Round 4 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s
After a blockbuster round three, NPL Men’s NSW fans will be treated to a mid-week round, featuring fixtures that will continue to impress and shape the ladder as the season progresses.
NWS Spirit FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
8:00pm, Tuesday 5 March, Christie Park
NWS Spirit and Sydney United 58 will get the action underway at Christie Park with both sides desperate to prove their quality after suffering tricky openings to 2024.
Spirit opened the campaign with two draws to Sydney FC and Sutherland Sharks respectively, before going down devastatingly to Marconi Stallions on the weekend thanks to a 90th-minute James Temelkovski penalty.
One pleasing aspect was the hosts did notch up its first goal of the season via Jesse Michel with coach David Perkovic hoping to see more on Tuesday.
In that match, Spirit both scored and conceded their first goals of the season, but they remain yet to taste victory this campaign – a feat they’ll be aiming to achieve against a Sydney United 58 side who will be yearning to bounce back after suffering a 6-0 defeat to Sydney Olympic on Saturday afternoon.
It was an afternoon to forget for Zeljko Kalac’s troops after being humiliated by rivals Sydney Olympic. The Reds are hoping to bounce back to form but they will again be without the services of Patrick Antelmi serving his final suspension following a send-off in round 1.
Christie Park is set to host a match of high-intensity and excitement, as both sides look to make a statement and put their opening weeks behind them.
Manly United FC vs Blacktown City FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 6 March, Cromer Park
Manly United will host Blacktown City FC in a thought-provoking clash at Cromer Park to begin a string of Wednesday matches.
The home side for this match suffered a 4-0 defeat to APIA Leichhardt in round three, with the reigning Champions’ quality and intensity proving too much for a young Manly side.
They showed glimpses of quality, however, and could threaten a Blacktown City side who are one of just three teams to go unbeaten in their opening three matches.
Cromer Park will hold a game of individual class and collective cohesion on Wednesday, and looks set to be a sleeper fixture to keep an eye on amidst the other excitement.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 6 March, Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic will take on a strong Marconi Stallions FC at Belmore Sports Ground in a highly exciting round four fixture.
Olympic secured their first win of the season in some style on Saturday, defeating rivals Sydney United 58 by an astonishing 6-0 scoreline thanks to a brace from defender Teng Kuol and goals from forwards Roy O’Donovan, Abraham Majok, Oliver Puflett and Jaden Casella.
They will be looking to consolidate the high with another strong victory mid-week but will be facing a resolute Marconi Stallions side who are unbeaten coming into round four.
Marconi, with the threatening James Temelkovski leading the line having scored in every game this campaign, and Domenic Costanzo supporting with his finesse and quality on the ball, will be a tough test for Olympic, although they showed in their last match that they have the quality to put up big performances against the leagues biggest sides.
Rockdale Illinden FC vs St George FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 6 March, Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre
Rockdale Illinden will host St George FC in what is set to be a fiery mid-week derby at Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre.
The hosts of this match are the other of the three teams yet to lose this season, having come through a tricky first trio of games with wins against St George City and Western Sydney Wanderers and a draw against the Marconi Stallions.
St George FC, meanwhile, have built well into the season, securing a highly impressive draw against Blacktown City before defeating Sydney FC in a statement victory last weekend after opening their campaign with a loss to Manly United.
They will be looking to produce another upset against a high-flying Rockdale side featuring the sharp-shooting, talismanic Alec Urosevski in an exciting derby on Wednesday night.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC
7:30pm, Wednesday 6 March, Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks will host Wollongong Wolves in an exciting fixture at Seymour Shaw as they aim for their first win of the season.
The Sharks have had a crazy start to their campaign, being involved in four red cards in their last two fixtures.
However, they haven’t tasted success in the campaign thus far, going down to Blacktown City 3-2 in their last match away from home.
Wollongong Wolves, meanwhile, have already experienced every possible result, drawing 1-1 with St George City in their last game thanks to a Banri Kanaizumi last-minute goal.
They will be considered the favourites heading into this match, but the Sharks can’t be wrote off, as they are more than capable of pulling off an upset in their search for their first three points of 2024.
Hills United FC vs Sydney FC
8:00pm, Wednesday 6 March, Landen Stadium
Hills United will take on Sydney FC in an invigorating affair at Landen Stadium in one of two 8pm Wednesday matches to conclude the mid-week round.
Hills went down to the Central Coast Mariners in a thrilling encounter at Pluim Park, with their early two-goal lead being cancelled out by four Mariners goals, before a dramatic ending saw the game finish 5-3 to Central Coast.
However, Hills have proved their quality and their ability to compete in this league, and their clash against Sydney FC is set to be an interesting, intense encounter.
St George City FA vs APIA Leichhardt FC
8:00pm, Wednesday 6 March, Penshurst Park
St George City and APIA Leichhardt will go head to head in an extremely exciting matchup to conclude the mid-week NPL Men’s NSW football.
The home side for this match has had a mixed opening to 2024, with their late concession against Wollongong harrowing their first three rounds.
They will be looking to take a statement result against the high-flying APIA Leichhardt, who have expanded on their Championship winning previous campaign and begun to play more targeted, exciting football, both with their suffocating press and their movement and aims in possession.
If nothing else, Penshurst Park is set to host some of the best football in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, in what is the perfect way to conclude round four.
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By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
