NPL Review: Marconi off to a flyer as NPL kicks off in New South Wales

Marconi Stallions are the early pace-setters as NPL New South Wales got underway in another big week of National Premier Leagues action around the country.

The Stallions delighted their home supporters with a 4-1 win over Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium, netting three second half goals to secure their opening round win.

Mitchell Mallia opened the account for the Stallions but the teams entered the sheds locked at a goal apiece after the Sharks found the back of the net through Lachlan Everett.

However, Peter Tsekenis' side would not be denied as Marko Jesic, Connor Evans and then substitute Brandon Vella fired in to seal the points in the second stanza.

HIGHLIGHTS: Marconi Stallions vs Sutherland Sharks

Also in the winner's circle in Round 1 were defending Premiers Wollongong Wolves as they snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Sydney Olympic on the back of Bul Juach's 90th-minute winner at Belmore Sports Ground.

Sydney FC Youth also took maximum points from their first assignment as Jordan Swibel and Cameron Peupion delivered both goals in an opening 10 minute blitz in their 2-1 away win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers.


Rockdale City Suns made a winning start as they accounted for Manly United 2-1 at Ilenden Sports Centre through Nikola Taneski's second-half winner, while Blacktown City also won at home as they edged out Sydney United 1-0 courtesy of captain Matt Lewis' first-half strike.

Elsewhere, North Shore Mariners and APIA Leichardt shared the spoils as they played out a 1-1 draw at Lambert Park.

MATCH CENTRE: The latest results and fixtures from #NPLNSW
LATEST NEWS: Visit the official #NPLNSW website

NPL Queensland

Last season’s NPL Queensland Champions Gold Coast Knights have thrown down the gauntlet to their title rivals after storming to the top of the table with a 9-0 demolition of Redlands United.

Grae Piddick’s side ran riot at Compass Grounds against the winless Red Devils in Round 4, with off-season recruit Jheison Macuace leading the returns with four goals, while Max Brown added a double.

The win puts the Knights ahead of second-place Peninsula Power in the standings despite the Redcliffe-based club edging out Olympic FC 1-0 in a hard-fought away win at Goodwin Park.

Sam Cronin was again the hero for the Power as he netted a 26th-minute goal to move level with Macuace atop the Golden Boot race with six goals for the season.


There were plenty of goals elsewhere in the Sunshine State too.

Former Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner Shane Smeltz netted a brace in his first start for Gold Coast United this season, helping his side to a come-from-behind 4-4 draw with defending Premiers Lions FC.

Brisbane Roar Youth returned to winnings ways as they mauled Eastern Suburbs FC 5-0 at Heath Park, with Brandon Mcmorrow posting a double to open his season’s tally.

Moreton Bay United also claimed a big win on the road as they thumped Brisbane Strikers 4-1 at Perry Park on the back of Matt Heath’s second-half brace. The result lifts the Jets to fourth on the table.

Capalaba FC prevailed in the battle of the newly-promoted clubs with a dramatic come-from-behind win. The Bulldogs scored three goals in the final 10 minutes at John Fredericks Park with Harrison Turner delivering the winner in the 89th minute.

Meanwhile, in Mackay, Magpies Crusaders United and Brisbane City bucked the trend of big scorelines as the mid-table sides played out a 1-1 draw at Sologinkin Oval.

MATCH CENTRE: The latest results and fixtures from #NPLQLD
LATEST NEWS: Visit the official #NPLQLD website

NPLW Queensland

Logan Lightning and Capalaba FC are the only teams to take maximum points from the opening two rounds after posting strong results in Round 2.

The Bulldogs delivered five unanswered goals as they easily accounted for SWQ Thunder, with former Westfield W-League stars Amy Chapman and Abby Lloyd amongst the goals.

The Lightning were also in fine form as they dispatched Souths United 4-2 at Cornubia Park, with Natalia Pinkney leading the scorers with a double.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast United were the big winners of the round as they notched their first win of the season with a 10-0 win over Moreton Bay United.

Canadian attacker Isabella Habuda led the returns with four goals, while Paige Taylor also chimed in with a double for the Surfsiders.

Also banging in the goals were Lions FC and The Gap FC as they played out a see-sawing 5-5 draw at Lions Stadium, with the hosts surrendering a three-goal first-half advantage.

Laini Freier netted a hat-trick for the Gators to move clear as the competition's leading goalscorer with seven this season - including a 75th minute strike that secured her side a share of the points.


Elsewhere, Eastern Suburbs FC and Mitchelton FC played out a 2-2 draw at Teralba Park, while QAS recorded a walk-over 3-0 result as Western Pride forfeited their scheduled fixture.

MATCH CENTRE: The latest results and fixtures from #NPLWQLD
LATEST NEWS: Visit the official #NPLWQLD website

NPL South Australia

Modbury Jets have moved clear atop the standings in NPL South Australia as they became the only team in the state to post back-to-back wins to start their season.

The Jets notched a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Para Hills Knights in their rivalry showdown at Smith Partners Stadium to extend their perfect start to the campaign - Shaun Mcgreevy and Daniel Pritchard finding the back of the net in a decisive three minute second-half spell.

Metrostars delivered the biggest win of the round as they put Cumberland United to the sword with an emphatic 8-0 win at A.A. Bailey Reserve.

A hat-trick for Christian Esposito led the returns for the former national Champions as he moved equal top in the Golden Boot charts, while Joshua Mori chimed in with a double to lay the foundation for their first three points of the season.

At Valo Football Centre, Adelaide Comets also got off the mark for 2020 as they accounted for Adelaide Olympic 1-0 on the back of Ninko Beric's 47th minute


Elsewhere, Binyam Kebede struck an 86th-minute goal to secure Adelaide United Youth a 1-1 draw with Croydon Kings to take the Reds youngster's season tally to three goals, while there were three red cards in a fiery Italian derby as Adelaide Blue Eagles and Adelaide City also cancelled each other out 1-1.

While, defending Premiers Campbelltown City and Raiders also could not be split as they settled for a 0-0 draw.

MATCH CENTRE: The latest results and fixtures from #NPLSA
LATEST NEWS: Visit the official #NPLSA website

NPL Victoria

Hume City continue to set the early pace in Victoria after they posted a third straight win with a 2-1 come-from-behind result over Dandenong City at ADB Stadium.

Former Hyundai A-League star Nick Kalmar gave Dandy the early advantage before Hume stormed back in the second stanza through goals from Matthew Lazarides and Mitch Cooper.

Hot on their heels are second-placed St Alban's Saints who extended Melbourne Knights winless start to the campaign with a 2-0 win at Churchill Reserve as Oliver Bassett and Mate Barisic converted in the second half.

Returning to the winning ways were defending Premiers Heidelberg United, who accounted for Altona Magic 3-1 courtesy of a pair of second half penalties from Adrian Zahra.

Port Melbourne Sharks broke through for their first win of the season as they dispatched bottom-of-the-table Eastern Lions 3-0 with Ross Archibald, Yuta Konagaya and Francesco Stella netting the goals.

Avondale FC also claimed a strong result as they accounted for Green Gully 2-0 - Blake Carpenter catching the eye with his opening goal direct from a corner.


Elsewhere, Dandenong Thunder substitute Jamal Ali was the hero for his side as he hit a 75th minute winner to down Bentleigh Greens 1-0 and lift his side to fourth on the table.

However, there was no splitting Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne FC as they battled out a 0-0 draw at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Feature image courtesy of NPL New South Wales

MATCH CENTRE: The latest results and fixtures from #NPLVIC
LATEST NEWS: Visit the official #NPLVIC website

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