After 12 rounds of the Men’s Premier League, we thought we’d seen it all, but we couldn’t have been further from the truth. Round 13 delivered one of the most unforgettable weekends of the season, with 30 goals across five games, a comeback from 3-0 down, eight goals from the team sitting last on the ladder, a goalkeeper finding the scoresheet, and a social media derby.
Every match produced its own drama, talking points, and unforgettable moments, making it nearly impossible to know where to begin. So, let’s dive straight into the action and relive one of the wildest rounds we’ve ever seen.
Knox United 0 – 4 Willougby Dalleys
Round 13 got underway at NTRA as Knox United welcomed Willoughby Dalleys in a clash between two confident sides. Dalleys arrived fresh off a 12-point weekend, while Knox were eager to bounce back after seeing their strong run of form come to an end the previous week.
The visitors made the perfect start, with Ashton Drew opening the scoring in the 11th minute. Dalleys controlled proceedings throughout the first half and took their deserved 1-0 advantage into the break.
They returned from halftime with the same intensity, putting the result beyond doubt before the hour mark. Adrian Bacic struck twice before the 66th minute to extend the lead to 3-0 and leave Knox with a mountain to climb.
It was a composed and professional display from Dalleys, who comfortably managed the remainder of the contest. There was still time for one final highlight in stoppage time, as the visitors were awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Mark Zabica stepped up and converted, putting the finishing touch on an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Willoughby Dalleys also claimed victory in the reserve grade, securing back-to-back 12-point weekends. With momentum building at the right time of the season, could the great escape be on?
Hornsby Heights 3 – 1 West Pymble FC
Heights have battled inconsistency throughout the season, but have begun to turn their fortunes around in recent weeks. Meanwhile, West Pymble entered the clash looking to halt a dip in form, having picked up just one point from their previous three matches.
It was an entertaining opening half at Fortress Montview, with West Pymble striking first in the 22nd minute through Luke Currie. The response from Heights was quick, as Oliver Hing found the equaliser just five minutes later to bring the home side level.
As halftime approached, Heights continued to build momentum and were rewarded five minutes before the break when Eddie Lee fired them into the lead, completing a strong first-half turnaround.
The hosts wasted no time extending their advantage after the restart. Hing grabbed his second goal of the afternoon early in the second half to put Heights firmly in control at 3-1. From there, they managed the contest well, making effective use of their bench to see out a deserved victory.
The result moves Heights to within a single point of second place following a weekend of significant results across the division. With their form trending upwards, they’ll be aiming to finish the season as high as possible.
Chatswood Rangers 8 – 2 Kissing Point FC
Yes, you read that right.
Chatswood entered this clash sitting at the foot of the table with just one win all season, while Kissing Point had emerged as Northbridge’s closest challenger after rediscovering the form of last season.
Whatever was said in the Chatswood dressing room before kick-off certainly worked. The home side exploded out of the blocks, with Euan Spiers scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes before Luka Gwozdecky added a third midway through the half. Spiers completed a stunning first-half hat-trick in the 41st minute to put Chatswood firmly in control, although Thomas Siame gave Kissing Point a lifeline before the break to leave the visitors with hope heading into the second half.
Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Conor Clift made it five for Chatswood in the 65th minute before Spiers grabbed his fourth eight minutes later. George Mannion converted a penalty to pull one back for Kissing Point, but Chatswood were far from finished.
Gwozdecky completed his brace in the 79th minute, before Spiers capped off an unforgettable afternoon by scoring his fifth goal of the match just before full-time.
Congratulations to Euan Spiers on a remarkable five-goal performance, leading Chatswood to one of the biggest upsets of the season. Can this result spark a turnaround and help Chatswood climb away from the bottom of the table over the remainder of the campaign?
North Sydney United 2 – 2 Berowra FC
The highly anticipated second edition of the Social Media Derby headlined Round 13, with North Sydney United and Berowra set to renew their rivalry under the lights at Cammeray.
North Sydney entered the clash hoping to replicate their 3-0 victory over Berowra earlier in the season, while the visitors arrived in strong form and boasting the edge in Instagram Reels views throughout the campaign.
After plenty of anticipation, the contest lived up to the hype. The opening 45 minutes were a tightly fought affair, before James Dyer broke the deadlock for North Sydney United in the dying moments of the first half.
Berowra emerged from the break with renewed intent and found their reward in the 69th minute when the ever-reliable Samuel Parry fired home the equaliser. Just six minutes later, Mark Tobin completed the turnaround to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
It looked as though Berowra would make the long journey home with all three points, but deep into the closing stages, North Sydney United were awarded a penalty. Rafferty McGuinness stepped up under pressure and calmly converted from the spot to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw for the hosts.
After an entertaining battle both on the pitch and across social media, the points were shared. At the end of the day, the real winner was football.
Lindfield FC 3 – 5 Northbridge FC
With Kissing Point suffering defeat earlier in the day, Northbridge had the chance to create valuable breathing room at the top of the table. Standing in their way was Lindfield, a fellow title contender with plenty on the line under lights at Charles Bean.
It was always destined to be a night where the biggest players would have their say.
Lindfield couldn’t have asked for a better start. Luke Klusman opened the scoring early before skipper James Plumley doubled the advantage in the 19th minute. Asha Phillips then added a third just before halftime, sending the home side into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead and the prospect of moving within four points of the league leaders.
Northbridge had produced the impossible just a week earlier, recovering from 3-0 down to defeat Heights 4-3. Surely lightning couldn’t strike twice?
Lindfield comfortably managed the opening stages of the second half, keeping Northbridge at bay and preserving their three-goal advantage. But with 30 minutes remaining, the comeback began.
Michael Portale ignited the fightback in the 60th minute, giving the visitors a lifeline. Eight minutes later, Northbridge won a penalty, and Kim Underwood calmly converted to halve the deficit. The momentum had completely shifted, and Portale struck again to level the scores, stunning the home crowd.
With belief surging, Northbridge completed the turnaround just four minutes later as Nathan Baxter found the winner, continuing his remarkable season. With the league leaders in front, and only minutes remaining, they knew they were on the verge of another defining victory.
There was still time for one final blow, as substitute Isaac Daghlin put the icing on the cake with a fifth goal, completing an astonishing 5-3 comeback.
Two consecutive weeks. Two incredible recoveries from three goals down.
Northbridge now sit nine points clear at the top of the table, with one hand firmly on the trophy. Will they be stopped?
League Table
