Round 28 Review – NPL Men’s NSW

Let’s take a look back at all the action from Round 28 of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition.

Sydney FC 0 v St George City 2 @ Ilinden Sports Centre
St George City strengthened their finals credentials with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC at Ilinden Sports Centre, making it four straight wins and four consecutive clean sheets as their remarkable late-season revival continues. Mason Tatafu opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a recycled corner before captain Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika doubled the advantage from another set piece in the 31st minute. Sydney FC enjoyed plenty of possession and came close through Zac Fowler, who struck the post, but struggled to create clear chances in the final third as Jack Kenny and the City defence held firm to secure another crucial three points and keep their finals hopes alive.

WSW 1 v St George FC 2 @ Wanderers Football Park
St George FC climbed off the bottom of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder with a massive 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Wanderers Football Park, boosting their survival hopes in the process. Christopher McStay opened the scoring in the 42nd minute after a superb team move, before Isaac Cunningham doubled the Saints’ advantage with a powerful header from a Jaden Casella corner in the 65th minute. The Wanderers pulled one back through Bradley Marszal in the 90th minute, but it proved too late as St George held on for three vital points, moving ahead of Sydney Olympic following their defeat.

Sydney Olympic 1 v Sydney United 58 2 @ Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney United 58 kept their Premiership hopes alive with a 2-1 comeback victory over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground, moving to 60 points and securing second place for another round. Olympic took the lead through Bailey Callaghan in the 34th minute after a strong first-half performance, but United 58 responded after the break with Mason Wells equalising in the 59th minute before substitute Michael Krslovic completed the turnaround six minutes later. The result leaves Olympic bottom of the table and under immense pressure in their fight against relegation, while United 58 now turn their attention to a huge clash against APIA next week.

Manly United 0 v NWS Spirit FC 4 @ Cromer Park
NWS Spirit FC produced a dominant display at Cromer Park, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Manly United FC to end the hosts’ nine-match unbeaten run and move within one point of the NPL Men’s NSW Top Six. Kosta Petratos was the star of the show, scoring a sensational hat-trick, including a stunning long-range opener in the 13th minute, before Riku Kobayashi doubled Spirit’s advantage in the 29th minute. Petratos added his second just before half-time before completing his hat-trick shortly after the break following a goalmouth scramble, as Spirit continued to control proceedings and create chances throughout the second half. The result keeps Spirit’s finals dream firmly alive, while Manly suffered their first defeat since Round 18.

APIA Leichhardt FC 3 v SD Raiders 1 @ Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt took a major step towards the NPL Men’s NSW Premiership with a convincing 3-1 victory over SD Raiders at Lambert Park, with Presley Ortiz scoring twice and Cameron Fong adding another as the hosts raced to a 3-0 lead by half-time. Ortiz opened the scoring in the 28th minute before doubling the advantage six minutes later, while Fong capitalised on a set piece to make it three before the break. SD Raiders responded strongly in the second half and Noah Chianese pulled one back in the 76th minute, but Oliver Kalac produced a superb save to deny Chianese again late as APIA held on for three crucial points and strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Marconi 1 v Sutherland Sharks 0 @ Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions ended a four-game losing streak and kept their Premiership hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 victory over Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium. Cameron Windust scored his first goal of the season with a powerful header from a corner to give the hosts the lead, before Marconi defended resolutely against a late Sharks surge. Sutherland struck the post through Tye McGowan and forced Joel Wade into a late save, but the Stallions held firm to secure three valuable points and remain within touching distance of APIA Leichhardt and Sydney United 58.

Rockdale Iinden 1 v Wollongong Wolves 2 @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Wollongong Wolves kept their slim finals hopes alive in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 victory over Rockdale Ilinden, with Yuto Fujita scoring a stoppage-time winner in the sixth minute of added time. Kristian Butkovic opened the scoring with a superb first-time volley before Moudi Najjar equalised just seconds after the second-half restart. Rockdale pushed for a winner and created opportunities, but Wollongong finished strongly before Fujita cut inside from the left and slid his decisive finish under Rowan Mulgrew to secure the Wolves’ first win since Round 16 and leave Rockdale’s Top Six hopes hanging by a thread.

Blacktown City 0 v UNSW FC 0 @ Valentine Sports Park
Blacktown City’s finals hopes suffered another setback after they were held to a goalless draw by UNSW FC at Valentine Sports Park. Both sides created opportunities, with Jyden Harb particularly influential for UNSW and both goalkeepers producing important saves, while Blacktown also came close through Maksim Jez and Nathan Grimaldi. Neither side could find the breakthrough, leaving Blacktown four points outside the Top Six with their finals hopes hanging by a thread.