Round 7 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s
After yet another exciting round of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition, round seven is set to feature some exciting matchups, including a midweek catch-up game for some week-night football.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
7:00pm, Wednesday 20 March, Pluim Park
The Central Coast Mariners will take on Western Sydney Wanderers in a makeup game from round four in some exciting week-night action.
The home side for this match picked up a 2-2 draw against Manly United last weekend, with an 86th-minute equaliser from Benjamin Koop preventing the Mariners from gaining their second win of the campaign.
Their two goals came courtesy of a brace from star striker Luka Smyth, who will be one to watch for this match, as he extended his tally to a highly impressive six goals in five matches to begin 2024.
The Western Sydney Wanderers, meanwhile, have lost just once this season, winning all their remaining games, and will be the favourites for this academy clash.
Sitting in third with a game in hand, the Wanderers will be eager for a three points which would propel them to the top of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder heading into round seven.
Manly United FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
7:30pm, Friday 22 March, Cromer Park
Manly United will take on Sydney Olympic in the opening match of round seven at Cromer Park.
Manly have had an interesting run in their last trio of games, going unbeaten through drawing all three.
However, two of those matches featured impressive draws against Blacktown City and Rockdale Illinden, and Manly will be confident coming into this game against a hurting Sydney Olympic team who sit joint-bottom on the ladder.
Travelling to Cromer is by no means an easy task for any team and Olympic will feel just that.
Olympic have had a difficult opening to their campaign, but have shown flashes of what they’re capable of, and will be looking to prove a point this weekend and move up the table.
Cromer Park is set to host a fixture of quality and ferocity, as both sides aim to prove their ability in an exciting Friday night fixture.
NWS Spirit FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
5:30pm, Saturday 23 March, Christie Park
NWS Spirit FC will take on the Central Coast Mariners in a crunch clash as they aim to break away from the foot of the ladder.
Spirit remains the only team in the competition yet to win a game, amd are also the lowest scorers in the competition, having netted just four goals across their six games.
However, defensively, they’ve been resolute, conceding nine goals – the same as the likes of APIA, Rockdale and Blacktown in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
They will be looking to retain their defensive stability whilst proving their attacking quality in this match, which is set to be an exciting encounter against a young, quality Mariners side.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Sydney FC
7:00pm, Saturday 23 March, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions will take on Sydney FC in an exciting, high-quality match at Marconi Stadium to begin a string of nighttime Saturday fixtures.
The home side for this match currently sit second on the NPL Men’s NSW ladder, only second thanks to goal difference.
Interestingly, all four of Marconi’s victories have come in the form of a 2-1 scoreline – as well as their sole loss; despite starting 2024 with highly impressive results, they are yet to blow away a team with a big win.
Sydney FC, meanwhile, are coming off the back of a disappointing 5-2 defeat to their rivals Western Sydney Wanderers and will be looking to amend their loss with what would be a strong win over Marconi.
Hills United FC vs Rockdale Illinden FC
7:00pm, Saturday 23 March, Landen Stadium
Hills United will take on a hungry Rockdale Illinden side at Landen Stadium on Saturday night.
In round six, Rockdale became the final team to lose a match in the league, going down narrowly to fellow giants Blacktown City.
As a result, Rockdale slipped down the ladder into fifth place, and will be looking to reclimb towards the summit with just three points operating the top eight sides.
Hills United, on the other hand, faced a powerful Wollongong Wolves side last weekend, losing 4-0.
They will be looking to rebound with what would be an exceptional win over Rockdale but will be put to the test against a side chock-full of quality and with a point to prove at Landen Stadium.
St George FC vs APIA Leichhardt
7:00pm, Saturday 23 March, Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre
St George FC will take on APIA Leichhardt in an exciting fixture at Rockdale Illinden Sports Centre.
St George will find it tough against an APIA Leichhardt side who have won four out of their last five matches, and who are looking to continue their strong form to move up to the top of the ladder.
APIA’s plethora of quality will be a tough matchup for St George, with new signings Jordan Segreto and Edward Caspers, in particular, impressing for the reigning Champions, but every name on the teamsheet will pose a threat for the home side.
However, St George will come into this match with confidence – having considered themselves unlucky not to get more out of a 3-2 defeat to Sydney United last weekend – and will look to challenge APIA in a game that is set to possess high intensity, high quality and lots of goals.
St George City FA vs Blacktown City FC
7:15pm, Saturday 23 March, Penshurst Park
St George City FA will take on Blacktown City in an eagerly anticipated fixture to conclude Saturday’s matches.
St George City rebounded from a devastating last-minute equaliser against bitter rivals St George FC in round five with a 2-1 win against NWS Spirit FC to extend their unbeaten run to an impressive five matches.
They find themselves level on points with Blacktown City, who secured a necessary, statement win over Rockdale Illinden last weekend in their push for top spot.
A win for either team in this fixture would have strong implications for the current state of the ladder, and Penshurst Park will host a match of ferocity, fight and high class as two of the best sides in the league go head to head.
Sydney United 58 FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC
3:00pm, Sunday 24 March, Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will take on Sutherland Sharks at Sydney United Sports Centre in a joint conclusion to round seven.
United 58 have come into form as of late, putting a 6-0 loss to Sydney Olympic behind them to go three games unbeaten.
As a result, they’ve clawed themselves up to eighth on the ladder, and just three points off first.
They’ll be looking for another victory to continue to remain in the pack, but will be facing a Sutherland Sharks side who have warmed into the campaign, having beaten Sydney Olympic and narrowly lost to Marconi Stallions in their last two fixtures.
This is a fixture that could go in a multitude of directions and will be an exciting, entertaining watch on Sunday afternoon.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
3:00pm, Sunday 24 March, WIN Stadium
Round seven of the NPL Men’s NSW league will conclude with a bang, as two of the most in-form sides in the competition face off at WIN Stadium.
Wollongong Wolves have had an exceptional start to the season, having lost just once to Marconi Stallions back in round one, and going unbeaten since.
Their last three matches have seen them emerge with two 4-0 victories and one impressive 1-0 win over Blacktown City, and they will be looking to continue this form in a crunch clash with Western Sydney.
Lachlan Scott and Takumi Ofuka will be ones to watch for Wollongong in an attacking sense, with the latter earning himself a hattrick last round, while former senior Wanderer Vedran Janjetovic will line up in net for the Wolves.
This match will be an exciting demonstration of two of the top teams in New South Wales, and will also see the most potent attacking side (WSW) face off against the statistically best defenders (Wollongong).
With storylines galore – whether it be Janjetovic facing the Wanderers, the top three clash, the in-form stars or just the football – this is going to be a riveting encounter to conclude round seven.
Don’t miss a game! Subscribe to Football NSW’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/footballnsw
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
