Round 30 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
The final round of the regular NPL Men’s NSW campaign is here, and it’s still all to play for in the nailbiting relegation battle.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions will face off against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium as both sides look to finish the regular season on a high.
The hosts Round 29 loss brought their Premiership hopes to an end last Saturday night, although even a win wouldn’t have been enough with Rockdale later picking up three points.
Marconi’s attention will be turned to the finals series, as they look to return to winning ways following a 2-1 loss to Blacktown City last weekend.
The Wanderers, meanwhile, will be looking to finish their season strongly after experiencing bleak form in recent weeks, which will no doubt set up a freeing, exciting match at Marconi Stadium.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Sydney FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Sydney FC will take on Sydney Olympic in their biggest match of the season, as they look to avoid relegation from the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
The Sky Blues are currently second-bottom in the relegation playoff spot on the ladder, level on points with Sutherland Sharks and two points behind the Central Coast Mariners.
Their first aim, however, will be to avoid automatic relegation, with Hills United just two points behind in last spot.
Nevertheless, Sydney will come into this game knowing that three points would give them a standing chance to remain in the top division, and will be looking to take an intense game to Sydney Olympic and capitalise on their opponents having little to play for apart from pride at this stage of the campaign.
The attacking duo of Jaiden Kucharski and Tiago Quintal will be key for Sydney on Sunday afternoon in what will be a highly tense 90 minutes at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Blacktown City vs Hills United FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Landen Stadium
Hills United will take on Blacktown City in another vital game in the relegation battle.
The task is simple for Hills United; they need three points to be in with a chance of staying in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
Currently bottom by two points, only a victory over Blacktown City would give them the possibility of avoiding automatic relegation, which is currently out of their hands, with positive results to both Sydney FC and Sutherland Sharks likely condemning Hills back to Football NSW’s Leggue One Men’s competition.
Blacktown City, having qualified already for finals, have little to play for apart from form, but with a finals game on the next Wednesday, they may opt for some rotation which could assist Hills United’s bid.
Nevertheless, it’s set to be a fierce, intense match, with the concurrent fixture timings set to add to the drama across New South Wales.
Sydney United 58 FC vs St George City FA
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Sydney United Sports Centre
In an exciting top-six clash, Sydney United 58 will take on St George City FA as they look to confirm their spot in the NPL Men’s NSW finals campaign.
St George City have already taken their spot in the top six, grabbing fifth place to be exact, with APIA and Blacktown with far substantial goal difference three points ahead and Sydney United 58 four points behind in sixth.
For United 58, however, they require a point to make finals, with Wollongong Wolves hot on their heels in seventh.
Three points behind but with a superior goal difference, a win for Wolves and a loss for United 58 would push the home side out of the top six at the last point, and would be a devastating way to end the campaign.
It will be interesting to see the dynamic on Sunday afternoon; whether St George look to rest players for their Wednesday match, or go all out to grab a win over their possible finals rivals ahead of the exciting campaign.
Rockdale Ilinden FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Central Coast Mariners will take on Premiers Rockdale Ilinden as they look to secure their spot in the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another year.
The big story of Round 29 was Rockdale, who became Premiers for the first time in 40 years to cap off what has been a stellar regular season.
After celebrating the crowning in style with a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC on Monday night, they will be looking to produce a similar result against fellow relegation battler Central Coast this weekend.
The Mariners are not in danger of being automatically relegated, but wins for Sutherland Sharks and Sydney FC would put them in the bottom two, unless they can take a point or more at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
This is set to be a highly intriguing battle, with Rockdale looking to continue trophy celebrations and their fine form ahead of the finals campaign, but the Mariners looking to remain safe for another season.
It will be a celebratory day for the club who will be handed the official 2024 NPL Men’s NSW Premiership post match. The club has also stated that it will be free entry with food trucks galore in what promises to be a huge day for the proud club.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs St George FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks FC will take on St George FC at home in a bid to avoid relegation from the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
In a similar situation to Sydney, Sutherland first have to avoid automatic relegation with a point, but will be aiming for a victory over a St George Side who confirmed their top-flight status only last weekend.
Sutherland do have better goal difference than the Sky Blues, but will be looking to leave nothing up to chance in front of their home fans at Seymour Shaw, in what is set to be yet another tense, nailbiting Round 30 fixture.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Manly United FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Macedonia Park
Wollongong Wolves FC will take on Manly United FC with a victory necessary as they hope this won’t be their last match of the season.
The Wolves are currently out of the top six by three points, and require a win over Sydney United 58, and a loss for their rivals, to qualify for finals on goal difference.
They will fancy their chances coming up against a Manly United side with nothing left to play for results-wise on the table, but they may be looking to spoil the Wolves’ finals hopes after a fiery previous meeting between the two sides, with both teams receiving late red cards.
It will be an exciting fixture at Macedonia Park, with Wolves inspired to make a last-gasp play for a position in the NPL Men’s NSW finals campaign.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs NWS Spirit FC
3:00pm, Sunday 25 August, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt will take on NWS Spirit at Lambert Park as they build for what they hope will be a fruitful finals campaign.
After lifting the Waratah Cup last Wednesday night, APIA will be motivated to taste similar success in the finals series after being unable to retain their 2023 Premiership.
Currently third on the ladder and well qualified for finals, APIA may look to secure third place with a win over NWS Spirit, or rest players ahead of the Wednesday game.
Spirit themselves will be looking to finish their 2024 league campaign strongly, currently on a three-game unbeaten run, with the away side the only New South Wales team left in the Australia Cup.
Lambert Park looks set to host an exciting fixture, featuring two sides playing with freedom and excitement for their respective knockout matches ahead.
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2024 Golden Boot Tally
29 – Alec Urosevski (Rockdale Ilinden)
19 – Roy O’Donovan (Sydney Olympic)
18 – Ben Gibson (APIA)
17 – Marko Jesic (Marconi)
16 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown City)
14 – James Temelkovski (Marconi)
13 – Nathanael Blair (WSW)
13 – Yu Okubo (Hills United)
12 – Jack Stewart (APIA)
12 – Takumi Ofuka (Wollongong Wolves)
10 – Jack Armson (APIA)
10 – Joey Gibbs (Blacktown City)
10 – Kosta Petratos (St George City)
10 – Lachlan Scott (Wollongong Wolves)
10 – Luka Smyth (CCM)
10 – Patrick Antelmi (Sydney United 58)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
