Round 1 Review – NPL Men’s NSW
Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 1 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
Manly United 1 v St George City 0 @ Cromer Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Vladimir Knezevic marked his competitive debut as Manly United head coach with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over St George City in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW season opener at Cromer Park.
In stark contrast to last season, the hosts applied sustained pressure throughout the contest and were rewarded in the 32nd minute when Max Martinello struck the decisive goal to separate the two sides.
Sydney FC 3 v SD Raiders FC 2 @ Ilinden Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney FC produced an energetic and composed performance to claim a 3-2 opening-round victory over newly promoted SD Raiders FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night, handing the visitors a stern introduction to National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW football.
Sky Blues young gun Reef Farias made history as he scored the first goal for 2026 with a great header in the 7th minute before Mitchell Glasson double his side’s lead in the 23rd minute.
The Raiders had some fight in them and pegged a goal back from the spot via Luka Knezevic before Nikolas Alfaro extended Sydney FC’s lead yet again midway through the second half.
Martin Fernandez made things interesting as he nabbed a goal with three minutes remaining but it was to be too little too late as Sydney FC got the year off with a winning start and the three points taking out the match 3-2.
NWS Spirit FC 1 v Sutherland Sharks 0 @ Christie Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Ten-men NWS Spirit held strong against former Premiership winning coach David Perkovic and the Sutherland Sharks, prevailing 1-0 in what was a emotional a fiery contest to start the new NPL Mens NSW season.
New signing Kosta Petratos was the difference scoring the game’s lone goal in the 32nd minute to give the Premiers the perfect start to their title defence.
St George FC 3 v Wollongong Wolves 0 @ Barton Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
St George FC opened their National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW campaign in emphatic fashion, recording a commanding 3-0 victory over Wollongong Wolves on Saturday night at Barton Park.
First-half goals from Jaden Casella and Christopher McStay set the platform for the hosts, before substitute Harrison Farrow added further gloss with a late strike deep into stoppage time.
Marconi 2 v APIA Leichhardt FC 1 @ Marconi Stadium – Full Match Report and Highlights
Marconi Stallions opened their National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW season with a deserved 2-1 victory over arch-rivals APIA Leichhardt FC in the traditional Derby d’Italia at a picturesque Marconi Stadium, where the pristine playing surface provided the perfect stage for a classic contest.
The Stallions were rarely troubled despite a very late consolation goal from APIA’s Oscar Gonzalez, taking control through a spectacular first-half strike from Teng Kuol before doubling their advantage early in the second stanza following a goalmouth scramble.
Sydney Olympic 1 v Blacktown City 3 @ Belmore Sports Ground – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney Olympic’s return to the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW for 2026 began in harsh fashion, as a slick and street-wise Blacktown City punished defensive lapses at set pieces to claim a 3–1 Round 1 victory at Belmore Sports Ground.
With a squad barely six weeks into its rebuild, Olympic competed strongly for long periods but were ultimately undone by three poorly defended corners.
First half goals to Nathan Grimaldi, Nikola Skataric and an own goal late in the second via Joshua Hong assured the three points went the way of Mark Crittenden’s men with Daniel Wong scoring a late consolation.
Sydney United 58 5 v UNSW FC 2 @ Sydney United Sports Centre – Full Match Report and Highlights
Sydney United 58 came from behind to beat newly promoted UNSW FC 5-2 in a thrilling season opener.
After falling behind to Jyden Harb’s first-half stoppage-time strike, the hosts hit back through Tomislav Ozanic, then Michael Krslovic’s heroics, including a hat-trick off the bench, sealed a memorable comeback alongside goals from Tomoki Wada.
WSW 0 v Rockdale Ilinden 2 @ Valentine Sports Park – Full Match Report and Highlights
Rockdale Ilinden began their National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW campaign in ideal fashion, claiming a 2–0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Valentine Sports Park.
The game took a turn for the worst for the Wanderers who lost Jai Rose for a second caution in the 52nd minute which change the complexion of the match.
A stunner by Giorgio Speranza and a goal from Ilinden skipper Brendan Cholakian all but registered Rockdale’s first three pointer of the season.
