Week 3 of the National Premier Leagues Mens competition is in the books and it is Marconi Stallions holding on to top spot after yet another impressive performances.

The Stallions sit in first place and alongside Blacktown City are the only two teams with a perfect record still in tact.

The round also featured big performances from Sydney FC, Manly United and Rockdale Ilinden.

Only five matches were played this week with Mt Druitt’s match against Wollongong Wolves postponed.

Marconi Stallions 2 – Sydney Olympic 0 at Marconi Stadium 

Marconi Stallions made it three on the bounce with a comfortable 2-0 win against Sydney Olympic FC at a soggy Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

A first half brace from Anthony Frangie was enough to secure the points for the home side.

Marconi Stallions remain unbeaten for the season and were in control across the contest against a downbeat Sydney Olympic FC.

The blows keep coming for Sydney Olympic FC who remains win-less. 

There were bright patches for Terry Palapanis’ side including the performance of new signing Go Hayama but not enough to trouble Marconi on the night.

Manly United 2 – Sydney United 58 0 at Cromer Park

Manly United left it late to clinch their first three points of the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a tight 2-0 triumph over Sydney United at Cromer Park on Saturday night.

The hosts struck with two goals in the last five minutes as a bullet header from substitute Marley Peterson and Yianni Perkatis own goal shocked a United 58 side who were unable to push on following their 5-0 rout of Mt Druitt last weekend.

A drop in concentration in the dying stages proved costly for the visitors who are still looking for consistency.

It was a brilliant performance from Manly who bounced back after two defeats to open the season.

Blacktown City 3 – Sutherland Sharks 1 at Lily Homes Stadium

Blacktown City have made it three wins on the trot after a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Sutherland Sharks at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday

A brilliant brace from Matty Lewis in his 300th game set the tone for the home side before Leroy Jennings secured the points with an 85th minute finish.

Peter Simonoski levelled the score at 1-1 midway through the second stanza but Sutherland were unable to contain an in form Blacktown side.

The win keeps Blacktown in second spot on the ladder, behind Marconi on goal difference, while Sutherland are still without a win after three games.

North Shore Mariners 0 – Sydney FC 4 at Lambert Park

Sydney FC made amends for last week’s loss in the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a dominant 4-0 win over North Shore Mariners at Lambert Park on Sunday. 

Jimmy Van Weeren’s Sky Blues made up for their 4-0 loss to Marconi by venting their frustrations against North Shore, with Sydney dominating the majority of the match. 

Patrick Flottman opened the scoring after 14 minutes before Jordi Swibel and Jaiden Kucharski added to the visitor’s tally going into the break.

Swibel claimed his brace in the closing stages as the Young Sky Blues collected their second win of the campaign.

Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 – APIA Leichhardt FC 1 at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden FC have ended a horror run of six straight defeats against APIA Leichhardt after holding on for a 1-1 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

An Alec Urosevski goal late in the first half looked like it was enough to give Rockdale their first win against APIA since 2013.

However, Adrian Ucchino had other idea’s curling a brilliant free-kick into the back of the net in the 39th minute to ensure the two teams shared the spoils.

The result means both sides are still yet to lose after their opening three games for the season.

Week two of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in the books and it was another huge round of fixtures.

Marconi Stallions remain in top spot after a another big win while Blacktown City are the only other side with a perfect record of two wins from the opening two games.

North Shore Mariners have followed on from their strong display in round one with their maiden win in the state league top flight while reigning Champions APIA Leichhardt also snagged their first victory of the season.

It was a bad week for Mt Druitt Town Rangers who slumped to a big defeat at the hands of Sydney United 58 who bounced after losing in week one.

Sutherland Sharks 1 – Rockdale Ilinden 1 at Seymour Shaw Park

A Blake Powell strike in the closing stages has helped Sutherland Sharks fightback to claim a 1-1 draw against Southern Sydney rivals Rockdale Ilinden FC at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

The result was a solid improvement from the Sharks after their round one drubbing at the hands of Marconi but new coach Nick Dimovski still has plenty to do in a performance which was still lacking at times.

After a scoreless first half, Rockdale thought they had done enough to claim the win when Sam Gulisano fired home from range with only 20 minutes left to play.

However, the Sharks rallied in the closing minutes with Powell finding the equaliser to ensure Sutherland went home with their first competition points of the campaign.

Manly United 0 – Blacktown City FC 1 at Cromer Park

For the second consecutive week, Matthew Lewis proved to be the match winner as his spot kick sealed a hard-fought three points for Blacktown City against Manly United at Cromer Park on Saturday night.

For both sides the result offered a similar story to their season openers last weekend.

Manly often appeared disjointed in the final third and were punished for a momentary lapse of concentration.

On the other hand Mark Crittenden’s men excelled defensively, allowing for them to grind out another victory by the narrowest of margins.

Wollongong Wolves 2 – North Shore Mariners 3 at Albert Butler Memorial Park

North Shore Mariners secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over reigning National Premier Leagues NSW premiers Wollongong Wolves on Sunday afternoon at Albert Butler Memorial Park.

Mitch Smith’s strike in the dying stages helped stun the reigning premiers as the Mariners secured their first win in the state league top flight.

Thomas James got the reigning premiers off to  a fast start with a goal in the 12^th minute but Panny Nikas, who made his debut with the club after a pre-season injury, curled one in on the cusp of the interval to level the score at the break.

Emmanuel Peters gave the visitors the lead with less than 20 minutes to play but James was on target yet again to have the game seemingly headed for a draw.

But North Shore were to have the final say as Smith found the back of the net with a composed finish in the final seconds to secure the unlikely triumph.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 – Sydney United 58 5 at Popondetta Park

Sydney United 58 have powered to their first win of the NPL NSW thrashing Mt Druitt Town Rangers 5-0 at Popondetta Park on Sunday.

It was a coming out party of sorts for United 58 as they flexed their attacking muscle against an out of sorts Mt Druitt side who slumped to their second loss in as many weeks.

Nearly everything went Sydney United’s way in the first half.

A comical own goal from Rangers defender Travis Oughtred opened the scoring before Thomas Manos made a brilliant penalty save to stop Mt Druitt claiming an equaliser.

From then the floodgates opened with goals to Matt Sim, Devante Clut and a brace to Patrick Antelmi wrapped up a very one sided performance and Zeljko Kalac’s first win in the NPL NSW as United head coach.

APIA Leichhardt FC 2 – Sydney Olympic 1 at Lambert Park

A late Chris Payne strike has helped APIA Leichhardt claim their first win of the season edging Sydney Olympic 2-1 at Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was a game of two halves but Payne’s finish only three minutes from full-time proved the difference between the two rivals from Sydney’s inner-west.

APIA dominated what was a physical first half of football, taking the lead in the 17^th minute through a David D’Apuzzo header.

Olympic hit the pitched refreshed after the break and took control of the second stanza, with Bai Antoniou netting the equalizer in the 60^th minute.

The match looked likely to finish in a draw, but as the game came to a close Payne pulled off an 87^th minute thriller that saw the home side take all three points.

Sydney FC 0 – Marconi Stallions 4 at Ilinden Sports Centre

Marconi Stallions have given Sydney FC an early reality check in a dominant 4-0 win at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Young Sky Blues claimed a brilliant upset last week against Mt Druitt Town Rangers, but they were no match for the experienced Stallions who have now made it two wins from as many games.

A brace by Anthony Frangie was bookended by goals from Anthony Costa and Nathan Millgate as Marconi sent a clear signal that they will be one of the teams to beat this season.

The Stallions have now scored eight goals from their opening two matches further cementing their place on top of the NPL NSW ladder.

The National Premier Leagues NSW season has kicked off in emphatic style with a blockbuster opening round.

With new teams, new players and new coaches there was plenty for fans to get excited about and the first week of action certainly delivered.

Reigning Premiers Wollongong Wolves kicked off from where they finished the 2019 regular season with a win, while Rockdale Ilinden FC, Blacktown City, Marconi and Sydney FC also tasted victory.

Grand Final winner APIA Leichhardt had a tougher time in Round 1 as they were held by competition new boys North Shore Mariners on Saturday.

The weekend’s fixtures also marked Bushfire Relief Round with all clubs doing their bit to raise vital funds for those affected by this summer’s deadly bushfires.

North Shore Mariners 1 –  1 APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park 

North Shore Mariners have made a strong start to their maiden National Premier Leagues NSW campaign as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with APIA Leichhardt on Saturday.

The Champions got themselves off to a strong start in the new battle of Lambert Park as a first half header from Chris Payne put them into the lead on half-time.

Emmanuel Perters saved the day for the Mariners finding the back of the net 78 minutes in to set up a thrilling finish.

APIA were disappointed to lose control of the contest and not hold onto the three points.

For newcomers North Shore Mariners, they acquitted themselves well in their National Premier Leagues NSW debut.

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 1 – 2 Sydney FC at Popondetta Park

Sydney FC has opened the season in emphatic style stunning Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2-1 at Popondetta Park on Sunday

The young Sky Blues blasted into the lead after a two goal salvo from Jordan Swibel and Cameron Peupion inside the first nine minutes.

Sydney FC were able to hold on despite a late Rangers penalty to kick their campaign off with three points.

It was a frustrated first half from Mount Druitt, the home side rallied in the second half and created chances through Mirjam Pavlovic and Toufic Alameddine.

The latter got on the scoresheet late with a well-taken penalty for some consolation.

Blacktown City 1 – 0 Sydney United 58 FC at Lily Homes Stadium

A first half goal from Matt Lewis has helped Blacktown City clinch a hard-fought 1-0 win against Sydney United 58 at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.

The City captain scored the game’s only goal midway through the first half before marshalling a rigid Blacktown defence to secure three points for his side in their opening match of the campaign.

United 58 made plenty of work for Blacktown City shot stopper but they were unable to get past the experienced Tristan Pendergast.

It was certainly a game of two-halves as United then found themselves on the back foot after as it became City’s turn to squander opportunities before Thomas Manos came into his own and earned his keep.

Sydney Olympic 1 – 2 Wollongong Wolves at Belmore Sports Ground

Wollongong Wolves have opened their NPL NSW Premiership defence with a 2-1 win over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday.

A Bul Jauch goal in the dying stages helped the Luke Wilkshire coached side to victory with the contest seemingly headed for a draw.

Lachlan Scott gave the Wolves the perfect start with a 10th minute strike but Olympic found an equaliser courtesy of Jason Madonis just after the restart.

But with time running down the Wolves youngster delivered for his side when it matters most to secure all three points.

Rockdale City Suns 2 – 1 Manly United FC at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden FC have opened their season on a winning note overcoming Manly United 2-1 at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

Goals to Alec Urosevski and Nikola Taneski were the difference for the home side as they held on despite a fast finishing Manly side putting the pressure on late.

Urosevski opened the scoring after 11 minutes from the penalty spot but Manly evened the ledger in the 38th minute when they too successfully dispatched a spot kick.

Manly were the aggressors in the second half but it was Rockdale who found the winner when Taneski scored against the run of play midway through the second stanza.

A late salvo from the Northern Beaches side nearly snatched a draw but it wasn’t enough as new Ilinden boss Steven Zoric tasted victory in his first official game in charge.

Marconi Stallions 4 – 1 Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions have defeated Sutherland Sharks 4-1 in an entertaining game at Bossley Park.

After securing the early lead thanks to a Mitchell Mallia strike, the home side were caught by the Sharks when Lachlan Everett balanced the ledger.

It was not until the second half that Marconi pulled away with two goals in fairly quick succession and then a late strike to round out the scoring.

The first goal of the second half belonged to Marko Jesic, followed by Connor Evans and then substitute Brandon Vella got in on the action at the death.

It was a dominant display by the Stallions, while the Sharks will be desperate to move on quickly after a tough start to the season.

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.