Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 29 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Sutherland Sharks 0 v St George City 1 at Seymour Shaw – Full Match Report and Highlights
An unfortunate Mitch Stamatellis own goal was the difference as St George City booked its top six finals series ticket with a 1-0 victory over the Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw on Saturday who will be fighting for their life with one round remaining.
It could all have been so different had Sutherland taken any of a number of chances but in keeping with their season, one they’ll want to forget, particularly in a relegation battle where everything that could go wrong has gone against them.
Sydney Olympic 4 v Western Sydney Wanderers 1 at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney Olympic have secured three points in the penultimate round of the NPL Men’s NSW competition, prevailing 4-1 over Western Sydney Wanderers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Sydney Olympic opened the scoring through Teng Kuol in the 4th minute, before a red card to the Wanderers just before halftime gave them a substantial advantage heading into the second stanza.
However, a penalty from Ryley Hollingdale in the 63rd minute brought the scores level, before a Roy O’Donovan spot kick put Olympic back in front.
The home side secured their victory late on with a quickfire Oliver Puflett double, the first of which being an exceptional long range strike from the outside of his right boot.
APIA Leichhardt 4 v Hills United 1 at Lambert Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Newly crowned Waratah Cup Champions APIA Leichhardt secured a home final with a 4-1 victory over Hills United pushing Luke Casserly’s troops closer to relegation at Lambert Park.
Franco Parisi’s side were in a confident mood from the outset scoring inside two minutes through Ben Gibson before running away with it after a clumsy Daniel Petkovski red card in the first half.
Goals to Jack Stewart, Jack Armson and Michael Kouta were all that was needed to see off Hills who scored a consolation via Thomas Lopez.
Marconi 1 v Blacktown City 2 at Marconi Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Blacktown City FC took away the Marconi Stallions’ last hope of taking out the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Premiership with a 2-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night handing the title over to Rockdale Ilinden.
A goal in the 22nd minute from Ben Berry was quickly followed by one from Danny Choi in the 26th minute for the visitors, giving them a confident hold on the match after the first quarter of play.
Marconi’s Brandon Vella managed to get the hosts on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute, but despite an abundance of opportunities they couldn’t secure an equaliser to get something from the game.
Tensions continued to rise in the final moments of the match with Franco Maya being sent from the field after a second yellow for bizarrely kicking the ball away twice.
The strange end to the match saw the final moments of opportunity fade for the hosts, with Blacktown City coming out ahead with a 2-1 statement victory for Mark Crittenden’s troops while for the Stallions it was a gallant effort who pushed for the Premiership only to fall at the last hurdle with Rockdale Ilinden being crowned Premiers.
St George FC 2 v Central Coast Mariners at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC took full points to secure their survival and avoid relegation in the penultimate round of the competition against fellow relegation candidates Central Coast Mariners at the redeveloped Barton Park on Saturday.
Both the Saints and Mariners were desperate to get something out of this game which Football NSW match caller Tony Tannous justifiably dubbed a “six point clash” but, in the end, a wicked own goal via Sasha Kuzevski in the first half and great goal to Yelchan Chan in the second made the difference in the 2-0 win.
Sydney United 58 0 v Manly United 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Manly United have left Sydney United 58 fighting for their finals lives courtesy of a 2-0 victory in windy conditions.
Playing to officially secure their safety in the National Premier League’s Men’s NSW competition for next season, Patrick Zwaanswijk’s troops did exactly that via Alen Aganovic’s goal from close range in the 40th minute. That was strongly backed up by Miguel Bauza’s clinical spot kick late in the second half.
The visitors can breathe a sigh of relief, whilst next week a victory is needed for Sydney United 58 to secure finals football with the Wollongong Wolves breathing down their neck.
Wollongong Wolves 0 v NWS Spirit FC 0 at Albert Butler Memorial Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
NWS Spirit FC put a dent into Wollongong Wolves’ finals hopes holding their opponents to a 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Ian McLennan Park.
Wollongong had the bulk of the ball in the game, but both teams created opportunities to grab a winner.
Despite Wollongong’s dominance of the ball, they failed to find the killer blow to keep them in a strong position for finals football, as they drew with Spirt at home.
The Wolves now have to beat Manly United next Sunday and hope St George City defeat Sydney United 58 who currently occupy sixth spot to book the last finals place for 2024.
Sydney FC 1 v Rockdale Ilinden 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Newly crowned 2024 NPL Men’s NSW Premiers Rockdale Ilinden FC continued its breakout season following a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC on Monday at the Ilinden Sports Centre to heap more pressure on the Sky Blues as they now must win on Sunday and hope results go their way to avoid a relegation playoff.
There wasn’t a Premiership hangover in sight for Ilinden as it was business as usual securing three points at their home base. Brendan Cholakian made it 1-0 in the 33rd minute from the spot before they were pegged back via a Jaiden Kucharski goal in the 76th minute.
It wasn’t to be for Sydney FC as Olayinka Sunmola tapped home the match winner for the Premiers in the 86th minute to claim three points.
