Round 9 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
It was a thrilling weekend as Round 9 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition provided plenty of entertainment for football fans with some sensational goals and action-packed matches.
Marconi Stallions FC 2 – Wollongong Wolves FC 0 at Marconi Stadium
National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Round 9 saw Marconi Stallions defeat Wollongong Wolves 2-0 at Marconi Stadium on Saturday evening, and in the process obtain a valuable nine points from their last three games.
A penalty to captain Marko Jesic in the first half and a rare goal to defender Roberto Speranza in the second stanza of play was what the Stallions needed to put the visitors to the sword on a cold night at The Palace.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 2 – Manly United FC 4 at Popondetta Park
Manly United FC were comfortable 4-2 winners against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on a cold Saturday night at Popondetta Park.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were handed the perfect start when Fumoto Kamada put them ahead after 11 minutes but a dazzling hat-trick from Manly United FC striker Bruno Mendes humbled the hosts.
Substitute Marcus Lal added the fourth to the Northern Beaches boys and although the home side found a late consolation goal to substitute Olayinka Sunmola it didn’t help them rise from the bottom rung of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.
Blacktown City FC 1 – Sutherland Sharks FC 0 at Blacktown City Sports Centre
Blacktown City held on to get a 1-0 win over Sutherland Sharks at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon after going down to 10 men in the first half.
The red card just before the half-time break gave Sutherland an excellent opportunity to use their one-player advantage to take something from the game, but the visiting Sharks couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity.
A solid Blacktown City side bunkered down for the final 45 to keep Sutherland at bay, with a first half Hirokai Ayoama header the only goal of the match.
The win gives the hosts a valuable three points as they continue to battle at the top end of the ladder as the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season heats up.
Sydney United 58 FC 1 – Sydney FC 6 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney FC have retained top spot in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, with a convincing 6-1 victory over Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
A Jaiden Kucharski hat-trick, along with a brace from Clayton Taylor, saw the Sky Blues put on a clinic in front of goals.
Taylor opened the scoring in the 17th minute, shortly before Kucharski bagged a brace to finish off the half – scoring in his fifth straight game and getting into double figures for the season.
The flood gates opened in the second-half, as Taylor secured a double and Kucharski capped off his afternoon with his third goal minutes later.
After setting up the opening two goals, Zac Sapsford netted the visitors sixth in the 65th minute.
Glen Trifiro magnificently picked out the top corner in the 86th minute, giving United 58 an earned consolation.
Rockdale Ilinden FC 4 – Northbridge Bulls FC 2 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale Ilinden extended their unbeaten streak with a 4-2 victory over Northbridge Bulls at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday evening.
Northbridge Bulls brought youthful exuberance to the Round 9 National Premier Leagues NSW Mens’s encounter with Rockdale Ilinden in a terrific advert for football.
Northbridge hit the front early through Diego Bonilla, but were behind after another sensational Jaden Casella effort and a Jamie Percevski header to give the home side the lead only to be pegged back by Bonilla’s second before the break.
Second-half strikes for Bai Antoniou and Alec Urosevski settled the tie for Rockdale in a thoroughly absorbing game for the fans.
Sydney Olympic FC 0 – APIA Leichhardt FC 4 at Belmore Sportsground
A killer cameo and hat-trick from Jason Romero helped APIA Leichhardt strike four times in the second half to earn a 4-0 win over Sydney Olympic in the Festival of Football match on Sunday evening at Belmore Sportsground.
As the two giants of Australian football vied off in Belmore, it was United States international Romero who stole the show: the 27-year-old’s half-time substitution a lethal injection that swung a dour match comprehensively in favour of the men from Lambert Park.
The striker applied three fine finishes and set up another for Jack Armson, a virtuoso display that left Olympic, who had edged the first half, absolutely stunned.
