Griffiths and De Robillard Fire Manly to Vital Three Points
Manly United has secured a massive three points in the fight for survival, defeating UNSW FC 2-0 on Friday night at Cromer Park.
Despite the scoreline, it was a tightly contested affair, with Manly proving clinical in front of goal while UNSW FC were repeatedly denied by a resilient defensive display.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 10th minute against the run of play, with Samuel Griffiths finishing off a sharp counterattack. Manly then doubled their advantage in the 55th minute through a composed finish from Stephen de Robillard.
In a relatively even start to the contest, Manly struck first in ruthless fashion. Defending a corner at one end, the home side cleared their lines quickly and broke at pace through Ayumu Kimura. Burgess was released and squared the ball to Griffiths, who finished first time to give Manly an early lead.
UNSW FC responded immediately and could have levelled through Jyden Harb, but were denied by a superb save from Harry Turner.
The goal lifted both sides, with the match opening up into a frantic end to the first half, although neither team was able to create a clear-cut chance. Manly went into the break holding a 1-0 advantage, with UNSW FC still very much in the contest.
The second half began in similar fashion, with Manly once again striking early. De Robillard added the second after a well-weighted lay-off from Kimura, registering his third goal of the season.
The second goal sparked UNSW FC into life, as they pushed aggressively in search of a response for the remainder of the match.
Shortly after conceding, Manly’s defence was tested twice in quick succession. Oliver Puflett’s header forced another strong save from Turner, before Harb’s follow-up was cleared off the line in desperate fashion.
As the game entered its final stages, intensity increased and cards began to flow. UNSW FC continued to apply pressure but were repeatedly frustrated by last-ditch defending.
Puflett again went close, only for Lopes’ powerful follow-up to be cleared by Jesse Piriz, while Lopes had the final chance of the match, once again seeing Manly produce another crucial defensive intervention to preserve the clean sheet.
The result gives Manly United vital breathing room in the relegation battle, while UNSW FC will be left to reflect on a series of missed opportunities in a match that could have gone either way as the newly promoted side go on the hunt to secure more points in staying put in NSW’s top tier Men’s football competition.
Match Stats
Manly United 2 (Griffiths 10’, de Robillard 55’)
UNSW FC 0
Friday May 5th, 2026
Cromer Park
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana and Rory McFarlane
Fourth Official: Mia Velarde
Manly United: 4. Jesse Piriz, 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 6. Saxon Hillyer, 7. Stephan de Robillard, 8. Kakeru Ono, 10. Darcy Burgess (12. Mitchell Seaman 90+3’), 11. Ayumu Kimura, 17. Samuel Griffiths (9. Benjamin Coop 45’), 18. Luke Nieuwenhof (24. Toby Blakewell 19’), 21. Harry Turner, 33. Jasper Chipman
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Will Faulder, 19. Cai Evans, 20. George Russell, 22. Max Martinello
Yellow Cards: Koop 76’, Turner 90+4’
Red Cards: Nil
UNSW FC: 1. Tristian Prendergast, 3. Emilio Vinci (9.Kevin Lopes 78’), 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 11. Jack Fulton (15. Corby Fowler 68’), 14. Lachlan Campbell, 17. Jyden Harb, 18. Conor Quilligan (22. Gil Duffy 68’), 19. Oliver Pufflett, 20. Anthony Barbic (16. Kai Kakimura 68’), 21. Alexander Malfara (5. Claudio Fabiano 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: 7. Matias Da Silva Santos, 12. Cassius Flavell,
Yellow Cards: Barbic 28’, Harb 68’, Wood 72’, Malfara 73’, Campbell 75’, Fowler 80’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings
3 – Stephen de Robillard (MU)
2 – Darcy Burgess (MU)
1 – Harry Turner (MU)
By NPL NSW Report Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
