All to play for in final round of NPL NSW Men’s action

Heading into the final day of the season, check out the lowdown of a mouthwatering four-horse race for the remaining two National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Championship Series positions.

2019 has produced one of the most electrifying battles for finals football in recent memory, with the composition of the all-important top five transforming week in, week out.

Last weekend may have seen the Wollongong Wolves, APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Blacktown City become the first three teams to lock in their finals positions, however the two sides who will join them in pursuit of the Championship remains far from certain.

In what shapes to be a dramatic final day of the season, all six National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 fixtures will kick off at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

After Manly United and Rockdale City Suns slipped out of contention last weekend, there are a remaining four clubs who head into their Round 22 clashes with everything at stake: Marconi Stallions, Sydney United 58, Sydney Olympic and Mt. Druitt Town Rangers.

Remarkably, all of the aforementioned clubs are matched up against different opposition, so fans will have to keep a close eye on events around the grounds to discover who will progress.

Then there is the Golden Boot up for grabs with Wollongong Wolves’ Thomas James sitting atop with one goal difference over APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ Chris Payne.

Here is the ultimate guide explaining who could make it, and who could miss out:

4^th position: Marconi Stallions FC (32 Points, +13 GD)

Opponent: Wollongong Wolves (WIN Stadium)

Highest possible finish: 4^th

Lowest possible finish: 6^th

The red-hot form of Peter Tsekenis’ men in recent weeks (which saw them capture the TAFE Waratah Cup and advance to the FFA Cup Round of 16) has afforded the Stallions some welcome breathing space in the race for the finals.

On Sunday they travel down south to take on the Premiers, who at WIN Stadium have only suffered two defeats all season.

It will not be an easy assignment by any stretch, but Marconi will be confident they can secure three points to ensure they host the Elimination Semi Final.

There is a mathematical chance that they drop out of the finals race altogether, however that would require a heavy defeat at the hands of the Wolves as well as a remarkable showing from Olympic to turn around a 13 goal difference deficit.

5^th position: Sydney United 58 FC (30 points, -3 GD)

Opponent: Manly United (Sydney United Sports Centre)

Highest possible finish: 4^th

Lowest possible finish: 7^th

Miro Vlastelica’s outfit are the other club whose fate remains in their own hands heading into Round 22.

They host an 8^th placed Manly United side who saw their own Championship aspirations go up in smoke last weekend, so the Edensor Park club will fancy their chances in capitalising on any Marconi slip up and securing a home final berth of their own.

However on their day, a full Manly outfit can be a tricky customer and United 58 will have to be at their best to fend off the chasing pack of clubs vying for fifth spot.

While a win ensures they will take part in finals football, any points dropped would grant both Olympic and Mt Druitt the opportunity to leapfrog them into fifth.

6^th position: Sydney Olympic FC (29 points, 0 GD)

Opponent: Sydney FC (Lambert Park)

Highest possible finish: 4^th

Lowest possible finish: 9^th

Not many would have expected the reigning Champions to be in such a precarious position come this point of the season, but after a topsy-turvy campaign, Abbas Saad’s men find themselves relying on other results to ensure they have a shot at retaining their crown.

As the equation stands, an Olympic win over 11^th placed Sydney FC and a Sydney United 58 draw or defeat would be enough for the Belmore-based club to progress. As mentioned, only a miraculous turnaround in goal difference would see them reel in Marconi.

If Olympic only conjure a draw, they are still a chance at progressing if Manly upset United 58 – however, there is another club from out west nipping at their heels who may well throw a spanner in the works.

7^th position: Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (27 points, -4 GD)

Opponent: APIA Leichhardt Tigers (Popondetta Park)

Highest possible finish: 5^th

Lowest possible finish: 9^th

The surprise package in contention for the top five, Aidan Desmond’s squad have come along in leaps and bounds since earning promotion to the top flight a year ago.

The Rangers have rebounded from their disappointing FFA Cup Round of 32 exit two weeks ago with a couple of outstanding performances, scoring four past both Sutherland and Hakoah.

The newly-promoted club’s recent purple patch has left them approaching the final day of the season with an outside chance of finals football, however a win against 2^nd placed APIA Leichhardt is essential.

If Mt Druitt do secure the maximum return from their final home fixture, they can sneak into the top five if both United 58 and Olympic lose.

Additionally, a United 58 defeat and Olympic draw would leave the Rangers requiring yet another clear four-goal victory to see them equal the Champions’ goal difference and advance on goals scored.

The two clubs who successfully emerge from this weekend’s fixtures will come face-to-face in the Elimination Semi Final on Saturday, 17^th August.

But first, make sure to catch all of the final day drama as it unfolds live on the NPL New South Wales Facebook page and Football NSW YouTube channel this Sunday, 11^th August at 3pm.

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)