It was another entertaining weekend of football in the National Premier Leagues across Australia. KEEPUP brings you the best bits.
A comeback for the ages
It has already been labelled one of the most thrilling comebacks in the history of NPLM NSW after North West Sydney Spirit rallied to stun Wollongong Wolves 5-4 on Saturday night.
Wollongong – coached by former Socceroo and A-Leagues star David Carney – led 4-2 heading into the 90th minute at Christie Park, where goals from Jake Trew, Christopher McStay, Walter Scott and substitute Takumi Ofuka had the Wolves in command against a team winless in five matches.
Or, so they thought.
NWS Spirit, who had lost four and drawn one of their previous five fixtures entering the contest, completely flipped the match on its head with three goals after the 90-minute mark in incredible scenes.
Central Coast Mariners Academy product and ex-Newcastle Jets youth player Matthew Cahill pulled a goal back that appeared to be little more than a consolation in the 90th minute.
But it proved to be much more as Michael Konestabo sensationally equalised in the third minute of stoppage time before substitute and two-goal hero Richard Darko unleashed a shot from just inside the halfway, which found the back of the net in the 95th minute.
Comeback complete.
“What a crazy game,” said NWS Spirit head coach David Perkovic via NPL NSW. “It was quite an epic encounter.
“We started well, but credit to Wollongong for coming back into the game with some neat goals.
“Credit to our team for believing however – the guys who came off the bench made a huge impact on the match especially Richie (Darko) who scored a couple of top-class goals, the last one especially.
“We’ve struggled to score recently so scoring five today will give the boys confidence as we look forward to next week’s match.”
NWS Spirit are 10th in the standings, level on points with Wollongong and 13 points adrift of runaway leaders Rockdale City Ilinden.
Rockdale stayed five points clear of APIA Leichhardt atop the table thanks to their 3-1 win over arch-rivals and Australia Cup runners-up Sydney United.
Captain and former Sydney FC striker Alec Urosevski maintained his red-hot form with another goal – taking his tally for the season to 12 goals in just nine matches.
Former Jets coach makes an instant impact in Victoria
With the club rooted to the bottom of the NPLM VIC table with six straight losses to start the season, Bentleigh Greens have lured a local back home to help kick-start their campaign.
That man? Former Newcastle Jets assistant and youth-team coach Ric Marchioli.
The Victorian native has experience in the NPL, having previously worked at Brunswick City as full-time head coach and general manager in the second tier.
READ: The young Jets coach providing the link between Newcastle’s youth and the ALM team
In his first match over the weekend, Marchioli oversaw a 4-1 win at St Albans Saints as Bentleigh not only celebrated their first points of the season but climbed off the foot of the table.
It was a match in which the Greens trailed before eventually crushing the home side.
At the other end of the spectrum, unbeaten Avondale FC continue to lead the way following their 3-0 win over Melbourne Knights.
South Melbourne are a point adrift in second spot after they edged defending champions Oakleigh Cannons 1-0 in a rematch of the Grand Final.
Former Melbourne Victory pair Josh Hope and Pierce Waring both scored braces as Green Gully humbled North Geelong 7-0.
NPL Capital Football got underway over the weekend as Canberra Olympic cruised to a 5-0 success against Woden Weston, Gungahlin United defeated Tuggeranong United 4-1, Tigers beat Monaro Panthers 3-0 and Canberra FC drew 1-1 with O’Connor Knights.
In Tasmania, Devonport City are the pacesetters on goal difference courtesy of a 2-0 triumph against Launceston City while MetroStars top NPLM SA by two points.
Subiaco make history in NPLW WA
There were two landslide victories across the women’s and men’s competitions in Western Australia.
In NPLW WA, Subiaco made history in their 13-0 demolition of Curtin University on Friday night.
It was the largest win in the NPLW WA era, with Subiaco having also held the previous record for the heaviest defeat following an 11-0 mauling at the hands of Balcatta in 2020.
There were four hat-tricks for Subiaco as Siena Crevacore scored four goals, while Dakota Van Vugt, Marianna Tabain and Frankie Murray bagged hat-tricks.
Perth SC are top of the table, ahead of Hyundai NTC on goal difference after their 6-0 rout of Fremantle City.
In NPLM WA, talisman Daryl Nicol was at it again as Perth RedStar made light work of Steve McGarry’s Sorrento 7-1.
Scottish star and reigning Golden Boot winner Nicol scored twice to fuel the visitors.
Perth Glory top the table despite their 3-3 draw with Bayswater City.
Contrasting results for two champions
Reigning NPLW NSW titleholders Macarthur Rams kick-started their defence with a 3-0 win over Blacktown Spartans.
The defending champions celebrated their first win of 2023 as Tenealle Hay’s stunning free-kick inspired the home side.
In NPLW VIC, defending champions Calder United are stumbling.
With head coach Mark Torcaso and much of the 2022 title-winning team fuelling Western United’s charge into the Liberty A-League finals, Calder have lost two consecutive matches.
After opening the campaign with a win, Calder have gone down to Alamein FC (4-2) and Preston Lions (1-0) in back-to-back weeks.
Over in NPLW SA, FFSA NTC remain the team to beat thanks to their 1-0 win at Flinders United.
FFSA NTC have won all four of their matches so far, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once.
In NPLW QLD, Lions FC are four points clear atop the table on the back of their 3-0 success against Brisbane Roar/QAS.
