After an action-packed weekend of finals football, Manly United FC have secured their place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final at CommBank Stadium on Saturday 27th August.
The second contender for the Championship title will be between Premiers Sydney Olympic FC and Blacktown City FC.
Sydney Olympic FC 1 (3) – Manly United FC 1 (4) at Belmore Sportsground
Manly United FC have booked their place in the NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final, with a sensational victory over Sydney Olympic FC that finished 4-3 in penalties after regular time concluded 1-1.
Olympic’s Sam McIllhatton scored the first goal of the match in the 107th minute, giving the hosts the lead, but Manly secured another last minute goal to even the score just before the final whistle, this time through Bruno Mendes in the 122nd minute.
The penalty shoot out provided plenty of excitement as Manly secured a 4-3 victory, sending them and their loyal fans into raptures as they celebrated their incredible feat.
While the victory sees Manly United with a place in the Grand Final at Commbank Stadium, Sydney Olympic will have to take on Blacktown City for their chance at the big show.
Blacktown City FC 2 – APIA Leichhardt FC 0 at Blacktown City Sports Centre
Blacktown City have progressed to the next stage of the NPL NSW Men’s finals series after securing a 2-0 victory over APIA Leichhardt in the Minor Semi-Final at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday evening.
Goals to Mitchell Mallia and Jordan Smylie were enough for the hosts to take the victory, with APIA Leichhardt unable to make an impact in the match despite continued attacking pressure through the 90 minutes.
Mitchell Mallia broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a clinical finish off the back of some high-calibre teamwork from Blacktown, while Smylie doubled their lead in the 49th minute with an impressive acrobatic volley.
The win will see Blacktown City face up against Sydney Olympic next weekend as they fight for a place in the Grand Final against Manly United, while APIA Leichhardt’s 2022 season has officially come to a close.