The National Premier Leagues NSW Premiership race is set to go down to the wire after a weekend of massive results.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers are now only a point behind league leaders Sydney Olympic after the blues went down in a thrilling clash with Blacktown City FC.
APIA easily accounted for Sydney FC on Saturday night, while Marconi Stallions also moved closer to finals football with a last second winner against Hakoah Sydney City East.
Sutherland Sharks and Rockdale City Suns both tasted victory in their respective games to kick start their push for a top five position.
Sutherland Sharks 2- Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks have put space between themselves and the bottom of the table pack with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Seymour Shaw.
Nicholas Olsen marked his return to the Sharks starting line-up with a well taken second goal for the home side after captain Jacob Tratt thumped home a 19th minute header.
The Sharks held off a late flurry in a tense second half to record their first victory in a month.
For Bonnyrigg White Eagles, besides David Vrankovic’s header that sparked a revival in the second half, they were unable to create much pressure on the Sharks goal. Experienced midfielder Raymond Miller was a standout as the White Eagles face a tough task to stave off relegation.
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 – Marconi Stallions 2 at Hensley Athletic Field
An incredible final second goal from Peter Pelekanos has given Marconi Stallions a last ditch 2-1 victory against Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field.
The centre back was in the right place at the right time to find a last gasp match winner after it seemed Hakoah had done enough to claim a draw.
After a slow start to the game, Hakoah had the best of the first half chances but it was Marconi who took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to a headed finish from former Socceroo Michael Beauchamp.
With the clock ticking down Hakoah thought they had snatched a point when Anthony Frangie hit the back of the net in the 87th minute to level the scores at 1-1.
However, there was another twist in the tale to come and Pelekanos’ 93rd minute goal sent the visiting fans into raptures as they claimed an unexpected three points.
Sydney FC 1 – APIA Leichhardt Tigers 5 at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers laid on a second half goal blitz to ease to a comfortable 5-1 win over Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Saturday night.
Nominally the visitors for this game, APIA were slow to get going as Sydney FC made a determined start, but never looked back after going ahead through Corey Biczo ten minutes before the break.
Goals from Howard Fondyke and Jordan Murray just after the restart set APIA on their way to a straightforward win, which might easily have blown out further if not for Sydney FC’s refusal to go down without a fight.
APIA now sit only one point behind league leaders Sydney Olympic and will ensure the Premiership race goes down to the wire.
Blacktown City 1 – Sydney Olympic FC 0 at Lily Homes Stadium
Sydney Olympic’s Premiership chances suffered a major blow after they were stunned 1-0 by a determined Blacktown City side at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.
A 50th minute goal from Joey Gibbs was the difference between the two sides as Blacktown returned to the winners circle for the first time since May.
It was a game of many chances with the goalkeepers of Olympic and City the stand out performers as they kept their respective sides in the contest.
Olympic fought hard but were unable to find an equaliser with defeat cutting their lead at the summit of the competition to only three points from second placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Wollongong Wolves 1 – Sydney United 58 3 at WIN Stadium
Two goals in the final five minutes has helped Sydney United 58 to a dramatic 3-1 victory against Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
It was a frantic end to the match as Goals in the 86th and 90th minute to substitutes Patrick Antelmi and Sam Perre wrapped up the three points for the visitors and their third win in as many games.
For the Wolves, it was a frustrating afternoon at the office, with the side creating numerous chances but failing to take them and were punished as a result.
The victory maintains United 58’s hold on third position on the ladder one point ahead Blacktown City who have a game in hand.
The hosts would open the scoring in the 18th minute after a strong start.
Rockdale City Suns 4 – Manly United FC 3 at Ilinden Sports Centre
A Harris Gaitatzis double has helped Rockdale City Suns return to the winners circle with a hard fought 4-3 victory against Manly United at Ilinden Sports Centre.
Rockdale were forced to hold off a fast finishing Manly side after racing to a 3-1 lead in just over 45 minutes of action.
It was a game that took a while to get going but in the end it produced seven quality goals.
Manly United took the lead through Brendan Cholakian but Aleks Canak and Toufic Alameddine both scored for the home side prior to the break.
Rockdale consolidated their lead early in the second half through Gaitatzis but Dylan McAllister hit back for the visitors to make it 3-2.
However, Gaitatzis scored again before a late consolidation goal to Manly United rounded out the score line.
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