It was another entertaining weekend of football in the National Premier Leagues, and beyond, across Australia. KEEPUP brings you the best bits.
Another week and another hat-trick in WA
If you didn’t know about Daryl Nicol, now you do.
The three-time Gold Medal winner cannot be stopped in NPLM WA… just ask his opponents after his latest hat-trick.
Perth RedStar’s talisman scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over local rivals Olympic Kingsway that sent the club to the top of the table, a week on from his three-goal haul in a 5-1 rout of Cockburn City.
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The 32-year-old Scottish forward now has 16 goals to his name in just 11 games in 2023.
Nicol has dominated NPLM WA for years, having scored 34 goals in 25 league and top four matches last year.
Since 2016, he has sensationally scored 127 goals in 157 games in the competition.
Elsewhere in WA, Perth SC were also 6-1 winners over Bayswater City as former New Zealand and Perth Glory defender Danny Hay prepares to take charge.
Jok takes home the match ball
At the start of the season, Dor Jok was playing for Central Coast Mariners and now he is scoring hat-tricks for Port Melbourne Sharks in Victoria’s NPL.
Jok was the star of the show as Port Melbourne routed Moreland City 5-0 in NPLM VIC on Saturday.
The 22-year-old forward, who debuted for Port Melbourne in February, completed his three-goal haul in 31 minutes to lead the fifth-placed Sharks to another win.
Jok is enjoying the best season of his senior career, having scored six goals in 15 matches so far.
The South Sudan-born player made two appearances for Isuzu UTE A-League champions the Mariners in 2022-23, coming off the bench against Wellington Phoenix in October and replacing Marco Tulio during a December showdown against Grand Finalists Melbourne City.
He was handed his debut by Nick Montgomery, who summoned him as a replacement for cult hero Jason Cummings in a goalless draw away to Perth Glory in March 2022.
Jok was part of a triumphant 2022 season for the Mariners Academy, playing for the NPL men’s team that were promoted to NPL1 last term.
He scored eight goals as the Mariners finished top of FNSW League One before losing to St George City after extra time in the Grand Final.
Elsewhere in NPLM VIC, Avondale FC and South Melbourne continue to lead the way.
Avondale were 1-0 winners away to Hume City, while South Melbourne edged old rivals Melbourne Knights 2-1 as defending champions Oakleigh Cannons topped Dandenong Thunder 2-1.
There was late, late drama in NPL2 VIC as Melbourne City defeated Eastern Lions 2-1.
Eastern Lions had just equalised in the 85th minute before City’s Benjamin Mazzeo scored an incredible diving header to snatch the points in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Golazo from a Liberty A-League champion
Sit back and admire Rola Badawiya’s moment of brilliance in NPLW NSW.
Badawiya was part of the star-studded Sydney FC side that won the Liberty A-League Championship in 2022-23.
The American is back in the NPL as the reigning Women’s Player of the Year and she scored a worldie for NWS Spirit, who defeated Bulls FC Academy 3-1.
Sydney remain in discussions with Badawiya regarding a potential return to the Sky Blues for the 2023-24 campaign.
With the victory, NWS Spirit extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches in the competition.
But red-hot APIA Leichhardt continue to lead the way following a 6-2 win over Emerging Jets.
Melbourne City star Holly McNamara put on a show with a brace to lead APIA to a 10th consecutive win – they lead the league by 10 points.
Liberty A-League stars were also front and centre for Bulleen Lions in their 3-2 win over NPLW VIC leaders Boroondara-Carey eagles.
Western United’s Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, Melbourne Victory’s Tiffany Eliadis and Perth Glory sensation Alana Jancevski all scored in the triumph.
Former Adelaide United and Canberra United attacker Tegan Riding scored a hat-trick for Lions FC as the NPLW QLD pacesetters eased past Brisbane Olympic 4-0.
In NPLW SA, league-leading Adelaide Comets accounted for West Adelaide 3-1.
Moon returns to Lions FC as McDonald’s champs conquer leaders
Warren Moon has returned to Lions FC as technical director for the remainder of the NPLM QLD season, having departed Brisbane Roar in February.
The former Lions FC head coach watched the club play out a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Redlands United.
Novak Klajic equalised against 10-man Redlands in the 91st minute before they also ended the contest with 10 players.
Lions FC are fifth and seven points adrift of leaders Gold Coast Knights, who leapfrogged Gold Coast United atop the standings.
Scott McDonald’s defending champions were too good for their rivals 2-1.
In NPLM NSW, league-leading APIA Leichhardt were upstaged 2-1 by Sydney United, while two goals in the final three minutes of regulation saw Sydney FC stun Sydney Olympic 2-1.
Richie Darko of NSW Spirit also scored a brilliant long-range goal in a 3-2 win over Blacktown City.
In Tasmania, Noah Mies scored a hat-trick and Declan Taylor and Ahmad Othman bagged two goals apiece as Kingborough Lions humiliated Riverside Olympic 10-0.
