Round 26 Review – NPL Men’s NSW
Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 26 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Manly United 1 v Sutherland Sharks 2 at Cromer Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
In one of the most thrilling circumstances, the Sutherland Sharks recorded a last gasp 2-1 victory over Manly United thanks to Takahide Umebachi to secure three precious points and their fight against relegation at Cromer Park on Friday.
A smart and direct penalty from Mitchell Stamatellis on the 82nd minute mark and then the equally as powerful the match winner from Umebachi in the 91st minute gave the visitors a humungous victory in their attempts to avoid relegation.
Sydney FC 1 v Wollongong Wolves 5 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney FC’s fears of facing relegation have deepened following a tough 5-1 loss to a hungry Wollongong Wolves outfit at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday.
First-half goals to Taki Ofuka and Yagoub Mustafa put paid to FC’s plans before the break as the Wolves started like a house on fire.
Matters worsened for the home side at the start of the second-half when a cushioned header from Lachlan Scott found the net but a late own goal via Darcy Madden, from a Namory Conde cross reducing the lead to two but additional strikes to substitute Jake Trew and Chris McStay wrapped up the scoring.
NWS Spirit FC 1 v Sydney Olympic 2 at Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney Olympic kept its top six finals series hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over NWS Spirit FC on a chilly Saturday evening at Christie Park.
Two first half Roy O’Donovan goals gave the Blues a half-time advantage which they held onto despite a Michael Konestabo goal with just over ten minutes left.
Marconi 2 v Sydney United 58 1 at Marconi Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
The Marconi Stallions secured a crucial three points with a 2-1 victory over local rivals Sydney United 58 in front of a great crowd at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night to keep its hope alive in the Premiership chase against league leaders Rockdale Ilinden.
A goal from Marconi captain Marko Jesic opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the match, quickly followed by an impressive strike from James Temelkovski to take the hosts lead to two early in the game.
Despite plenty of chances, the next goal didn’t come until the second half, this time through Sydney United 58 substitute Mason Wells in the 58th minute.
Although both sides enjoyed their fair share of opportunities, there were no goals in the final 30 minutes of play, with the hosts holding on to their early lead.
The victory keeps the Stallions in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership race as they head into the final few games of the season.
Hills United 2 v St George FC 3 at Landen Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC received a huge boost in its fight against the drop following a thrilling 3-2 victory over fellow relegation threatened side Hills United FC at Landen Stadium on Saturday.
St George FC picked up a precious three points in this relegation six-pointer a Chan Yelchan opened the scoring in the 10th minute then Justin Poon struck in the 53rd and 65th minute to earn the Saints three points.
The hosts showed fight in equalizing twice before they conceded a third goal to fall to defeat. Yu Okubu equalized twice in the 15th and the 54th minute to bring it back to 2-2 and continue his strong from in front of goal but it wasn’t enough as Saints went on to taste a vital victory.
Blacktown City 3 v Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at Landen Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
A patient Blacktown City surged past Western Sydney Wanderers with a second-half goal glut at Landen Stadium to win 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
After a dominant first half from Blacktown, a red card 50 minutes in for Western Sydney’s Matthew O’Donoghue soon opened the game up.
Grant Lynch scored first for City before Joey Gibbs and Danny Choi added goals over the remainder of the second half.
Dimo Dimo saw red for the visitors in the dying embers as well.
Rockdale Ilinden 2 v APIA Leichhardt 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Rockdale Ilinden have picked up a crucial 2-1 win over a strong APIA Leichhardt side at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre to keep their lead at the top of the ladder at six points.
It was the away side who opened the scoring 12 minutes into the second half through a Jack Stewart penalty, but it was cancelled out by a clinical Alec Urosevski strike on transition.
In the 87th minute, Rockdale found their winner through Daniel Collins, and secured vital victory with a late smash and grab.
Central Coast Mariners 1 v St George City 1 at Pluim Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
With Central Coast Mariners fighting for survival and St George City a top six spot, nothing was able to separate the two in what was a tense affair at Pluim Park on Sunday as both teams settled for a point in an intense 1-1 draw.
The rematch of the 2022 Football NSW League One Men’s Grand Final had no shortage of drama, seeing the visitors sent down a man for the final 20 minutes of play following the send off of Tarik Ercan.
Nicholas Duarte got the hosts off to flyer with a goal in the opening minute before Jason Romero equalised in the 31st minute as the match ended in a scoreless draw.
