Round 4 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s
There were plenty of goals in round three as the National Premier Leagues NSW competition continues to prove a spectacular watch so far in 2023.
All the matches this weekend are key battles as teams look to carry on or pick themselves up from last week.
Here’s what’s on offer in round four.
Bulls FC Academy v Wollongong Wolves FC
5:00 pm, Saturday 25 February, Sydney United Sports Centre
Bulls FC Academy host Wollongong Wolves on Saturday at Sydney United Sports Centre hoping for a first win of the season.
The Wolves suffered a heavy defeat in round three which was their first defeat of the season, going down 4-0 to Marconi Stallions.
Three goals in an eight-minute period in the second half proved too much for Wollongong to overcome.
Coach David Carney will be keen for last weekend’s defeat not to stifle what was a promising start to the 2023 season, however, the Bulls provide a tough task on Saturday.
It’s been a case of what could’ve been for Zeljko Kalac’s team with no wins in their first three fixtures despite encouraging performances so far.
The Bulls found themselves 1-0 up against Mount Druitt at halftime on Monday night, but it slipped away as three second-half goals turned the score line around for the Rangers.
The hosts are also without Anthony Krilic for Saturday’s match after the defender received a red card in round three.
It was goals aplenty in 2022 between these teams, with Wollongong powering to a 4-0 win in round two before the Bulls claimed a 3-2 victory later in the season.
Both teams have a point to prove going into this weekend, which sets up a fascinating matchup on Saturday.
Central Coast Mariners FC v Blacktown City FC
5:00 pm, Saturday 25 February, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners continue their pursuit of a first win in the 2023 NPL NSW against Blacktown City on Saturday at Pluim Park.
It was a draw for coach Lucas Viela in his first game in charge of the Mariners as his team gave up a stoppage-time goal to share the points with Sutherland Sharks.
Zac Zoricich and Lachlan Bayliss had the side 2-0 up by the 52nd minute before the Sharks staged a late comeback to make it a frustrating 2-2 draw for Central Coast.
Blacktown City also had a disappointing result in round three, copping their first defeat of the season against newly promoted NWS Spirit.
Jak O’Brien’s equaliser proved to be of little value for the side in the end, eventually going down 2-1.
Tyren Burnie performed well for Blacktown last weekend despite the result, offering a lot of attacking impetus for the side.
Both sides come into this game having suffered setbacks in the previous round and will be keen to rectify that this time around.
APIA Leichhardt FC v Mount Druitt Town Rangers FC
5:45 pm, Saturday 25 February, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt and Mount Druitt Town Rangers will face off Saturday afternoon at Lambert Park.
APIA have shown their goal-scoring prowess so far in 2023 having scored the most goals out of any side so far, most recently picking up a 3-1 win against Sydney United 58.
A blistering first-half performance from Franco Parisi’s team last weekend saw the team fly into a 3-0 lead by halftime against Sydney United.
Fabian Monge and Jack Armson both found the net within 10 minutes before Jack Stewart scored just after the half-hour mark.
The unbeaten start for APIA has pushed the side into second place and they’ll be set on maintaining their early season form this weekend against the Rangers.
Mount Druitt earned their first win of the season coming from a goal down at halftime to claim a 3-1 victory against Bulls FC Academy.
Nikola Skataric played an integral role on Monday night scoring twice to take his goal tally for this season to three.
The matches between these sides in 2022 were entertaining affairs with 13 goals across both matches.
APIA got up on both occasions winning 5-3 in round one before claiming a 4-1 win in round twelve.
After the excitement these teams offered last season when they met, it’s set to be another exciting game with plenty of momentum on either side heading into this match.
Sutherland Sharks FC v NWS Spirit FC
6:30 pm, Saturday 25 February, Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks take on NWS Spirit on Saturday at Seymour Shaw in an intriguing contest.
The Sharks showed great fight to come from two goals to claim a point against Central Coast Mariners last weekend.
Alexander Brown and Brodie Clarkson netted a goal each late on in the match in what were the first goals scored by the Sutherland in the 2023 NPL NSW.
The late turnaround offers Damir Prodanovic’s team the opportunity to springboard their season after a tough start to this campaign, however, the high-flying Spirit pose a significant challenge.
Spirit pulled off a major upset in round three taking out reigning champions Blacktown City in a 2-1 victory.
Matthew Cahill and substitute Richard Darko picked up the goals for David Perkovic’s side in a result that keeps the newly promoted outfit unbeaten in 2023.
NWS Spirit are now one of only three teams who are yet to be defeated in the competition after three rounds.
Saturday’s clash promises to be an intriguing match-up between two teams intent on building on the positives from the week before.
Manly United FC v Sydney FC
7:00 pm, Saturday 25 February, Cromer Park
Manly United will be intent on recording their first win in 2023 against Sydney FC on Saturday at Cromer Park.
Manly’s tough start to the season continued in round three, the team going down 2-0 to Rockdale Ilinden.
United have now failed to win any of their opening three games, with the side sitting in the bottom three going into this weekend.
Sydney FC also lost last round meaning it’s two defeats in a row now following a narrow 3-2 loss to Sydney Olympic.
Clayton Taylor and Luka Smyth picked up goals in that one, however, the quality from the reigning premiers proved too much in the end.
The teams were unable to be separated across either meeting in 2022 with a 2-2 draw in round four before a 0-0 stalemate in round fifteen.
It’s a crucial clash for both teams going into this weekend with the sides in need of turning their form around.
Marconi Stallions FC v St George City
7:00 pm, Saturday 25 February, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions and St George City go head-to-head at Marconi Stadium on Saturday with high-scoring wins last round for both teams.
Marconi made it two wins in a row following a 4-0 smashing of Wollongong Wolves in round three.
After a goalless first half, a second-half stampede from the Stallions had them 4-0 up by the 76th minute.
Domenic Costanzo ran the show for Marconi scoring the side’s second goal and being instrumental in creative areas for Peter Tsekenis’ team.
It was a big win for St George City over the weekend as well, getting their first set of three points in the NPL NSW.
Mirko Jurilj’s team battled their way to a 4-2 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers as Maki Petratos found the net within 60 seconds to keep his fantastic early form going.
St George have already proven they will be competitive in 2023 and their first win of the season could galvanise a strong run of results for the side.
However, the Stallions will provide a big test this weekend with the team putting that round-one defeat behind them now with impressive results back-to-back.
Neither side will want to take a step back after positive showings last weekend meaning a lot is on the line this Saturday.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Sydney United 58 FC
3:00 pm, Sunday 26 February, Wanderers Football Park
Sydney United 58 travel to Wanderers Football Park to face Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.
Western Sydney have failed to capitalise on their opening-round win, having lost the two matches since – most recently a 4-2 defeat to St George City.
The side came from behind twice as both Jarrod Carluccio and Teng Kuol equalised, but they were unable to get back into the game with two late goals for St George confirming the result.
Kuol came off the bench to score his second of the season and has so far proven to be an attacking asset for the Wanderers in the NPL NSW.
Sydney United lost for the first time in 2023 following a 3-1 defeat against APIA Leichhardt in round three.
A disastrous first half saw United go into the sheds 3-0 down including conceding twice inside the first 10 minutes.
Christopher Payne pulled a goal back for his team early in the second period, but the damage was already one, and Miro Vlastelica’s team fell to defeat in the end.
It’s an important match on Sunday as both these teams need to turn their respective early setbacks around in 2023.
Sydney Olympic FC v Rockdale Ilinden FC
3:00 pm, Sunday 26 February, Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic and Rockdale Ilinden provide one of the blockbuster clashes of the round on Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground.
Labinot Haliti’s side extended their perfect start to 2023 earning a 3-2 win over Sydney FC in round three.
Roy O’Donovan continued his fine form in the competition with his third goal in as many matches while Darcy Burgess scored a brace for the side.
Olympic’s title defence couldn’t have got off to a better start, but a rejuvenated Rockdale team could pose a big challenge this weekend.
Paul Dee’s team responded to last weekend’s 6-0 humbling against APIA with a 2-0 victory over last season’s grand finalists Manly United.
Dee’s changes to the squad proved to be a masterstroke as the likes of Lachie Griffiths, Isaac Danzo, Brayden Sorge and Lochie Constable thrived on their first starts for 2023.
New Illinden club captain Alec Urosevski carried on his scoring streak to start 2023 firing home the opener before Loic Puyo picked up his first goal for Rockdale deep in stoppage time.
There were a couple of exciting matchups between these teams in 2022 with the sides sharing the points in a 1-1 draw in round two before Olympic got up 3-1 in round thirteen.
O’Donovan bagged three goals across the two games last year and comes into this weekend’s match with ample confidence considering his scoring run so far this season.
With plenty of striking talent on display on Sunday, it’s set to be an exhilarating clash between these two powerhouses of the NPL NSW competition.
Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_
