Round 22 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
After a blockbuster week of NPL Men’s NSW action, round 22 is set to feature some intense clashes as the table shape remains consistently in motion.
Sydney FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
7:30pm, Friday 28 June, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
To open round 22 of action, Sydney FC will take on the Marconi Stallions in an intriguing clash at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Marconi has become somewhat of a giant killer but Jekyll and Hyde side over the last few games, beating APIA Leichhardt 2-0 before registering a stunning 9-0 victory over top-of-the-ladder Rockdale Ilinden in a previous midweek match, before coming back down to earth drawing to second-bottom Sutherland Sharks 3-3 on the weekend.
Thus, despite having shown their immense quality against two of the best sides in the competition, they have struggled against lower ladder sides – fourth and fifth last fixtures saw them lose 1-0 to NWS Spirit and 4-0 to Sydney Olympic – two midtable sides.
Sydney will therefore fancy their chances at continuing their rich vein of form which has propelled them off the bottom of the ladder, solidified by a strong 3-0 victory over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in their most recent game.
The Sky Blues will have to be ready for a potent attacking quartet of Domenic Costanzo, James Temelkovski, Marko Jesic and Franco Maya, but this game could be a surprise with a heavy scoreline for either side.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC
3:00pm, Saturday 29 June, Wanderers Football Park
To begin an exciting Saturday of football, the Western Sydney Wanderers will take on Wollongong Wolves in a thrilling encounter in the race for finals football.
The Western Sydney Wanderers’ recent form has seen them slip down to fifth position, just four points away from the hungry Wolves, who are the current closest team to the top six.
The Wanderers are coming off the back of four straight defeats – a stark contrast to Wollongong, who have won four of their five most recent games, with their only drop of points coming in a 2-2 draw against Blacktown City.
A victory for Wollongong would take them within just one point of the Wanderers – and their desired top-six position this weekend – and with the likes of Lachlan Scott and Takumi Ofuka spearheading their attack, they’ll be confident of a victory.
However, the Wanderers will know how important this game is for their season, and this promises to be an intense, fiery encounter at Wanderers Football Park.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
4:30pm, Saturday 29 June, Seymour Shaw
The Sutherland Sharks will take on Sydney United 58 in the second of six Saturday matches.
Sutherland has come off a strong mid-week game, having defeated NWS Spirit 3-1 to move into 13th on the ladder.
The Sharks have lost just one of their last six games, but have struggled to turn draws into wins, picking up solitary points against the Wanderers, Sydney Olympic and Marconi within that period.
Nevertheless, Sutherland have demonstrated a good sense of quality and urgency recently in a nailbiting relegation race and will be looking to continue their form against a mixed United 58 side, who most recently drew with St George FC.
United 58 will be looking for a victory to sure up their spot in the top six, but it won’t come easy at the home of the Sharks in an exciting encounter.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Manly United FC
5:00pm, Saturday 29 June, Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC will take on Manly United at Belmore Sports Ground in one of two 5pm matches to continue the run of fixtures.
The home side for this match is currently on an unbeaten run of three matches, having beat top six sides Sydney United 58 and Marconi before drawing to the Sutherland Sharks.
Manly United, currently 10th on the ladder, are level on points with opponents Olympic, and rebounded from two straight defeats with a victory over the Central Coast Mariners on the weekend.
Both sides will be looking for three points as they try to move into a late charge for finals, but more than anything prove themselves over each other, after their previous encounter went 2-0 the way of Olympic.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs NWS Spirit FC
5:00pm, Saturday 29 June, Pluim Park
The Central Coast Mariners will take on NWS Spirit FC in an electrifying clash at Pluim Park on Saturday evening.
The Mariners have now fallen bottom of the ladder by six points, making a victory in this match necessary to keep them pushing clear of the sole automatic relegation spot.
Central Coast do have a game in hand over their direct competitors, but a victory in that alone wouldn’t be enough to take them away from the bottom of the ladder.
NWS Spirit, on the other hand, saw an impressive two-match winning streak come to an end against the Sutherland Sharks mid-week, and will also be without Michael Konestabo for this game, with the Spirit star picking up a red card in that match.
But with Spirit currently comfortably safe, all eyes will be on the Mariners in a crucial match at Pluim Park.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs St George FC
5:30pm, Saturday 29 June, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt will take on St George FC as they look to build towards the top of the ladder.
The home side for this match are currently ten points off Rockdale Ilinden in first but have two games in hand over the table toppers.
After drawing to an impressive St George FC outfit the last time these two sides played each other, APIA will be looking to assert their dominance with a statement win here to prove their quality and ability to usurp Rockdale at the top of the ladder.
St George, meanwhile, are only four points clear from guaranteed safety, although in 12th, have suffered four defeats and one draw in their last five games.
They will be looking for another hard-earned point – or more – against the reigning Premiers in a match that will feature plenty of high-quality football at Lambert Park.
Blacktown City FC vs St George City FA
7:00pm, Saturday 29 June, Landen Stadium
Blacktown City and St George City FA will both be looking to rebound from disappointing losses when facing off in the sixth and final Saturday fixture at Landen Stadium.
Blacktown City is now winless in two games after league leaders Rockdale Ilinden got the job done thanks to two first-half Alec Urosevski penalties and a strong defensive performance in the second stanza.
The hosts will be seeking for a statement three points to push up the ladder against a strong St George City outfit, who are currently four points off finals.
With the likes of Travis Major, Mitchell Mallia, Louis Khoury, Jason Romero and a plethora of others, this match will feature plenty of attacking talent, and promises to be the perfect conclusion to a Saturday chock-full of super fixtures.
Rockdale Ilinden FC vs Hills United FC
3:00pm, Sunday 30 June, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
In the sole Sunday match of round 22, league leaders Rockdale Ilinden will take on Hills United in an interesting match-up.
Rockdale bounced back from just their third loss of the season with an important 2-1 victory over Blacktown City to keep their strong lead at the top of the table, with captain and talisman Alec Urosevski netting his 21st and 22nd goals of the season in the process, to astonishingly put his rate at above one per game. It took character to do what Rockdale did following their heavy defeat and the result at Blacktown showed that this team meant business about capturing silverware this season.
They will be looking to continue their immense form with a victory over Hills United, who will be a tough match having fallen into a bit of a relegation scrap.
The away side for this match are one of three teams level on 18 points from second to fourth bottom on the ladder, and with second-bottom facing the second-placed Football NSW League One Men’s side for a spot in the top league next season, they will be desperate for three points to stay safe for another week.
Hills United will find it mightily tough against the league leaders, but will be aiming for a point or more, something which could have a positive effect on both their season and on the excitement of the Premiership race over the last eight weeks of the competition.
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2024 Golden Boot Tally Update
22 – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)
16 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown City)
15 – Ben Gibson (APIA)
13 – Nathanael Blair (WSW)
12 – James Temelkovski (Marconi)
12 – Roy O’Donovan (Sydney Olympic)
11 – Takumi Ofuka (Wollongong Wolves)
11 – Marko Jesic (Marconi)
10 – Luka Smyth (CCM)
10 – Patrick Antelmi (Sydney United 58)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
