Round 14 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
Football fans rejoice as Round 14 of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is around the corner with another six action packed matches over four days.
Sydney United 58 kick off the long weekend under lights with a classic Friday night matchup against Hakoah Sydney City East.
Saturday will feature three matches around the competition including APIA Leichhardt Tigers clash against Sutherland Sharks, while second placed Blacktown City take on Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
It all wraps up on Monday with Sydney Olympic playing host to Sydney FC.
This week’s Match of the Round features two sides desperate to break into the top five as Wollongong Wolves head north to go head to head with Manly United FC.
Sydney United 58 v Hakoah Sydney City East, 8.30pm Friday at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will be determined to return to the winners circle when they host Hakoah Sydney City East on Friday night.
After a streak of seven straight wins, United 58 has collected only two points from their past three games. Nothing less than a win will be enough on Friday but the Reds will need to do it without star Panny Nikas who is suspended for the match but will be hoping both Chris Payne and Yianni Perkatis receive their overseas clearances to play.
Hakoah will go into the match inspired by their Round 2 victory against Sydney United 58.
Gavin Rae’s team will be up for the challenge and won’t go down without a fight but will do it minus a couple of its players who have left for the Maccabi games in Israel.
Manly United FC v Wollongong Wolves FC, 7pm Saturday at Cromer Park
Manly United FC will be in for a battle of the beaches on Saturday night as Wollongong Wolves travel north for this Saturday night blockbuster.
Both teams are sitting outside the top five despite boasting some of the strongest rosters in the competition and will be desperate to fight for their place in the finals.
Manly cruised past Bonnyrigg with a 3-0 victory last week while Wollongong collected three points with a 2-1 win against Sydney Olympic.
The signing of Marco Sama has given Warren Grieve’s Manly team another weapon going forward.
Wollongong have their fair share of talent on their roster with Yuzo Tashiro, Patrick Antelmi and Nick Montgomery all starting to find their rhythm.
With few opportunities left before the end of the season, now is the time for both Manly and Wollongong to make their move.
Parramatta FC v Rockdale City Suns, 7pm Saturday at Melita Stadium
Parramatta FC will attempt to end its dismal run of results when they host Rockdale City Suns on Saturday.
The Melita Stadium based side has battled poor form all season and were dealt another cruel blow with the departure of Marco Sama.
Up against Rockdale this week they have another herculean challenge.
Rockdale were unlucky not to have come away with a win at Sydney United 58 last round as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.
This week is a must win game for Rockdale and Paul Reid’s side could be caught out if they underestimate Parramatta’s desperation to break from their horror run of losses.
Going on form this should be an easy three points for Rockdale, but anything can happen on game day.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks, 7.45pm at Lambert Park
League leaders APIA Leichhardt Tigers will set out to tighten their grip on top spot when they host competition strugglers Sutherland Sharks on Saturday.
APIA made easy work of Hakoah Sydney City East last round and are in incredible form.
Danial Cummins team is firing on all cylinders and have been the team to beat for most of the season.
After collecting a win two weeks ago, Sutherland Sharks were brought back to earth by Blacktown City last round.
This week’s clash will be another huge challenge for the boys from the Shire but if they can keep it together for 90 minutes they could be in with a shot of an upset win.
Blacktown City FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 3pm at Lily’s Football Centre
The Live Streamed game on the NPL NSW Facebook page, Blacktown City has silenced its doubters this season and they will be out to improve on their impressive record with a win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday.
The loss of Danny Choi to a foot injury could’ve seen Blacktown’s season take a turn for the worse. However, they’ve done quite the opposite with electric winger James Andrew’s breakout performances.
The reigning champions sit in second position on goal difference despite being level on points with top side APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
For Bonnyrigg this will be another tough match in what has been a very frustrating season.
Brian Brown’s team showed a few signs of life in May, but have been humbled more often than not this campaign.
An upset win against Blacktown could be the morale booster they need to finish the year with a flurry.
Sydney Olympic FC v Sydney FC, 6pm Monday at Lambert Park
Sydney Olympic FC host competition new boys Sydney FC on Monday evening in a match which has the potential for plenty of exciting football.
Third placed Olympic were stung by a desperate Wollongong Wolves team last week and will be out to return to winning ways.
They have lost key midfielder Max Burgess who has jetted off overseas which has put the pressure on the rest of the team to create chances.
Against Sydney FC they are sure to clock up plenty of miles in their legs with Robbie Stanton’s young Sky Blues renowned for their ability to play at breakneck speed.
Sydney FC has shown plenty of promise during their maiden season in the PS4 NPL NSW top flight but moments of madness and lapses of judgement have cost them time and time again.
Olympic go into the match with the upper hand and the home ground support, but don’t write off Sydney FC who have the players and the tactics to cause a boilover.