Round 16 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Week 16 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the Books and Blacktown City remains in top position after another thrilling weekend of fixtures.
With only six rounds left the battle is heating up for both the premiership and a spot in the finals.
Blacktown City has further cemented their spot in first place after defeating Rockdale Ilinden on Sunday, but Sydney United 58 remains only two points back and within striking distance.
Rockdale’s defeat means they fall further away in the premiership race dropping to fourth.
Manly United moved up to third spot after a last gasp winner on Friday night against APIA.
Sydney Olympic closes out the top five but their position is far from secure going into the remaining six matches.
Remember you can catch up on anything you missed from the weekend’s NPL NSW action on NPL.tv.
Manly United 2 – APIA Leichhardt 1 at Cromer Park
A last-gasp header from young gun Jordan Devries snatched all three points for Manly United in a hotly-contested 2-1 victory over fellow finals aspirants APIA Leichhardt at Cromer Park on Friday night.
The young attacker’s late heroics ensured Paul Dee’s return to Cromer Park was not a positive one and prevented APIA from climbing into the top five for the first time this season.
In a tit-for-tat battle, the sides were level at the interval as Blake Powell’s fourth goal of the season cancelled out Luca Kmet’s opener.
Sydney Olympic 1 – Sydney FC 0 at Belmore Sports Ground
Yu Hasegawa goal deep into added time has helped Sydney Olympic snatch a dramatic 1-0 win against Sydney FC at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
Hasegawa headed home from a Michael Glassock cross in the 93rd minute to give Olympic their second win on the trot and extend their unbeaten run to four.
It was a heartbreaking result for the Young Sky Blues, who had their chances to take the lead throughout the second half but paid the price for their poor finishing.
The result boosts Olympic’s finals hopes with another vital three competition points with only six games left to play in the regular season.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 – Sutherland Sharks 1 at Popondetta Park
Sutherland Sharks have moved off the bottom of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition ladder with a narrow 1-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Saturday.
An Oliver Green header less than ten minutes after the interval was the difference as the Sharks snatched a vital three competition points.
Mount Druitt Town Rangers were left to rue a missed opportunity to keep their final’s hopes alive but were wasteful in front of goal.
They did have missed penalty from Jack Stewart and were left to defend with only 10-men for the final half-hour after a red card for Marc Warren.
Rockdale Ilinden 2 – Blacktown City 4 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
A Travis Major hat trick has helped Blacktown City stretch their lead at the top of the ladder with a 4-2 win against reigning premiers Rockdale Ilinden at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
Blacktown’s star striker couldn’t be stopped after opening his account from the penalty spot before netting twice more after the interval.
It was City’s day with the visitors opening the scoring after only three minutes before Major found his scoring touch ten minutes from the interval.
Rockdale’s Zac Sfiligoi was able to keep Rockdale in the contest early when he scored a 10th minute equaliser, however by the time Gauthier scored the home side’s second in the 86th minute the match was already lost.
The result cement’s Blacktown’s position on top of the competition ladder for another week, while Rockdale fall further behind in their premiership defence.
Sydney United 58 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 has snatched a dramatic late winner to claim a 1-0 victory against local rivals Marconi Stallions at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.
United 58 substitute Tariq Maia combined with Chris Payne and Patrick Antelmi to seal the win after a hard-fought battle with plenty of chances for both teams.
The offside flag was a source of pain for both sides, as goals to United’s Payne and Marconi’s Stefan Nikolic were disallowed.
It could prove to be a vital three competition points for United 58 as they keep pace with Blacktown City in the Premiership race.
Northbridge FC – Wollongong Wolves at Sydney United Sports Centre
A man of the match performance from Leroy Jennings has spurred Wollongong Wolves to a dramatic 3-2 win against Northbridge Bulls on Monday.
Jennings was in fine form as he scored two and set up a last gasp winner for Stefan Dimoski as the Wolves snatched all three points at the death.
The free-scoring winger opened Wollongong’s account after only seven minutes but Northbridge hit back courtesy of a Nikola Djordjevic own goal.
Northbridge found themselves ahead heading into the break after a classy finish from Kyle Cimenti.
Wollongong turned the tide in the second half with an early goal from Jennings, before he capped off his exceptional night by setting up Stefan Dimoski for a dramatic last gasp winner.
