Round 13 of the Bankstown Umbro Premier League saw two of the top four teams drop points as the battle for the top five spots begins to get more interesting.
The match of the Round saw late drama as Padstow Hornets knocked over the league leaders to continue their winning run.
Earlier, Central Sydney Wolves did the league double over Bankstown Sports Strikers at Padstow Park on Friday night, while Padstow United dominated Revesby Workers once again this season.
Elsewhere, Georges River Thistle were too good for Bass Hill Rangers.
Yagoona Lions had the bye this round.
Match of the Round: Panania Diggers 1-2 Padstow Hornets
Reserve Grade Score: Panania Diggers 3-2 Padstow Hornets
Padstow Hornets extended their winning streak to three wins in a row after a late goal sealed a 2-1 victory for the visitors.
Padstow Hornets started well and put pressure on Panania Diggers defence early in the match.
The Hornets Neil Philippou continued his recent goal scoring form when he was able to find the back of the net in the 15th minute of the match to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
Heads did not seem to drop for the hosts as the three points were vital for their side if they were to keep their spot at the top of the table.
Panania Diggers found their equaliser in the 24th minute of the match through Nicholas Vertsonis as he brough the game back level at 1-1.
Both teams struggled to create clear cut chances in the first half as two of the best defensive sides in the competition went head-to-head.
The teams went into the sheds at halftime locked up at 1-1.
The second half saw both teams pushing to find a goal to break the deadlock, however both teams defended enthusiastically to avoid conceding.
With not long to go in the match the Hornets Mike Cklamovski found space and found the back of the net in the 84th minute to give Padstow Hornets a 2-1 lead.
Panania Diggers were unable to find the leveller for the second time in the match as the Hornets won the match 2-1 and made it three straight wins.
Panania Diggers remained in 1st position despite their loss to Padstow Hornets, while Padstow Hornets remained in 5th position as they slowly chase down the teams above them.
Central Sydney Wolves 1-0 Bankstown Sports Strikers
Central Sydney Wolves were able to complete the league double over Bankstown Sports Strikers after a screamer from Central Sydney Wolves helped them to a 1-0 win over the Strikers.
When these two sides clashed back in Round 9, the Strikers were unable to break down a strong Central Sydney Wolves defence as the Wolves scored late to win the game 1-0.
The first half of the match looked to be very tightly contested as both teams looked to win the midfield battle which would be key in this match.
Both teams looked to use their strength in wide areas to break their opposition defence down.
We looked to be going into halftime locked up at 0-0, however, it took something special in this match to break the deadlock.
In the 44th minute of the match, the Wolves Mark Kamara hit the ball from close to halfway which sailed into the Strikers goal to give the Wolves the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Bankstown Sports Strikers would come out in the second half looking to push for an equaliser to avoid losing to the Wolves for a second time this season.
Central Sydney Wolves did not back down in defence as they looked destined to hold onto their one goal lead through their energy and resilience in defence.
The fulltime whistle blew as Central Sydney Wolves defeated Bankstown Sports Strikers 1-0.
Central Sydney Wolves climbed up to 3rd position, while Bankstown Sports Strikers dropped down to 4th position with Central Sydney Wolves jumping above them.
Revesby Workers 0-7 Padstow United
Reserve Grade Score: Revesby Workers 0-2 Padstow United
Padstow United ended a five-game losing streak after their massive win over Revesby Workers who continue to struggle.
Padstow’s John Martinez was dominant with six goals scored in their first encounter this season and he started this game strong also.
In the 6th minute of the match, John Martinez found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
John Martinez continued to create problems in the Revesby Workers half, and he netted his second goal in the 33rd minute of the match as the visitors went into half time with a 2-0 lead.
Padstow United started where they left off in the first half as Theodore Koveos scored his first goal of the season in the 46th minute to give United a 3-0 lead.
John Martinez followed up with a quick-fire double in the 52nd and 56th minute as he extended the score to 5-0.
Padstow’s Daniel Gorgioski scored his first goal of the season in the 58th minute of the match to give Padstow United a 6-0 lead.
The last goal of the match would come in the 70th minute as John Martinez scored his 5th goal to extend the scored to 7-0.
We wouldn’t see another goal for the final 20 minutes of the match as the game ended with Padstow United defeating Revesby Workers 7-0.
Revesby Workers hold their position in 8th place, while Padstow United remain in 7th position heading into a bye in Round 14.
Bass Hill Rangers 0-9 Georges River Thistle
Reserve Grade Score: Bass Hill Rangers 5-1 Georges River Thistle
Georges River Thistle made a statement in their match against Bass Hill Rangers as they won the match 9-0 as Bass Hill Rangers go three matches in a row without scoring a goal.
In a much needed three points for Georges River Thistle, they opened the scoring early through a goal by Mathew Tahere in the 11th minute.
Georges River Thistle would then have a quick-fire double in the 31st and 33rd minute as Adam Tahere scored his first goal of the match before Mathew Tahere netted his second as Thistle went into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
In the 61st minute of the match Adam Tahere netted his brace before Mathew Tahere complete his hatrick in the 70th minute to give Georges River Thistle a 5-0 lead.
Thistle’s Mohamad Elzein would then score two goals in the 75th and 77th minute to bring the score to 7-0.
Thistle’s Sumathas Prasitsanpreecha scored his first goal of the match in the 83rd minute before Mohamed Elzein completed his hatrick in the 85th minute to cap off a 9-0 victory for Georges River Thistle.
Georges River Thistle remain in 6th place after their massive win over Bass Hill Rangers, while Bass Hill Rangers stay in last place still searching for their first win of the season.
