Manly United moved away from trouble with a 2-0 win over UNSW at Village Green Synthetic on Saturday evening. The New South Wales NPL Regular Season fixture, matchday 29, finished in the visitors' favour after two goals on the night. The result keeps Manly United fifth in the table while UNSW remain in 14th place.
The opening moment came in the 23rd minute when the visitors took the lead. UNSW had started the match at home and looked to build pressure, but the break in their shape allowed Manly United to strike. The hosts had to work harder from that point onwards.
It took until the 79th minute for the second goal to arrive, and again it was Manly United who profited. A late intervention extended their advantage and put the result beyond doubt. UNSW pushed forward in search of a consolation but could not find the net.
The win came after a difficult run for Manly United, who had lost 4-0 away to NWS Spirit on the previous weekend. Before that defeat they had won three of their last five matches, including a 4-0 victory over Sydney Olympic. UNSW, meanwhile, had drawn 0-0 with Blacktown City last time out but had lost four of their previous five games.
Manly United now sit 12 points clear of UNSW in the standings. They have played 30 matches, winning 12, drawing 8 and losing 10. UNSW have taken just 32 points from their 30 games, with 9 wins and 16 defeats. The gap between them looks set to widen unless the home side can find consistency.