The race for finals and the relegation battle are continuing to excite, as we enter the last four rounds of the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
4:30pm, Saturday 3 August, Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks and the Central Coast Mariners will face off in a nail-biting clash crucial to the current relegation battle.
The hosts continued their strong form that’s been found over the last few weeks with a highly-necessary victory over Manly United last weekend, thanks to late goals from Mitchell Stamatellis and Takahide Umebachi.
Sutherland’s win moved them to 13th on the ladder, two points clear of the Central Coast Mariners, who are currently second-bottom in the relegation-playoff spot.
The Mariners, unbeaten in four after an impressive draw against St George City FA in Round 26, will be looking to leapfrog Sutherland on the ladder with a victory away from home that could be highly consequential in the fight to remain in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
This will be a vital game at Seymour Shaw, and is a must-watch for all fans of intense, exciting football.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
5:30pm, Saturday 3 August, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt will take on Western Sydney Wanderers as the home side look to return to form in time for the finals campaign.
After their devastating, last-gasp defeat to Rockdale Ilinden last weekend, APIA will be looking to taste victory for the first time in five games – their longest run without a win of the campaign.
However, with the Wanderers still searching for their first win since Round 17, APIA will be given a strong chance in what will be – in terms of recent results – a clash between the two most out of form sides in the league.
With APIA impressing against Rockdale last weekend, they will be looking to produce a statement victory in attempt to secure third place on the ladder, while the Wanderers will be aiming to finish their season off strongly with what would be an impressive win at Lambert Park.
NWS Spirit FC vs Manly United FC
5:30pm, Saturday 3 August, Christie Park
NWS Spirit will take on Manly United in an intriguing Round 27 clash at Christie Park.
While Spirit aren’t at significant risk of relegation, with five sides below them on the ladder, they are only four points clear of the bottom two, and will be looking for three points here to solidify their spot in the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another season.
Both Spirit and Manly United have won just once in their last five games, and will be looking to finish their seasons strongly ahead of next campaign.
St George FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
7:00pm, Saturday 3 August, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
St George FC will face off against Marconi Stallions to continue the flurry of Saturday fixtures.
The home side for this match picked up a vital 3-2 win over Hills United in their last match to move three points clear of second bottom, with a Chan Yelchan goal and a Justin Poon brace enough to earn them victory.
Marconi, meanwhile, made it five wins in a row and an astonishing eight games unbeaten as they continue their late-season charge.
With a win here, they could all but secure second place on the ladder, while St George will be hoping to end Marconi’s strong run and move closer to safety in the process.
St George City FA vs Hills United FC
7:15pm, Saturday 3 August, Penshurst Park
St George City FA will face off against Hills United FC in another exciting Saturday night encounter.
St George FA were presented with a chance to go just one point off the top six last weekend, after Sydney United 58 suffered defeat, but they squandered the opportunity by drawing with Central Coast Mariners.
Currently, they’re three points off finals on a 0-goal difference compared to United 58’s +4, making a win over Hills highly necessary to keep their finals hopes alive.
However, they’ll be facing a highly-motivated away team, who are just one point off the bottom-two and two points off last, meaning they will be throwing everything at St George City this weekend as they look to avoid relegation.
Blacktown City FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
3:00pm, Sunday 4 August, Landen Stadium
Fresh off their mid-week Australia Cup clash, Blacktown City will face off against Sydney Olympic as they enter a battle for third on the ladder.
Blacktown are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in the league, with a draw to the Mariners and a loss to St George FA in Round 22 the only blips in their recent form.
For their opponents, this will be a highly significant game, with a loss or draw more than likely taking them out of contention for the top six.
Olympic are currently four points off a finals position, and with just four matches remaining, require three points against a strong Blacktown side to continue their charge up the ladder.
Thus, this will be a thoroughly exciting match, with two quality, inspired sides fighting it out for three points at Landen Stadium.
Sydney United 58 FC vs Sydney FC
3:00pm, Sunday 4 August, Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will take on bottom of the ladder Sydney FC in a nailbiting affair at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Right now, any game is a must-win match for the Sky Blues, who are currently bottom of the ladder but could jump out of the bottom two with a win this weekend.
With the sides around them in good form, a win is highly necessary to move them off the bottom of the ladder or at least keep them with their opponents, as they fight to avoid automatic relegation to Football NSW’s League One Men’s competition.
As ever this season for Sydney, three points won’t come easy, when facing Sydney United 58, who will view a victory as necessary for their own ambitions of retaining their finals place with St George and Sydney Olympic hot on their heels.
It will be an exhilarating clash at Sydney United Sports Centre, with both sides hungry to keep their season alive in different ways.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
3:00pm, Sunday 4 August, WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves and Rockdale Ilinden FC will face off in an exciting top-six clash to jointly conclude Round 27.
The hosts for this fixture picked up another strong win in their last match, prevailing 5-1 over Sydney FC – thanks to goals from Takumi Ofuka, Chris McStay, Jake Trew and a double from Lachlan Scott – to move above Sydney United 58 on the ladder on goal difference.
The Wolves will be facing a significant test at WIN Stadium, however, when taking on league leaders Rockdale, who secured a hearty 2-1 victory over APIA Leichhardt last weekend to keep their lead at the top to six points.
Wollongong will be hoping for three points as they look to solidify their place in the top six, and they’ll be looking to upset a quality Rockdale side coming off a mid-week Australia Cup match.
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2024 Golden Boot Tally
29 – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)
18 – Roy O’Donovan (Sydney Olympic)
16 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown City)
16 – Ben Gibson (APIA)
14 – James Temelkovski (Marconi)
14 – Marko Jesic (Marconi)
13 – Nathanael Blair (WSW)
12 – Takumi Ofuka (Wollongong Wolves)
10 – Yu Okubo (Hills United)
10 – Luka Smyth (CCM)
10 – Patrick Antelmi (Sydney United 58)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
