Round 10 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

As the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition approaches the halfway mark the league is heating up with a new leader after Round 10.

With goals galore, crucial wins and big upsets, this weekend had plenty of action that had a big impact on the competition.

Wollongong Wolves FC 3 – Blacktown City FC 1 at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves secured an impressive 3-1 win over a 10-man Blacktown City at WIN Stadium on Friday night.

After a goalless first half, Wollongong opened the scoring early in the second period with Peter Simonoski scoring from long range.

Blacktown City equalised just after the hour mark through Mitchell Mallia before Wollongong retook the lead courtesy of former City star Leroy Jennings after Daniel Collins was sent off for the visitors.

Lachlan Scott also found the net for the home side with eight minutes to play to add to the side’s advantage and cap off the match.

Manly United FC 1 – Sydney United 58 FC 0 at Cromer Park

Sydney United 58’s woes continued as the former NSL giants suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manly United at the newly upgraded Cromer Park on Friday night in round 10 of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

A lone goal to Manly’s Japanese star import Seiya Kambayashi was all it took for the Northern Beaches side to collect three points from the match as Sydney United 58 were unable to retaliate.

The win gives valuable points to Manly, while the loss for United 58 was not the start new interim coach Miro Vlastelica would have liked since stepping back into the head coaching role earlier this week following the departure of Joe Haywood.

Northbridge Bulls FC 1 – Sutherland Sharks FC 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sutherland Sharks FC recorded their third win of the 2022 NPL NSW Men’s campaign in a 2-1 win against Northbridge Bulls FC on Saturday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Two desperate sides strode onto the park at Sydney United Sports Centre, aiming to get themselves back into the winner’s circle and while Northbridge Bulls FC started the contest off brightly, they faded away against the Sharks’ press.

Nick Sullivan drove home the opener before Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu slotted home after the break to give the Sharks a two-goal advantage.

Substitute Jed Drew did pull a goal back for the hosts but they lost Anthony Sparacino to a red card which didn’t help their cause.

It will be a precious three points for Sutherland Sharks FC after their lean run in recent weeks.

Sydney Olympic FC 4 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0 at Belmore Sportsground

Sydney Olympic convincingly disposed of Mt Druitt Town Rangers by 4-0 on a cold night at Belmore Sportsground, which had the side singing at full voice in the dressing rooms after the encounter.

It was almost all over by half time as the home side took a three-goal lead into the break thanks to a brace from the evergreen Roy O’Donovan and a goal to Sam McIllhatton, before Oliver Puflett sealed the deal in the second stanza of play by scoring his side’s fourth.

The victory gives Sydney Olympic crucial points as they fight to keep their standing on the league ladder, while the convincing loss to Mt Druitt Town is yet another blow to a less than ideal season.

Marconi Stallions FC 4 – APIA Leichhardt FC 1 at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions secured their fourth consecutive win in the National Premier Leagues Men’s competition, with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over APIA Leichhardt FC on Saturday night at Marconi Stadium in the ‘Italian Derby’.

With four consecutive wins and six games undefeated in the league, along with a midweek win in the Australia Cup, the Stallions are making a statement to the football community that they are real contenders in 2022.

Marko Jesic converted a penalty chance against veteran shot-stopper Ivan Necevski to take a one-goal advantage to the break before Charles Lokolingoy converted a second from the spot early in the second half to double the lead for the hosts.

Jason Romero netted one in the 68th minute to keep the visitors in the game, but young-gun Domenic Costanzo scored a third for the hosts in the 75th minute to give the Stallions a bit of relief.

A third penalty in the final moments of the game was icing on the cake of the home side.

The convincing 4-1 scoreline over a dangerous APIA Leichhardt squad should give Marconi plenty of momentum as they approach the second leg of the competition.

Sydney FC 3 – Rockdale Ilinden FC 4 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden knocked Sydney FC off the top of the table with a 4-3 victory in the final match of Round 10 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at their shared Ilinden Sports Centre ground.

The eagerly anticipated fixture was settled by an incredible four-goal haul for Alec Ursoevski cancelling out three strikes from Clayton Taylor, Zac Sapsford and a late, late Hayden Matthews effort.

The victory sees a new league leader in the form of Rockdale Ilinden, with their unbeaten run extending even further over the young sky blues, who have talent he league by storm in 2022.