Round 16 Review – NPL Men’s NSW
Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Sydney FC 1 v NWS Spirit FC 3 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
In what was seen as a massive six-pointer, NWS Spirit FC defeated fellow table strugglers Sydney FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night to ease their relegation pressures but the loss for the Sky Blues has piled pressure on Jim Van Weeren’s side.
Sydney FC got off on the right step as Matthew Scarcella put the hosts up in the 31st minute but their lead was short-lived when Jacob Chidiac equalised six minutes later. It was a goal to remember for Spirit defender Kyle Shaw who smashed home the side’s second before Ollie Wiggin sealed the three points and the club’s first away victory in 2024.
Sutherland Sharks 0 v Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at Seymour Shaw – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sutherland Sharks earned a valuable point in a 0-0 draw against a third place Western Sydney Wanderers in round 16 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at Seymour Shaw.
Zachary Sapsford had a multitude of chances in the first half to give the visitors the lead, whilst Sharks had a large spell of pressure in the second, but neither team were able to break the deadlock in what was an eventful goalless draw.
Hills United 2 v Sydney Olympic 1 at Landen Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Hills United have taken down Sydney Olympic for the second time in the 2024 season with a 2-1 win at the Landen Stadium on Saturday night.
The hosts found the back of the net first after a classy header from their skipper Glen Kelshaw in the first half but Olympic fired back moments after the restart through Roy O’Donovan.
After being behind for the majority of the second half, Hills found a winner through a break of play as Yu Okubo put the finishing pieces on an exceptional team goal in the 81st minute.
APIA Leichhardt 3 v Blacktown City 1 at Leichhardt Oval – Full Match Report and Highlights
APIA Leichhardt have moved to the provisional top position of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder after a statement 3-1 victory over Blacktown City at Leichhardt Oval.
The home side opened the scoring with a beautiful goal, courtesy of Sean Symons, before Blacktown City equalised from a Jak O’Brien penalty to keep it 1-1 at halftime.
APIA then went back into the lead from a Dakota Askew header off a corner, before securing the three points thanks to a fantastic, clinical strike from Seiya Kambayashi in the 83rd minute.
St George FC 1 v Manly United 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC and Manly United played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday with the headlines falling to the visitor’s courtesy of super-substitute Miguel Bauza for his scintillating late equaliser.
Pat O’Shea, noted more for his heading prowess, was on hand to superbly volley home the opener for St George but the home side couldn’t see it through and conceded a 90th minute equaliser to the fast-finishing Northern Beaches outfit via the lethal boot of Bauza.
Sydney United 58 1 v Central Coast Mariners 0 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Patrick Antelmi’s 59th-minute strike was the sole goal in what was an incredibly close and toughly fought 1-0 triumph between Sydney United and the Central Coast Mariners in Round 16 of the National Premier League Men’s NSW competition.
The match could have taken a different direction had Luka Smyth not skied his 17th minute penalty attempt after Harry Menham went down in the box.
The second half was the more explosive following a 72nd minute tangle between Antelmi and Rocco Smith with the latter receiving his marching orders. The affair living up to its hype until the very last second.
Rockdale Ilinden 0 v St George City 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Rockdale Ilinden retook the lead on the league ladder in the fight to be crowned 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Premiers as they defeated local rivals St George City 2-0 at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
Ilinden’s Mr ‘Fix It’ Alec Urosevski opened the scoring from the spot before Mathieu Cordier iced the match with a well taken goal in the 89th minute with the visitors playing the final ten minutes with ten-men following a send off to Dominic Cox.
Wollongong Wolves 1 v Marconi 2 at WIN Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Marconi Stallions edged out Wollongong Wolves 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at WIN Stadium, with Marko Jesic’s first-half brace enough to get them over the line.
Jesic scored his first goal six minutes into the game and added a second just after the half-hour mark in a commanding first half from the Stallions.
Wollongong clawed back some control in the second period, but Andre Takami’s late goal failed to inspire another Wolves turnaround.
