ROUND 8 REVIEW – NPL 3 NSW MEN’S

Another fiery weekend of football saw some clubs pull away with some spectacular results as we fast approach the end of the regular season.

Rydalmere Lions were able to keep hold of their perfect record after they beat Canterbury Bankstown in their top of the table affair, Inter Lions secured their first win on the road at Macarthur while Sydney Uni held Stanmore to a stalemate.

Stanmore Hawks FC – Sydney University SFC 2-2

Stanmore Hawks were held to a 2-2 draw against Sydney University at Valentine Sports Park No. 2 on Saturday night.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the first half with a string of standout staves from Uni shot stopper Steven Antoniou keeping the Hawks at bay.

The first goal of the evening arrived 10 minutes after the restart in the form of an own goal from Stanmore’s Sam Awad after a miscommunication between him and goalkeeper Nick Carosi resulted in the ball making its way into the back of the net.

The Hawks restored parity in the 70th minute via a Tom Quilligan header after he was picked out by Peter Yannopoulos’ cross.

The ‘students’ regained the lead around five minutes later when a defensive error from Stanmore’s Paul Turrin paved the way for Daniel Barrett who made no mistake as he slotted home.

Yet again the Hawks came from behind to level the scoring as Gabriel Lopez headed in Conor Quilligan’s cross at the far post.

The 2019 Premiers had a chance to win it late on, however Axford was in fine form as he kept out Tom Quilligan’s stinging volley.

The point means that Stanmore drop to 6th on the league ladder while Uni continue to prop up the ladder.

League leaders Rydalmere await Stanmore next weekend while Uni will be looking for all three points when they take on the 11th placed Pirates at home.

-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)