Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 25 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Sydney Olympic 3 v Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 @ Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers shared the points in a pulsating 3-3 draw Round 25 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition played at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts showed their fighting spirit to come back from two-goals down to level the game. Roy O’Donovan and Darcy Burgess scored in the 29th and 31st minute. Olympic started the second half energised and found a third equaliser through Fabio Ferreira in stoppage time to snatch a point in what was a high-octane game.
It was a precious point for Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their relegation struggle, but it could’ve been three. They were comfortable with a two-goal lead after Will Harvey and Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika scored then new recruit Shunta Nakamura put them ahead again before a late equalise broke their heart.
Sutherland Sharks 2 v Western Sydney Wanderers 0 @ Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks piled more pressure on the Western Sydney Wanderers’ survival in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition thanks to a well earned 2-0 victory at Seymour Shaw Park on a chilly Saturday evening.
Sharks defender Nathan Grimaldi got the party started at the Shire with a well taken header in the first-half before Jonty Busch iced the match in the second as Panny Nikas’ troops celebrated a good win at home.
Marconi 5 v NWS Spirit FC 1 @ Wanderers Football Park
The Marconi Stallions triumphed over NWS Spirit on Saturday night, with a resounding 5-1 victory at Wanderers Football Park.
First half goals to Martin Fernandez, Jordan Swibel and Daniel Bouman had the Stallions confidently ahead of Spirit, whose lone first-half goal came from Luiz Lobo.
Marconi then scored two in the second half through substitutes Christopher Hatfield and Domenic Costanzo to finish the game with a convincing win.
Manly United 4 v APIA 0 @ Cromer Park
Harry McCarthy scored a superb hat-trick as Manly United shocked competition leaders APIA Leichhardt with a 4-0 demolition at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
McCarthy’s opening goal in the fourth minute set the tone for what was a red-hot performance from Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side, blowing away an APIA side who were previously unbeaten in six matches.
The match then remained tight until the hour mark, when a one-on-one double save from Levi Kaye marked an important turning point in the contest – as moments later McCarthy tapped home his second, before Bruno Mendes finished off a classy counter-attacking goal ten minutes later.
A memorable night for Manly was capped off in the third minute of stoppage time, as McCarthy lofted in a special strike from all of 30 metres, sparking scenes of jubilant celebration around Cromer Park.
Central Coast Mariners 0 v St George City 2 @ Pluim Park
The Central Coast Mariners Academy have once again failed to defeat St George City, going down 2-0 in their Round 25 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s encounter at Pluim Park on Sunday.
The visitors did all the damage in the second half as goals from Franco Maya and a late strike from Marley Peterson all but assured the three points went St George City’s way.
Rockdale Ilinden 2 v Bulls FC Academy 0 @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale Illinden defeated Bulls Academy FC 2-0 at Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre in a cohesive, impressive performance to move up to second spot on the ladder.
The exhilarating match was filled with great chances beyond the two goals, with both sides relying on outstanding defensive work at times to keep the ball out of the net.
However, it was Rockdale’s two goals in the first half – a Daniel Collins header off a pinpoint Iain Ramsay corner and a fantastic Alec Urosevski solo goal – that saw them deservedly take home the three points.
Wollongong Wolves 6 v Sydney FC 2 @ WIN Stadium
A fantastic first half from Wollongong Wolves guided the side to an emphatic 6-2 victory over Sydney FC at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Supporters were treated to a goal fest in the first half starting with Wollongong defender Banri Kanaizumi inside five minutes.
Christopher McStay scored a brace while Takumi Ofuka and Alex Masciovecchio also got in on the act.
The young Sky Blues scored from the penalty spot through Mitchell Glasson in a dismal opening half for the side.
It was a less exciting second period with Sydney’s Oscar Fryer scoring early on before McStay secured his hat-trick with nine minutes to play.
Blacktown City 3 v Sydney United 58 1 @ Landen Stadium
Blacktown City are the in form team of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition thanks to a prolific second half of the season following their come from behind 3-1 victory over staunch rivals Sydney United 58 at Landen Stadium on Sunday.
The win for Mark Crittenden’s men was their seven consecutive victory and they had to do it the hard way.
United 58’s charismatic talisman Glen Trifiro got the visitors off to a brilliant start with a well taken header in the first half before keeper Luke Cukar produced a clutch penalty save to thwart Travis Major minutes before half-time.
The second half was a different story as goals from Lachlan Campbell, a blistering strike from Carlos De Oliviera and a debut goal for Reuben Awaritefe secured all three points to the hosts.