Round 12 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 12 of the National Premier League NSW Men’s competition is in the books after another big week of action.
Blacktown City hold onto top spot for a third straight week after they stretched their lead in first place with their fourth straight win.
Sydney United 58 jump into second with a derby win against Sydney Olympic, while Rockdale drop to third after being held to draw.
Northbridge Bulls were the big winners of round 12 scoring five in a one-sided display against Sutherland Sharks.
Remember you can catch up with all the weekend’s action with match replays on NPL.TV.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 – Manly United 1 at Popondetta Park
Fortress Popondetta Park has finally been breached after twelve rounds, Manly United have defeated Mt Druitt Town Rangers who had yet to taste defeat at home succumbing to a 1-0 loss on a chilly Friday evening in Sydney’s West.
The victory for Manly has helped Adam Griffiths men move back into the top five while Mount Druitt Town Rangers will rue a chance to solidify their spot in the top half of the ladder.
The visitors took all three points and it was due to a surge at the start of the second half which saw Manly United striker Jack Fulton thrash home after a rebound.
Rangers custodian Carlos Saliadarre made some key saves to keep them in the contest but it is back to the drawing board for Stewart Montgomery’s men next week.
Sutherland Sharks 1 – Northbridge Bulls 5 at Seymour Shaw Park
Northbridge Bulls earned their third win of the season with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon.
A Patrick O’Shea own goal and Milislav Popovic strike saw the visitors go into the break two goals in front, before they wrapped up the win with a free-scoring performance in the second half.
Popovic scored his second just after halftime before his replacement Bul Juach netted a brace of his own to complete the rout despite Jonathan Grozdanovski’s consolation goal for the Sharks.
Wollongong Wolves 1 – Rockdale Ilinden 1 at Albert Butler Memorial Park
Rockdale Ilinden has fought back to snatch a point in a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Wollongong Wolves at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.
A screamer from Patrick Savor late in the second half was enough to secure a point for the reigning champions as they battled back after conceding not long after the interval.
Wollongong thought they had done enough for the win after Lachlan Scott put the home side ahead after 50 minutes, but it wasn’t to be as Rockdale struck late to ensure both teams shared the spoils.
Sydney United 3 – 1 Sydney Olympic at Sydney United Sports Centre
Three second half goals has helped Sydney United 58 cruise to a 3-1 win against rivals Sydney Olympic at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.
Adrian Vlastelica opened the scoring early in the second half before Chris Payne and Patrick Antelmi wrapped up the win for the home side.
Mo Adam netted a consolation goal in the dying stages for Olympic, but it was too little too late for the visitors who were no match for a fired up united 58 outfit.
The win moves United 58 to second on the ladder, only one point behind league leaders Blacktown City.
APIA Leichhardt 0 – Blacktown City 1 at Lambert Park
Blacktown City has stretched their lead at the top of the competition ladder with a 1-0 victory over APIA Leichardt Tigers at Lambert Park on Sunday evening.
The only goal from the match came through Travis Major in the 16th minute, despite both teams creating a multitude of chances in the hard-fought match.
The win means Blacktown City hold onto top spot for a third straight week and now have a one point lead in first place ahead of Sydney United 58 after Rockdale’s draw in Sunday’s earlier match.
Sydney FC 3 – Marconi Stallions 3 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC and the Marconi Stallions concluded what was an entertaining round 12 of matches as the match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Sunday’s late fixture at the Ilinden Sports Centre.
The Young Sky Blues entered the game in last position but one would hardly have known as early in the second half Jimmy Van Weeren’s men led 3-1 before an excellent fight back by Marconi, thanks to goals from Anthony Frangie and Marko Jesic.
Marconi have drawn eight matches this season and will be kicking themselves once again for not securing all three points.
That’s 16 points out of a possible 24 that have gone begging for the Stallions.
