Round 14 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

Sydney United 58 hold onto the top spot of the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s competition after a thrilling Round 14 came to a close on Sunday night.

United 58 dropped points in a scoreless draw on Sunday but they still managed to hold onto first place with other results going their way.

Blacktown City missed their chance to move back on top as they too were held to a draw this weekend.

Rockdale’s slide continued as they were stunned by a Marconi side who ended a ten-week winless run.

Manly United’s draw against Blacktown helped them move back into the finals places as they finished the weekend in fifth place, while Mt Druitt’s big win on Saturday moved them up to fourth.

APIA and Sydney Olympic both missed a chance to edge closer to the top five as they battled out a 1-1 draw at a raucous Lambert Park as part of the Festival of Football.

Remember you can catch up on all the action from round 14 on NPL.TV.

Northbridge Bulls 2 – Sydney FC 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre

A Jake Jovanovski header deep into injury time has helped Northbridge Bulls snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sydney FC at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday.

Jovanovski’s 94th minute headed goal denied the Young Sky Blues their first win since round 3 as the Bulls fought back from behind twice to snatch a vital competition point.

Sydney FC took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to a Clayton Taylor strike but Northbridge hit back after the interval through Lachlan Sepping to level the score.

With only six minutes left on the clock, Corey Hollman put Sydney in front and on the cusp of an incredible victory.

However, it wasn’t to be for the Young Sky Blues as Jovanovski found the back of the net in the dying seconds to secure an incredible late equaliser for Northbridge.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 – Wollongong Wolves 0 at Popondetta Park

Mount Druitt Town Rangers secured a vital 2-0 success against Wollongong Wolves to keep their top five hopes alive at a frosty Popondetta Park

The Rangers got themselves back in the winner’s circle with a pair of second-half goals from star striker Jack Stewart, while a late Fumoto Kamada strike ensured the home side took all three points.

Earlier custodian Carlos Saliadarre saved a spot-kick which helped to kickstart their revival in the second half.

Wollongong Wolves will be disappointed to miss their chance to secure a spot in the top five of the National Premier Leagues Men’s competition.

They did have a spot-kick for Lachlan Scott which was saved at the start of the second half which was their best chance.

Blacktown City 2 – Manly United 2 at Lily Homes Stadium

A Jackson Bandiera strike deep into added time has helped Blacktown City snatch a thrilling late equaliser in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manly United at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

It was a hard-fought battle between the two teams for the entirety of the match, but Bandiera’s last-gasp equaliser denied a shock Manly win on the road.

The wonder goal was the second of the day from Bandiera and cancelled out goals from Manly United’s youngster Ben Gibson and Dejan Pandurevic.

The result keeps Blacktown in second place on the competition ladder only a point behind leaders Sydney United 58, While Manly’s point means they finish the round in fifth.

Rockdale Ilinden 0 – Marconi Stallions 2 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

A Chris Hatfield brace has helped Marconi Stallions breakthrough for their second win of the season as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Rockdale Ilinden at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday.

Goals on either side of the break from Hatfield was the difference as the Stallions ended a nine-game winless run dating back nine weeks to round five.

Rockdale fell behind in the 12th minute as Hatfield tapped home from a Giorgio Speranza cross before the pacy striker secured the victory in the 65th minute when he finished a slick counterattack.

The result means Rockdale fall further behind in their premiership defence and have now won only once in their past five league matches.

Sydney United 58 0 – Sutherland Sharks 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 were held by a dogged Sutherland Sharks FC side in a pulsating 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Sitting at the top of the ladder, United 58 were frustrated by the Sharks defence on an afternoon where they celebrated club stalwart Matthew Sim.

Custodian Danjel Nizic saved a penalty but the home side’s potent attack was blunted today.

The point keeps Sydney United 58 at the summit of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder.

APIA Leichhardt 1 – Sydney Olympic 1 at Lambert Park

A second-half strike from Sam McIllhatton has helped APIA Leichhardt fight back to claim a 1-1 draw against Inner-West Sydney Rivals Sydney Olympic during their Festival of Football clash on Sunday.

In front of a raucous 4000 plus Lambert Park crowd, Sydney Olympic took the lead in the first half through Oliver Puflett before McIllhatton equalised for the home side midway through the second stanza.

It was a game that had everything but a winner as both sides repelled wave after wave of attack on a big day for the historic clubs.

The result was a missed opportunity for both Olympic and APIA to move closer to the top five and finals place.