Harb Magic Inspires UNSW To Third Straight Win Over NWS Spirit

UNSW FC have climbed above NWS Spirit FC on the ladder after a convincing 3-1 victory at The Village Green on Saturday night, securing their third consecutive win of the season.

The hosts showed resilience throughout the contest, withstanding dangerous periods of Spirit pressure at the beginning of both halves before producing a strong attacking display. Jyden Harb’s stunning solo effort in the 70th minute was the highlight, with the strike a genuine contender for goal of the season.

Spirit started the brighter of the two sides, with Shoki Yoshida weaving his way through the UNSW defence in the fifth minute before Andre Takami’s floated cross towards the back post narrowly missed its intended target.

NWS Spirit continued to threaten, with Jay Coates called into action in the seventh minute after Aiden Mostofi’s powerful long-range effort forced the goalkeeper into a save, pushing the ball behind for a corner.

Despite Spirit’s early pressure, it was UNSW who opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Brilliant build-up play created space at the back post, allowing Kevin Lopes to arrive and slot home a close-range finish beyond Coates.

The visitors responded quickly, with Mostofi seeing a cutback pass sail just over the crossbar in the 17th minute before Yoshida almost capitalised moments later after a slip in defence.

Kosta Petratos came close to an equaliser in the 23rd minute, but Tristan Prendergast produced an excellent point-blank save to deny him.

Four minutes later, Coates was again forced into action at the other end, punching away a dangerous Harb free-kick.

Spirit continued to press and were rewarded in the 35th minute when Kobayashi found space inside the box and finished confidently after being picked out by Sam Armson, bringing the scores level at 1-1.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with Spirit immediately looking to attack. Lopes fired straight at Coates within seconds of the restart before Nathan Roberts went close after a strong run towards goal ended with UNSW recovering possession.

However, UNSW soon regained control and restored their lead in the 54th minute. Harb delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal, finding Sean Woods, who produced a powerful finish to make it 2-1.

The goal shifted momentum firmly towards the hosts, with Spirit struggling to contain UNSW’s attacking threat.

Harb almost added another in the 65th minute, forcing Coates into another save, while a dangerous corner moments later nearly allowed Grant Lynch to get a decisive touch before the goalkeeper reacted quickly.

The moment of the match arrived in the 70th minute.

Receiving the ball just inside halfway, Harb drove forward, beat Bradie Smith with a superb piece of skill and curled a composed right-footed strike into the net to complete a stunning individual goal and give UNSW a 3-1 lead.

Sean Woods came close to adding a fourth in the 83rd minute, but UNSW managed the closing stages professionally to secure another important victory.

The result extends Spirit’s struggles away from home, with the side now without a win in their last eight away matches, while UNSW continue their push towards the finals.

Both teams remain just four points outside the Top Six, keeping their finals hopes very much alive heading into the closing stages of the season.

Match Stats

UNSW FC 3 (Kevin Lopes 11’, Sean Woods 54’, Jyden Harb 70’)

NWS Spirit FC 1 (Riku Kobayashi 35’)

Saturday 18 July, 2026

The Village Green

Referee: Eric Saba

Assistant Referees: Blake Eastwood and Lance Greenshields

Fourth Official: Brady Fisher

UNSW FC: 1.Tristan Prendergast, 2.Timothy Wohlfiel, 3.Emilio Vinci, 6.Grant Lynch, (7.Thomas Quilligan 76’), (8.Tacettin Kumsuz 60’), 9.Kevin Lopes, 10.Nathan Roberts, (11.Jack Fulton 90+1’) 13.Sean Woods, 14.Lachlan Campbell, 15.Corby Fowler, (16.Wan Gatkek 90+1’), 17.Jyden Harb, (19.Oliver Puflett 76’), 21.Alexander Malfara

Substitutes not used: 12.Cassius Flavell, 22.Gil Duffy

Yellow cards: Alexander Malfara 65’, Grant Lynch 86’, Jack Fulton 90+2’

Red cards: None

NWS Spirit FC: 2.Aiden Mostofi, 3.Kyah Williams, 4.Bradie Smith, 7.Shoki Yoshida, (8.Grant Cornwell 76’), 9.Callum Kealy, 10.Kosta Petratos, 12.Jay Coates, 13.Simon Nicholas, 15.Sam Armson, 17.Riku Kobayashi, 18.Andre Takami, (20.Tristan Hammond 76’), (21.Noah Peacock 64’), (22.Stavros Tserpes 64’), (32.Thomas Mason 76’)

Substitutes not used: 1.Christoper Marques, 5.Owen Henderson

Yellow Cards: Noah Peacock 81’, Simon Nicholas 87’, Tristan Hammond 90+4’

Red cards: None

Player ratings

3 – Jyden Harb (UNSW)

2 – Sean Woods (UNSW)

1 – Sam Armson (NWS)

-By Tobias Canning