Round 4 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
Round Four of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition will see a mixture of exciting and intriguing fixtures, headlined by a clash between Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt.
Sydney FC vs Manly United FC
7:30pm, Friday 28 February, Cromer Park
Sydney FC will kick off Round Four when taking on Manly United in a standalone Friday night fixture.
The Sky Blues will be looking for a significant response this weekend to their last match, which saw them lose to St George City FA 5-0 just a week after a brilliant 3-1 win over Sydney United 58.
Sydney will be taking on a Manly United side who drew with United 58 in their last match, with the ‘away’ side for this fixture looking to showcase their quality and return to winning ways in Round Four.
Manly’s Harry Van der Saag could be key in this fixture, and having previously played for Sydney’s senior team in the A-League Men’s competition, he’ll be keen to put on a show at Cromer Park on Friday night.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
5:00pm, Saturday 1 March, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will take on Rockdale Ilinden in what looks set to be an exhilarating NPL Men’s NSW fixture at Popondetta Park.
Despite Mt Druitt being promoted for 2025 and Rockdale finishing as Premiers last year, both sides head into Round four on the same amount of points, having drawn, lost and won one match each.
Mt Druitt’s win came last Friday night, with a stunner from Pedrinho helping them to a dramatic 3-2 victory over St George.
Meanwhile, Rockdale’s last match saw them go down to rivals Marconi 2-1, and the reigning Premiers will be desperate to put on a statement performance on Saturday evening after a difficult start to their NPL Men’s NSW campaign.
Sydney United 58 FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
5:00pm, Saturday 1 March, Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will take on Western Sydney Wanderers as the league heavyweights search for their first win of the season back at Sydney United Sports Centre.
It’s been an underwhelming start to the season for United 58, having drawn twice – against Sutherland Sharks and Manly – and lost to Sydney FC.
With just two points to their name after the first three rounds, they’ll be aiming to find their groove against the Wanderers this weekend, who went down to Sutherland in their last fixture.
NWS Spirit FC vs St George City FA
5:30pm, Saturday 1 March, Christie Park
The NPL Men’s NSW league leaders will take on St George City FA in an exciting match-up to continue Saturday’s fixtures.
NWS Spirit has impressed immensely in their opening three matches, with their last two seeing them beat heavyweights Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.
They will be looking to pose their aggressive, exciting style of play on their opponents this weekend, who will be riding high after their 5-0 win last weekend.
However, all eyes will be on Spirit, as they look to continue this early-season sprout of form and make it four wins from four difficult fixtures to begin 2025.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Central Coast Mariners
6:00pm, Saturday 1 March, WIN Stadium
The Central Coast Mariners will face the furthest away trip of their – or anyone’s – campaign, when taking on Wollongong Wolves on Saturday evening.
The Mariners continued their worrying start to the season with a 4-1 loss to Blacktown City last weekend.
Their goal difference of -12 is three times more than any other club, while they are one of just two sides yet to pick up a point from their first three games.
They will be facing a strong-looking Wolves side yet to lose this season, in what will be an intriguing match-up, with the focus on the Mariners’ potential improvement as they look to get points on the board in 2025.
Marconi Stallions FC vs St George FC
7:00pm, Saturday 1 March, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions will take on St George FC in another unbeaten vs only beaten NPL Men’s NSW fixture.
The home side for this match picked up a vital 2-1 win over opponents Rockdale Ilinden last weekend, with a 79th minute goal from substitute Kyle Cimenti making it seven points from an available nine in their first three games – a good start for the reigning Champions.
Meanwhile, St George FC have found 2025 tough so far, and being the only other side along with the Mariners yet to pick up a point this campaign, they will be aiming for an upset away from home at Marconi Stadium.
They have been scoring goals, and have lost their first three games by only one-goal margins, but they will need a sublime defensive performance on Saturday night to stop Marconi’s red-hot attack, and some quality of their own, which may come from Jaden Casella, who has enjoyed a strong start to the season.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
7:30pm, Saturday 1 March, Valentine Sports Park
To conclude a blockbuster Saturday of fixtures, Sutherland Sharks will face off against Sydney Olympic at Valentine Sports Park.
Olympic have had a mixed start to the campaign, scoring just twice in their opening three games with a win, draw and loss to their name.
Key new signings Jack Armson and Cyrus Dehmie are yet to mesh, but are looking closer to finding their groove, and will be required on Saturday night against a high-flying Sharks side.
Sutherland are currently second on the table, level on points with Marconi, and will be aiming to continue their unbeaten streak against future Australian Championship side Olympic this weekend, in what is set to be an exhilarating match at Valentine Sports Park.
Blacktown City FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC
3:00pm, Sunday 2 March, Landen Stadium
Two of the biggest clubs in the NPL Men’s NSW competition will compete in the final match of Round Four, as Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt go head-to-head for a much-needed three points.
Blacktown rebounded from a 4-0 loss to Spirit with a 4-1 victory against the Mariners last week, establishing a platform to build on for the next few rounds.
However, they’ll be taking on an APIA Leichhardt side currently hurting after suffering a defeat of their own to Spirit, with the famous Italian club looking to bounce back from a flat Round Three performance with a statement victory over their rivals.
Neither side will be aiming for a draw this weekend with both needing the three points to avoid slipping early out of Premiership contention, making this an enthralling, must-watch match to conclude the NPL Men’s NSW competition for another weekend.
