Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 28 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Manly United 2 v Western Sydney Wanderers 2 @ Cromer Park
Honours were even in Round 28 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as Manly United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
The hosts produced a stirring comeback on an afternoon where the Northern Beaches side bid farewell to a pair of its stars in Matthew Sim and Bruno Mendes. Sim made it 2-1 with a curling free kick in the 40th minute before Mendes poked home to equalise.
Western Sydney Wanderers felt like this was two points dropped after having a 2-0 lead. Nicholas Milanovic opened the scoring before Oscar Priestman doubled their delight in the 28th minute before they were pegged back.
Bulls FC Academy 0 v Blacktown City 2 @ Sydney United Sports Centre
Blacktown City has extended its unbeaten streak to ten games after taking down a youthful Bulls FC Academy side 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Goals in each half, one from Ruben Awaratife and the other from Lachlan Campbell all but assured Mark Crittenden’s men would celebrate their 16th victory of the 2023 season.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 v Marconi 2 @ Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were dealt a blow in their race to stay in NSW’s top flight competition following a 2-1 loss to the Marconi Stallions at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were unable to build on the draw which they earned midweek against the Sutherland Sharks as they now sit four points adrift of fourteenth placed Western Sydney Wanderers and as it stands will face the runners up in the League One Men’s competition across a two-game series in order of staying in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
The hosts had their chances in the game with an in-form Anthony Frangie getting a late consolation to make it 2-1.
The Stallions were comfortable in their work against a bogey opponent. Christopher Hatfield fired home the opener in the 15th minute before an own goal made it 2-0 just before half-time. The only blight on the performance was a red card to Hatfield in the 72nd minute.
Rockdale Ilinden 2 v NWS Spirit FC 0 @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Alec Urosevski continues to smash records as the all-time Rockdale Ilinden goalscorer bagged a brace in his side’s 2-0 victory over the NWS Spirit FC as the club continues its push for an elusive Premiership putting pressure on table toppers APIA Leichhardt.
Urosevski scored twice in the first-half to take his tally to 26 goals for the season to secure maximum points for his side.
Sydney United 58 2 v Central Coast Mariners 1 @ Sydney United Sports Centre
A late strike from 19-year-old Alessandro Lacalandra has given Sydney United 58 a much-needed 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
With many of the mainstays out for the Mariners, United 58 set the tone from the early stages and took control of the game from the first kick.
Leroy Jennings popped up to score the hosts opener and United 58 keeper Luke Cukar produced a quality save from the spot to deny Jordan Segreto early in the second-half to keep the hosts in front.
Segreto made amends for his spot-kick miss scoring soon after but it was Lacalandra who stole the headlines after coming on late as a substitute to net the winner.
APIA 3 v Sydney FC 0 @ Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt have secured a clinical 3-0 win over Sydney FC to boost their Premiership chances, remaining four points ahead with just two matches remaining.
APIA opened the scoring in the 32nd minute thanks to a clever Rory Jordan finish after a perfectly-weighted through ball from Jack Armson, before doubling his and APIA’s tallies with a stinging volley that rebounded in off the post in the second half.
Jason Romero made sure of the three points by converting a close-range freekick into the bottom left-corner, which was a double-blow for Sydney’s hopes of a comeback due to the red card to goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot due to the handball just outside the box which resulted in the set-piece.
Sydney FC did have chances, but APIA remained calm and collected and put in a comprehensive performance in what was their third match in eight days.
St George City 3 v Sutherland Sharks 1 @ Penshurst Park
St George City prevailed 3-1 in a second-half goal-glut against Sutherland Sharks at Penshurst Park on Sunday night.
Presley Ortiz bagged an early brace in the second period before Daniel Alessi added a third.
Sutherland pulled a goal back through Jonty Busch late on, but it proved too little too late.
Wollongong Wolves 2 v Sydney Olympic 2 @ WIN Stadium
The Wollongong Wolves threw away a two-goal lead and settled for a point following a 2-2 draw against Sydney Olympic at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
Jake Trew sent Wollongong into the break with the lead before he added his second on the hour mark.
Substitute Oliver Puflett changed the game for Olympic scoring a crucial brace to snatch his team a point.