Rockdale Ilinden FC have been crowned 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership winners after a thrilling final round of matches.

 

The title went down to the wire with Rockdale’s superior goal difference the deciding factor as they narrowly edged a fast-finishing Wollongong Wolves to snare a historic first premiership in more than half a century.

 

Wins for Wollongong, Sydney United 58 and Sydney Olympic’s draw in Round 11 wrapped up the top four setting up a blockbuster finals series which will get underway next week.

 

Sydney FC finished their season off with a win but it was a bittersweet result as United 58’s victory against APIA meant the Young Sky Blues narrowly missed out on a maiden finals appearance.

 

Blacktown City made it four wins from four to end their campaign on a high note, while it was disappointment for 2019 grand final winners APIA who secured the wooden spoon after finishing the rebooted season in last place.

Rockdale will now take on Sydney Olympic while the Wollongong Wolves will face Sydney United 58 with the winners meeting in this year’s 2020 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final.

 

Marconi Stallions 0 – Sydney FC 3 (Swibel 10′, 38′, Wood 90′)

Sydney FC have finished their season in winning fashion after they cruised to a one-sided 3-0 victory against a listless Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium on Friday.

 

It was a bittersweet victory for the Young Sky Blues after Sydney United’s big win in Friday’s late match meant Jim van Weeran’s side would narrowly miss out on a maiden finals berth finishing the season in fifth place.

 

Sydney made a fast start to the contest and were rewarded for their early endeavour when Jordi Swibel fired past the keeper after some questionable defending from the home side.

 

The visitors made two big stops midway through the half to deny Marconi an equaliser.

 

In the 25th minute an Anthony Frangie volley was blocked on the line by some desperation defending, before Nathan Milgate’s effort in the 27th minute hit the post before being cleared to safety.

 

Marconi’s defensive frailties were punished again in the 38th minute when Swibel tapped home from close range after being left unmarked to send the visitors ahead 2-0 at the interval.

 

The Young Sky Blues came out of the break with increased energy and began to take over the contest creating several chances during the early exchanges of the half.

 

Patrick Wood, looking to clinch the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer, missed three big chances to score during the second stanza and it looked as if he would not add to his tally of 10 goals for the campaign.

 

However, as all good goalscorers do, Wood found the back of the net in the final minute of the match to claim his 11th goal of the season and finish the league campaign as the competition’s most prolific scorer.

 

Blacktown City 5 (Lewis 3′, Jalloh 5′, 15′, 75′, Collins 12′) – Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Constable 38′, Auglah 79′)

A four-goal salvo in the opening 15 minutes has helped Blacktown to a one-sided 5-2 win against local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at Lily Homes Stadium on Friday.

 

Hassan Jalloh was the star of the show for Blacktown after he claimed a hat-trick in his side’s most dominant performance of the season and their fourth win on the trot.

 

It was one-way traffic from the opening whistle with City Captain Matt Lewis giving the home side the lead with a well-hit volley from the edge of the penalty area in the third minute of the match.

 

It began a tidal wave of goals with Jalloh netting twice in the fifth and 15th minute as well as a headed finish from Daniel Collins in the 12th minute.

 

The Wanderers had no answers for Blacktown’s ferocious attack and were left staring at a 4-0 deficit with less than a quarter of the game played.

 

Western Sydney’s Lochlan Constable won his side a penalty in the 38th minute and duly capitalised from the spot to send the game into the break with a scoreline of 4-1. 

 

It was a more reserved start to the second stanza as the Wanderers slowly found their way into the contest.

 

However, Jalloh made sure it would be a game neither he or his side would want to forget as he slotted his third goal of the game in the 75th minute to wrap up the win and a sublime hat-trick.

 

Ali Auglah netted a consolation goal for the Wanderers in the 79th minute, but it was Blacktown’s night as they finished a difficult campaign on a high note.

 

APIA Leichhardt 1 (Payne 30) – Sydney United 58 4 (Sim 15′, Payne OG 47′, Clut 71′, Khoury 79′)

Sydney United 58 gave their Premiership hopes a final push with a one-sided 4-1 win against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Friday.

 

The win temporarily moved United 58 into top spot, but it wasn’t enough as wins for Wollongong and Rockdale on Sunday meant the Reds finished the season in third position.

 

Needing to win to keep their slim Premiership hopes alive, The Reds made a fast start to the match and took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute courtesy of a clinical Matt Sim finish.

 

APIA marksman Chris Payne missed a golden opportunity in the 22nd minute firing wide of the post from only six yards out with only the keeper to beat.

 

Payne made up for his earlier error firing in from the penalty spot in the 28th minute to equalise after he was taken down in the box by a United 58 defender.

 

United 58 wasted an incredible chance to snatch the lead in the dying moments of the half when Matt Sim stole the ball off APIA defender Josh Symons only 25 yards from goal to set up a two-on-one chance for the visitors with only the keeper to beat. 

 

However, a sensational desperation tackle from Paul Galimi blocked Sim’s pass to United 58’s star striker Patrick Antelmi which allowed shot-stopper Luke Turnbull to parry the ball away for a corner kick.

 

Scores remained locked at the start of the second half, but it didn’t stay that way for long with a bizarre own goal from Payne giving United 58 the lead in the 47th minute.

 

The APIA striker heading into his net when he attempted to clear a corner kick. 

 

It opened the floodgates for the visitors as Devante Clut netted a long-range goal in the 71st minute to make it 3-1.

 

United 58 wrapped up the win only minutes later with Jackson Khoury tapping home from close range after Turnbull parried an early save right at the feet of the young midfielder.

 

While the result sent United 58 to the top of the table, albeit temporarily, it also confirmed last season’s grand final winners APIA would finish the season in last place.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Stewart 3′) – Sydney Olympic 1 (Lokolingoy 14′) at Popondetta Park

Sydney Olympic’s premiership hopes have gone down in flames after they were held to a 1-1 draw with strugglers Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Saturday.

 

Olympic wasted chance after chance, none more than when Jason Madonis missed a penalty in the 28th minute as the visitors were forced to fight back after going behind the home side in only the third minute. 

 

It was a frustrating night for the visitors who needed a win to remain a chance of claiming an incredible premiership victory, but instead, they were unable to get the job done and will now turn their attention to making amends when the finals series kicks off next week.

 

Mt Druitt made a rapid start to the contest with Jack Stewart finding the back of the net in only the third minute to give the home side a surprise 1-0 lead.

 

The goal was a wake-up call for Olympic and the soon found their way again with Charles Lokolingoy who scored an equaliser in the 14th minute with a driven shot from the edge of the penalty area.

 

Olympic thought they were on their way to a win in the 28th minute after being awarded a penalty.

 

However, Jason Madonis failed to read the script with his attempt at a cheeky panenka penalty hitting the crossbar before being cleared away by Mt Druitt. 

 

The game became bogged in midfield with neither side able to fashion any decent opportunities on goal as the match went into the break locked at 1-1.

 

Olympic was desperate to strike early in the second half but they struggled to break down a stingy Rangers defence.

 

Oliver Pufflett had an effort cleared off the line by the home side as the pressure to score began to take its toll on the visitors.

 

Peter Kekeris had one final chance for Olympic in the 90th minute but sent his free-kick agonisingly wide of the post.

 

The result meant Sydney Olympic had to settle for fourth place on the ladder and sets up a clash with Rockdale Ilinden FC in the first week of the finals. 

 

Wollongong Wolves 5 (Beattie 4′,48′,77′, Bingham 64′, 86) – Manly United 2 (Balderson 22′, Pandurevic 52′) at Albert Butler Memorial Park.

Wollongong Wolves have fallen narrowly short of defending their Premiership title despite a thrilling 5-2 win against Manly United at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.

 

Wollongong finished the season level on points with 2020 premiership winners Rockdale Ilinden FC but their inferior goal difference meant the trophy did not come to the South Coast for the second straight year.

 

The Wolves meant business from the opening whistle and took the lead after only four minutes when Takeru Okada set up Marcus Beattie to finish from close range.

 

Manly threw a spanner into the plans of the home side on the 22-minute mark as Scott Balderson hit the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.

 

The visitors were offering plenty of resistance and were not going to give the game to Wollongong without a fight.

 

Scores remained locked at the break but it didn’t take long for Wollongong to take the lead once again.

 

Beattie tapped home from close range from a corner kick in the 48th minute after he was left unmarked at the back post. 

 

But again, Manly refused to back down and hit back only moments later after a comical slip up from Wollongong Wolves defender Nicholas Littler to make it 2-2.

 

Unmarked and seemingly no under any pressure, Littler fell over when receiving a pass with Manly striker Richie Cardozo pouncing on the loose ball to tee-up Dejan Pandurevic for one of the easiest goals he will score at this level. 

 

The goal didn’t slow Wollongong down and Josh Bingham hit back in the 66th minute to send the home team ahead 3-2. 

 

The Wolves found their momentum and struck again through Beattie for his hat-trick in the 77th minute to stretch their lead to 4-2, before Bingham notched his second from the penalty spot to make it 5-2.

 

Wollongong, knowing they needed another goal to even the goal difference gap, pushed for a sixth in the dying moments but it wasn’t to be.

 

Wollongong will now turn their attention to securing a spot in the Grand Final when they take on Sydney Olympic in a semi-final clash next weekend.

 

Rockdale Ilinden 2 (Gauthier 61′, Urosevski 75′) – North Shore Mariners 1 (Caspers 59′) at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden FC has ended their 51-year premiership drought after securing the title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against North Shore Mariners at Ilinden Sports Centre.

 

Goals to Amaury Gauthier and fan favourite Alec Urosevski secured the historic win for the club after fighting back from 1-0 down early in the second stanza.

 

It was a battle in the middle of the park in the opening stages of the match with neither side creating any clear cut chances. 

 

Rockdale pushed hard for an opener but a determined North Shore defence refused to give in.

 

Chances were few and far between in the first 45 minutes with the match deadlocked at 0-0 going into the interval.

 

The match came to life after the break when the Mariners took advantage of Rockdale’s attacking push with a stinging counter-attack in the 59th minute to snatch a shock lead. 

 

With the home side sending extra troops up for a corner kick, North Shore cleared the ball before transitioning perfectly into attack with Williams hitting Eddie Caspers in space for the midfielder to score.

 

Rockdale hit back almost immediately with Amaury Gauthier punishing the Mariners defence to snare an equaliser in the 61st minute.

 

The game see-sawed back and forth with both sides giving their all determined to take the lead.

 

With the home support behind them, it was Rockdale who broke through with talismanic attacker Alec Urosevski finding the back of the net with a clinical finish to give the home side a 2-1 lead after 75 minutes. 

 

The goal sent the Ilinden faithful into raptures and it was the vocal home support which helped Rockdale hold on until the final whistle and to claim premiership honours.

The National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is set to go down to the wire after a thrilling week of Round 10 action setting up a three-way sprint to the title.

The penultimate week of the competition lived up to expectation delivering plenty of twists and turns.

Rockdale Ilinden clung onto top spot with 21 points ahead of the final matchday next week but have Wollongong Wolves and Sydney Olympic hot on their tail.

Sydney United 58’s premiership hopes took a major tumble this week with a costly draw.

The week’s other games also had plenty of surprises with huge wins for North Shore Mariners and Blacktown City.

With a top 4 finals series up for grabs round 11 looks huge but lets look at what unfolded in round 10.

 

Manly United 1 (Pandurevic 55’) – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 at Cromer Park

A second-half strike from Dejan Pandurevic has helped Manly United snatch a narrow 1-0 win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Cromer Park.

The star winger’s finish was the difference as the home side did just enough to claim all three points in a thrilling end to end contest.

Manly started the stronger of the two sides creating a handful of chances which were spoiled by the brilliant shot-stopping of Mt Druitt keeper Carlos Saliadarre.

Manly defender Sam Gallagher nearly broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break but his header crashed off the woodwork with the game going into halftime locked scoreless.

It was much of the same after the restart as Manly went on the offensive.

Saliadarre pulled off a spectacular diving save to tip a Kieran Paull effort over the crossbar only moments into the second stanza.

In the 55^th minute, Manly finally found their breakthrough when Pandurevic broke free of his defender on the right-wing before firing low into the bottom corner of the net.

Richie Cardozo had two chances to add to the score later in the match but the experienced frontman was unable to find the back of the net.

The boys from the Northern Beaches were not troubled in the dying stages of the match clinging on for victory and all three points.

Blacktown City 3 (Berry 56’, 85’, Jalloh 62’) – APIA Leichhardt 0 at Lily’s Football Stadium

A three-goal second half has helped Blacktown City cruise to a dominant 3-0 win against APIA Leichhardt at Lily’s Football Stadium on Friday.

A brace from Adam Berry and a brilliant finish from Hassan Jalloh was the difference as Blacktown made it two wins on the trot.

It was an even opening to the contest with APIA’s Tynan Diaz testing the Blacktown keeper early.

Luke Turnbull was called into action at the other end midway through the first half to deny Rhett Desilva.

Neither side was able to make the most of the changes in the opening 45 minutes as the match remained scoreless at the break.

However, it didn’t take long for Blacktown to open the scoring after the restart as Berry nailed a sublime free-kick which sailed over the wall and into the top corner to make it 1-0 in the 55^th minute.

Blacktown had found their groove and were able to double their lead moments later when Jalloh rounded the keeper to net his side’s second goal of the clash.

Berry wrapped up the result with a clinical finish from the left-hand side of the penalty area in the 86^th minute to make it 3-0 and wrap up all three competition points.

Marconi Stallions 1 (Jesic 85’) – North Shore Mariners 3 (Williams 40’, Lindsay 68’, Pyl 81’) at Marconi Stadium.

North Shore Mariners have caused one of the boilovers of the season stunning Marconi Stallions 3-1 at Marconi Stadium on Friday.

The result has thrown the Stallion’s finals hopes into disarray in what was a wild night at The Palace.

From the opening whistle, the Mariners were on the front foot testing Nenad Vekic in the Marconi goal.

The game was forced into an untimely hiatus midway through the first stanza with the floodlights going out and the match put on hold for more than 20 minutes.

The break recharged the Mariners who struck almost instantly after the match resumed courtesy of a slick finish from Charles Williams to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the half-time break.

Mariners captain Chris Lindsay continued his push to be known as the leagues best free-kick taker when he scored with a delightful curling effort to make it 2-0 in the 68^th minute.

North Shore wrapped up the win in audacious style 10 minutes from full-time when substitute Nelson Pyl chipped the keeper from 35 yards out only moments after coming on.

Marko Jesic claimed a late goal for Marconi but it was too little too late for the home side as the visitors secured all three points.

Sydney Olympic 1 (Madonis 68’) – Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at Lambert Park

Sydney Olympic has kept their premiership hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers at Lambert Park on Saturday.

A second-half strike from captain Jason Madonis was enough for Olympic as they secured a vital three competition points.

It was the Wanderers who were on the ascendency early on with several early shots on goal testing the keeper.

The visitors were forced to clear off the line to deny Zach Mackenzie in the 25^th minute.

Dean Pelakanos missed a brilliant chance to give Western Sydney the lead in the dying stages of the first half when he fired over the bar from only nine yards out.

It was the Wanderers on the attack again when the second half began, with Rory Jordan unable to beat the keeper in the 56^th minute.

After absorbing pressure for most of the match, Olympic took their chance in the 68^th minute with Madonis scoring from the edge of the penalty area to cap off a brilliant counter-attack.

Oliver Puflett had a chance to double Olympic’s lead in the final minutes of the contest but fired wide.

It didn’t matter in the end with the home side clinging on to take the win and remain in the premiership race going into the final round.

Sydney United 58 2 (Antelmi 33’, 66’) – Rockdale Ilinden 2 (Gauthier 68’, Wada 88’) at Sydney United Sports Centre

A thrilling second-half fightback has helped Rockdale snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against fierce rivals Sydney United 58 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Tomoki Wada’s 88th-minute penalty broke the hearts of United 58 fans and kept Rockdale on top of the table and in the hunt for a historic NPL NSW Men’s Premiership going into the final round.

For United 58, the result all but kills their dreams of finishing the season on top.

The home side started the better of the two and took the lead 33 minutes in with superstar striker Patrick Antelmi converting from the penalty spot to give United 58 a 1-0 lead at the break.

Antelmi would be the dangerman again for the home side after the restart when he fired the Reds into a 2-0 lead in the 66^th minute with his ninth goal of the campaign and second of the match.

However, the tide would turn only moments later with Amaury Gauthier making the most of a defensive mixup to halve the deficit with a cool finish from inside the box to make it 2-1.

Both sides were desperate for victory and fought hard for every possession heading into the final moments of the match.

With the game on a knife’s edge, a boneheaded play from Sydney United’s Anthony Tomelic cost his side greatly, giving up a crucial penalty by pulling down Gauthier in the box when the striker had no chance of getting to the ball.

Wada stepped up and clinically fired past the keeper to make it 2-2, completing the comeback as they snatched a vital competition point to keep them in the Premiership race.

Sydney FC 3 (Wood 63’, 93’, Main 88’) – Wollongong Wolves 4 (Bingham 4’, 21’, James 8’, Okada 57’) at Ilinden Sports Centre

Wollongong Wolves have held off a fast-finishing Sydney FC to triumph 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Wolves took a four-goal lead but they were forced to fight for their competition points as determined Sydney FC fell narrowly short of pulling off a wild second-half comeback.

The win moves the Wolves onto equal points with competition leaders Rockdale ahead of the final round of the season setting up an incredible sprint to the premiership on the last day of the season.

Wollongong raced out of the gates and took a 1-0 lead after only four minutes with Josh Bingham tapping home after some brilliant lead-up work from Takeru Okada.

It was 2-0 only moments later with Thomas James towering above his defender to head into the top right corner of the net.

Sydney FC’s young defence were struggling and it only got worse with Bingham claiming his second to make it 3-0 in the 21^st minute.

The start couldn’t have been any better for the visitors and they were unlucky not to score again before the half-time break.

It took Wollongong 10 minutes after the restart to find a fourth goal and wasn’t it special.

Okada dribbling past two defenders and finishing with the outside of his weak foot after setting up the move with a skilful scorpion kick flick-on.

The result was seemingly decided, but Sydney FC had other ideas and hit back through prolific striker Patrick Wood in the 63^rd minute to make it 4-1.

Sydney threw everything forward and snagged their second goal to make it 4-2 courtesy of Thomas Main with two minutes left on the clock.

When Wood found his second in added time to make it 4-3 it made for a nervy finish for the visitors.

However, time was against the home side with their valiant efforts not enough to secure a draw with Wollongong clinging on for victory.

The Premiership race has been blown wide open after Round 9 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Shock defeats for Sydney United 58, as well as draws for Sydney Olympic and Marconi, has completely shaken up the top five with Rockdale and Wollongong Wolves now in first and second position.

Rockdale have a two-point lead at the summit of the competition after this weekend’s action as they edged rivals APIA Leichhardt.

Sydney FC powered back into contention with a big win against Mt Druitt, while Blacktown City stunned everyone with their one-sided thrashing of United 58.

With only two matches in the regular season remaining, the premiership and finals places are very much for the taking. 

 

Blacktown City 5 (Jennings 13′, 21′, 61′,  Collins 47′, Desilva 50′)  – Sydney United 58 1 (Antelmi 25′) at Lily Homes Stadium

Sydney United 58’s Premiership hopes have suffered a significant blow after a Leroy Jennings hat trick lifted struggling Blacktown City to a shock 5-1 demolition of the ladder leaders at Lily Homes Stadium on Friday.

It was an incredible return to form for City with on-fire winger Jennings leading the way against an out of sorts United 58 side who slumped to their worst and most humiliating defeat of the season.

It was one-way traffic from early on in the contest with Jennings striking twice inside the first 20 minutes as United 58 struggled to contain City’s skilful winger.

Patrick Antelmi claimed his seventh goal of the season in the 25th minute to get the visitors back into the contest.

United 58 showed signs of life late in the first half as they pushed for an equaliser, but would go into the interval trailing a fired up Blacktown side 2-1 at the break.

The home side took their game up a level after the restart and punished some sloppy United defending when Daniel Collins headed home Blacktown’s third goal in the 47th minute.

Blacktown delivered a moment of brilliance in the 50th minute courtesy of Rhett Desilva.

The tricky midfielder unleashed an absolute thunderbolt into the top corner of the net from 35 yards out to give City their fourth goal of the match.

Jennings wrapped up the result on the hour mark in style with a header at the far post to claim his hat trick and give Blacktown one of the most spectacular wins of the season.

 

Marconi Stallions 1 (Jesic 55′)  – Manly United 1 (Cholakian 66′) at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions hopes of playing finals football have taken a significant hit after they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Manly United on Saturday.

A second half volley from Manly’s inspirational captain Brendan Cholakian helped the visitors fight back and snatch a point a gusty Marconi Stadium.

The result means the Stallions remain in sixth place, two points outside the top five with only two matches to play in the regular season.

It was a slow start to the match with neither side creating any clear cut opportunities to score.

Manly spurned a gilt-edged chance in the 25th minute when an unmarked Dejan Pandurevic fired over the crossbar with only the keeper to beat from only 9 yards out.

It proved to be the best chance of the opening stanza with the windy conditions hampering the play of both teams as they went into the break locked at 0-0.

Marconi didn’t take long to find the back of the net after the restart with club captain Marko Jesic heading home from close range to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Manly was not to be denied and hit back shortly after with Cholakian volleying home with his left foot after a sloppy defensive clearance from the Stallions to level the score at 1-1.

Cholakian had a chance to steal victory for his side in the dying stages, but Marconi shot-stopper Nenad Vekic expertly saved his stinging effort as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

 

Sydney Olympic 1 (Gligor 47′) – North Shore Mariners 1 ( Lindsay 31′) at Lambert Park

Sydney Olympic has missed a chance to move into the top spot on the NPL NSW Men’s competition table after they were held to a shock 1-1 draw with bottom side North Shore Mariners on Saturday.

A second-half strike from Hagi Gligor cancelled out North Shore captain Chris Lindsay’s first-half free-kick as the home side were forced to settle for a point.

The draw could prove costly for Olympic’s Premiership hopes as they were unable to make the most of league leader.

After a mostly uneventful opening to the match, the Mariners took the lead after 30 minutes courtesy of Lindsay.

The North Shore captain fired in a sublime curling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area which flew into the top corner to give the visitors a shock 1-0 lead at the break.

Olympic raced out of the blocks after the interval and was able to equalise less than 90 seconds after the restart when Chris Gligor poked the ball home from close range after the Mariners were unable to clear a corner kick off their line.

Tempers frayed through the second-half as frustrations got the better of both sides.

Olympic pushed for a winner late in the contest, but it wasn’t to be as the Mariners clung on to claim a hard-earned point which felt like a victory for Joe Hayward’s side who stung Ante Juric’s highly talented squad.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 – Sydney FC 5 (Swibel 11, 59′, Fay 12′, 36′, 89′) at Popondetta Park

A quality Thomas Fay hat-trick has helped revive Sydney FC’s Premiership hopes as the Young Sky Blues claimed a dominant 5-0 drubbing against a hapless Mt Druitt Town Rangers outfit at Popondetta Park on Saturday.

It was a sensational bounce-back performance from Sydney after their 4-0 loss last week as they move back into the top five, only four points behind ladder leaders Rockdale.

A fast start to the match had the visitors on top early with Jordi Swibel converting from the penalty spot and Fay claiming his first goal of the game to give Sydney a 2-0 advantage inside the opening 15 minutes.

Fay claimed his third minutes out from the interval with Sydney in complete control of the contest.

It was more of the same in the second stanza with the visitors stretching their lead from the penalty spot in the 60th minute as Swibel claimed a brace in his first start of the season.

Mt Druitt had a few moments of their own late in the second half but was unable to make the most of their chances.

In the last minute of the match, Fay wrapped up his hat trick with a simple tap in at the back post to secure the 5-0 win for Sydney FC.

 

Wollongong Wolves 1 (Bingham 32′) – Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at Albert Butler Memorial Park

A first-half goal from Josh Bingham was all it took for Wollongong Wolves as they claimed a 1-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.

The result moves Wollongong into the second spot on the ladder, two points behind first-placed Rockdale Ilinden with two games left in the season.

Josh Bingham opened the scoring for the home side on the half-hour mark with Wollongong taking their 1-0 lead into the break.

Western Sydney fought back in the second stanza but could not break down a composed Wolves defence.

Despite a spirited performance from the Wanderers, it wasn’t enough as Wollongong clung on to claim all three competition points.

 

Rockdale Ilinden 3 (Neill 44′, Casella 63′, Urosevski 89′ )  – APIA Leichhardt 2 (Galimi 52′, Diaz 74′ ) at Ilinden Sports Centre

In what appeared to be the game of the round thanks to all the heart stomping action, Rockdale Ilinden has jumped to the top of the NPL NSW Men’s competition ladder after a dramatic final minute goal from ‘the baker’ Alec Urosevski has helped them to a 3-2 win against rivals APIA Leichhardt.

Ilinden now sits two points clear of second-placed Wollongong Wolves and are in pole position to take out the premiership with only two matches left in the regular season.

Urosevski’s goal capped off a thrilling contest and helped Rockdale claim a rare victory against their bogey side APIA.

APIA took the game to their opponents from the opening whistle and had the best chances of the opening stanza.

However, it was the home side who would take the lead on the cusp of half time.

A rasping shot from Tomoki Wada clanged off the woodwork before falling at the feet of Michael Neill who tapped home from only a few yards out.

APIA hit back almost immediately after the restart with Paul Galimi heading home from a corner kick to level the score at 1-1.

Rockdale would take the lead once again in the 62nd minute when Jaden Casella finished a counter-attacking move from the home side.

It was an end to end match, and both sides refused to roll over.

APIA found an equaliser courtesy of Tynan Diaz in the 74th minute when the veteran winger finished a flowing move with a composed shot past the keeper

With the game headed for a draw, Rockdale delivered a final twist with Urosevski claiming a dramatic late winner firing past Luke Turnbull with his second effort to snatch the win and all three competition points.

Sydney United 58 has jumped into top spot of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as Round 8 came to a close on Sunday.

With only three weeks left in the regular season, the battle for Premiership honours is set to go down to the wire.

United 58 claimed a massive victory against rivals Marconi to move ahead in the title race.

Rockdale Ilinden’s big win against Sydney FC has them only a point behind, while Sydney Olympic’s loss meant they drop to third, two points behind the leaders.

It was a big week for APIA Leichhardt and Blacktown City who both claimed vital victories after a long winless run.

 

APIA Leichhardt 1 (Payne 85′) – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 at Lambert Park

A Chris Payne penalty has helped APIA Leichhardt to their first win in a month defeating Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1-0 at Lambert Park on Friday.

It was a much-needed victory and a sure confidence booster for APIA who have struggled during the rebooted season.

The visitors made a fast start to the match and were inches away from taking an early lead when a long-range effort cannoned off the upright in the sixth minute.

APIA forced two big saves from Rangers keeper Carlos Saliadarre midway through the half as both teams traded chances without capitalising.

The match remained deadlocked at 0-0 during the half-time interval, but it looked destined to change with APIA making a strong case after the restart.

Some desperate defending from Mt Druitt denied a brilliant APIA chance in the 64th minute, but it all came unstuck for the visitors eight minutes from time when Payne won his side a penalty.

The veteran marksman fired into the back of the net from the spot to secure all three points and the win.

 

Manly United 1 (Cholakian 24′) – Blacktown City 2  (Lewis 19′, Bangura 28′) at Cromer Park 

A brilliant attacking performance in the first half has helped Blacktown City to their first win of the rebooted season as they defeated Manly United 2-1 at Cromer Park on Friday.

It was Blacktown’s first win in eight weeks with the three points moving them off the bottom of the ladder.

The visitors made a rapid start to the match and had Manly on the back foot early.

Blacktown was rewarded for their early endeavour winning a penalty in the 17th minute.

City’s Lewis had his spot-kick saved by a sensational diving effort from Manly shot-stopper Dylan Mitchell. Still, unfortunately for the home side, the ball bounced straight back to the Blacktown skipper who fired into the net with his second effort.

Manly hit back almost immediately courtesy of a powerful, driven free-kick from captain Brendan Cholakian which deflected off a defender and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

The action was end to end, and in the 29th minute, Blacktown took the lead once again.

Suleyman Bangura swooped on an errant backpass from Manly’s defence on the edge of the penalty area before firing into the back of the net with a composed shot past the outstretched arms of keeper Mitchell.

Bangura went inches away from scoring another on the cusp of half-time when a long-range shot sailed narrowly wide.

Blacktown continued to have the ascendency in the second half with Adam Berry hitting the crossbar from a sublime curling free-kick after 62 minutes.

Scott Balderson had a late chance to snag an equaliser for the home side, but it was expertly saved as City clung on to end their winless streak.

 

Western Sydney Wanderers (Auglah 46′, 60′) v North Shore Mariners (Smith 26′) at Valentine Sports Park

A second-half brace from the highly talented Ali Auglah has helped Western Sydney Wanderers to a 2-1 come from behind victory against North Shore Mariners at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday.

The 18-year-old striker fired moments after the restart to score an equaliser before securing the win with a composed penalty.

It was the Mariners who had started the stronger of the two sides and took a 1-0 lead after 26 minutes when Mitchell Smith made the most of an enterprising run from Charles William to score from 10 yards out.

North Shore would hold onto their lead until the half-time interval before Western Sydney found an equaliser on seconds after the restart.

Auglah tapped past the keeper to finish a rapid Wanderers counter-attack which went from one end to the other in less than 10 seconds.

Only 15 minutes later the Wanderers would take the lead when Auglah fired from the penalty spot after Chris Lindsey was taken down inside the edge of the box.

The Mariners pushed for an equaliser, but it wasn’t to be with the Wanderers clinging on for the win and all three competition points.

 

Wollongong Wolves (Okada 19′) 1 – Sydney Olympic 0 at Albert Butler Memorial Park

Wollongong Wolves have injected life into their Premiership hopes edging competition leaders Sydney Olympic at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.

A Takeru Okada goal midway through the first half was the difference with the Wolves now within three points of top spot after the win.

Wollongong took control of the contest from the opening whistle and appeared a side on a mission as they took the game to their premiership rivals.

In the 19th minute, the home side was rewarded for their dominance when Okada fired past the keeper after dribbling past three Olympic defenders to give Wollongong a 1-0 lead.

It should’ve been 2-0 in the 38th minute when the Wolves won a penalty after the referee ruled a handball in the box against Olympic defender Thomas Whiteside.

However, Thomas James spurned the chance, firing his penalty kick wide with Wollongong taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Sydney Olympic bounced back in the second half and found their mojo in attack to put pressure on the Wolves defence.

However, the visitors failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal spurning chance after chance.

It would prove to be a deciding factor in the game with Olympic unable to find an equaliser as Wollongong clung on to claim a win and a vital three competition points.

 

Sydney United 58 (Antelmi 65′, Sim 68′) 2 – Marconi Stallions (Jesic 23′) 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 has shot to the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a 2-1 win against local rivals Marconi Stallions.

A second-half flurry from United 58 was the turning point with the home side scoring two goals in three minutes to fight back from 1-0 down.

United 58 were unlucky not to take the lead inside the first 20 minutes when Patrick Antelmi fired into the side netting after going around.

However, it was Marconi who took the lead in the 23rd minute thanks to a textbook set-piece.

Marko Jesic headed home from close range after being set up from a lofted header from Nathan Millgate.

Both sides were creating chances but lacked the finishing touch to capitalise on their opportunities.

Marconi would hold their lead into the half time break, but United 58 was far from a beaten team after the first 45 minutes.

It took only 15 minutes into the second stanza for the home side to hit back with Antelmi completing a sublime passing move.

A brilliant ball from Yianni Perkatis found Glen Trifiro on the edge of the penalty area who then set up Antelmi to tap in with a cutting pass to the back post which dissected the Marconi defence.

Moments later United 58 took the lead thanks to more brilliance from Perkatis.

The midfielder delivered a well-weighted lofted ball over the backline which fell perfectly for Matt Sim to fire past the goalkeeper and make it 2-1 for the home side.

It set up a tense finish to the match, but United 58 were able to cling on and take a vital three competition points which catapulted them to top of the competition ladder.

 

Rockdale Ilinden (Neill 45′, Gauthier 52, Urosevski 80′, Wada 82′) 4 v Sydney FC 0 at Ilinden Sports Centre

A dominant Rockdale Ilinden has boosted their Premiership hopes with a 4-0 win against Sydney FC at Ilinden Sports.

A Michael Neill goal on the cusp of half-time had Rockdale in the driver’s seat after the first 45 minutes, but it was their three goals in the second stanza which secured the result.

It was a tight contest from the opening whistle with both teams unable to capitalise on their chances.

With the match headed for a scoreless stalemate at the half, Rockdale claimed a surprise goal as Micheal Neill fired in from the left edge of the penalty area after a brilliant run off the win.

Rockdale’s momentum carried on after the restart, and it took less than ten minutes for the home side to double their lead.

Amaury Gauthier delivered a clinical finish from close range to tap home from 6 yards out after a driven cross into the box.

Rockdale made it 3-0 with ten minutes left on the clock when  the club’s ‘local baker’ star frontman Alec Urosevski fired into the back of the net after Tomoki Wada stole the ball from the Sydney FC defence.

A quick-thinking Wada claimed a contender for goal of the season in the 83rd minute when he chipped the keeper from 45 yards out after winning a free-kick to make it 4-0 and wrap up the win for Rockdale.