PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 Grade 20s Round 12 Preview


ROUND twelve of the Grade 20s competition takes place this weekend, with two matches on Saturday and four on Sunday as all twelve sides get back into action after a washout at Melita Stadium last week.
The match of the round this weekend sees Rockdale City Suns travel to Lambert Park to take on APIA Leichhardt Tigers, with both sides eager for a win after losses last week to Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Blacktown Spartans respectively.
Match of the Round
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Rockdale City Suns, Sunday 2.15pm at Lambert Park
Despite a 1-0 loss to Blacktown Spartans last week, ninth-placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers will be confident of getting a win over Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon, having previously beaten Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4-0, and Parramatta FC 5-1. APIA have had a curiously inconsistent season, while the opposition on Sunday, Rockdale, have more or less endured the same poor form all season, continuing with a 2-1 loss to last-placed Bonnyrigg last Saturday.
Saturday
Blacktown Spartans FC v Sutherland Sharks FC, 5.30pm at Blacktown Football Park
Following a 1-0 win over APIA Leichhardt Tigers last weekend, Blacktown Spartans welcome Sutherland Sharks to Blacktown Football Park on Saturday afternoon, where they will look to win successive matches for the first time all season. The Sharks’ form has stuttered over the last month, and after wins over Sydney Olympic and Parramatta FC they only managed a draw against the rising Blacktown City FC last Sunday afternoon. The Spartans come into this game 10th on the ladder, while the Sharks sit just two points behind Marconi Stallions in second.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Manly United FC, 5.30pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles finally won a 2015 fixture last Sunday afternoon, a 2-1 victory over 11th-placed Rockdale City Suns. Goals from Jake Douglas and Taylor McDonald helped Bonnyrigg to their first three points of the season last week, and this Saturday afternoon they will take on Manly United, who have dropped out of the top four after their round eleven match against Parramatta FC was washed out.
Sunday
South Coast Wolves v Sydney Olympic FC, 1pm at Win Stadium
South Coast Wolves will be looking to bounce back from their 4-1 loss to Marconi Stallions when they face Sydney Olympic on Sunday afternoon at Win Stadium, the visitors also reeling from a heavy defeat last weekend. Olympic let in five at Sydney United Sports Centre last Sunday, the 14th goal they have conceded in their last three matches, and will need to be vigilant in defence against a 5th-placed Wolves side that is undefeated at Win Stadium this season.
Sydney United 58 FC v Blacktown City FC, 1pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Blacktown City travel to Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon as perhaps the form side of the 20s competition, having scored 17 goals in their last five matches; rising to third on the ladder coming into round twelve. City’s 2-2 draw last weekend to Sutherland Sharks meant their opposition on Sunday, Sydney United 58 FC, were able to gain ground, with a 5-0 win over Sydney Olympic that sees them rise to fourth.
Parramatta FC v Marconi Stallions, 5.30pm at Melita Stadium
Parramatta will welcome the opportunity to play again this week after their match against Manly United last Saturday was washed out, though first-placed Marconi represent the toughest opposition the home side have faced in weeks. The Stallions have taken all three points in five of their last six matches, their latest win coming against South Coast Wolves last weekend, with Marcus Donatiello, Nikita Andricopoulos, Brandon Vella and Alex Boyadjian all scoring for Marconi.
– By Max Grieve, PS4 National Premier Leagues Grade 20s Reporter