Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues NSW season is in the books and what a weekend of action it was.
Blacktown City have broken away as the sole leaders of the competition following an impressive win against APIA Leichhardt Tigers on Friday.
Mark Crittenden’s side remain the only undefeated side in the competition after Wollongong Wolves suffered a comprehensive loss to Sutherland Sharks in Saturday’s early game.
However, Rockdale’s unbelievable comeback from 3-0 down to pip Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4-3 stands out as the result of the round.
It was also a big weekend for Sydney United who gave Jason Culina his first home win since taking over as coach with victory against Sydney FC in an eight goal thriller.
Sydney Olympic 2 – Hakoah Sydney City East 1 at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic fought their way to a hard earned 2-1 victory over Hakoah Sydney City East at Belmore Sports ground on Good Friday.
All three of the afternoon’s goals came as a result of set pieces with George Timotheou and Alejandro Sanchez-Lopez scoring either side of Oliver Green’s equaliser to give Olympic their third consecutive home win of the season.
Play was often scrappy throughout the match as the bobbly pitch made it difficult for both sides to generate continuity and create chances, allowing dead ball situations to take centre stage and inevitably decide the result.
With the win, Olympic continues their bright start to their 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW campaign with three victories from their opening four matches
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 0 – Blacktown City FC 2 at Lambert Park
Blacktown CIty has stretched their lead at the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW ladder with a hard-fought 2-0 win against APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Lambert Park on Friday.
A second half stunner from Joey Gibbs and a cool finish from Devante Clut was the difference as Blacktown maintained its unbeaten run to start the season.
It was a tough day at the office for APIA who dominated the opening 45 minutes of the match but struggled in front of goal despite a glut of chances.
The defeat is the first of the season for Billy McColl’s side who had started the season with back to back wins.
Sutherland Sharks FC 3 – Wollongong Wolves 0 at Seymour Shaw
Wollongong Wolves unbeaten start to the season has ended in emphatic fashion after they were thrashed 3-0 by Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.
Sutherland opened the scoring with a contender for ‘Goal of the Week’ courtesy of a Nick Olsen thunderbolt and went into the break two ahead when Adrian Vranic hit his first of the season when scrambling the ball over the line from a great Jacob Tratt nod down.
Wollongong looked dangerous on the break, particularly down the left through Josh McDonald, Yuzo Tashiro and Takuya Nozawa but paid the price for sloppy finishing.
Vranic benefitted from another Tratt effort in the 53rd minute to side-foot home his second of the night and secure a comfortable win for Grant Lee’s side.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 – Rockdale City Suns 4 at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns have pulled off one of the most spectacular comebacks in recent seasons to snatch an unlikely 4-3 victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Saturday.
Two first half goals from David Vrankovic and a belter from Shervin Adeli had the White Eagles cruising with a 3-0 lead after the first 45 minutes despite Mun So Gil’s red card mid-way through the half.
But the Suns rallied, as Blake Ricciuto got them on the board before Alec Urosevski levelled the scores and finally substitute Toufic Alameddine found the incredible winner.
It was a heartbreaking result for Bonnyrigg who have struggled for consistency this season and were in desperate need of a victory.
Marconi Stallions 2 – Manly United FC 4 at Marconi Stadium
Manly United FC showed their championship spirit fighting back twice to claim a 4-2 victory against Marconi Stallions on Saturday at Marconi Stadium.
In a highly entertaining first half, Marconi Stallions led twice. Firstly through a Marko Jesic penalty then a sublime piece of skill from former Wanderer Matteo Poljak. Twice though, they were pegged back by Manly United as Brendan Cholakian and Travis Oughtred sent both teams to the break 2-2.
After the break Manly United underlined their club spirit to ‘never give up’ as they struck two decisive blows from Nikola Tanevski and Kye Conna to finally get themselves off both off the bottom of the ladder and the duck egg.
Peter Tsekenis lamented some regrettable errors that cruelled the Stallions in the second half as they now have to pick themselves up for a mid-week catch up against APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC.
Sydney United 58 FC 5 – Sydney FC 3 at Sydney United Sports Centre
A Panny Nikas hat trick has handed Jason Culina his first win at Sydney United Sports Centre after defeating a spirited Sydney FC 5-3 in a hugely entertaining round four National Premier Leagues NSW encounter at Edensor Park.
The see-sawing contest was highlighted by a breathless ten minute period in the opening half that saw Jeremy Cox give the Sky Blues the lead on two occasions before United 58 fought back to restore parity twice and eventually edged in front before half time courtesy of a Chris Payne effort and a pair of Nikas strikes.
Patrick Antelmi gave the home side breathing space early in the second half before Nikas all but sealed back to back victories for United 58 and claimed his treble with an audaciously struck penalty with fifteen minutes remaining.
Jerry Skotadis netted a fine stoppage time consolation for the Young Sky Blues, who despite their third match defeat in a row, will be buoyed after contesting toe to toe against a vastly more experienced United 58 unit with five former A-League stalwarts peppered throughout the team.
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