Spirit Edge Manly in Hard-Fought Contest
NWS Spirit FC held off a late Manly United surge to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Christie Park on Saturday, with Ben Duroux opening the scoring before Aiden Mostofi produced a stunning long-range strike to double the lead, as the visitors set up a nervy finish through Sam Griffiths’ second-half reply.
It was a fairly even contest throughout, with neither side able to dominate for sustained periods. Clear-cut chances were limited, but Spirit found the breakthrough just before halftime through Duroux.
Earlier, Duroux had gone close in the 9th minute, meeting a pinpoint cross from Riku Kobayashi with a well-timed header that drifted narrowly wide. Harry Turner was called into action shortly after, collecting two Grant Cornwell headers, while at the other end Stephan De Robillard curled an effort just past the woodwork.
Spirit thought they had their moment when Shoki Yoshida was brought down in the box, but penalty appeals were waved away. Soon after, Yoshida found the net following a loose ball on the edge of the area, only for the whistle to have already gone, much to the frustration of the home side. Kosta Petratos’ resulting free-kick sailed over the bar.
The pressure eventually told when Duroux pounced on a loose pass from Jasper Chipman, surged forward, and calmly finished to open the scoring. The relief around the ground was evident, with the 18-year-old celebrating his first senior goal in style.
That goal settled Spirit heading into the break, but Manly came out strongly in the second half — only to be stunned by Mostofi’s brilliance. His thunderous strike, full of power and precision, flew into the net to make it 2-0 and put Spirit firmly in control.
The match then took on a more physical edge, with frustration creeping into Manly’s play and several cautions issued.
Griffiths’ goal reignited the contest, capitalising on Spirit pushing high up the pitch. From a comfortable position, Spirit suddenly found themselves under pressure, with the final 20 minutes turning into a nervy affair.
Manly pushed hard for an equaliser, and only resolute defending and strong goalkeeping kept Spirit ahead. Substitute Mitchell Seaman had a golden chance, blasting over after latching onto a long ball, as the visitors threatened to snatch a point.
Despite the late pressure, Spirit showed composure when it mattered most, regaining control in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought victory against a lively and youthful Manly United side.
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 2 (Ben Duroux 42’, Aiden Mostofi 48’)
Manly United 1 (Samuel Griffiths 70’)
Christie Park, Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
Referee: Rowan Fisher
Assistants: Glen Stubbings & Charlie Hollings
Fourth Official: Alec Beale
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 2. Aiden Mostofi, 3. Kyah Williams, 7. Shoki Yoshida, 8. Grant Cornwell, 10. Kosta Petratos, 13.Simon Nicholas, 14. Ben Duroux (23. Daizo Horikoshi 65’), 17. Riku Kobayashi, 18. Andre Takami (15. Sam Armson 65’), 19. Zayne Ahluwalia
Subs Not Used: 5. Owen Henderson, 11. Kaan Nizam 11. Kaan Nizam, 30.Samuel Mills, 32. Thomas Mason
Yellow Cards: Sam Armson
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 21. Harry Turner, 3. Matthew O’Donaghue (12. Mitchell Seaman 67’), 4. Jesse Piriz, 6. Saxon Hillier, 7. Stephan De Robillard, 9. Benjamin Koop (17. Samuel Griffiths 53’), 10. Darcy Burgess (16. Will Faulder 67’), 11. Ayumi Kimura (8. Kakeru Ono 53’), 18. Luke Neuwenhoff, 24. Toby Bakewell (29. Douglas John 88’), 33.Jasper Chipman
Subs Not Used: 15. Max Martinello, 20. George Russell Yellow Cards: Matthew O’Donaghue 27’, Jesse Piriz 54’, Stephan De Robillard 58’, Jasper Chipman 85’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Aiden Mostofi (NWS)
2 – Jesse Piriz (MU)
1 – Ben Duroux (NWS)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
