Round 15 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
It’s Round 15 in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition and another chance for all 12 sides to claim vital competition points.
The pressure is on with only eight rounds to go.
This week features a bevy of big match ups, none bigger than the Round 15 Match of the Round between Sydney United 58 and Rockdale City Suns.
Match of the Round
Sydney United 58 FC v Rockdale City Suns, Sunday 4pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
It’s a top four clash at Sydney United Sports Centre with Paul Reid’s Rockdale determined to cause an upset against competition leaders Sydney United 58.
Sydney United come into the match after a shock 2-2 draw at Sutherland which was only the third time this season that Mark Rudan’s side has dropped points.
Rockdale were in impressive goal scoring form against Wollongong to claim a 3-0 win despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
Sydney United’s defence is one of its biggest strengths and it will be hard work for Peter Makrillos, Dylan Macallister, Alec Urosevski and Toufic Alameddine to break down.
Panni Nikas will once again be the danger man for the home side, while Chris Payne is another to watch.
Blacktown Spartans v Wollongong Wolves, Saturday 7pm at Blacktown Football Park
Ben De Haan’s Blacktown Spartan’s have shown noticeable improvement in the past few weeks and could be a tough preposition for the travelling Wollongong Wolves.
The addition of former Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Jason Trifiro has steeled the Blacktown midfield and taken the pressure off the young unit.
Wollongong has had a tough run of late but will have their eyes on three points against the competitions bottom side.
The disappointment of last week’s 3-0 loss to Rockdale, despite having a man advantage after the Suns had a player sent off, should spur Jacob Timpano’s team on as the hope to return to the winners circle.
Sydney Olympic FC v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 3pm at Belmore Sports Ground
A grinding 0-0 draw against second placed Blacktown City has showcased Sydney Olympic’s determined defence and Sutherland will need to be their best if they have any hope of taking home three points.
The Sharks are riding high after last week’s 2-2 draw with competition favourites Sydney United 58.
A hard working Sydney Olympic will be a different challenge for the boys from Seymour Shaw.
Grant Lee’s Olympic side snatched victory last time the two teams played and will be hoping for a clean sweep against the Sharks.
Sydney Olympic sit in sixth position while Sutherland is in 11th spot.
Manly United FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 3pm at Cromer Park
Paul Dee’s Manly United side were not lacking goal scorers last week as they notched a 5-2 victory on the road against Parramatta FC.
It was a different story for Bonnyrigg who conceded five goals in a shock 5-3 defeat at home to the struggling APIA Leichhardt.
Manly has been a must watch team this season with their combination of speed and attacking flair winning plenty of fans and more importantly, competition points.
With Brendan Cholakian pulling the strings and talented attackers Richard Cardozo and Dejan Pandurevic up front, Manly has more than its fair share of firepower.
Bonnyrigg has been hot and cold this season and last week’s loss to APIA was just another off week for Brian Brown’s men.
The reigning PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s Champions can’t be written off and will be a tough competitor on Sunday.
Blacktown City FC v Parramatta FC, Sunday 3pm at Lily’s Football Centre
Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown City will rue the 0—0 draw last week at Sydney Olympic as a missed opportunity to cut into the lead of competition leaders Sydney United 58.
Back on their home turf, City host a Parramatta side coming off a disappointing 5-2 defeat at the hands of Manly United.
Blacktown was missing a clinical final touch against Olympic with more than its fair share of chances off target.
However, Blacktown’s prolific attacking stars Joey Gibbs, Travis Major, Patrick Antelmi, Mitchell Malia and Danny Choi can’t be written off.
Parramatta still has aspirations of a finals berth and with only eight rounds to go will need to start winning sooner rather than later.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC v Hakoah Sydney City East, Sunday 5pm at Lambert Park
APIA’s attempts at turning its season around received a boost last week with a big win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last week.
Back at home Danial Cummins’ side will be out to make it two wins on the trot when competition new boys Hakoah Sydney City East comes to Lambert Park.
APIA’s attack seemingly clicked against Bonnyrigg and Cummins will be hoping it is just the start for his struggling side.
Hakoah’s physical defence has helped Mark Robertson’s side to a number of wins this year and it is sure to test APIA.
