There were two intriguing match-ups on Saturday as Wests APIA claimed a tight win over MetroStars, while Preston Lions shared the points with NWS Spirit.
MetroStars 0 - 1 Wests APIA
An instant impact off the bench provided Wests APIA with a narrow victory against MetroStars in the early kick-off on Saturday.
MetroStars made a positive start to the match, holding possession well over the first 10 minutes as Cameron Woodfin looked dangerous.
Wests APIA wrestled back some control, with attackers Jack Stewart and Presley Ortiz looking to pinch the ball as a series of dangerous deliveries flew into the hosts’ box.
The visitors' pressure continued throughout the first half, with MetroStars goalkeeper Cody Oestreich making a couple of important saves to keep the score level.
Ten minutes into the second half, MetroStars knitted together a well-worked move. Jake Porter picked out Michael Citadini in the right of the area, whose shot forced Wests APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac into a good save.
Three minutes later, the visitors took the lead, courtesy of a dream impact of a pair of substitutes. Seiya Kambayashi found Jordan Segreto on the edge of the box, who slid a clever finish under Oestreich.
MetroStars had a spirited response to going behind, causing Wests APIA some defensive issues, especially with winger Donatien Niyonkuru, whose trickery drew several fouls.
The away side soon stepped up their attacking efforts again as Segreto and Kambayashi probed for more goals.
One goal proved enough for Wests APIA to edge out the NPL SA Premiers and claim a valuable three points in Round 1.
Preston Lions 1 - 1 NWS Spirit
It was another tight encounter in the later kick-off on Saturday as NWS Spirit fought back to snatch a point in stoppage time against Preston Lions.
The NPL NSW Premiers made a bright start to the match, with a series of good moves down the flanks.
The hosts worked their way into the game around 20 minutes in, but Spirit's crucial defensive interventions kept Lions at bay.
At the half-hour mark, Luke Francis had an excellent double chance. Spirit goalkeeper Christopher Marques parried away the striker’s initial headed effort before a later follow-up was cleared from the goal line.
Preston’s persistence paid off 38 minutes in as they took the lead. Romero picked up the ball on the left of the box and delicately clipped the ball past Marques at the near post.
The side went into the halftime break with their one-goal lead intact.
Lions' attacking intent continued in the second half as Francis and Romero caused more issues for the Spirit backline.
In the 76th minute, Preston pounced on a Marques error, and the ball found its way to Romero, whose shot was cleared from the line.
Spirit remained in the contest, and a few minutes later, Harry Keys saw his effort blocked on the line.
In the third minute of stoppage time, the away side found the equaliser. Caleb Jackson Brown raced into the right of the area and slotted a low finish across goal to salvage a point.
Spirit's late equaliser proved the final action as the points were shared in another close match.