NPL wrap: Boland's long-range stunner steals the show

Liam Boland scored a goal from inside his own half in Victoria, there was a stunning comeback in the ACT, while Sydney Olympic consolidated top spot in NSW in an action-packed weekend in the National Premier League’s over the weekend.

We’ve got the best of the NPL action from around Australia below.

  • Lead image of Sydney Olympic's Thomas Whiteside from Football NSW 

Victorian NPL

A goal of the season contender was scored at Lakeside Stadium as Avondale FC took care of South Melbourne 3-0 on Sunday.

And it was Liam Boland who scored the stunner, lobbing the keeper with a superb strike from inside his own half.

SEE BOLAND’S GOAL IN THE TWEET BELOW

It was a goal similar to – but much better than - the goal Boland scored for Green Gully in their FFA Cup win over Central Coast Mariners in 2016.

Avondale’s win sees them now just two points behind league-leaders Bentleigh Greens, who lost their first game of the campaign in a 4-3 thriller against Port Melbourne Sharks.

Elsewhere, Pascoe Vale beat Oakleigh Cannons 1-0, Hume City overcame Green Gully 2-1 and Northcote City got past Dandenong Thunder 3-2.

Melbourne Knights also prevailed 3-2 over Bulleen Lions and Heidelberg United thrashed Kingston City 6-1.

NSW NPL

Abbas Saad’s Olympic underlined their Premiership credentials with a commanding 2-0 victory over 10-man Sydney United 58 in a fiery clash on Saturday night.

Olympic did the damage in a barnstorming first-half through goals from Spanish star Alejandro Sanchez and a volley by Thomas Whiteside.

United’s hopes of a fightback extinguished when Peter Markovic was sent off early in the second-half for a clash with the lively Sanchez.

The result means Olympic’s unbeaten run has extended to nine games in the NSW NPL to sit three points ahead of APIA Leichhardt, who won 3-1 at Hakoah Sydney City East.

Blacktown City remain in striking distance of the top-two after they held on for a 2-1 win over Sutherland Sharks thanks to goals from Joey Gibbs and Danny Choi.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles put a major dent in Manly United’s finals hopes after an upset 2-1 win, Sydney FC were too good for Rockdale City 2-0, while Wollongong Wolves beat Marconi 1-0 thanks to Yuzo Tashiro’s early header.

NNSW NPL

There remains a three-way tussle at the top of the ladder in NNSW following a pulsating Round 10 over the weekend.

Broadmeadow Magic remains on top on goal difference thanks to their entertaining 4-2 win at Hamilton Olympic.

Former Hyundai A-League flyer James Virgili and Kale Bradbury both scored doubles for Ruben Zadkovich’s men at Darling Street Oval.

“It keeps the roll going, I think that’s eight in a row including the FFA Cup so look, it’s extra special today obviously beating the Greeks [Olympic] at their home ground, so move on to next week and hopefully keeping the roll going on,” Bradbury told BarTV Sports.

 “The last eight games I don’t think we’ve had a bad player on the park, everyone’s contributing so that’s a big reason for why we’re going so well, it’s just extra special today.”

Edgeworth Eagles are also in a share of the competition lead after they saw off Lake Macquarie City 2-0, while Adamstown Rosebud came from a goal down to beat Valetine Phoenix 2-1.

And there was a five-goal thriller at Cooks Square Park, with Lambton Jaffas holding off a fast-finishing Maitland Magpies to win 3-2, thanks to a brace from Braedyn Crowley.

CAPITAL FOOTBALL NPL

Arguably the match of the round from around the country came in Googong as Tuggeranong United staged a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Monaro Panthers.

Monaro seemed destined for all three points six minutes after half-time when Ole Stegavik’s goal gave them a 3-0 lead.

But the game swung with 22 minutes left when a handball on the line resulted in a red card and penalty for Tuggeranong, which Shane Murray duly dispatched.

Aisosa Ihegie made it 3-2 with 15 minutes left before Andrew Slavich equalised soon after to snatch what appeared to be an unlikely draw.

But the drama wasn’t done there as in the final minute Ihegie struck again from a tight angle to hand United an improbable win.

Elsewhere, Canberra FC remain at the top of the ladder with a 4-1 win over Woden-Weston, Canberra Olympic were too good for Tigers FC 3-1 and the Riverina Rhinos and Belconnen United drew 0-0.

SA NPL

There was a top-of-the-table clash in South Australia, with Campbelltown City closing the gap on league-leaders MetroStars with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Early goals to Dion Kirk and Alex Mullen were enough to hold the lead all game, though a penalty to MetroStars’ goal-scoring machine Christian Esposito made it a nervy finish.

But Campbelltown held on to cut the gap to just two points at the top of the ladder.

In other results, Adelaide City beat South Adelaide 2-0, Para Hills Knights edged out Croydon Kings 1-0 and WT Birkalla and Adelaide Comets played out a 1-1 draw.

There was a thrilling 3-3 draw between Adelaide United and Sturt Lions, while West Adelaide was beaten 3-1 at home by Adelaide Olympic.

QLD NPL

The ‘Brisbane Classico’ was the standout fixture in Queensland and it was Brisbane City that prevailed 1-0.

Sam Sibatuara’s goal on the stroke of half-time was enough for City to get the result at Lions Stadium.

In other results, SWQ Thunder FC were too good for Brisbane Roar Youth 4-0 and league-leaders Olympic FC had little trouble in accounting for Magpies Crusaders 5-2.

Moreton Bay held off Redlands United 2-1, Western Pride beat Brisbane Strikers 1-0, Gold Coast United saw off Cairns FC 3-1 AND North Queensland United took care of Sunshine Coast FC 4-1.

  • There were no games in Western Australia or Tasmania due to FFA Cup preliminary round action.