Manly United were unlucky in the Friday night game at Cromer Park, losing 1-0 to NPL Men’s NSW leaders Spirit FC.
Spirit’s Japanese striker Yu Okubo headed home just before the hour mark, keeping the unbeaten run going for David Perkovic’s side and maintaining their buffer to the chasing pack.
Manly withstood sustained pressure from Spirit in the opening phase of the first half, courtesy of well-crafted ball movement from the visitors. Spirit nearly had a chance in the early stages, with Jordan Perez going close to reaching Jacob Chidiac’s almost inch-perfect pass.
In the 7th minute, Takumi Ofuka threatened for Spirit as he weaved through the opposing defence before firing off a pass to Chidiac, who shot straight at Levi Kaye.
Peter Kekeris brought the game back to Manly on 13 minutes as his pass to Lucas Meek was cleared away by Frankie Ljucovic.
The hosts kept driving forward, buoyed by Kekeris, as Grant Cornwell cleared away Harry Van Der Saag’s threatening free kick in the 28th minute.
Bilal Belkadi then laid on some fancy footwork before his ball was cleared to safety, as the chances started to fall thick and fast for the home side.
Benjamin Koop almost opened Manly’s account for the evening on the half-hour mark. It started with a galloping run from near the halfway line, with Jamie Percevski in close attendance, before Koop unfurled a shot from the edge of the box that went inches away from the far post.
The second half began almost identically to the first, with Spirit on top. Yu Okubo challenged Kaye for a ball close to the goal line, with Manly’s custodian successfully punching the ball away.
As the 54th minute hit, Meek ran into the box untouched but lost his footing. The following play saw a sneaky attempt from Matthew O’Donoghue, aimed at the bottom corner and saved by an outstretched Chris Marques.
At the other end of the field, it was Spirit who produced an opener in the 58th minute. Okubo pounced on a rebound, cleverly flicking the ball over Kaye and then heading home from close range to score his fifth of the 2025 campaign.
Okubo came very close to a second in the 81st minute as he went on a sideways run, only for him to take one touch too many and lose possession.
The visitors proceeded to close out the game with some resolute defence. As the full time whistle blew, Spirit celebrated a continuation of their amazing 2025 form.
Spirit midfielder Frankie Ljucovic was delighted with the result as his side took home the three points in what is a tough place to visit on a Friday evening.
“We stayed together defensively tonight and our in-game organisation was crucial because it was a very direct affair for both sides.
“Manly weren’t easy to play against, they are a very good side, however I thought that we kept a level head during crucial moments of the game.
“As for David Perkovic, it’s been fun working under him as he prepares us in the best possible way every day through his detailed approach. He’s a big part of why we are in our current position on the ladder.”
Manly United 0
NWS Spirit 1 (Yu Okubo 58’)
Match Stats
Friday 21 March 2025
Cromer Park
Referee: Declan Woods
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Jasper White
Manly United: 1.Levi Kaye, 2.Aaron O’Driscoll. 3.Matthew O’Donoghue, 4.Jesse Piriz, 6.Bilal Belkadi, 7.Peter Kekeris, 9.Benjamin Koop, 11.Lucas Meek, (12.Rocco Pelle 71’), (13.Taiga Kawano 61’), (16.Ryan Devine 71’), (17.Farah Koko 61’), 19.Alen Aganovic, 23.Darcy Burgess, 26.Harry Van Der Saag
Unused subs: 18.Jay Coates, 28.Jasper Chipman
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
NWS Spirit FC: 1.Christopher Marques, (3.Kyah Williams 87’), (4.Bradie Smith 79’), 5.Jordan Perez, 6.Corey Kavanagh, 7.Frankie Ljucovic, 8.Grant Cornwell, 9.Yu Okubo, 13.Simon Nicholas, (14.Marco Arambasic 65’), 15.Jamie Percevski, 17.Jacob Chidiac, 19.Zayne Ahluwalia, 22.Takumi Ofuka
Unused subs: 12.Robert Fanella, 16.Charlie Broomhead, 20.Austin Oates
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Player Ratings:
3: Yu Okubo (NWS)
2: Frankie Ljucovic (NWS)
1: Jacob Chidiac (NWS)
– By Football NSW
