There was plenty of action in this week’s installment of NPL NSW. We saw Wollongong and Rockdale surge to the top of the table while champions APIA are left still searching for their first point of the season.
APIA Leichhardt vs Wollongong Wolves
Result: Wollongong Wolves 4 def APIA Leichhardt 1
It was a battle of the heavyweights this weekend as the reigning Premiers travelled up to Sydney to take on the Champions and it did not disappoint.
Wolves quickly seized control of the game in the first half as Lachlan Scott buried a goal from the edge of the box.
The home team quickly responded with APIA’s Joshua Symons scoring an equaliser from outside the box. Game on.
It wasn’t enough for the Champions as another goal from Lachlan Scott and a brace from Bul Juach in the second half sealed all three points for the South Coast side.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Blacktown City
Result: Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 draw Blacktown City 2
The battle for Western Sydney was on this weekend when Mt Druitt Town Rangers hosted Blacktown City and the spoils were shared between the two teams.
A thrilling yet scoreless first half saw the two sides level going into the sheds but the home team pounced early after the break and saw John Roberts capitalise on a defensive error from Blacktown.
The visitors quickly bounced back with a back post header from Charles Mendy and the sides were level once again.
A scrappy goal line scramble resulted in a Hassan Jalloh goal which saw Blacktown take the lead but both sides left Popondetta Park with a point each after a thunderous rocket into the back of the net from Mt Druitt’s Connor Coskerie.
Sydney United 58 vs North Shore Mariners
Result: Sydney United 1 def North Shore Mariners 0
Sydney United took on the newly-promoted North Shore Mariners this weekend and the former NSL powerhouse left Edensor Park with all three points as they defeated the Mariners 1-0.
It was a tightly contested first half between the two teams yet neither managed to find the back of the net.
Mariners came out firing in the second half and were all over United’s defence but failed to find the net.
It was Sydney United who found the winner after some nice link up play between Jordan Roberts and Michael Ruhs which ended in Ruhs scoring a tidy first time finish in the 93rd minute.
Manly United vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Result: Manly United 0 draw Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Manly United hosted Western Sydney Wanderers this weekend which resulted in a scoreless draw.
Manly dominated possession early in the first half but failed to make it count.
A debut from Oliver Kalac produced a masterclass performance as the promising goalkeeper managed to keep a clean sheet against Manly and rescue a point for his side.
Rockdale City Suns vs Marconi Stallions
Result: Rockdale City Suns 1 def Marconi Stallions 0
Rockdale hosted Marconi in the final match of the round and the home team claimed a crucial win by defeating the Stallions 1-0.
It was a tightly contested affair in the first half as both teams managed to find chances in the box but it was Rockdale’s Kyle Cimenti who found the back of the net after a scramble in the box.
A last minute counter attack from Marconi saw a cross float into the box and a thumping header was launched towards goal but was saved by Rockdale’s keeper as the home side claimed all three points.
