Manly United Keep Finals Destiny In Their Own Hands
Manly United have ensured their hopes of playing NPL Men’s NSW finals football remain in their own hands on the final day after a crucial 2-0 victory over UNSW FC at The Village Green on Saturday evening.
Luke Nieuwenhof and Saxon Hillyer provided the decisive moments as Manly secured three vital points and maintained their place inside the Top Six heading into the final round.
There was no room for error for Manly entering the penultimate round of the 2026 season.
Having started the weekend inside the Top Six, the visitors knew they needed all three points if they wanted to enter the final day with their finals destiny in their own hands.
UNSW FC still had a mathematical path to the finals entering Round 29, although with their place in the top flight secured for next season, the home side were looking to play for the spoils and ride their strong home form towards a potential 10th league victory.
UNSW started brightly, with Rufus McGuinness causing problems in and around the Manly penalty area during the opening 10 minutes.
The forward was unable to get an effort on target, however, and the momentum soon swung back in Manly’s favour.
The visitors came close through Stephan De Robillard and Benjamin Koop before eventually breaking the deadlock through Nieuwenhof.
An inswinging corner found the head of Manly’s number 18, who directed his effort into the back of the net despite the best efforts of UNSW goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast.
Manly continued to press in search of a second goal, while UNSW produced moments of quality in and around the final third.
Neither side could find another breakthrough before half-time, with Manly taking their narrow advantage into the sheds.
The visitors almost doubled their lead 15 minutes into the second half.
Kakeru Ono broke through the UNSW lines before playing in the more advanced Darcy Burgess.
Burgess drove into the penalty area before squaring the ball in search of the unmarked Cai Evans, but at the crucial moment Evans lost his footing, allowing the UNSW defence to recover and clear their lines.
Manly came close again 10 minutes later when De Robillard rattled the crossbar with a wonderfully attempted volley from the edge of the penalty area.
The decisive second goal eventually arrived with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Saxon Hillyer stepped up from the edge of the 18-yard box and thundered a free-kick into the back of the net, putting Manly 2-0 ahead and effectively securing the crucial three points.
The victory keeps Manly United inside the Top Six heading into the final round, with their finals destiny now firmly in their own hands.
Manly will need a positive result when they travel down to Wollongong on the final day of the season if they are to reach the finals for the first time since 2022.
UNSW, meanwhile, will conclude their maiden NPL Men’s NSW campaign away against Rockdale Ilinden.
With everything on the line for Manly, the final round promises to be a huge afternoon at Macedonia Park.
Match Stats
UNSW FC 0
Manly United 2 (Luke Nieuwenhof 23’, Saxon Hillyer 79’)
Saturday 22nd August, 2026
The Village Green
Referee: Jack Nelson
Assistant Referees: Glen Stubbings and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Rory McFarlane
UNSW FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Emilio Vinci, 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 13. Sean Woods, 17. Jyden Harb, 19. Oliver Puflett (11. Jack Fulton 72’), 20. Antony Barbic, 21. Alexander Malfara (9. Kevin Lopes 72’), 22. Gil Duffy, 37. Rufus McGuinness (24. Thomas Hynes 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Timothy Wohlfiel, 8. Tacettin Kumsuz, 12. Cassius Flavell, 18. Conor Quilligan
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 4. Jesse Piriz, 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 6. Saxon Hillyer, 7. Stephan De Robillard (3. Matthew O’Donoghue 87’), 8. Kakeru Ono, 9. Benjamin Koop (28. Aston Hulme 74’), 10. Darcy Burgess (88. Kit Harper 87’), 18. Luke Nieuwenhof, 19. Cai Evans (11. Ayumu Kimura 77’), 29. Douglas John, 99. Mackenzie Syron
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Max Martinello, 16. Will Faulder, 21. Harry Turner
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
By Keane McKenna
