Sydney United took all three points at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday, beating Sydney Olympic 2-1 in New South Wales NPL matchday 28. The result leaves the visitors in second place while the hosts remain rooted in 16th. That's 41 points separating the two sides after 30 games each.
Olympic took the lead on the half-hour mark. B. Callaghan found space in the box and finished past the United keeper in the 34th minute. To be fair, he'd been a nuisance all afternoon, making runs behind the defence. The visitors had created better chances in the first half.
United responded after the break. M. Wells pulled them level in the 59th minute, and by then the momentum had shifted. M. Krslovic sealed it with a second of his own in the 65th, and United were dominant in the air from set plays.
The table tells the story. United sit on 64 points from 20 wins and four draws, while Olympic have managed just six victories in 30 games. That's a gap no one expected to see at this stage. The visitors have the deeper squad and it shows.
United's recent form shows they're hard to beat. A draw with APIA Leichhardt followed a win against Wollongong Wolves, and they've extended their unbeaten run to eight across their last five. That consistency matters when you're chasing the title.
Olympic picked up one win last week against ANUWS, but the pattern is clear. They've lost four of their last five and are staring at the drop. And here's the thing — they need results now. The coaching staff will need to turn it on quickly.