Round 15 of the National Premier League NSW season was a big week for APIA Leichhardt Tigers who have cut Sydney Olympic’s lead at the top of the table to four points.
A win against rivals Blacktown City helped APIA make ground on Olympic who were lucky to snatch a draw against a determined Hakoah Sydney City East on Saturday.
Rockdale’s incredible winning run has come to an end with Paul Reid’s side humbled by a fired up Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
In the Round’s other matches Sydney United 58 and Wollongong Wolves both had wins while Marconi Stallions also collected three points from their trip to take on Manly United at Cromer Park.
Hakoah Sydney City East 2 – Sydney Olympic 2 at Hensley Athletic Field
Sydney Olympic’s Max Burgess broke Hakoah Sydney City East hearts firing home deep in injury time to snatch a 2-2 at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday.
A quick-fire double from Hakoah winger Anthony Frangie looked to have given all three points to the home side, but they were unable to deny the league leaders from claiming a point.
Olympic were at their electric best during the first half. Alejandro Sanchez Lopez outpaced his defender before he slotted home after 15 minutes. The visitors could’ve piled on the score albeit for their wastefulness in front of goal.
It was a completely different story in the second half as Olympic’s performance tailed off in the second stanza and Hakoah took advantage with Frangie’s double seemingly enough for Gavin Rae’s side enough to claim a shock upset.
However, it wasn’t to be for Hakoah as Burgess struck in the 95th minute to ensure Olympic didn’t go home empty handed.
Manly United FC 2 – Marconi Stallions 3 at Cromer Park
Marconi Stallions held off a fast finishing Manly United to snatch all three points with a 3-2 win at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
There were goals galore in an absorbing contest, which left both sides with a strong case for deserving the win.
The teams headed into the break level after goals from James Andrew and Nikola Taneski highlighted an intense first stanza.
The second half saw a calamitous own goal and precise Marko Jesic set piece prove the difference for the Stallions, ensuring Dylan Macallister’s late strike was pure consolation.
In the end it was a highly contested, but valuable, three points for the visitors as the race for finals positions intensifies.
Sydney FC 0 – Sydney United 58 FC 3 at Lambert Park
An inspired second half performance has helped Sydney United 58 to a 3-0 win against Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday.
After withstanding an impressive attacking onslaught from the home side in the opening 45 minutes, United 58 found their shooting boots to dominate the second stanza and claim all three competition points.
Veteran striker Chris Payne opened the scoring in the 45th minute before a quality finish from Patrick Antelmi doubled the visitors lead with only seven minutes left on the clock.
Payne wrapped up the result in the final moments in the game with a trademark goal from inside the edge of the penalty area to finish the match with a brace.
The result cements United 58’s fourth position on the table, while Sydney FC remain at the bottom of the competition after 15 rounds.
Wollongong Wolves FC – Sutherland Sharks at JJ Kelly Park
A last minute winner saw a determined Wollongong Wolves come from behind to defeat Sutherland Sharks 2-1 on a chilly Sunday afternoon at JJ Kelly Park.
After a goalless first half, Adrian Vranic popped up to open the scoring for the Sharks with a poacher’s effort moments after the restart.
Jordan Nikolovski, making his first start for the Wolves, levelled the scores on the hour mark with a magical lob from 30 yards before the experienced Nick Montgomery completed the turnaround with a powerful winner in added time to seal a hard earned three points for the hosts.
The match was played in cold and windy conditions on the South Coast, with a win on the agenda for both sides as they sought to keep themselves in contention for finals football.
Blacktown City FC 1 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 at Lily Homes Stadium
Adrian Ucchino’s last-gasp strike earned APIA Leichhardt a crucial 2-1 victory over premiership rivals Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday Afternoon.
The Tigers midfielder rifled a long-range effort past Blacktown goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast in the final minute of regular time to hand Billy McColl’s side a priceless three points and move five points clear of their fellow title challengers.
Ucchino’s heroics book-ended a tense affair in Seven Hills that saw the two sides locked at 1-1 for much of the contest after Sean Symons had cancelled out an early Joey Gibbs penalty.
The Blacktown forward had a chance to bury a second spot kick 12 minutes before full time to hand the home side the advantage, but Gibbs’ effort was saved by APIA goalkeeper Ivan Necevski – leaving Ucchino to break City hearts late on.
Rockdale City Suns 2 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Bonnyrigg White Eagles have ended Rockdale City Suns three game winning streak with a 4-2 win at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The early action was all Rockdale’s until two quick goals by Jewook Woo gave Bonnyrigg the lead going into the break.
Sam Gallaway and Shervin Adeli both struck for Bonnyrigg after the restart to stretch the White Eagles lead to 4-0 with only 15 minutes left on the clock.
Toufic Alameddine and Alec Urosevski found the back of the net in quick succession for the Suns but by this point it was too late as Bonnyrigg secured a well deserved victory away from home.
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