Round 3 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
It was a huge week for the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as three clubs managed to secure their first wins of the season and two sides performed well enough to head into Round 4 undefeated.
Wollongong Wolves 2 – Sydney FC 2 at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves came from two goals down to share the points against a well-drilled ten-man Sydney FC outfit at WIN Stadium on Friday night.
The visitors burst into a commanding two-goal advantage by half-time with Jaiden Kucharski and Adrian Segecic finding the net as the Sky Blues asserted their dominance in the opening half which has seen them go unbeaten this season.
However the visitors were dealt a blow in the second half as a red card to Nathan Grimaldi changed the game.
The Wolves fought back through Kuot Maliet scoring before an unlikely hero in defender Nick Littler netting a stoppage-time equaliser.
The result leaves the sky blues undefeated heading into Round 4 of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.
Sutherland Sharks 2 – Manly United 0 at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks secured their first win of the 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season in a 2-0 victory over Manly United at Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon.
Harry Callahan was the man of the moment for the home side in a rugged, yet evenly contested match, scoring in the 37th minute from a super through ball from Jason Madonis and again at the death through substitute Charlie Jones, who was on the pitch for less than two minutes.
The commitment couldn’t be faulted by either side in a niggling, disjointed affair as neither truly gained overall control, but Sutherland were able to grind out the win as Callahan’s double was unanswered by the Northern Beaches side.
Sydney United 58 2 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 and Mt Druitt Town Rangers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon, with the visitors coming from behind twice to get their first points of the season.
United 58’s Glen Trifiro opened the scoring for the hosts with a magnificent free kick, shortly before Mt Druitt’s John Roberts levelled the score with a header.
Patrick Antelmi converted from the penalty spot at the hour mark to send United 58 into the lead but it was answered in the 67th minute, as Louis Khoury capped off a brilliant game with the second equaliser for the visitors.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have grabbed a point from the opening three rounds, having conceded 11 goals, while the draw adds to Sydney United 58’s formidable start to the season, leaving them undefeated heading into Round 4.
Sydney Olympic 2 – Northbridge Bulls 0 at Belmore Sportsground
Sydney Olympic proved too strong for Northbridge Bulls at Belmore Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with goals to Roy O’Donovan and Adam Parkhouse securing a 2-0 win.
It could have been more if not for wayward finishing, but the home side did enough to garner their first win and precious three points of the campaign to add to their solitary point from the last round.
Olympic now have one loss, one draw and one win so far in their campaign, while Northbridge remain at the bottom of the NPL NSW Men’s ladder without a point heading into Round 4.
Rockdale Ilinden 2 – APIA Leichhardt 1 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
In their first home game of the season, Rockdale Ilinden secured their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over APIA Leichhardt on Sunday afternoon at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Goals to Rockdale’s Brayden Sorge and Jaden Casella proved enough to overpower one goal to APIA Leichhardt’s Jack Armson and saw the home side secure a valuable three points from the encounter.
With perfect weather for the match, home fans were pleased with the victory and will be hoping that the trajectory is clear for the season after a loss, draw and now a win.
The visitors experienced their first loss of the season after a tight turnaround from a huge 5-3 victory over Mt Druitt on Wednesday night.
The Blacktown City v Marconi Stallions match was deferred due to COVID-19.
