Round 7 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

Week seven of the National Premier Leagues Men’s season is in the book after another thrilling round of match action.

Rockdale Ilinden is back on top of the table for the first time since round two after a crucial road win at Northbridge Bulls on Saturday night.

Sydney United 58 remain in the premiership despite a scoreless draw on Sunday, while Manly United drop down the ladder after their first defeat of the season on Friday night.

Mt Druitt moves into fourth place and Blacktown rounds out the finals places in fifth while Northbridge Bulls drop two places to seventh.

Remember you can catch up with every second of the round seven action on NPL.TV

Manly United FC 0 – Sydney Olympic FC 2 at Cromer Park

Sydney Olympic ended Manly United’s unbeaten start to the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a professional 2-0 victory at Cromer Park on Friday night.

Goals at either side of the break ensured the former NSL giants took three points away from the Northern Beaches.

Jason Madonis broke the deadlock from the spot in virtually the last action of the opening stanza before Fabian Monge added a second midway through the final 45.

It was also a welcome return to ex-Manly United star Brendan Cholakian who returned back to his former stomping ground where he left a winner with his new club.

Northbridge Bulls FC 0 – Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre

A late Alec Urosevski strike has helped Rockdale Ilinden snatch a late 1-0 victory against Northbridge Bulls FC at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday night.

It was a contest in which chances had to be earned, and Rockdale Ilinden FC was able to make their one count.

Urosevski was the hero yet again for Rockdale, finding the back of the net from the penalty spot with only five minutes left on the clock.

The result was a reality check for the Bulls, who were without the magic they displayed in their dominant win against Sydney United in round six.

Blacktown City FC 0 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 at Lily Homes Stadium

Jack Stewart scored a shock winner for Mount Druitt Town Rangers at Lily Homes Stadium to steal a 1-0 win from under the noses of Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Blacktown who dominated the contest but paid the price for poor finishing and a defensive lapse in the dying stages as the Rangers took home the Blacktown Mayors Cup.

It was the Rangers second straight win with the Stewart Montgomery coached side beginning to find their feet after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

The three points move Mt Druitt into the finals places in fourth, while Blacktown City drop to fifth.

Sydney United 58 FC 0 – Wollongong Wolves 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre

A ten-man Sydney United 58 has clung on for a point in a 0-0 draw with Wollongong Wolves at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Forced to play a man down for close to an hour after Chris Payne was sent off, United held out a sloppy Wolves outfit as both sides played out a scoreless stalemate.

The home side had their chances early in the match but was forced to sit back and defend after Payne’s dismissal.

Wollongong had chances to win it in the dying stages but could not get the job done against a resolute United 58 defence.

APIA Leichhardt FC 1 – Marconi Stallions 1 at Lambert Park

A ten-man Marconi Stallions has held on for a 1-1 draw against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was a determined derby performance from the Stallions who equalised early in the second half before clinging on for a point after going down to ten men only moments later.

APIA opened the scoring in spectacular style courtesy of a Paul Galimi stunner in the 51st minute.

However, the visitors were back on level pegging through Mitch Mallia less than 10 minutes later.

Mark Rodic was sent for an early shower after receiving a red card in the 64th minute with the Stallions digging deep to secure a hard-fought point.

Sydney FC 2  – Sutherland Sharks 2 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

A James Andrew goal in the dying seconds has helped Sutherland Sharks snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sydney FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday night.

It was Andrew’s second goal of the game with the pacy striker clinching a crucial point for the Sharks on the road.

Sydney FC thought they had done enough for victory after Patrick Wood and Jordi Swibel each scored in quick succession to give the Young Sky Blues the lead with only 10 minutes left on the clock.

However, it wasn’t to be with Andrew snatching the equaliser deep into added time to ensure the visitors didn’t go home empty-handed.