Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 21 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Sydney Olympic 3 v Western Sydney Wanderers 1 @ Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic secured a valuable victory in their fight to escape a relegation battle against fellow strugglers Western Sydney Wanderers with the Blues running out 3-1 winners in a heart-stomping Round 21 clash at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
It was a day of celebration for the Blues prior to kick-off as one of the club’s favourite sons Will Angel celebrated his 250th appearance for his beloved Olympic.
Young Blues striker Michael Vakis got the early goal for Olympic in the 5th minute and this scoreline would stay in the hosts favour up until the 82d minute when Edmund Lupancu equalised. The Blues knew how important three points were at home and they shifted an extra gear as they scored two late goals via Fabio Ferreira and a penalty to Roy O’Donovan that secured the much-needed point for Olympic.
NWS Spirit FC 3 v Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 @ Christie Park
NWS Spirit FC produced a confident performance as they took care of a stuttering Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3-1 in an entertaining battle at Christie Park on Saturday.
An early goal changed the context of the fixture with Ollie Wiggin, Luiz Lobo and Musashi Kokubo all finding the back of the net while Will Harvey scored for the visitors.
APIA 1 v Sutherland Sharks 0 @ Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt have picked up a crucial three points thanks to a 1-0 win against Sutherland Sharks in an exciting affair at Lambert Park.
Sutherland controlled the ball throughout the first half, evading the press well to find the free man, which often came as one of the two fullbacks.
However, they struggled to transition into the final third with the ball at feet, and it was APIA Leichhardt who had the better chances.
In the second half, the home side came out with a bang, playing some fantastic football and opening the scoring in the 53rd minute, with Yianni Nicolaou finishing off a sweeping move.
With 15 minutes to go, Sutherland began to turn their possession into shots on goal, but it was too little, too late as the home side held on to maintain their top spot on the ladder.
St George City 1 v Manly United 1 @ Penshurst Park
Manly United were left heartbroken by a dramatic late equaliser against St George City in a 1-1 draw at Penshurst Park on Saturday night.
It was a game of few chances, but United’s Brazilian talisman Bruno Mendes scored what looked to be the winner early in the second half.
However, in the fourth minute of additional time, City snatched a point through substitute Presley Ortiz.
Central Coast Mariners 2 v Sydney FC 1 @ Pluim Park
The Central Coast Mariners have continued to make Pluim Park a fortress, defeating Sydney FC 2-1 in Round 21 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition on Sunday.
The Mariners had Lachlan Bayliss and Aydan Hammond to thank as they both scored a goal in each half before Alen Harbas scored from the spot but it proved to be too little too late for the Sky Blues as Central Coast ran out victors.
Blacktown City 3 v Marconi 1 @ Landen Stadium
Blacktown City managed their third consecutive victory with a dominant 3-1 win over Premiership chasing Marconi Stallions at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown’s golden boy Travis Major was the first to hit the net, followed by grant Lynch before the half time break.
Substitute Carlos De Oliviera took the hosts’ lead to three in the second stanza before visiting captain Marko Jesic salvaged a consolation goal for the Stallions.
Rockdale Ilinden 0 v Wollongong Wolves 4 @ Ilinden Sports Centre
The Wollongong Wolves meant business as they proved too hungry for title chasing Rockdale Ilinden with a convincing 4-0 win at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The visitors took control almost from the opening minute and it was former Ilinden player Chris McStay who opened the scoring and then set up Lachlan Scott for the second after a powerful run down the right wing.
Takumi Ofunka then stunned the crowd with a true ‘Goal of the Season’ contender when curling home a remarkable free-kick from an acute angle to demolish the hopes of the home side.
Jake Trew bundled in a fourth in the 55th minute in a masterful display by the Wollongong outfit.
Sydney United 58 0 v Bulls FC Academy 0 @ Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 and Bulls FC Academy were both agonisingly forced to share the points in a tense goalless draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
After an eventful start in attack for United 58, both sides conserved their energy in attack, leaving the defences a chance to catch their breath for what would be a hard-fought second half.
The second half saw a handful of golden chances squandered by either side, with the Bulls finding success in the final third in short stints whilst the hosts slowly gather momentum in the backend of the game.
After 90 frustrating minutes for both set of attackers, the referee called an end to the game with neither side registering a goal.