Let’s check out the mini reviews from Round 30 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Sydney Olympic 3 v Sydney United 58 3 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic secured a point with a dramatic comeback to end their and Sydney United’s disappointing 2023 campaigns with an exhilarating 3-3 draw at Belmore Sports Ground.
Sydney United opened the scoring with Chris Payne penalty, before the lively Oliver Puflett equalised with a fantastic solo effort and finish.
But United went ahead off a stunning strike from Payne just before halftime and increased their lead with a ruthless finish from Kaneko in the 64th minute.
However, Sydney Olympic scored a minute later through an exceptional Michael Vakis volley and secured a point with a dramatic equaliser four minutes into extra time in a fantastic footballing match to conclude the campaign.
Sydney FC 3 v Sutherland Sharks 2 at Valentine Sports Park 2
Sydney FC has ended their National Premier League NSW Men’s season on a high, clinging on to sixth position on the ladder, defeating the under-performing Sutherland Sharks 3-2 at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Sky Blues had Joseph Lacey, Lachlan Middleton and Oscar Fryer to thank for three successive goals before Sharks substitute Jordan Roberts and Japanese import Takahide Umebachi made the score-line a little more respectable with late strikes.
Rockdale Ilinden 1 v Blacktown City 2 at Ilinden Sports Centre
Blacktown City finished of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s in style thanks to a hard fought 2-1 victory over Premiership runners-up Rockdale Ilinden at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The hosts took the lead through youngster Ben Wass before Caleb Jackson-Brown equalised and it was City substitute Carlos De Oliveira who netted the winner for Mark Crittenden’s troops.
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 v St George City 1 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt were crowned 2023 Premiers of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a 2-1 win over St George City in front of a healthy crowd at their spiritual home, Lambert Park on Sunday.
It was actually APIA Leichhardt back in 1987, under the guidance of the legendary Rale Rasic, that were crowned Premiers in the old National Soccer League’s only ever first-past-the-post title.
Thirty-six years later, the modern APIA Leichhardt, under the guidance of rookie coach Franco Parisi, have equalled the feat of the legendary 1987 team and it occurred too at the same venue – Lambert Park in Leichhardt where the sign still proudly reads The Home of Football in Australia and in front of a bumper crowd for the occasion.
St George stunned the hosts with a well taken goal via Franco Maya in the 22nd minute before Josh Symons restored parity four minutes later.
The match turned on its head for the visitors as Dominic Cox was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 31st which left open the door for Sean Symons to pounce late in the first half with a neat finish to secure the title for the proud Inner West club.
Marconi 5 v Central Coast Mariners 4 at Marconi Stadium
It was an entertaining end to the season at Marconi Stadium as the Marconi Stallions secured a 5-4 victory over the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
The nine goals gave fans plenty to be excited about on the day as the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2023 season came to a close after 30 rounds.
An early goal from Martin Fernandez set the scene at Marconi Stadium, but an equaliser from Aydan Hammond moments later brought the hosts back to reality.
The Stallions kicked into gear, with goals to Jordan Swibel, Fernandez again, and an own goal from Andre Parkes, which saw the hosts with a 4-1 lead at the half-time break.
The Mariners managed to get three in the second half through George Daniel, Maksim Kasalovic and Hammond again, with Marconi’s Justin Vidic getting one more for the hosts in the second stanza.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0 v Wollongong Wolves 5 at Popondetta Park
Wollongong Wolves put a young Mount Druitt Town Rangers to the sword, getting up 5-0 at Albert Butler Memorial Park in the final round of NPL NSW Men’s football played at Albert Butler Memorial Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Christopher McStay notched a brace while Takumi Ofuka, Sebastian Hernandez and Banri Kanaizumi all got in on the act in what was a great day for the South Coast club.
Bulls FC Academy 0 v Manly United 2 at Sydney United Sports Centre
Manly United veteran Matt Sim ended his career on a high, scoring a screamer as his side walked away from Sydney United Sports Centre with a 2-0 win over Bulls FC Academy on Sunday afternoon.
The first half remained scoreless but things changed in the second when substitute Marcus Lal and club legend Matt Sim scored a screamer to secure the points for Manly United.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 v NWS Spirit FC 3 at Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers and NWS Spirit FC played out an entertaining and thrilling 3-3 draw in round 30 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
Wanderers looked set for the three points after Alexander Badolato and Thomas Lopez put them into a 2-0 lead at the break. Lopez added a third in the 56th minute before they were pegged back and forced to share the points.
NWS Spirit FC signed off their 2023 season with another comeback to snatch a point. Marcus Younis got the comeback started in the 55th minute before substitute Paul Katsetis made it 3-2 soon after. Anthony Younis completed the turnaround with his header in the 74th minute.