NPL Northern NSW Review
The premier Newcastle competition saw only two fixtures re-scheduled over the Easter long weekend while the rest of the league is taking a well-earned holiday.
Weston Workers 2-0 Lambton Jaffas
Jaffas were on the front foot for most of the game. Lambton should have taken the lead in the 40th minute as Weston goalkeeper Stu Plant fumbled a James Virgili cross seemingly behind his own goal line. Ultimately, the decision was waved, and both teams returned to the tunnel scoreless after 45 minutes.
Despite a valiant effort from Weston, two late goals from Kale Bradbery secured three crucial points for Lambton as they stay within reach of the early front-runners.
Valentine FC 3-1 Lake Macquarie City
Valentine made it two-from-two this season after the Lake Macquarie derby win over Lake Macquarie.
Nicholas Martinelli gave Valentine a crucial goal at the stroke of halftime.
Ryan Clarke and Carl Thornton followed suit shortly, virtually guaranteeing the win for Valentine.
Lake Macquarie City were awarded a goal due to a dubious corner attempt that saw the ball somehow end up in the back of the net, giving the Roosters a lifeline.
The resulting goal came to no avail as the Phoenix flew away with all three points.
NPL Queensland Review
Moreton Bay United 1-2 Brisbane Roar Academy
Moreton Bay will be disappointed in the result, which sees them stray further into the relegation race.
Sam Klein opened the scoring early for Roar Youth, giving them the lead heading into halftime.
A red card to Rhys Gwynn-Jones scrutinised Moreton Bays’ hopes of a comeback with 15 to go as Joshua Dimarco scored Brisbane’s second goal not long after.
A Nicholas Bernardi late consolation goal for Moreton was not enough, with the Brisbane Roar Academy walking away with all three points.
Brisbane City 0-2 Lions FC
An extremely physical battle in the Brisbane Classico saw Brisbane City unable to hold off reigning champions Lions FC, going down 2-0 at Spencer Park.
Lions FC saved themselves early with Lions defender Ethan Docherty clearing a cheeky dink off the line.
An Alex Fiechtner breakaway goal and Joe Duckworth’s well-placed free-kick was all that was needed to secure the win for Lions FC.
Lions FC now sit in second place, only behind Olympic.
Brisbane City remains in 10th.
Logan Lightning 2-3 Eastern Suburbs
Eastern Suburbs took an early lead with a penalty in the 9th minute by Alex Simmons.
Logan would equalise in the 25th through Matthew Capelo.
The game started to boil over in the last 10 minutes with some tremendous end-to-end football.
New signing Connor Booth gave Eastern Suburbs the lead again, tapping it past Carlos Saliadarre.
An own goal from Jeremy Saint was quickly forgotten, as only a minute later, Laurence Cant belted home the winner on the half volley for Eastern Suburbs with three minutes of regular time to go.
The result means Eastern leapfrog Logan into 8th position.
Peninsula Power 1-0 Gold Coast Knights
In a game that could only result from who showed up on the day, Peninsula used their not-so-familiar ladder position as fuel to boost a much-needed victory over Gold Coast Knights.
An Anthony Poljak free-kick in the fourth minute was all that was needed for Power to come out victorious.
Both teams had their fair share of chances, but no one could capitalise.
Both teams now sit within the top four.
Capalaba FC 1-1 Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunshine Coast return to Ballinger Park with only one point against relegation favourites Capalaba.
Luke Murphy scored the opener for Capalaba in the first half, and they were very close to seizing a two-goal advantage multiple times early in the second.
A red card for Wanderer Andre Jancevski in the 90th minute only enticed Sunshine Coast to score an equaliser, coming seven long minutes into added time.
The result sees the Wanderers drop outside the top four. At the same time, Capalaba remains bottom despite receiving their first points this season.
Olympic FC 2-0 Gold Coast United
Olympic FC continue their winning streak, now five from five in the league.
Both teams suffered first-half red cards; Justyn McKay for Gold Coast and Takeru Okada for Olympic. Shannon Brady managed to score a well-placed volley between the two events to give Olympic an early lead.
After an uneventful second half, Danilo Kovacevic put the game to bed in the 90th minute, sealing the win for Olympic. They remain on top of the ladder after five rounds.
Gold Coast United also remain in place, being sixth position.
NPL South Australia Review
The NPL SA was not played due to Australia Cup fixtures being scheduled over the long weekend.