Round 17 Review – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 17 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has come to a close after an entertaining weekend of football shone a light on the tightness of the league with four draws from six matches.
Manly United retained their position on the top of the ladder but the Premiership is still in contention for more than half of the teams in the league.
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 – Sydney FC 1 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt and Sydney FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Round 17 game in the NPL NSW Men’s competition at Lambert Park on Saturday evening.
A goal to either side in the first half provided for an entertaining encounter.
It was dubbed a blockbuster and, in the first half at least, the encounter certainly lived up to expectations.
Diego Celis opened the scoring for APIA Leichhardt before Adrian Segecic equalised before the break for Sydney FC in what was a really an impressive first half of football.
Marconi Stallions FC 1 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 at Marconi Stadium
The Marconi Stallions shared points with Mt Druitt Town Rangers with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Marconi’s final home game of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.
Connor Evans hit a sensational strike from range in the 56th minute to open the scoring in the game and secure the lead for the home side.
Jack Stewart answered for Mt Druitt in the 82nd minute to bring the visitors back into the game and ultimately secure a point for his team.
Manly United FC 1 – Wollongong Wolves FC 1 at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves and Manly United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
Jake Lavalle gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time, before substitute Bruno Mendes equalised for Manly midway through the second half.
Blacktown City FC 3 – Northbridge Bulls FC 0 at Blacktown City Sport Centre
Blacktown City have welcomed back their all-time leading goal scorer, Travis Major, as he returned to Blacktown City Sports Centre with a hat-trick in a convincing 3-0 win over Northbridge Bulls.
Major marked his return to Blacktown in the opening minutes after converting on a penalty, before doing the same in the 43rd minute to secure the first half brace.
It took Major all of 90 seconds in the second half to complete his hat-trick, capping of the memorable day with a powerful header that crossed over the line to give City a three-goal advantage and ultimately the win.
Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 – Sydney United 58 FC 3 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale Ilinden and Sydney United 58 shared points in a desperate and rugged contest that finished in a 3-3 draw at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
The eagerly-anticipated match saw first-half goals from Tariq Maia and Chris Payne before another scintillating Jaden Casella strike and Alec Urosevski leveller restored parity.
United 58 thought they had finally put the game to bed when Kyle Cimenti found the net before a stoppage time equaliser from Will Mutch earned Rockdale a valuable point.
Sydney Olympic FC 4 – Sutherland Sharks FC 1 at Belmore Sportsground
It was all smiles for Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon after a dominant display kept them on pace with the race for Premiership with a 4-1 victory over the Sutherland Sharks.
Goals to Benjamin Van Meurs, Brendan Cholakian and Roy O’Donovan saw Olympic with a three-goal advantage heading into the half-time break.
Sutherland’s James Andrew managed to get the visitors on the scoreboard shortly after the restart but Adam Parkhouse finished off scoring for the hosts to secure a 4-1 victory.
