start to the match from Manly, Jack Fulton opened the scoring for the home side only moments after the restart

Debutant Gibson doubled the advantage in the 77th minute as the boys from the Northern Beaches cruised to another brilliant win.

Sutherland Sharks FC 0 – Blacktown City FC 2 at Seymour Shaw Park

A Mario Shabow double has helped Blacktown City to a 2-0 win against a ten-man Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.

Strikes on either side of the interval from the former A-League attacking dynamo Shabow were the difference as Blacktown made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

A red card to Sharks striker Peter Simonoski in the first half made it tough for the home side to keep pace with their opponents as they looked to secure an unlikely draw.

However, it wasn’t to be with Blacktown securing all three points to stay in the finals race.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 – Sydney Olympic FC 1 at Popondetta Park

The Easter Bunny waved its magic at Popondetta Park on Saturday night as Mt Druitt Town Rangers returned to the winner’s circle with a 2-1 win against Sydney Olympic.

The Rangers regrouped after a devastating 4-1 round 5 loss to the Sutherland Sharks as their resilient defence led by Travis Oughtred, Blake Thompson and skipper Carlos Saliadarre proved telling in their memorable win over highly fancied opponents.

The hosts repelled the waves of Sydney Olympic attacks in the first half before they opened the scoring through Japanese star Fumoto Kamada. They were pegged back but Cooper Coskerie touched home to give the home side the chocolates..

It was a tough night for Olympic who were on the front foot but couldn’t find the net.

Blues substitute Yu Hasegawa equalised with ten to go but the points melted away late in a night of frustration for the visitors.

Rockdale Ilinden FC 2 – APIA Leichhardt FC 0 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden FC have returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over APIA Leichhardt on Sunday afternoon at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

It was a hard-fought battle between the two teams but first-half goals to Tomoki Wada and Kyle Cimenti were unanswered by a hapless APIA side, who struggled to find momentum after recording their first win of the season over Sutherland in a midweek clash.

The result moves Rockdale only one point behind ladder leaders Manly United, while APIA remain slumped at the bottom of the table in 12th on four points.

Sydney United 58 1 – Northbridge FC 5 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 have suffered an Easter Monday humiliation after a 5-1 boilover at the hands of Northbridge Bulls.

If you looked twice when you saw the full-time score at Sydney United Sports Centre, nobody would blame you as the Bulls dismantled United 58 in one of the performances of the season so far.

Two goals within the first 10 mins and another three before the half had the Bulls cruising before United scored a late consolation.

United old boy Michael Ruhs had two to his name, as did Jake Hollman, while Moudi Najjar scored the other.

Chris Payne scored from the spot for United with just over 10 minutes to go but it was Northbridge’s day as they took home the three points in emphatic style