Sharks sink St George FC to climb into the Top 6
Sutherland Sharks have extended their winning streak to three matches, climbing into the NPL Men’s NSW top six for the first time this year after a hard-fought 2-1 derby victory over St George FC extending their winless streak to 12 matches at Barton Park on Saturday evening.
A stunning Ryley Hollingdale free-kick and a late Richard Shoueiki winner cancelled out a Jayden Seeto equaliser, as St George FC suffered their 12th consecutive defeat in a difficult run of form.
St George FC, despite their ongoing struggles, started the brighter of the two sides and forced Daniel Nizic into early saves with both his hands and feet.
Rafael Costa and Justin Poon were lively in attack for the hosts, while Sutherland pair Richard Shoueiki and Nickolas Olsen began to grow into the contest and create chances at the other end.
It looked as though the derby would head into half-time level, but Hollingdale produced a moment of brilliance in the 41st minute. The 21-year-old midfielder curled an inch-perfect free-kick from 25 yards into the top-left corner, leaving Nicholas Sorras with no chance.
St George had a late opportunity to respond before the break, with Jaden Casella opting to go direct from a free-kick, forcing Sutherland captain Nizic into a sharp save which he tipped onto the crossbar to preserve the lead heading into half-time.
The home side carried that momentum into the second half and were rewarded just before the hour mark when Jayden Seeto rose to head home his first goal of the season, restoring parity for St George.
With the game opening up, both sides pushed for a decisive winner in an end-to-end contest.
That moment arrived for the visitors in the 80th minute when Shoueiki found the bottom-left corner for his fifth goal of the season, ultimately proving to be the difference in a tight local derby.
St George FC now travel to The Village Green to face UNSW FC next Saturday afternoon, a venue where the home side remains unbeaten this season. Saints coach Brian Brown has yet to taste victory since taking over a couple of matches ago and will need to be at their very best against an organised unit in UNSW FC.
Meanwhile, Sutherland Sharks return home to host relegation-threatened Blacktown City, with the chance to complete the league double after their 3-2 win earlier in Round 4.
Match Stats
St George FC 1 (Jayden Seeto 59’)
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Rylee Hollingdale 43’, Richard Shoueiki 80’)
Saturday 6th June, 2026
Barton Park
Referee: Matthew Staples
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Riley Myers
Fourth Official: Brayden McDonald
St George FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Rocco Smith, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Justin Poon (39. Ali Muzaffer 89’), 8. Evangelo Souris (35. Jayden Dorevski 89’), 10. Jaden Casella, 12. Jayden Seeto (20. Kota Toyooka 90+5), 15. Mark Rodic, 16. Kaidyn Wright, 38. Rafael Costa (29. Tanakorn Rugsat 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: 11. Anthony Morabito, 13. Vedran Janjetovic, 37. George Kotronakis
Yellow Cards: Mark Rodic 42’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danjiel Nizic, 3. Yianni Nicolaou, 4. Thijs Van Amerongen, 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Rylee Hollingdale, 8. Brendan Gan, 11. Danny Choi (7. Takumi Ofuka 78’), 15. Jamie Percevski, 17. Richard Shoueiki (30. Julian Fedele 90+5), 18. Gian Fiorese, 21. Nickolas Olsen
Substitutes Not Used: 10. Tariq Maia, 12. James Husoy,14. Yuto Kokuryo, 37. Jack Robinson, 40. Lukas Webber
Yellow Cards: Jordan Perez 83’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
Player Ratings
3 – Danjiel Nizic (SS)
2 – Rylee Hollingdale (SS)
1 – Kaidyn Wright (STG)
By Keane McKenna
