Round 10 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
Round 10 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition will be headlined by an exhilarating top of the table clash between the remaining two unbeaten sides, the Marconi Stallions and 2025 surprise packets NWS Spirit FC.
Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
7:30pm, Friday 11 April, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC will open Round 10 when taking on academy rivals Central Coast Mariners at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Last weekend, the Sky Blues picked up a positive point against the other A-League Men’s academy side in the league, finishing 0-0 against the Western Sydney Wanderers despite Lachlan Middleton being sent off just before halftime.
It was goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot who stole the show, as the young shot-stopped made an astonishing 12 saves, and will be key again this weekend.
Sydney will be aiming to crush a Mariners side eager to respond to back-to-back defeats on Friday night, as the academy sides battle out in a match that could prove crucial in the relegation battle that will become more intense as the season goes on.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Manly United FC
3:30pm, Saturday 12 April, Wanderers Football Park
On the other hand, the Wanderers will be frustrated after their 0-0 draw against their Sydney rivals, and will be aiming for some strong points this weekend against Manly United in attempt to move off the foot of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.
However, they will be facing up a fired-up opposition, with Manly United coming in off a stunning 6-0 win over Wollongong Wolves FC.
Goals to Taiga Kawano, Lucas Meek, Harry Van der Saag, Darcy Burgess, Farah Koko and Benjamin Koop saw Manly run riot against the Wolves, and they will be looking to be on similar form this weekend when travelling to face the Wanderers.
NWS Spirit FC vs Marconi Stallions
5:30pm, Saturday 12 April, Christie Park
A mouthwatering first vs second clash will take place at Christie Park on Saturday night as NWS Spirit take on Marconi Stallions.
This match will host the only two remaining unbeaten sides in the competition, and both will be looking to end each other’s streak and take top spot, with the two teams level on 21 points apiece at the top of the ladder.
Marconi comes into this match in better form, having won their last four games, while Spirit have drawn three of their last four, albeit against some tricky opponents in the form of Sydney United 58, Sutherland Sharks and Rockdale Ilinden.
A win for either side would end the other’s unbeaten run, and put them three points clear on the top of the table, while a draw would allow a wrath of teams behind to catch up.
It’s set to be a scintillating top of the table clash at Christie Park – a must-watch in the context of the NPL Men’s NSW season.
APIA Leichhardt FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
6:00pm, Saturday 12 April, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt will come up against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in an intriguing fixture at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon.
Following a strong period of form, APIA went down to rivals Sydney United 58 last weekend, and will be looking for a response at home in Round 10.
Mt Druitt, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Sydney Olympic as they aim to compete at Lambert Park.
It will be a tough test for both sides, but APIA will be the perpetrators for this clash, with three points required as they aim to capitalise on any dropped points from the top-two sides this weekend.
St George City FA vs Sydney Olympic FC
7:15pm, Saturday 12 April, Penshurst Park
St George City FA will be looking to end a period of bad form when taking on Sydney Olympic this weekend.
The home side for this match have suffered a poor start to the season, winning just two of their first nine games and sitting 14th on the ladder, just two points off the bottom of the table.
A win is necessary to kickstart their season, but they will be facing a strong side in the form of Olympic, who have been defeated just once in their past five matches.
Sydney United 58 FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
3:00pm, Sunday 13 April, Sydney United Sports Centre
Riding high off the back of their victory against APIA, Sydney United 58 will take on Rockdale Ilinden in an exciting fixture this Sunday afternoon.
United 58 made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, with Mason Wells and Bailey Rule supplying the goods against rivals APIA.
Rockdale, meanwhile, haven’t tasted victory in two games, with their last match ending in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Spirit, but have endured a tricky run of fixtures, facing Blacktown City, APIA and the league leaders in their last three games.
Both sides have what it takes to make this a sensational fixture, and expect two top quality, high intensity sides battling it out at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC
3:00pm, Sunday 13 April, Macedonia Park
Wollongong Wolves will be looking to bounce back from a devastating defeat last weekend when taking on Sutherland Sharks at Macedonia Park.
After a solid start to the season, Wollongong have slipped down the ladder as a result of three straight defeats, now sitting in 11th position, four points off the top six.
Their opponents Sutherland are a place and a point ahead in 10th on the ladder, having lost their last game to Blacktown City.
This fixture will feature plenty of quality, with the likes of Jerry Skotadis, Mason Fernandez, Nicholas Olsen and Lachlan Scott set to light up Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC vs St George FC
3:00pm, Sunday 13 April, Landen Stadium
To jointly conclude Round 10, Blacktown City will take on St George FC as two of most exciting sides in the division go head to head at Landen Stadium.
Blacktown recently picked up their first win in three games, prevailing 1-0 over Sutherland Sharks, and currently sit fifth on the ladder, six points off top spot.
St George, on the other hand, continued a run of sensational form, picking up their fourth win in five matches against the Central Coast Mariners, with Bai Antoniou making it six goals in five matches for his new club.
With both sides playing exciting, proactive football, this promises to be an exhilarating match at Landen Stadium.
