NPL NSW Round 12 Wrap: Marconi Extend Unbeaten Run as Rockdale, Blacktown Keep Pace

James Stuart

Round 12 of the NPL NSW season saw plenty of twists across the league, but one thing stayed the same: Marconi Stallions kept marching at the top. The unbeaten leaders brushed aside fierce rivals APIA Leichhardt, while Rockdale Ilinden and Blacktown City continued to apply pressure just behind.

Stallions Master Derby d’Italia

Marconi Stallions showed once again why they’re the team to beat, recording a 2-0 win over APIA Leichhardt in a high-stakes Derby d’Italia at Lambert Park. Jake Trew struck the opener before a forced own goal doubled the lead inside the first half-hour, allowing Marconi to cruise home and stretch their unbeaten run to twelve games. With the league’s best defence, conceding just seven goals all season, the Stallions now sit six points clear at the summit.

Rockdale and Blacktown in Hot Pursuit

Rockdale Ilinden stayed second with a comfortable 3-1 victory over bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners. Alec Urosevski was again the talisman, scoring and assisting inside the opening quarter of an hour. He continues to lead the golden boot race with an impressive tally of 16. While Rocco Smith pulled one back for the Mariners, it wasn’t enough to stop Rockdale from moving to 24 points and maintaining their charge behind Marconi.

Blacktown City mirrored Rockdale’s result in spirit if not in style, coming from two goals down to stun Sydney United 58 with a 3-2 comeback win at Landen Stadium. After a lacklustre first half, Travis Major and Lachlan Campbell scored in rapid succession before Jak O’Brien calmly converted the winner from the penalty spot. Blacktown remain level on points with Rockdale, separated only by goal difference.

Spirit, Wolves, and Manly Claim Important Results

It was heartbreak again for St George FC, who conceded in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with NWS Spirit at Christie Park. Jaden Casella’s second-half strike looked to have secured the win for the visitors, but Grant Cornwell’s late equaliser salvaged a point for Spirit, who sit fourth on 22 points.

Wollongong Wolves staged a second-half rally to beat Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2-1, with goals from Lachlan Scott and Marcus Beattie cancelling out John Azar’s first-half opener. The Wolves move to seventh, while Mt Druitt remain stuck in the bottom two, hampered by the league’s leakiest defence (29 goals conceded).

Manly United, meanwhile, exploded into form with a stunning 5-2 victory over Sydney Olympic. Goals from Harry Van Der Saag, Taiga Kawano, Darcy Burgess, Lucas Meek and Farah Koko saw Manly climb to sixth. Olympic’s only bright spot was a Cyrus Dehmie brace.

Sydney FC Climb as Wanderers Falter

Sydney FC secured a vital 2-0 win over Sutherland Sharks on ANZAC Day, with Marin France and Mathias Macallister (penalty) scoring after the break. It’s a crucial three points for the Young Sky Blues, who now sit level on 15 points with Sydney United and St George FC, all jostling for mid-table position.

At Penshurst Park, St George City eked out a tight 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, courtesy of an Aiden Simmons own goal. It sums up the Wanderers’ woes, with just eight goals scored all season: the worst attacking record in the competition.

League Table Snapshot

At the top, Marconi (30 points) continue to look imperious, while Rockdale and Blacktown (both 24 points) are trying to keep pace. Spirit (22) and APIA (20) round out the top five, with Manly (18) holding the final finals spot.

At the bottom, it’s increasingly grim for Central Coast Mariners, last on five points. Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Western Sydney Wanderers (both 8 points) remain in a perilous battle for the relegation playoff spot, with Sutherland Sharks (11 points) only slightly better off.

As the season barrels toward its halfway mark, every game is becoming critical.