Round 3 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 3 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Wollongong Wolves 0 v Marconi Stallions 4 at WIN Stadium

Marconi Stallions earned their second National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory in a row downing the Wollongong Wolves 4-0 at WIN Stadium on Friday night.

After a goalless first period, the Stallions bagged four goals in quick succession in the second half to secure the three points.

Taylor McDonald nodded home the opener against his former team just before the hour mark as Domenic Costanzo and Jordan Swibel also scored a few minutes later.

Club captain Marko Jesic finished the rout in the 76th minute in a purposeful second-half display from the side.

St George City 4 v Western Sydney Wanderers 2 at Penshurst Park

After the original match was postponed after ten minutes due to a lightning storm on Saturday, the round 3 clash between St George City and Western Sydney Wanderers did not disappoint with Mirko Jurilj’s troops coming out 4-2 victors in turbo charged encounter at Penshurst Park on Monday.

The home side took the lead thanks to an early Maki Petratos goal, but the ferocious weather forced the action to be postponed.

The Wanderers charged back into the game through a Jarrod Carluccio goal before St George City regained their composure and scored right at the end of the first stanza of play thanks to Aiden Mostofi.

Teng Kuol then put the Wanderers back on even footing before Marley Peterson and Daniel Alessi scored for St George City to round out the scoring.

Rockdale Ilinden 2 v Manly United 0 at Illinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden got back to winning ways defeating Manly United 2-0 in their first home match of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season in front of a healthy crowd on a sultry Sunday afternoon at the Ilinden Sports Centre.

Goals from the club’s new skipper Alec Urosevski and a debut from Loic Puyo all but gave Paul Dee’s men three points in what was a great round 3 clash in Sydney’s South.

Sydney FC 2 v Sydney Olympic 3 at Valentine Sports Park

Sydney Olympic defeated Sydney FC 3-2 on Sunday afternoon away at Valentine Sports Park to pick up their third win in as many National Premier League NSW Men’s games.

The away side opened the scoring with a direct piece of play, which saw Adam Parkhouse’s shot off a ball in behind parried into the path of Darcy Burgess, who converted into the opening net.

Sydney FC responded in the 34th minute was a brilliant one two between Clayton Taylor and Alen Harbas saw the former drive into the box and convert with his left foot from an acute angle.

Sydney Olympic took the lead once more in the 75th minute as Burgess made it a brace for himself with a stunning strike as he capitalised on a bouncing ball in the box, converting it into the top left corner with class and composure.

O’Donovan added a third with a stunning strike into the top left former nine minutes later, but Sydney clawed one back in the 87th minute off a clinical Luka Smyth penalty.

However, Sydney FC couldn’t find another goal, and Sydney Olympic kept their winning run intact.

Central Coast Mariners 2 v Sutherland Sharks 2 at Pluim Park

The Sutherland Sharks earned their first point of the season in dramatic fashion, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against the Central Coast Mariners in the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season at Pluim Park.

The Mariners started strongly and were rewarded in the 15th minute courtesy of an outstretched boot of Zac Zoricich from a Sasha Kuzevski corner. The Mariners doubled their lead early in the second half when Lachlan Bayliss dispatched a penalty.

Following the second goal, the Sharks committed more players forward, while the Mariners failed to connect with any meaningful counterattacks. The Sharks got their first goal of the campaign in the 79th minute with a brilliant piece of skill from Alexander Brown. The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the box and dribbled his way past five Mariners defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Pluim Park has been known for late drama over the years, and Sunday was no exception as the Sharks drew level in the 93rd minute. Kuzevski attempted to run away with a Mariners counterattack before losing the ball, which the Sharks played forward to Jesse Photi. Photi managed to get around Zoricich and found Brodie Clarkson in the box who tapped it first time into the net to finalise the scoring at 2-2.

Blacktown City 1 v NWS Spirit FC 2 at Landen Stadium

NWS Spirit sent a message to the competition with a victory over Blacktown City on their first ever away trip in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Scoring a goal either side of half time, they took advantage of an injury hit Blacktown City side at Landen Stadium. Matthew Cahill opened the scoring with a curling effort from the left wing before the champions hit back with the last kick of the half, Jak O’Brien the scorer.

However, it was Spirit’s day and Richie Darko made an instant impact on his return to the side with a 66th minute goal to seal the deal.

Sydney United 58 1 v APIA Leichhardt FC 3 at Sydney United Sports Centre

APIA Leichhardt secured back-to-back wins after securing a valuable 3-1 victory against Sydney United 58 at a warm Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts were stung by an early onslaught which saw them trail by a trifecta of goals in a fierce contest in front of a good crowd at Edensor Park.

For APIA Leichhardt, it was another fast start. Fabian Monge and Jack Armson both fired home in the first ten minutes before new recruit Jack Stewart opened his 2023 tally with the third. APIA were able to hold on and remain unbeaten to start the season.

Sydney United 58 pulled a goal back through Chris Payne to make it 3-1 but couldn’t make any further dents.

Bulls Academy FC 1 v Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Mt Druitt Town Rangers recorded their first three points of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a 3-1 win over a ten-man gutsy Bulls FC Academy at Sydney United Sports Centre on Monday night.

Bulls FC took the lead through a stunning Stephan De Robillard free-kick in the first half before they were reduced to ten men after Anthony Krillic’s red card. The hosts fought hard in the second half with chances to Mason Wells and Sebastian Hernandez but couldn’t find an equaliser.

Nikola Skataric found the back of the net twice alongside Rhett Desilva in a pulsating second half that gave the visitors the three precious points opening their account for the new year.