Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 28 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Manly United 1 v St George City 2 at Cromer Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Two first-half goals from St George City were enough to see the side past Manly United on Friday night at Cromer Park in a game headlined by delay.
The match started around 45 minutes later than scheduled, but once the action got underway, the wait seemed justified.
St George City burst into a two-goal lead with a couple of well-worked transitional goals scored by Jesse Photi within half an hour.
Benjamin Koop pulled one back for the home side not long after Photi’s second, but Manly went into the break behind.
Just as the second half was reaching its climax, the lights at Cromer Park went out and once they came back, City successfully defended their lead.
The victory for the visitors has seen them embed themselves in the top six as they look set to solidify a finals series spot.
Sydney Olympic 0 v St George FC 3 at Belmore Sports Ground – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC showed they still have some fight left in staying alive in the race against relegation following a 3-0 victory over a hapless Sydney Olympic which ended the Blues hopes of playing Finals football in 2024 at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
Goals to captain Troy Danaskos, Justin Poon and well taken strike by former Blues player Jaden Casella was the difference as the Saints went marching in with a big win that steered them a couple of points away from the relegation zone.
NWS Spirit FC 4 v Blacktown City 2 at Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
A dominant first half display saw NWS Spirit FC pick up a credible 4-2 victory over finals bound Blacktown City at Christie Park on Saturday.
Highlighted by a first half Takeru Sugita hat-trick, the hosts proved efficient in the final third to secure all three points completing a great week for the club following its Australia Cup Round of 32 victory earlier in the week.
Along with Sugita who banged home a memorable hat-trick Michael Konestabo also joined in on the Spirit FC party.
Blacktown City woke up in the second half and scored two of their own, a great finish via Martin Fernandez and a late consolation from Joey Gibbs but it was too little too late as NWS Spirit FC celebrated victory at home.
Hills United 1 v Marconi 3 at Landen Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
The Marconi Stallions secured three points on a cold Saturday night at Landen Stadium with a 3-1 victory over Hills United FC.
Marko Jesic opened the scoring for the Stallions in the 8th minute, before doubling his tally in the 31st minute.
Domenic Costanzo then took the visitors’ lead to three in the 51st minute, before Nicolai Muller managed a sensational goal to get Hills in the game in the 56th minute.
The result keeps Marconi in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership race, while serves Hills United a heavy blow as they fight to get out of the relegation zone.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0 v Sydney United 58 2 at Wanderers Football Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney United 58’s push for a top six finish took a positive turn following a 2-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers at the Wanderers Football Park on Sunday.
The hosts were on the back foot from the opening whistle after Anthony Barbic saw red in the fourth minute for his tackle on Aidan Milicevic.
The visitors took full advantage of the Wanderers losing a player as Milicevic made it 1-0 in the 18th minute then provided the assist for Stephan De Robillard to make it 2-0 in the 30th minute.
United 58 secured the win which condemned the Wanderers to its 14th loss of the year, with the Red and Black side failing to taste victory in the last eleven matches.
Rockdale Ilinden 1 v Sutherland Sharks 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Honours were shared at the Ilinden Sports Centre as league leaders Rockdale Ilinden were held to a 1-1 draw against relegation threatened Sutherland Sharks on a glorious Sunday afternoon.
It wasn’t for the lack of opportunities the score remained locked at one-apiece at the conclusion in a hard fought and, at times, desperate encounter between these local sides.
The Sharks stunned the hosts early as Mitch Stamatellis found the net with barley four minutes on the clock against his former team. Ilinden sought answers and got it from their usual source in talisman and skipper Alec Urosevski who levelled the scores with a stunning free-kick before the break.
The second half saw a number of chances, but the match ended 1-1 with Ilinden’s lead at the top cut to four points with Marconi hot on their heels while the Sharks moved two points away from the relegation zone.
Central Coast Mariners 3 v Wollongong Wolves 2 at Pluim Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
The Central Coast Mariners continue to defy odds amidst fears of relegation, mounting a miraculous comeback from 2-0 down heading into half time to seize a 3-2 win against the Wollongong Wolves with minutes to spare in a thrilling contest at Pluim Park on Sunday.
Wollongong looked set to run away with the victory after two early first half goals, before 17-year-old Arthur De Lima put the team on his back to outscore his opponents in an incredible feat of talent to snatch victory in round 28 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
APIA Leichhardt 1 v Sydney FC 5 at Lambert Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney FC have secured a vital win against APIA Leichhardt, prevailing 5-1 at Lambert Park to move off the bottom of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.
The Sky Blues opened the scoring in the 26th minute via Mitch Glasson, before Tiago Quintal doubled Sydney’s lead just a minute later.
Two more goals courtesy of Jaiden Kucharski and a stunner from Quintal saw Sydney take a 4-0 lead into the break, with APIA’s Nichloas Azzone then getting one back for the home side with a beautiful shot from range.
However, it was Sydney’s night at Lambert Park, and it was sealed by a fantastic goal from Jacob Brazete in stoppage time, at the Sky Blues moved out of the automatic relegation spot.
