NPL New South Wales: Title contenders win late

Sutherland Sharks and Sydney United both secured the three points with late winners, sending them to the top of the table along with last year's Premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

While Sydney United won late last week also, Sutherland had a dominating win. The 95th minute decisive goal against Olympic will give them confidence that they can win by dominating a match, but also through grit and earning the points late.

Round Two Goals of the Week

Blacktown City 2-2 South Coast Wolves

(Major 50’ pen, Rooney 58’),  (Zucco 42’ pen, Lavalle 55’)

South Coast Wolves bounced back from their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Sutherland last weekend with a determined performance away at Blacktown City.

Three goals in eight minutes saw Blacktown twice come from behind to earn a point. Two penalties got the ball rolling, before a counter attack led to Wolves retaking the lead. It took a 35 yard screamer from the boot of prolific goal scorer Sean Rooney for Blacktown’s second equaliser. 

A share of the spoils was a fitting result for the end to end match, although the Wolves may well be concerned by their inability to hold a lead.

Under 20’s: Blacktown City 1-1 South Coast Wolves
Next week: Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City; South Coast Wolves v Sydney United

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-0 Blacktown Spartans
(Tadrosse 36', Younis 57', Peterson 83')

Another three-goal classy performance provided the three points again for Bonnyrigg as they went two from two to open their campaign.

After toppling the Champions Marconi last weekend, the Spartans were played off the pitch by last season’s Premiers. Their early resolute defending was undone just nine minutes from the break, though the resilience against Bonnyrigg’s expansive football would be encouraging.

The home side came out with clear intentions to increase their advantage in the second half as they added two more goals to seal the victory.

Under 20’s: Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2-3 Blacktown Spartans
Next week: Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Central Coast Mariners Academy; Manly United v Blacktown Spartans

Sutherland Sharks 2-1 Sydney Olympic (Moustakas 11’, Naumoff 90'+5’), (Barkhousir 63’)

A very late winner saw Sutherland start their season with a 100% record as substitute Chris Naumoff displayed composure and experience well beyond his years to finish past Paul Henderson at the near post.

Sutherland got off to a flying start through Perry Moustakas first ever goal from Sutherland. The home side applied early pressure and were rewarded through the set piece goal.

Elside Barkhousir’s equaliser looked enough to earn Olympic a point in a tricky away game, until Panni Nikas put Naumoff through on goal five minutes into stoppage time.

Under 20’s: Sutherland Sharks 3-1 Sydney Olympic
Next week: APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks; Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City

APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1-1 Central Coast Mariners Academy
(Taneski 48’), (Payne 38’)

APIA Leichhardt and Central Coast Academy both picked up their first points of the season at a hot Lambert Park. In the second of their nine straight home games to start the season, APIA came from behind early in the second half.

Former Sydney FC players Tomislav Cirjak and Chris Payne combined to open the scoring for the visitors not long before half time.

Both coaches came away thinking they should have won the fixture, but the first point on the board is important and neither would be too disappointed with the outcome.

Under 20’s: APIA Leichhardt 1-0 Central Coast Mariners Academy
Next week: APIA Leichhardt v Sutherland Sharks; Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Central Coast Mariners Academy

Marconi Stallions 0-3 Manly United
                              (Seavill 3’, 65’, Iley 5’)

A blistering start from Manly United saw two goals in the opening five minutes condemn Marconi to back to back losses.

Marconi tried to control possession after the early shock, but the Manly defence couldn’t be broken.  When Sean Seavill added his second midway through the second half, it was the defining blow that confirmed the result.

Marconi have started the campaign with two losses and sit bottom, while Manly will be delighted to pick up their first points with a blistering performance in a tricky away fixture.

Under 20’s: Marconi Stallions 2-2 Manly United
Next week: Rockdale City Suns v Marconi Stallions; Manly United v Blacktown Spartans

Sydney United 3-2 Rockdale City Suns
(Glavas 19’, 82’ (pen), Pavlovic 90’ ), (Cardozo 21’, Perri 37’ )

It was yet again a late goal that secured the three points for United, as they came from behind with two goals in the final eight minutes to beat Rockdale.

Last week a Luka Glavas 87^th minute penalty won them the game, and this time around it was Glavas from the spot that equalised with eight minutes remaining. Substitute Mirjan Pavlovic volleyed home in stoppage time to deny Mark Rudans side a point.

United struck first through Glavas’ first of two goals, but the Suns were quick to hit back and went into the break with the lead. They’ll be disappointed to have dropped the three points with the finish line in sight, but yet another late winner is testament to United’s determination and they will be hard to beat this season.

Under 20’s: Sydney United 3-1 Rockdale City Suns
Next week: South Coast Wolves v Sydney United; Rockdale City Suns v Marconi Stallion