Soccer: Three sit easily at the NSL top

By TERRY MADDAFORD

After just four rounds, the NSL table has a distinct hierarchy.

Unbeaten Perth Glory, Brisbane Strikers and Newcastle United are within four points of each other. The remaining 10 teams, from fourth-placed Parramatta Power to the Football Kingz at the bottom, are separated by six points.

The Kingz, despite their shocking start, are at least not too badly off in the goal-scoring stakes. Only Perth, with 14 (including the seven handed them by the Kingz on Friday night) and Brisbane (seven), have knocked in more than the six the Kingz have managed in four outings.

Defensively, it is a different story with Kingz way out on their own in conceding 14.

Brisbane beat the Melbourne Knights 2-0 away. Paul Foster opened the scoring after 13 minutes, and Kris Trajanovski sealed victory in the 74th.

Parramatta maintained their good start with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Adelaide City.

In an all-Sydney affair, the Olympic Sharks scored three goals in 17 minutes to beat Northern Spirit 3-0.

Sydney United and Marconi Stallions drew 1-1. United scored in the opening minute and Marconi did not salvage their point until the second spell.

Champions Wollongong Wolves went down 3-1 in Newcastle.

In feature games this week, the Sharks are at home to Parramatta, Brisbane play Spirit and the Kingz are in Wollongong.