Mt Druitt Town Rangers relegated as NWS Spirit FC celebrate Premiership
It wasn’t to be for the Mount Druitt Town Rangers as they were relegated from the NPL Men’s NSW competition following a 1-1 draw against 2025 Premiers NWS Spirit FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
The hosts knew only a win would save them from relegation and standing in front of them, the Premiers NWS Spirit FC who were given the honours of lifting the Premiership post-match, were set to make it tough for the Rangers.
The visitors were dealt a massive blow before kick off as one of their star players Yu Okubo said farewell following a move to the Hong Kong Premier League.
Fitting for a big occasion, the game had a tense opening as neither side wanted to concede an inch in midfield.
The first flashpoint came in the 15th minute. Rangers defender Danilo Doce Monteiro received a straight red card for denying Harry Keys a goal scoring opportunity – it was to be a major talking point as the match wore on making the job of staying afloat that much tougher for Mt Druitt.
From the resulting free-kick, Takumi Ofuka curled his effort past the left hand post of Rangers custodian Dylan Niski.
NWS Spirit FC remained the side on top. Striker Michael Konestabo wriggled free and fired a shot which Niski repelled.
Konestabo went even closer towards the opener moments later. He was played through by Charlie Broomhead and had his shot cleared off the line by Rangers Stevan Stanic-Floody.
NWS Spirit FC made it 1-0 in the 28th minute. It was another fantastic ball from Broomhead which opened up the channel for Keys who slotted home.
Chances were at a premium for the ten-man Rangers. Their best one fell to Yuta Komura who flashed it wide of the left post.
Rangers needed a spark after the break and it came from a set piece. Thomas Lopez curled home a free-kick to make it 1-1 in the 52nd minute.
They looked dangerous again from another set piece. Shayden Sampow lofted it in and found the head of Rocco Pelle to nod straight at NWS Spirit FC keeper Christopher Marques.
The Rangers were pushing forward looking for the great escape. A ball fell to Rocco Pelle inside the box and he thrashed wide.
The hosts thought they had completed the turnaround in the 84th minute. Abraham Majok cut it back to Lopez who stroked home but the play was pulled up for an earlier foul much to the despair of the home crowd.
NWS Spirit FC had a chance to kill off the game. Konestabo released Ofuka who was denied well by Niski.
There was one final push for the Rangers as the game headed to stoppage time. Yuta Komura shot into the side netting from a flick on.
NWS Spirit FC had to see out the final moments with ten men after Konestabo received a red card for his second yellow card offence in what was a cruel blow as the Premiers will now play its semi-final clash without their star man.
Post match Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Ben Rollison reflected on a tough few weeks for the club which has seen them finish bottom of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.
“We went down fighting in this game but I think last weekend killed us in regards to momentum before the game.
“Oh well, there is always another game of football and we move into a League One Men’s campaign next season.” said Rollison.
For NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic, he looked back on a wonderful campaign for his side in 2025.
“I thought it was a tough game and it did get out of hand for both sides at the end.
“The boys have been fantastic all season and now we’ll have a big crack at the finals and trying to collect another trophy,” said Perkovic.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Lopez ’52)
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Keys ’28)
Sunday 31 August 2025
Popondetta Park
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Sebastian Ruskin
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Danilo Doce Monteiro, 6. Jared Macerola, 12. Rocco Pelle, 14. Abraham Majok, 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17. Stevan Stanic-Floody (2. Alexander Trajanoski ’76), 20. Thomas Lopez, 21. William Rankin (18. Lachlan Vasiliou ’84), 27. Shayden Sampow, 29. Yuta Komura
Unused subs: 4. Teng Athian, 16. Stefan Giglio, 25 Joshua Mifsud, 32. Jordi Fulete
Yellow cards: Majok ’34 Rankin ’68 Trajanoski ‘81
Red cards: Monteiro ‘15
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith (37. Jett Kaines ’84), 6. Corey Kavanagh, 8. Grant Cornwell, 10. Michael Konestabo, 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Charlie Broomhead (19. Zayne Ahluwalia ’46). 18. Andre Takami, 21. Harry Keys (17. Jacob Chidiac ’74), 22. Takumi Ofuka
Unused subs: 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 12. Jay Coates, 20. Austin Oates
Yellow cards: Broomhead ’31 Cornwell ’63 Keys ’65 Konestabo ’87 Nicholas ‘89
Red cards: Konestabo ‘94
Player Ratings:
3: Corey Kavanagh (NWS)
2: Michael Konestabo (NWS)
1: Thomas Lopez (MDTR)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
