Round 7 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
Rockdale City Suns are the new competition leaders going into Round 7 of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition but it could all change with three sides all knocking on the door of top spot.
This weekend’s matches will see Rockdale City Suns travel north to play Manly United FC in what is sure to be a blockbuster clash at Cromer Park while Sydney FC host Sydney United 58 who have turned their horror start to the year around with three straight wins.
This week’s Match of the Round features undefeated sides Sydney Olympic FC and Blacktown City FC going head to head at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City, 3pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground
Undefeated teams Sydney Olympic FC and Blacktown City FC are set to face off this Sunday in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster clash.
With the home support behind them, Sydney Olympic will be looking to build on their 1-0 win on the road against Manly United.
Max Burgess has been the fulcrum of the Olympic attack in the centre of a five man midfield. New coach Jamie Monroy has developed a gameplay which starves the opposition of the ball through slick passing and ball movement.
Blacktown will need a much-improved performance than their showing against Parramatta last week.
City dominated the match but was let down by defensive lapses at key moments.
This match could prove to be a key result at the end of the season.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Sutherland Sharks, 7pm Bonnyrigg Sports Club
It was a case of so close but so far for Bonnyrigg last week.
Brian Brown’s side will still be reeling from giving away a three-goal lead against Hakoah in their 3-3 draw at Hensley Athletic Field.
The White Eagles do battle with fellow cellar dwellers Sutherland Sharks with a potential first win of the season on the line for both teams.
It has been a frustrating opening six rounds for Bonnyrigg and Sutherland and a win would do a lot to build morale and confidence with just over half the season to go.
With the White Eagles languishing at the foot of the Club Championship ladder, Brown’s men will be eager to get the points on the board against the lads from the Shire.
Parramatta FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 7pm Saturday at Melita Stadium
A strong defensive display helped Parramatta FC nab a point against Blacktown City and they’ll need a similar showing this week when they host the high-flying APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC.
Led by Ibrahim Haydar and Tomislav Mijic, Parramatta’s defence has shown it can be a resilient and difficult to break down unit.
While they have been undone by ill-discipline, the Melita Stadium based side could prove to be a thorn in the side of high flying APIA.
APIA further proved its premiership credentials with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Sydney FC and go from strength to strength each week.
Parramatta named a youthful line-up during their midweek clash with Rockdale, but coach Franco Consentino should have his experienced starters all back for this match.
Sydney FC v Sydney United 58 FC, 7.45 Saturday at Lambert Park
Sydney FC play host to a rejuvenated Sydney United 58 this week hoping to end the three-game winning streak of Mark Rudan’s side.
The young Sky Blues were shown up by APIA Leichhardt Tigers last round and will need a huge performance if they are going to beat United 58.
Robbie Stanton’s players will need to be on high alert for an in form Panny Nikas who has carried much of the creative and goal scoring burden for the Reds. There’s also been a resurgence of former Sydney FC defender Riley Woodcock who starred in United 58’s victory against the Wolves last weekend so keep a close eye on his exploits.
The fast and expansive game of Sydney FC has caught teams off guard before this season and it will prove to be their best weapon to secure all three points.
Manly United FC v Rockdale City Suns FC, 3pm Sunday at Cromer Park
Manly fans are in for a blockbuster clash when Manly United host top of the table Rockdale City Suns on Sunday.
The Cromer Park side has been playing quality football this season and has been one of the toughest teams to beat.
However, Manly will be hoping to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season against Sydney Olympic.
Rockdale on the other hand come into the game undefeated and flying high at the competition summit after recording back to back wins.
The most in-form combination of Alec Urosevski and Jordan Figon has been prolific for Rockdale and it will be that pair who will be the ones to watch on Sunday.
Wollongong Wolves v Hakoah Sydney City East, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves will be hoping a return to WIN Stadium is the perfect recipe for a return to the winners circle when Hakoah Sydney City East makes the journey to the south coast on Sunday.
The Wolves have been hot and cold this season and sadly for Jacob Timpano’s side it was the latter against Sydney United 58 in a 2-0 loss.
Timpano will hope star import Yuzo Tashiro can find his shooting boots once again up against a scrappy Hakoah outfit.
Hakoah pulled off a Houdini-like comeback last week to nab a 3-3 draw with Bonnyrigg White Eagles despite trailing by three goals.
Gavin Rae’s team can’t be written off and will be as determined as Wollongong to secure a vital three competition points.