Round 10 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

After an exhilarating, important weekend of football in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, round 10 promises to deliver more entertainment, excitement and drama. 

Sydney FC vs Sutherland Sharks

7:30pm, Friday 12 April, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Sydney FC will open the weekend when taking on the Sutherland Sharks in a clash that pits 12th against 13th on the ladder.

Sutherland jumped off the foot of the ladder and out of the relegation zone with a vital 2-1 win over Hills United, courtesy of a 77th-minute strike goal from Liam Rippon just a minute after coming on the field.

The away side will come to Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre of securing some more crucial points when taking on a Sydney FC side who have lost their last three in a row, with their most recent defeat coming in the form of an 8-0 dismantling by Blacktown City.

However, Sydney will be raring to amend their recent form, and this round 10 opener promises to pose plenty of excitement and quality.

NWS Spirit FC vs Hills United FC

5:30pm, Saturday 13 April, Christie Park

NWS Spirit will take on Hills United in a crunch match at Christie Park with the home side searching for a win to propel them up the ladder.

Spirit went down disappointingly in their last match to St George FC, and find themselves in 14th on the ladder, level on points with Manly who are second last.

They will be looking to show their quality against a Hills side who have had a strong start to the campaign, picking up three victories in their nine matches thus far, although losing to Sutherland in their last match.

With a win at Christie Park, Spirit will go level on points with Hills, while the away side could slip six points clear of a relegation place with a victory on Saturday afternoon, meaning this match will be full of intensity, fight and exciting football.

Marconi Stallions FC vs Manly United FC

7:00pm, Saturday 13 April, Marconi Stadium

The Marconi Stallions will take on Manly United in an exciting matchup as the hosts look to make amends after a round nine loss.

Marconi tasted defeat for just the second time this campaign after losing to St George City FA 2-1, which saw them slip form second to fourth on the table.

Manly United, meanwhile, have struggled at the start of the season, picking up their last victory in round one, and will be coming into this game off the back of a 5-0 defeat courtesy of the league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers.

Marconi, with their attacking quality from the likes of James Temelkovski and Domenic Costanzo, will be looking for a strong win at their home ground as they search to remain in touch with the Wanderers at the top of the ladder.

St George FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC

7:00pm, Saturday 13 April, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

An in-form St George FC will come up against a wounded Wollongong Wolves in an intriguing affair on Saturday night.

After putting up strong showings against APIA Leichhardt and the Wanderers – two of the current top three sides on the ladder – St George received reward with a 3-1 victory over NWS Spirit.

However, this weekend will possess a different challenge, with the Wolves starving for a win after losing their last three matches – with the previous two being dramatic late defeats.

With both sides eager to play exciting football and come away with the three points, this will be a fantastic match.

Blacktown City FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC

3:00pm, Sunday 14 April, Landen Stadium

Blacktown City will take on the Central Coast Mariners in an exciting clash at Landen Stadium.

The home side, who are now unbeaten in four, slaughtered Sydney FC 8-0 last weekend at their home ground, and will be looking for a similar performance here against a Mariners side who are bottom of the ladder.

The Mariners have lost four of their last five games, and are currently two points away from safety.

While Blacktown will be considered substantial favourites for this match, the Mariners will be hungry to escape their awkward ladder position; this will be an entertaining, intense affair at Landen Stadium.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs St George City FA

3:00pm, Sunday 14 April, Wanderers Football Park 

The Western Sydney Wanderers will take on St George City FA in a highly anticipated clash at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.

The league leaders have won their last six matches, and are currently four points clear on top of the ladder, meaning no matter any result, they will go into round 11 top of the ladder.

However, they will be facing one of the toughest opponents in the NPL Men’s NSW competition in St George City FA, who will be riding high after their important win over the Marconi Stallions which saw them re-enter the top six.

With a plethora of talent on display – namely Jason Romero, Louis Khoury, Marcus Younis and Alexander Badolato – Wanderers Football Park will host a must-watch, high quality, high stakes match.

Rockdale Ilinden FC vs Sydney Olympic FC

4:00pm, Sunday 14 April, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

In the third and final round 10 match to be held at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, its owners will come up against Sydney Olympic in an exciting matchup.

After a last-gasp win over Sydney United 58 secured their third victory in a row, Rockdale moved up to second on the ladder as they remain in the hunt for top spot.

Sydney Olympic, meanwhile, have amended a poor start to their campaign, also winning their last three games on the bounce to move just two points away from the top six (although St George City in sixth have an extra match to play).

Rockdale will be viewing this as a must-win game to stay in touch with the in-form Wanderers on top of the ladder, but Olympic will be searching for a victory of their own as they push for the top six.

Prior to this mammoth clash, both clubs will have a legends game that will feature at 2:30pm with former Socceroos and ex-NSL stars set to be on show. What better way to spend your Sunday watching some of the greats before this weekend’s ‘Match of the Round’, certainly a game not to be missed – check out the full list of legends set to compete in this massive game here.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Sydney United 58 FC

2:30pm, Sunday 14 April, Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre

APIA Leichhardt will welcome Sydney United 58 at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre as Lambert Park is weeks away from being ready, in an exhilarating end to round 10.

The home side extended their unbeaten run to five games with a crucial 2-1 victory over Wollongong Wolves last weekend, courtesy of late goals from Jack Armson and Sean Symons.

On the other hand, United 58 saw a five-game unbeaten streak of their own come to an end in round nine with a last-gasp goal from Rockdale squeezing them out of the top six.

With APIA back at Lambert Park for the first time in 2024, they will be keen to impress their fans and secure another important victory, but United 58 will be the perfect party to turn a sweet reunion sour this weekend.

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By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)