Round 9 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s 20’s

Competition leaders Sutherland Sharks have their sights set on an eighth consecutive win this weekend against lowly Sydney Olympic, while second-place Blacktown City continue their own winning run and pursuit of the Sharks at Rockdale City Suns.

Match of the Round

Sydney United 58 v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Saturday 5.30pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 are looking to snap a poor run of form and return among the premiership contenders when they host APIA Leichhardt Tigers in Edensor Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds’ 2-0 defeat to rivals Bonnyrigg White Eagles last Sunday was the fourth consecutive defeat for United 58 who started the campaign in dominant fashion but now find their position in the top five under threat.

Visitors APIA Leichhardt have endured a stop-start season so far and are yet to recapture the attacking prowess and overall form that saw the Tigers finish runners up of the competition last year.

Franco Consentino’s side enter the contest in seventh position and will leapfrog their opponents on the table with a victory, making this match a crucial one for both teams.

With United 58 failing to find the back of the net in their last two matches, APIA Leichhardt might sense an opportunity to notch back to back wins for the first time this season – however their opponents will be desperate to banish their recent woes and claim a convincing win at home.

Saturday

Sydney FC v Marconi Stallions, 1.00pm at Lambert Park

Sydney FC know they can’t afford to drop more points in their clash with Marconi Stallions this Saturday lunchtime at Lambert Park.

The Sky Blues were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom-side Sydney Olympic last Sunday which extended an eight point gap between Sydney and competition leaders Sutherland Sharks.

The stalemate was the third draw in five matches for Sydney who will have to address several recurring issues – most notably in defence – in order to sustain the title challenge their quality squad demands.

They’ll fancy their chances at picking off a Marconi Stallions team that has offered a lot of promise this campaign but has lost their last three matches. With Sydney forwards Hamish Lamberton (10 goals) and Jordan Swibel (6) in sensational goalscoring touch the Stallions defence must summon one of their best displays of the season to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Olympic, 4.30pm at Seymour Shaw

Sutherland Sharks are aiming to extend their four-point gap over Blacktown City when the leaders host Sydney Olympic at Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon.

The reigning champions continued their imperious title defence with a 3-1 victory over Manly United last Saturday, the side’s seventh consecutive win.

Sutherland’s quality and depth across the park and remarkable consistency in performance since the opening day of the season will send alarm bells ringing for the visitors Olympic who have been so far unable to get their season going.

Olympic picked up a credible draw against Sydney FC in what was a promising display from the Blues last weekend but they’ll need to produce an outstanding effort to stand a chance of halting Sutherland’s march toward more silverware.

Sunday

Hakoah Sydney City East v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 1.00pm at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East entertain Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday afternoon looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Blacktown City.

A late Blacktown winner spoiled what was another impressive display from Paul Hubbard’s side who had won three matches in a row prior to the defeat. Hakoah are nonetheless equal on points with fifth-placed Sydney United 58 and will have designs on ending round nine in the top five with a win over the White Eagles.

It won’t be easy against a resurgent Bonnyrigg side likely to be buoyed by a superb 2-0 win over Sydney United 58 last Sunday. The derby win was also a second straight clean sheet for Hamish Brown’s men – the eighth-placed White Eagles will need to keep up their excellent defensive improvement in order to leave the Eastern Suburbs unscathed.

Wollongong Wolves v Manly United, 1.00pm at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves have been the surprise package of the competition so far and can cement a place in the top five with a win over struggling Manly United at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

The South Coast outfit enter the round in fourth position after sealing an impressive 3-0 away victory against APIA Leichhardt Tigers last weekend. Back to back shut outs show the Wolves are improving at the back and with a consistently delivering frontline the side currently look capable of challenging the competition heavyweights.

Attackers Tory Musumeci and Jordan Nikolovski were again on the scoresheet for the Wolves in round eight– the pair have accounted for 10 of Wollongong’s 13 goals scored this season and will be a huge threat for an out of sorts Manly side.

United will arrive at WIN Stadium low on form having gained a solitary point from their last five fixtures, but might have their morale boosted by two positive displays against Sutherland Sharks and Sydney FC in the past fortnight.

Rockdale City Suns v Blacktown City, 3.00pm at Ilinden Sports Centre

Blacktown City are shooting for six straight victories in their clash with Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre in round nine’s final fixture.

John Carnevale’s side kept their winning streak and maintained their pursuit of leaders Sutherland Sharks with a 1-0 defeat of Hakoah Sydney City East last Saturday, a match that saw City eventually break down a dogged Hakoah defence with a late winner.

The visitors are likely to face a similar challenge against Rockdale, who have been hugely inconsistent this campaign but come into the encounter unbeaten in their last three matches.

If the Suns can match Blacktown’s intensity in the opening stages and utilize the goal threat of Dimitrios Petratos they stand a good chance of making it a frustrating afternoon for the in-form side from Seven Hills.

-By Jacob Windon