Round 7 Review – NPL Men’s NSW

Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 7 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Manly United 0 v Sydney Olympic 2 at Cromer Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
It was a much happier dressing room as Sydney Olympic FC returned to the winner’s circle following a 2-0 victory over Manly United in round 7 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW fixture played at Cromer Park on a fresh Friday evening.
Michael Vakis opened the scoring in the 16th minute for the visitors before veteran marksman Roy O’Donovan made it 2-0 in the 34th minute in a strong first half.
The hosts match changed when Bilal Belkadi was given his marching orders in the first half as the Northern Beaches outfit failed to settle soon after that with Olympic taking charge securing the three precious points.
NWS Spirit FC 2 v Central Coast Mariners 1 at Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
NWS Spirit FC claimed their first victory of the 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW season prevailing 2-1 over the Central Coast Mariners in round 7 action at Christie Park.
Ante Bakmaz scored a double for the hosts as they sailed away early in the second half before Alexander Gountounas scored a long range screamer in the dying stages of the game – but it was to be too little too late as NWS Spirit FC secured a much needed win.
Marconi 3 v Sydney FC 0 at Marconi Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
The Marconi Stallions secured a convincing 3-0 victory over a 10-man Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.
There was early action at the palace as Sydney FC’s Zachary De Jesus saw read in just the 7th minute of play, but despite the one-man advantage Marconi didn’t open the scoring until the second half.
A goal to Marconi stalwart Brandon Vella in the 51st minute saw home fans with something to celebrate, with a second coming through substitute Jakov Malbasa in the 73rd minute.
A third and final goal for Marconi came in the 88th minute through another subsitute, Luke Raso, whose clinical finish wrapped up the goals for the night.
Hills United 0 v Rockdale Ilinden 3 at Landen Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Rockdale Ilinden hit the switch once more as they took care of Hills United FC defeating the newly promoted National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW outfit 3-0 at Landen Stadium on Saturday.
It was Alec Urosevski who got proceedings underway in an entertaining affair with an early goal. It was followed by a strike midway through the first half by Bai Antoniou and then a third from Brendan Cholakian in the second stanza of play that secured all three points for Paul Dee’s troops.
St George City 0 v Blacktown City 2 at Penshurst Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Blacktown City continued its recent fine form defeating St George City 2-0 in an entertaining Round 7 ‘Match of the Round’ encounter at Penshurst Park on Saturday.
The scoring was kicked off by Blacktown City talisman Travis Major, nodding home at the second attempt and settled by a Jak O’Brien penalty.
Major netted in the 67’ minute when firstly glancing a header wide but on hand to put Blacktown ahead with the return ball before O’Brien wrapped up proceedings from the spot sending Jack Kenny the wrong way between the sticks.
Despite three Red Cards issued on the night in what cannot be considered a dirty game, nothing could detract from the exciting football played.
St George FC 2 v APIA Leichhardt FC 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC almost had the upset of the round but had to settle for a point as they drew 2-2 against 2023 Premiers APIA Leichhardt FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday.
It was St George that began sensationally, dominating APIA and taking a well-deserved lead through Nicholas Kalogerou with a sweeping move down the right-hand side.
Nikola Skataric doubled the lead for St George in a score few would have expected before the match, but the home side’s intense press was paying dividends against the reigning Champions.
However, APIA’s quality began to show, and despite an early red card to Jack Stewart in the second half, they dominated proceedings.
A good goal from Ben Gibson after a fantastic run and pass from Jordan Segreto clawed a goal back for the away side, but it took until well in added time for them to draw level, with a stunning Nick Sullivan strike ensuring both sides left with a point.
Sydney United 58 v Sutherland Sharks at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney United 58 defeated the Sutherland Sharks 1-0 in Round 7 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
It was a Bailey Rule thunderbolt that separated the two squads in the 15th minute as the Sharks pushed United 58 all the way till the end.
Wollongong Wolves 0 v Western Sydney Wanderers 2 at WIN Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
The Western Sydney Wanderers continued its impressive run in the 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition following a 2-0 away victory against the high flying Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium albeit without several of their major stars on Sunday.
The likes of first team players Anthony Pantazopoulos, Marcus Younis, Nathanael Blair, Alexander Badolato, Aydan Hammond and Zach Sapsford were all missing from the Wanderers side but that did little to deter the confidence of the much younger Wanderers squad members on show.
There was never a dull moment in the game, as chances for both teams were constant throughout.
The away side took the lead 78 minutes in through Ryley Hollingdale before Leon Alizart added a second in the dying embers.