Matchday two of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s finals series is in the books and wasn’t it a crazy night of action.

APIA Leichhardt secured the first grand final spot with a huge win in Wollongong which forces the Wolves to take the long route to Bankwest Stadium

However, it was at Lilys Football Stadium on Wednesday night where things really got weird with Sydney United 58 eliminating Blacktown City in one of the more bizarre finals matches you will likely witness.

The results set up a massive preliminary final clash for Saturday afternoon as United 58 and Wollongong face off at WIN Stadium for a grand final berth.

If the finals matches so far are anything to go by then this clash should be one you won’t want to miss.

 

Major Semi-Final

Wollongong Wolves 0 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 at WIN Stadium

The ‘underdogs’ APIA Leichhardt Tigers secured their place in the 2019 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final at Bankwest Stadium with a gritty 1-0 victory over Premiers Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Wednesday night.

It was one of the competition’s most lethal marksman in Chris Payne that proved to be the difference with the prolific front man scoring in the 81st minute that sent the APIA troops into raptures.

Payne has been an absolute steal for the Tigers since moving to the club this year having come across from rivals Sydney United 58. The ace marksman has racked up a tally of 22 goals for the year and has firmly set his eyes on winning silverware.

John Calleja had a game plan to nullify the Premiers who were firm favourites from the get-go and it worked to a tee as the Wolves grew frustrated in not being able to play its normal game.

Coming from playing 120 minutes of football as well as penalties in their 5-3 win last Saturday against Blacktown City, it was always going to be a tall order for the visitors but determination and playing to a game plan worked wonders for the APIA side.

Minor Semi-Final

Blacktown City 3 – Sydney United 58 7 at Lily Homes Stadium

Two extra-time goals has helped Sydney United pull off one of the most spectacular finals comebacks in National Premier Leagues NSW history to snatch a 7-3 win against Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium

Locked at 3-3 at the end of 90 minutes, after fighting back from 2-1 and 3-2 down, United delivered a masterclass in extra-time to score four unanswered and secure the most incredible of victories.

Former City striker Patrick Antelmi came back to haunt his former club by scoring eight minutes into extra time before a Tarik Maia wonder strike and Matt Sim double at the death gave United 58 the historic victory and bundled City out of the finals.

The first 20 minutess of the match was nothing anyone could have predicted with five goals an a missed penalty in what was an explosive opening to the contest.

Peter Simonoski gave the visitors the lead after eight minutes before Blacktown hit back with a penalty for Matt Lewis. Dakota Askew spurned a brilliant chance moments later when he missed Blacktown’s second penalty of the night.

The two sides then traded goals with Grant Lynch finding the back of the net before Simonoski levelled from the penalty spot but only before Leroy Jennings would then give Blacktown the lead once again.

A Tomislav Uskok goal midway through the second half set up what would be a thrilling close to the match with the scores locked at 3-3.

It was a difficult way for Blacktown’s season to come to an end, but one Sydney United 58 and their fans will definitely not forget.

Week one of the National Premier Leagues NSW Mens finals series delivered in spades with two epic clashes.

Sydney United 58 took on fierce Marconi Stallions at Sydney United Sports Centre in the elimination final with the game needing extra-time for a deciding goal.

The preliminary semi-final also went the distance with penalties required to settle the clash between APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Blacktown City at Lambert Park.

It was a brilliant first serve of finals football for 2019 and it is surely only going to get better on the path to the season’s decider at Bankwest Stadium on August 31.

Sydney United 58 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 (AET) at Sydney United Sports Centre 

A dramatic extra-time brace from substitute Patrick Antelmi has helped Sydney United 58 eliminate fierce rivals Marconi Stallions with a 2-0 win in the elimination semi-final at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday.

It was a brilliant performance from Antelmi who added to his brilliant finals scoring record to lift United 58 at home after the match was deadlocked

The Substitute cooly finished after a Sim pass in the 92nd minute before wrapping up the win with a penalty in the 112th to end Marconi’s finals campaign.

The win keeps United’s finals hopes alive and sets up a semi-final clash against either Blacktown City on Wednesday night.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 (5) – Blacktown City 1 (3) at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers have snatched an incredible 5-3 penalty shootout win against Blacktown City in a  thrilling preliminary semi-final at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Ivan Necevski was the hero for APIA making a clutch save to deny Joey Gibbs in the shootout after the match finished deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time.

It was a rollercoaster ride for fans with Chris Payne giving the home side a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot in  the first period of extra-time before Gibbs snatched an incredible equaliser in the dying seconds of the match to send the contest to a shootout.

The result means APIA will now take on Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Wednesday night for a spot in the Grand Final, while Blacktown have a second chance at life with a minor semi-final match at Lily’s Homes Stadium against Sydney United 58 also on Wednesday night.

There were plenty of twists and turns in a thrilling final day of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s regular season.

The fifth and final playoff spot was on the line with Sydney United 58 the biggest winners as they not only secured their place in the post season but also claimed an unlikely home final.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Sydney Olympic both needed to win and have results go their way if they were to sneak into the top five.

While they both got the first half of the equation done, the results they required didn’t eventuate as they finished the season in sixth and seventh respectively.

Blacktown City and APIA both dropped points after poor performances while Wollongong Wolves gave their fans a brilliant lap of honour with a final round win at home.

Relegated side Hakoah Sydney City East delivered a much improved performance in a 1-1 draw but it would be a bittersweet result as they face the reality of their drop to NPL2.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2- APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 at Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers have narrowly missed out on a place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Mens finals series despite a brilliant 2-1 upset win against APIA Leichhardt at Popondetta Park on Sunday.

The Rangers needed victory and for Sydney United and Sydney Olympic to lose if they were to pull off a miracle top five finish, and while Aidan Desmond’s side did their part the other half of the equation didn’t.

Toufic Alamedddine gave Mt Druitt the early lead before Chris Payne equalised for the APIA with his 21st strike of the season.

However, the home side would bounce back as Mirjan Pavlovic sealed the deal for Mt Druitt in the second half with a clever goal.

It was a frustrating defeat for APIA ahead of the playoffs but with nothing riding on the final round tie coach John Calleja will scratch the result and hopes his team regroups before their match with Blacktown City next week.

Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Blacktown City 1 at Hensley Athletic Field

A gallant Hakoah Sydney City East has wrapped up a horror season with an inspired fightback to claim a 1-1 draw with Blacktown City at Hensley Athletic field.

The Eastgardens based side gave their fans one final moment to savour ahead of their relegation to NPL2 showing plenty of grit in a match which lacked many flashpoint.

The game went scoreless until the 81st minute when youngster Suleyman Bangura finished calmly to send Blacktown in front.

However, Oli Green rained on their parade, taking two points from Blacktown with a last gasp header past Tristan Prendergast in the 90th minute.

The windy conditions meant neither team could get comfortable on the ball. Pinball action descended on Hensley Athletic Field with the ball acting restless in midfield and the players even more so.

Sydney FC 1 – Sydney Olympic 3 at Lambert Park

Reigning NPL NSW Men’s champions Sydney Olympic has narrowly missed out on a place in the finals despite a final round 3-1 win against Sydney FC at Lambert Park.

Two goals to Alex Sanchez and one to Jack Stewart was enough to silence the home side in what was a thrilling Round 22 contest.

Benjamin Koop found the back of the net in the 13th minute for Sydney FC but it proved to be nothing more than a stat line as Olympic claimed all three points.

The win was not enough to secure finals football for the Olympic, as a tight battle for fourth and fifth position was won by Sydney United and Marconi Stallions respectively.

Wollongong Wolves 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 at WIN Stadium

Premiership winners Wollongong Wolves gave their fans the victory lap they craved with a 1-0 win against Marconi Stallions at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

A late Thomas James penalty ensured the victory for the hosts rifling his effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

Marconi put up a tough fight but they were unable to secure the point required to secure a home final, instead finishing the season in fifth.

The result capped off an incredible regular season campaign for the Wolves who led the competition from start to finish.

Sydney United 58 3 – Manly United 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 has clinched fourth spot and a home final with a brilliant 3-1 win against Manly United at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

The win sets up a thrilling clash against fierce rivals Marconi Stallions back at Edensor Park in week one of the playoffs.

First half goals to Matthew Bilic and Peter Simonoski set the tone for United 58 with substitute Patrick Antelmi securing a vital three points when he volleyed home in the 81st minute.

Manly looked to put a spanner in the works when Scott Balderson scored against the run of play on the cusp of half time, but it proved to be nothing more than a flash in the pan.

The match also marked retiring United 58 great Petar Markovic’s final regular season match after the veteran defender announced he was calling a close to his playing career which has spanned 22 years at the club.

Rockdale City Suns 2 – Sutherland Sharks 5 at Ilinden Sports Centre

Sutherland Sharks have finished the season with Derby honours after easing to a 5-2 win against rivals Rockdale City Suns.

It was a second big win in as many weeks for the Sharks but too little too late as they missed out of finals football with an eighth place. For Rockdale the loss was a final nail in the coffin in what has been a horror second half of the season.

Jordan Morfitis opened the scoring for the visitors while Jerry Skotaadis also found the back of the net to give Sutherland a 2-0 lead at the interval.

It was more of the same in the second half with Lokolingoy getting on the score sheet while Bai Antoniou also claimed a brace.

Alec Urosevski fired in two gaols in the dying stages of the match but they proved to be mere consolation goals.

The 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s premiership title is officially the Wollongong Wolves as the competition front runners wrapped up the league win during a massive weekend of Round 21 action.

After leading the competition from the opening week of the season, Wollongong finally wrapped up the historic win to end the club’s 32-year Premiership drought.

Wollongong’s win wasn’t the only big news from the weekend’s fixtures as Marconi, Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt confirmed their place in this seasons finals series.

Only one finals place remains and it will be a three-team battle between Sydney United 58, Sydney Olympic and Mt Druitt Town Rangers for that last remaining place in the post season.

Marconi Stallions 2 – Blacktown City 0 at Marconi Stadium

Two late goals have helped Marconi Stallions snatch a 2-0 win against Blacktown Stallions at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

The win has all but secured the Stallions their spot in the finals with a round still to play.

With the clock running down substitute Anthony Frangie found the back of the net in the 90th minute with a glancing header before Brandon Vella buried one home to send the home fans into raptures in the 94th minute.

Despite the loss Blacktown hold onto third spot.

Sydney FC 0 – Sutherland Sharks 4 at Lambert Park

Sutherland Sharks have snapped a three-game losing streak with an emphatic 4-0 win against Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday.

It was a brilliant performance from the Sharks as Charles Lokolingoy and Jeremy Cox both scored a brace against their former side.

It was one-way traffic from the start as the visitors made the most of their attacking dominance to go into halftime 3-0 thanks to a Cox double and a 45th minute finish from Lokolingoy.

Sydney FC fought their way back into the contest after the interval but it wasn’t enough with Lokolingoy claiming his second and Sutherland’s fourth of the match.

A late flurry from the home side gave fans hope of a consolation goal yet it never eventuated as the Sharks held on for the 4-0 win.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 – Hakoah Sydney City East 0 at Popondetta Park

Mount Druitt Town Rangers secured back-to-back victories in a 4-0 rout of Hakoah Sydney City East on a cold evening at Popondetta Park.

The result was Mount Druitt Town Rangers seventh victory of the season and keeps their slim finals hopes alive.

Alex Boyadjian and Toufic Alameddine scored in the first half hour to give the Rangers a lead 2-0 at the break.

Alameddine completed his brace in the second half alongside a Jacob Esposito goal to bank three more points in their maiden season in the NSW top flight.

For Hakoah Sydney City East, the visitors had their chances through Amauri Gauthier and Joshua Swadling but were wasteful in front of goal. The relegated side added a missed penalty in the second half as they look to next week to finish on a high.

Manly United 0 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 at Cromer Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers laboured their way to a tight 1-0 triumph over a spirited Manly United outfit at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

Despite only bearing a solitary goal, the Northern Beaches crowd were treated to an entertaining affair where both sides retained position well and experienced periods of domination.

In the end, they were split by a second-half Chris Payne strike which brought up 20 goals for the former Manly striker this campaign.

The result all but sealed second spot for APIA, whilst striking one last dagger in the heart of Manly’s fading finals aspirations.

Sydney Olympic 2 – Sydney United 58 1 at Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic have kept their finals hopes are after a stunning 2-1 victory over Sydney United 58 at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday evening.

A goal to Tariq Maia in the 26th minute had Sydney United 58 with the advantage after the first stanza, but a 10-minute block early into the second half saw the pace of the game change drastically.

A goal to Olympic substitute Jack Stewart and a well-taken penalty from Olympic skipper Jason Madonis saw the home side work their way back into the game.

Despite a massive amount of pressure from the visitors, Olympic remained resolute in defence to hold on to the lead to take a hard-fought three points from the game.

It was a crucial three points for the reigning Premiers and Champions, but their finals football hopes will now depend on a loss from Sydney United 58 next weekend, as well as a win against Sydney FC.

Rockdale City Suns 1 – Wollongong Wolves 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre

Wollongong Wolves have been been crowned 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiers after wrapping up the title with a narrow 2-1 win against Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The win ended a 32-year Premiership drought for the club and was their first league honour since they took out the 2008 Championship.

Wollongong were determined to secure their place in history from the opening kickoff and took the lead only 17 minutes into proceedings thanks to a thunderous volley from defender Nick Littler.

Star striker Thomas James gave the visitors a 2-0 lead on the cusp of half-time leaving Rockdale all to do if they were to make a stunning upset.

The Suns attempted a gallant fight back when Jonathan Grozdanovski halved the deficit in the 63rd minute but it would prove too little too late as Wollongong clung on for victory and the Premiership.

The battle for finals positions is primed to go right down to the wire after Round 20 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s competition delivered a weekend of shock results.

Wollongong Wolves missed out on the chance of clinching the Premiership after being stunned 2-0 by Blacktown City in what was only their third defeat of the campaign.

Second placed APIA also dropped points against Sydney FC, while Manly United slumped to defeat against the struggling Rockdale City Suns.

Mt Druitt did their finals hopes a world of good with a 4-2 win against Sutherland which all but eliminated the Sharks from top five contention.

Finally, it was back to winning ways for Sydney United 58 who rediscovered their scoring touch in a 3-0 win against bottom side Hakoah Sydney City East.

Sutherland Sharks 2 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 at Seymour Shaw Park

Three second half goals have helped Mt Druitt Town Rangers end the finals hopes of Sutherland Sharks with a 4-2 win at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.

Both the Sharks and Rangers needed all three points to keep their slim finals hopes alive but in the end it was an inspired display from the visitors which got the job done.

Cooper Coskerie got Mt Druitt off to a 1-0 lead but The Sharks fired back just after the interval to level proceedings courtesy of a Bai Antoniou strike.

The visitors fired back in emphatic form with a flurry of goals from Alex Boyadjian, John Roberts and Toufic Alameddine to take a commanding lead at 4-1 with less than 15 minutes to play.

A Raul Beneit penalty in the 76th minute hope cut the deficit for the home side but it wasn’t to be their night as Mt Druitt collected the points.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 – Sydney FC 2 at Lambert Park 

A dramatic injury time penalty has helped Sydney FC claim a shock 2-2 draw against APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Lambert Park on Saturday.

It was a thrilling contest as APIA tried to keep their good form up ahead of the finals and Sydney FC, missing six players to Sydney FC’s traveling squad to China, were looking to make an upset.

Sydney FC took the lead thanks to a fantastic finish by Jaiden Kucharski after 28 minutes with APIA Leichardt going down against the run of play.

APIA Leichardt levelled things up after the restart with Chris Payne’s 19th goal of the season.

Ivan Necevski’s double penalty save bursted momentum for APIA as Biczo nipped in to score the Tigers’ second with just over ten minutes to go.

The match ended in penalty drama with Benjamin Koop salvaging a draw for Sydney FC in the 94th minute after Cameron Peupion was brought down in the box.

Manly United 0 – Rockdale City Suns 2 at Cromer Park

Rockdale City Suns snapped their five-game losing streak with a clinical 2-0 victory over fellow finals hopefuls Manly United at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

In what was a fiery, high-stakes affair from the outset, both sides forged their fair share of opportunities during a scoreless first period.

After the interval, deadly strikes from Jonathan Grozdanovski and substitute Aleksander Canak were enough for the visitors to overcome a wasteful Manly outfit.

The result inflicted a dent within Manly’s finals hopes, whilst concurrently launching the Suns right back into contention as they join Paul Dee’s men on 26 points.

Blacktown City 2 – Wollongong Wolves 0 at Lily Homes Stadium

Blacktown City FC have temporarily placed a spanner in the works of Wollongong Wolves’ hopes of claiming an early Premiership after shocking the league leaders with a 2-0 win at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

The celebrations for the South Coast based side will have to wait another week as a first half goal from Grant Lynch and a second half strike from Joey Gibbs made the difference in a tight contest.

It was a huge result for Blacktown who are now in with a shot of a top two finish after APIA’s shock draw to Sydney FC on Saturday.

Sydney Olympic 0 – Marconi Stallions 1 at Belmore Sports Ground 

A 10-man Marconi Stallions has secured a 1-0 win over Sydney Olympic in a tense battle on Sunday evening at Belmore Sportsground.

A 77^th minute Mitchell Mallia strike was all it took for the visitors to claim the lead, despite Liam Youlley receiving a red card in the 85^th minute.

The result gives Marconi a crucial three points and will see them break away from a deadlocked race for fifth position and finals football.

It also means Olympic will be facing an uphill battle to finish the regular season within the top five.

Hakoah Sydney City East 0 – Sydney United 58 FC 3 at Hensley Athletic Field 

A dominant Sydney United 58 has cruised to a 3-0 win against bottom side Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday.

It was the Red’s first win in five games ending a horror run of results and keeping their finals fate in their own hands.

Patrick Antelmi gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break with a clinical finish from a Glen Trifiro assist, while Second half goals to Tariq Maia and Josh Macdonald wrapped up the win.

However, the win was soured in the dying minutes as centre back Yianni Fragogiannis was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for a cynical tackle on Amaury Gauthier.