Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 2 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
WSW 2 v Blacktown City 3 at Wanderers Football Park – Full Report
Reigning 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Champions Blacktown City FC won a pulsating contest over a dogged Western Sydney Wanderers side 3-2 at Wanderers Football Park on what was a fiery Friday night of football action.
Western Sydney Wanderers took the lead from the spot through Nathaniel Blair early in the second half before they were pegged back twice by the visitors thanks to goals from Travis Major and Daniel Collins. City not only went a man down with Grant Lynch being sent but they lost their coach Mark Crittenden as well for dissent as Blair struck once again from the spot to make it 2-2 – The hosts weren’t able to take anything from the contest however as Major was at it again scoring from the spot in the dying stages of the match to gift City their first three points of the 2023 campaign.
Sydney United 58 3 v Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Report
Sydney United 58 have completed a sensational late comeback to secure all three points against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Sydney United Sports Centre on Friday night in round 2 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
The hosts dominated the majority of the first half and deservingly opened the scoring through a world-class goal from Tariq Maia in the 20th minute.
Mt Druitt came back strong in the second half and levelled the game in the early stages through James Demtriou.
Stefan Nikolic made his presence felt off the bench, scoring with the first touch of the ball, shortly before being sent off for a second bookable offence in what proved to be the changing point of the match as the young gun went from hero to villain.
United 58 took advantage of the extra men as Patrick Antelmi tied the game up before Chris Payne ensured the victory in the final minute of the game.
Bulls FC Academy 1 v Central Coast Mariners 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Report
Bulls FC Academy and Central Coast Mariners played out a 1-1 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on hot Saturday afternoon.
The visitors took a lead into the break courtesy of Aidan Milicevic’s accurate effort midway through first half.
However, a resurgent second half from the Bulls saw them pull level through Mason Wells.
The hosts threw everything at the Mariners defence in the final stages, but a solid goalkeeping display from Patrick Beach in the away goal meant the points were shared.
NWS Spirit FC 2 v St George City 2 at Christie Park – Full Report
The two new kids on the block in the NPL NSW Men’s competition met for the first time in 2023 as NWS Spirit and St George City shared the points after an action packed first half at Christie Park with the match ending 2-2.
In a game where both captains Jared Lum and Tarik Ercan shared a goal each. Luiz Lobo and Maki Petratos joined them with a few goal of the week contenders before Nathan Roberts nearly made a decisive difference late on as a substitute.
Sutherland Sharks 0 v Wollongong Wolves 3 at Seymour Shaw Park – Full Report
David Carney’s Wollongong Wolves proved to be too clinical as they took home the three precious thanks to a 3-0 victory over the Sutherland Sharks on a balmy Saturday evening at Seymour Shaw.
The Wolves opened the scoring in the 17th minute via skipper Lachlan Scott from the spot.
And although the Sharks enjoyed the majority of possession, it resulted in nothing as two late goals from substitute Alex Masciovecchio, against his former team, sealed the show and points for Wollongong.
Manly United 1 v Sydney Olympic 3 at Cromer Park – Full Report
Sydney Olympic made it two from two to kick off the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a professional 3-1 victory over Manly United at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
All of the goalscoring action unfolded mid-way through the first half, as Seiya Kambayashi opened his account for the season before Olympic fired back with three quick-fire strikes.
Despite plenty of Manly pressure in the second stanza, earlier goals to Fabio Ferreira, Roy O’Donovan and Nick Fitzgerald ensured Labinot Haliti’s men would continue their perfect start to the campaign, taking a valuable three points back to Belmore.
Marconi Stallions 5 v Sydney FC 0 at Marconi Stadium – Full Report
Marconi Stallions taught Sydney FC a lesson following its first match at the ‘Palace’ demolishing the young Sky Blues 5-0 on a hot and steamy Saturday night.
Marconi’s new recruits did most of the damage as Japanese import Hiroaki Aoyama opened the scoring before Jordi Swibel, a former Sky Blue himself bagged a brace. Goals from club captain Marko Jesic and a late one from Domenic Costanzo all but sealed a massive win for the former NSL giants.
APIA Leichhardt FC 6 v Rockdale Ilinden 0 at Lambert Park – Full Report
APIA Leichhardt have defeated Rockdale Ilinden 6-0 in a strong display at Lambert Park.
Jason Romero opened the scoring with a fantastic solo effort on transition, before Jack Armson doubled APIA’s advantage with a first-time finish after making a good run in behind.
Romero then added a third with another exceptional drive and shot, before scoring his third and APIA’s fourth in the second half off fantastic dribble.
In the 66th minute, left-back Michael Kouta made it five with a stunning freekick, before Romero made it an astonishing six for the home side with a clinical transition.
