It is Round 14 in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition and after a rain interrupted weekend of fixtures last week all 12 teams are raring to go.
With the competition past the half-way point, teams are under pressure to secure a finals spot.
This week Parramatta hosts Manly United at Melita Stadium for Match of the Round
Match of the Round
Parramatta FC v Manly United FC, 5pm Sunday at Melita Stadium
Seventh placed Parramatta FC will host fifth placed Manly United on Sunday in a game sure to feature plenty of attacking flair.
Manly has been one of the competition’s entertainers this season and with the recent addition of striker Richie Cardozo the excitement is sure to continue from the boys from the Northern Beaches.
Parramatta has also shown flashes of brilliance this year and is light years ahead of their side from last season which narrowly survived relegation.
Look to Marco and Gosue Sama to lead the charge for the home side while Luke Giverin, Adam Parkhouse and Brendan Cholakian will be the danger men for Manly.
Sutherland Sharks v Sydney United 58 FC, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland will have their hands full this week when competition leaders Sydney United 58 FC travel to Seymour Shaw.
Sutherland was hung out to dry last week in wild weather conditions at Lily’s Football Centre last week as Blacktown cruised to a 3-1 win.
The torrential rain provided an impromptu week off for Mark Rudan’s United 58 squad and they should hit the ground running on Saturday night.
Sutherland currently sit in eighth spot with ten points, only two points above bottom placed Blacktown Spartans, and will need their best performance of the season if they are to spring an upset.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 7pm Saturday at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg returned to the winners circle in Round 13 with a 2-0 win away from home against bottom side Blacktown Spartans and will set out to continue their winning ways when the host APIA on Saturday.
Brian Brown’s squad has crept up into fourth spot on the ladder and will be determined to maintain its improved run of form through the second half of the season.
While it has been a horror season so far for APIA, the Lambert Park based side won’t be easy pickings on Saturday.
Coach Daniel Cummins will be hoping the extra week off has recharged his players for a mid-season turnaround in performances.
Hakoah Sydney City East v Blacktown Spartans, 7pm Saturday at Hensley Athletic Field
A debut finals appearance in its maiden PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition would be a dream come true for Hakoah Sydney City East.
The Hensley Athletic based side could make that dream a reality with a strong second half to the season.
This week Mark Robertson’s outfit host bottom of the table side Blacktown Spartans and will have their eyes set on nothing less than all three competition points.
Blacktown Spartans come into the match buoyed by the recent signing of former Melbourne City FC and Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Jason Trifiro.
The Asian Champions League winner displayed his class in his Spartans debut last week and could be the answer to the woes of the Blacktown Football Park side.
Wollongong Wolves v Rockdale City Suns, 5pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves are determined to make WIN Stadium a fortress once again with a win against third placed Rockdale City Suns.
The Wolves were given the week off in Round 13 but will be ready for a big performance against Paul Reid’s Rockdale team.
With only three wins so far this season, Jacob Timpano and the Wolves will need a run of victories if they have any hope of sneaking into finals contention.
Rockdale will be looking for a return to the form which had them hot on the tails of top of the table sides Blacktown City and Sydney United 58.
With Bonnyrigg and Manly finding form the pressure is on Rockdale to keep winning.
Sydney Olympic FC v Blacktown City FC, 7pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground
Round 14 wraps up under lights with Grant Lee’s Sydney Olympic FC hosting Blacktown City at Belmore Sports ground on Sunday night.
Olympic has been a tough team to beat this season and City will have their work cut out if they are to extend their run of wins.
After shock defeats at the hands of Hakoah and Rockdale, Mark Crittenden’s City outfit are getting back to their best with its relentless attack one of the competition’s most prolific.
Sydney Olympic shocked City last season when it scored four goals against City and Grant Lee is sure to use that match as inspiration for his players.
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