It was a weekend of shock results in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with round 16 delivering a number of upsets.

Hakoah Sydney City East were the big winners with the competition’s bottom team ending a horror run of nine straight defeats after snatching an unlikely win against Marconi Stallions.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers continues to hold the upper hand against Rockdale City Suns as they scored five unanswered goals to claim a 5-1 win and secure second spot on the ladder.

Just like the previous 15 weeks, Wollongong Wolves remain in top spot and they added another three points to their tally in Round 16 with yet another win.

Only six regular season games remain so the pressure is mounting on all 12 teams to make every match count.

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 5 – Sydney FC 3 at Valentine Sports Park

Mount Druitt Town Rangers FC climbed to eighth on the table on Saturday night after defeating a ten-man Sydney FC 5-3 in their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Valentine Sports Park.

A Fabricio Fernandez hat-trick helped the Rangers punish the Young Sky Blues who went a man down after only 15 minutes into the contest.

The Uruguayan was at his devastating best in the match also set up Mirijan Pavlovic for a goal who himself finished the match with a trio of assists.

Sydney FC was chasing the game from early on with Anton Lenaric sent off only 11 minutes in.

Nevertheless they  went down fighting with goals to Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio and Jordi Swibel setting up a thrilling finish to the match.

However, it was Fernandez’s match as he wrapped up the win for Mt Druitt, and his hat-trick, with a cool finish eight minutes out from full-time.

Wollongong Wolves 2 – Sydney Olympic  0 at WIN Stadium

A brace from Wollongong’s Lachlan Scott was enough to return the Wolves to the National Premier League NSW Men’s winner’s circle on Sunday afternoon, with the side prevailing 2-0 over Sydney Olympic at WIN Stadium.

The former Western Sydney Wanderers front man scored the only goals of the match, nabbing a pair of second half goals to maintain Wollongong’s five-point lead at the top of the table.

Olympic had their chances to draw level but fluffed their lines as they slumped to another frustrating defeat.

Rockdale City Suns 1 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 5 at Ilinden Sports Centre

A Franco Parisi masterclass has led APIA Leichhardt Tigers to a comprehensive 5-1 demolition of Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The wily APIA veteran showed that class is permanent as he scored a brace in a dominant display from the centre of the park as the Tigers embarrassed Rockdale yet again.

The Suns had the better start to the match with star winger Alec Urosevski netting 32 minutes in, but it would prove to be the only time the home fans would have reason to smile.

Sean Symons struck back for APIA on the cusp of half time to even the ledger before Parisi and striker Chris Payne took over the second stanza with a pair of goal scoring doubles to secure another big win for the Leichhardt side.

Blacktown City 1 – Manly United 0 at Lily Homes Stadium

Blacktown City FC has tightened their grip on third place after a tense 1-0 win against Manly United FC at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

Joey Gibbs injury time goal in the first half was enough to secure Blacktown’s eighth win of the season.

Manly came to life at the end if the contest with a pair of free-kicks that flew over which might have salvaged a point but it wasn’t to be for Paul Dee’s side.

Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East has snapped their horror nine game losing run with a hard fought 1-0 win against Marconi Stallions.

A 21st minute header from Dominic Cox was the difference for Hakoah as they upset an error prone Marconi side.

It was a massive result for the Eastern Suburbs based side as they battle against the odds to avoid the wooden spoon and relegation.

It could prove to be an equally big result for Marconi’s finals hopes with Peter Tsekenis’ star studded side once again under-performing.

Sydney United 58 1 – Sutherland Sharks 1 at Sydney United Sports Centre

There was late drama aplenty at Edensor Park on Sunday night as a last-gasp Peter Simonoski equaliser helped Sydney United 58  snatch a 1-1 draw against Sutherland Sharks.

A tight first stanza saw Sutherland dominate the opening stages before United began to edge their way into the contest.

However it was the visitors who took the lead ten minutes into the second period, as Jordan Mofitis pounced on a fortuitous rebound to tuck home the opener from close range.

In the final quarter-of-an-hour, the contest sprung to life as Sutherland Goalkeeper Nathan Denham was injured and subsequently substituted, before up the other end their marksman Charles Lokolingoy was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Round 15 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition was a weekend of shocks and upsets.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Sutherland Sharks were the big winners this weekend whileRockdale City Suns, Sydney United 58, Marconi Stallions and Blacktown City were all on the wrong side of defeat.

Wollongong Wolves added to their tally of weeks on top of the table with a win against Sydney FC.

Second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers kept the pressure on the Wolves with an incredible 1-0 win against United 58 despite playing with only 10-men for nearly 70 minutes.

Sydney Olympic and Hakoah Sydney City east wrapped up the week’s action with the late game on Sunday at Lambert Park as the reigning premiers snatched a narrow 1-0 lead.

Sutherland Sharks 2- Blacktown City 1 at Seymour Shaw Park

Sutherland Sharks has knocked Blacktown City’s premiership hopes with a shock 2-1 win at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

It was only the Sharks fourth win of the season but extends their current unbeaten run to eight games.

Raul Romero scored from the penalty spot to give Sutherland the perfect start before Jordan Morfitis doubled their advantage to 2-0 with only 11 minutes left on the clock.

Lachlan Campbell netted late for Blacktown City to set up a nervous close to the match but it wasn’t enough for the visitors as the Sharks hung on for a confidence boosting win.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 – Rockdale City Suns 0 at Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers has stunned Rockdale City Suns 2-0 at Popondetta Park on Saturday.

The result was the Rangers second win in as many games with their perforance sure to put a smile on coach Aidan Desmond’s face.

Two goals in the first half sealed the deal for the home side. Strikes from the mercurial Fabricio Fernandez and John Roberts were enough to seal all three points as Mt Druitt secured their first back-to-back wins of the season.

For Rockdale it was another stiff reality check as Nick Porecca’s side stumble their way through the second half of the campaign.

Wollongong Wolves 4 – Sydney FC 0 at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves have maintained their lead at the top of the National Premier League NSW Men’s ladder with a 4-0 win over Sydney FC at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

A Thomas James brace and goals from Takeru Okada and Lachlan Scott was enough to get the job done for the Wolves in slippery conditions, with the side returning to winning ways after their 2-1 loss to Sydney United 58 last round.

James opened the scoring 36 minutes as the home side went into the break with only a 1-0 lead.

However, it was a different story in the second stanza with the Wolves hitting the back of the net through Okada in  the 57th minute, Scott in the 76th and James in the 84th to claim his brace.

It was a business like performance from the Wolves who stretch their time at the top of the table to 15 weeks, while Sydney United drop down the ladder due to wins from Mt Druitt and Sutherland on Saturday.

Manly United 1 – Marconi Stallions 0 at Cromer Park

A Charles Mendy strike in first-half stoppage time proved decisive as Manly United edged out Marconi Stallions 1-0 at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a fiery affair, the visitors will be left scratching their heads as to how they emerged empty-handed following the raft of opportunities they forged throughout the ninety.

Despite James Andrew and last week’s hat-trick hero Mitch Mallia giving Manly some early defensive headaches, the solitary goal of the match arrived courtesy of a former Stallion Charles Mendy deep into first-half added time.

A tense second stanza ultimately saw the scoresheet remain as it were, allowing for a courageous Manly performance to earn them a valuable three points in the race for the top 5.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1 – Sydney United 58 0 at Lambert Park

10-man APIA Leichhardt Tigers have claimed an incredible 1-0 win against all odds at Lambert Park on Sunday.

Former Sydney United 58 striker Chris Payne pulled a Rabona kick from his bag of tricks which deflected off a defender into the back of the net to give APIA the incredible, yet unlikely, victory.

The home side was forced to play a man down after only 24 minutes when Themba Muata-Marlow was sent for an early shower for a tug on the shirt of United striker Peter Simonoski.

It made for a tense and thrilling match with neither side giving an inch.

However, United 58 could never take advantage of their extra player and paid the price in the dying stages of the match.

The result keeps APIA in second spot on the ladder while United 58 stay in fourth.

Sydney Olympic 1  – Hakoah Sydney City East 0 at Lambert Park

Peter Kekeris starred as Sydney Olympic arrested their mid-season NPL NSW slump by edging bottom-placed Hakoah Sydney City East 1-0 at Lambert Park on Sunday evening.

Kekeris’ early strike – the winger’s first for Olympic after signing on from A-League’s Central Coast Mariners last month – was the telling effort, one which boosts the reigning champions in their hunt for a top-five finish.

Olympic’s finals ambitions had been dampened over a run of five matches without a win prior to the Round 15 clash in Leichhardt but the club now move above fellow contenders Marconi Stallions and Sutherland Sharks into seventh position.

 

Week 14 of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition is in the book and it was a round with a few shock results to shake up the race for the premiership.

Wollongong Wolves suffered only their second loss of the season as Sydney United 58 stunned the competition front runners in their own back yard.

While the Wolves cling onto top spot for a 14th straight week, the chasing pack moves closer and sets up a thrilling final eight weeks of the regular season.

Rockdale City Suns powered back into form with a big win against Hakoah, Manly was stunned by Mt Druitt, while Sutherland continue their seven week unbeaten run with a comeback 2-2 draw against APIA.

The battle at the top of the table is only going to closer as the season reaches its apex.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 –  Manly United 1 at Popondetta Park 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers backed up their midweek FFA Cup heroics to upset Manly United 2-1 at Popondetta Park

Aidan Desmond’s men fought gallantly and never gave up even though Manly struck first via a Travis Oughtred header as a Toufic Alameddine penalty and John Roberts strike were enough to see the boys from Mt Druitt claim maximum points at home.

Alameddine netted from the spot in the final minute of the first-half to level the scores after Oughtred opened the scoring in the 34’ minute when meeting a corner to head home.

But it wasn’t enough as Roberts netted what turned out to be the winner in the 54’ minute with a sweetly struck shot that flew past Dylan Mitchell.

Blacktown City 1 – Sydney Olympic 1 at Lily Homes Stadium

Blacktown City and Sydney Olympic have shared the spoils after an exhilarating 1-1 draw at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

It was a thrilling end to end encounter with Olympic unlucky not to snatch an unlikely victory in a frantic final minutes.

Joey Gibbs fired home for Blacktown midway through the second half, but it was quickly cancelled out when Olympic equalised only two minutes later through Radovan Pavicevic.

Both sides traded chances in crazy closing ten minutes but neither could find the breakthrough as they took only a point away from an enthralling contest.

Marconi Stallions 5 – Sydney FC 2 at Marconi Stadium

A Mitch Mallia hat trick has helped Marconi Stallions to a dominant 5-2 win against Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.

Mallia was at his devastating best scoring twice in the first half and again in the third as the Stallions scored five goals for the second straight week.

The former Blacktown City star gave Marconi a perfect start with goals in the 16th and the 36th as they claimed a 2-0 lead at the interval.

The home side went from strength to strength in the second stanza as Mallia snatched his third before James Andrew and Damian Tsekenis also found the back of  the net.

Sydney FC claimed two goals in the second half but they proved to be mere consolation as a rampant Marconi outfit claimed their second win in as many weeks.

Wollongong Wolves 1 – Sydney United 58 2 at WIN Stadium Wollongong 

A stoppage-time strike from Matthew Sim helped Sydney United 58 take all three points from league-leading Wollongong Wolves in a 2-1 victory at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Sim scored in the final moments of the fiery clash – which saw nine yellow cards and the dismissal of Sydney United 58’s Patrick Antelmi – to secure the win for the visitors after Tariq Maia’s first half strike was cancelled out by Wollongong’s Thomas James.

It was a massive result for Sydney United who join Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt Tigers in a three way tie for second spot.

Wollongong cling onto first place but they now only hold a six point advantage ahead of the chasing pack.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 – Sutherland Sharks 2 at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt’s Premiership hopes took a major blow at Lambert Park on Saturday as they we held to a 2-2 draw by a resurgent Sutherland Sharks.

Up 2-0 inside twenty minutes, the Tigers blew their lead to slip to a disappointing draw at home.

Chris Payne scored from the spot soon after kickoff before Tynan Diaz added a second barely ten minutes later, but Dominic Cox and Charles Lokolingoy were on hand to help Sutherland storm back in the second half.

After Wollongong’s loss to Sydney Olympic earlier in the afternoon, APIA might have finished the round within three points of the leaders, but instead sit five points off top spot – and with a few challengers behind them.

Hakoah Sydney City East 0 – Rockdale City Suns 4 at Hensley Athletic Field

Rockdale City Suns re-entered the NPL NSW top five and heaped more misery on rock-bottom Hakoah Sydney City East with a 4-0 win at Eastgardens on Sunday.

Nick Porreca’s side had dropped out of the finals positions following their five-goal collapse against Marconi Stallions a week ago but returned at the expense of Manly United after strolling past the luckless Hakoah at Hensley Athletic Field.

Jordan Figon and Leigh Egger fired in scrappy first-half goals before Suns striker Figon sealed his double and put the visitors in the clear five minutes after the interval.

Alec Urosevski added a fourth late on, consigning Hakoah – who lost ex-A-League star Predrag Bojic and his replacement James Combes to injury inside the space of 34 first half minutes – to their eleventh defeat of the campaign.

It leaves Gavin Rae’s side seven points adrift of eleventh-placed Mt. Druitt Town Rangers at the foot of the ladder.

Round 13 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the book with Wollongong stretching their lead at the summit.
The Wolves clinched their 13th straight week as League leaders with a comprehensive win against second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers to extend the gap to seven points.
It was a massive week for Blacktown City who have rediscovered their shooting boots with another big win, while Marconi Stallions also roared back into contention with a dominant showing against Rockdale City Suns.
Incredibly Sutherland Sharks hold the best current results streak of any team not named Wollongong Wolves as they stretched their unbeaten run to six games .

Sydney FC 1 – Manly United 3 at Lambert Park
Manly United has fought back to claim a 3-1 victory against Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Hamish Lamberton netted early for a resilient Sydney FC but a brace via Lewis Miccio and a late Nikola Taneski strike cancelled out the early advantage in a dominant display from Manly.
It was a solid return to form for the boys from the Northern Beaches as they bounced back from last round’s loss to Sydney United 58.
The result puts them back in the race for finals football closing the gap to the top five.

Wollongong Wolves 4 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0 at WIN Stadium
An outstanding second-half performance has helped Wollongong Wolves run over APIA Leichhardt Tigers in a comprehensive 4-0 at WIN Stadium on Saturday.
A brace from Thomas James – who extended his goal-scoring tally to 15 goals for the campaign – headlined the Wolves’ strong second half turn as they scored four unanswered goals to secure victory.
The result means Wollongong has cracked open a six-point lead over second placed APIA to further their dominance at the top of the competition.
The visitors uninspired display in the second half is sure to frustrate APIA coach John Calleja with Blacktown’s win putting extra pressure on the Tigers.

Sydney Olympic FC 2 – Mount Druitt Town Rangers 2 at Belmore Sports Ground
Mount Druitt Town Rangers has salvaged a point in a 2-2 draw with Sydney Olympic on Sunday evening at Belmore Sportsground.
The home side managed to quintuple the amount of shots had by Mount Druitt, but Carlos Saliadarre’s stellar efforts kept them at bay.
Alex Sanchez’s double was muffled out by goals to Alex Boyadjian and Jordan Roberts.
The draw comes in stark contrast to the last time the two teams met, where Olympic enjoyed a remarkable 6-2 victory over the Rangers.

Sydney United 58 2 – Blacktown City 4 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Blacktown City has roared back into premiership contention after fighting back to claim a 4-2 win at Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a pair of Daniel Bragg goals from the penalty spot.
Patrick Antelmi put United ahead inside a quarter of an hour, before Bragg equalised from the spot barely three minutes later.
Joey Gibbs nodded Blacktown in front early in the second half before Bragg scored his second, while Leroy Jennings added a fourth before Matt Sim came off the bench to score a late consolation for the hosts.
The result moves Blacktown up to third on the table on 23 points. Only one point behind second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers and seven behind league leaders Wollongong Wolves.

Rockdale City Suns 2 – Marconi Stallions 5 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Marconi Stallions has flexed their attacking muscle in a comprehensive 5-2 thrashing of Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The win broke a four game losing streak for the Stallions and keeps their hopes of finals football alive.
It seemed like it was going to be Rockdale’s afternoon when Jordan Figon and Idris El Hafiane gave the home side a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.
However, a first half brace to Mitch Mallia turned the game on its head with Marconi racing away with a valuable three points after scoring three goals in the second half.
Marconi move to seventh on the table with the win while Rockdale drop out of the top five into sixth.

Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Sutherland Sharks 2 at Hensley Athletic Field
A costly error from Hakoah Sydney City East midfielder Adison Sayan has gifted Sutherland Sharks a late winner to snatch a 2-1 victory at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday.
It was Sutherland’s second win on the trot and sixth game unbeaten with the club re-igniting their season after a run of ten games without a win.
With the match headed for a draw and only a few minutes left on the clock, substitute Sayan set up Sharks striker Charles Lokolingoy to score with an errant pass to nobody across his own goal.
It was a heartbreaking result for Hakoah who had only 10 minutes earlier had stunned the Sharks when they made it 1-1 through an own goal from Sutherland defender Marc Warren.
It was a brilliant response from Hakoah who had trailed 1-0 since Raul Romero’s ninth minute goal, but it wasn’t to be as Lokolingoy upset their hopes of a competition point when he hit the back of the net with four minutes left on the clock.
Hakoah remain anchored to the bottom of the competition with only three wins from 13 games this season while Sutherland jump up to ninth.

It was more of the same from Wollongong Wolves in Round 12 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with the South Coast side holding on to top spot with another huge win.

The Luke Wilkshire coached team made it two wins in a matter of days at Cromer Park as they held onto first spot for the twelfth straight week.

APIA Leichhardt continue to lead the chasing pack with a big win this weekend to secure second spot, while Sydney United 58’s comeback victory lifts them into third.

Blacktown City are the biggest climbers as they jump from sixth to fourth on the ladder after an emphatic win against Mt Druitt.

Rockdale suffered defeat in Round 12 but hold onto their place in the top five.

Sutherland Sharks broke the worst streak of the season as they ended their 10 week run without a win on Saturday night.

It was a bad week for Marconi and Sydney Olympic who fall further away from the race for a finals spot.

 

Sutherland Sharks 3 – Sydney Olympic 0 at Seymour Shaw Park

Sutherland Sharks have ended their 10 game winless streak in emphatic fashion thrashing Sydney Olympic 3-0 at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.

The win is only Sutherland’s second of the season with their other three pointer coming against Olympic all the way back in round 1.

Goals to Raul Romero, Jeremy Cox and Charles Lokolingoy were unanswered by Olympic, leaving the home side with all three points from the match.

It was a listless performance from  the visitors who looked nothing like the side who dominated the competition less than 12 months ago.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 – Blacktown City FC 4 at Popondetta Park

Blacktown City has rediscovered their eye for goal in a dominant 4-1 demolition of local rivals Mount Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Saturday. 

It was a huge performance from City with the win catapulting them up to third on the ladder and reigniting their race for the premiership.

Mani Gonzalez and Lachlan Campbell in the opening 45 minutes gave Blacktown the perfect platform before a stunning long range strike from Rhett Desilva, as well as a late tap in from Joey Gibbs, wrapped up the victory.

Mt Druitt pushed hard all match but lacked the discipline in defence and in possession to top their rivals.

Fabricio Fernandez claimed a consolation goal for the home side midway through the second stanza but it wasn’t the Rangers night as they slumped to their sixth defeat of the season.

Marconi Stallions 2 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4 at Marconi Stadium

APIA Leichhardt have put a major dent in Marconi’s finals hopes with a emphatic 4-2 win at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

A whirlwind opening from the Tigers helped them all but secure the victory inside the opening 25 minutes as they raced to a 3-1 lead at the break. 

Sean Symons took only three minutes to give APIA the lead before his Brother Josh Symons and Corey Biczo got in on the act during a dominant first half performance.

Marconi’s best efforts were goals to Mitchell Mallia and Marko Jesic but a penalty miss from Jesic too didn’t help matters for the home side.

Chris Payne then added a fourth to all but gift John Calleja the three points.

The win helps APIA hold onto second spot on the ladder but it’s bad news for eighth placed Marconi who fall further away from the top five.

Sydney FC 1 v Hakoah Sydney City East 0 at Lambert Park

Sydney FC made it back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a gutsy 1-0 win against Hakoah Sydney City East tonight at Lambert Park.

The victory caps off a massive week for the club with many players doubling up after earning Asian Champions League debuts on Wednesday.   

Benjamin Koop’s 32^nd minute strike was the difference in a hard fought contest as the Young Sky Blues claimed a valuable three points.

Hakoah did everything but put the ball into the back of the net in another frustrating display for the Eastern Suburbs side which leaves the rooted to the bottom of the table after 12 rounds.

Manly United 0 – Wollongong Wolves 4 at Cromer Park

Wollongong Wolves’ stellar campaign produced another impressive scalp on Sunday afternoon as they cruised to a clinical 4-0 victory over Manly United at Cromer Park.

A determined Manly outfit could not contain another classy Thomas James performance, who despite battling illness in the lead up to the match thumped home the opening goal 24 minutes in before going on to register a hat-trick of assists.

An inspired substitution from Luke Wilkshire saw Lachlan Scott double the lead with his first touch moments after being introduced in the 54^th minute, before bagging a brace half an hour later to secure the three points.Takeru Okada then backed up his own brace last time out with a stoppage time strike to cap off a quality Wollongong performance.

Manly United enjoyed extended spells of possession and threatened through set pieces, but ultimately were unable to penetrate a resolute Wollongong defensive unit.

The result ensures they remain three points clear of APIA Leichhardt Tigers on top of the NSW National Premier League Mens’ table.

Rockdale City Suns 2 – Sydney United 58 3 at Ilinden Sports Centre

A dramatic last minute Patrick Antelmi strike has ended Rockdale City Suns unbeaten streak as Sydney United 58 claimed a 3-2 win at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

Rockdale paid the price for an off-colour start to the match as their rivals United 58 snuck in to snatch all three points and hand Suns’ interim head coach Nick Porecca his first defeat since taking on the top job in round five.

United 58 struck early through Matt Sim before Peter Simonoski gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Alec Urosevski led from the front for Rockdale scoring twice in the second half to seemingly secure at least a point from the contest.

However, United 58 would have the last laugh with Antelmi finding the back of the net in dramatic style to clinch an incredible victory for the visitors.

The result catapults United 58 into third spot on the ladder while Rockdale cling onto a top five place in fifth.