Round 22 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s
Round 22 of the NPL Men’s NSW campaign promises to be as exciting as ever, with four of the top six facing off against each other.
Sydney FC vs Sydney Olympic FC
7:30pm, Friday 4 July, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Sydney FC will open the weekend when taking on Sydney Olympic at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
With a win in this match, the Sky Blues would leapfrog their opponents, moving into seventh place and remaining in touching distance of the top six.
Sydney Olympic, two points up the road, are just four points off a finals place, but are coming off the back of a 2-0 loss to Blacktown City after a steady run of recent form.
This match promises to excite at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, with both sides vying for a spot in the NPL Men’s NSW finals series come the end of the campaign.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC
1:00pm, Saturday 5 July, Wanderers Football Park
The Western Sydney Wanderers will open Saturday’s action with an early match in the afternoon.
The Wanderers picked up an important 1-1 draw against Wollongong Wolves last weekend, but are in a precarious place on the table, just two points above last-placed Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
They need a result this weekend to remain safe for another round, with the Wanderers, Mt Druitt and Central Coast Mariners currenty all fighting for just one safe spot on the table.
However, they will have their work cut out for them when facing APIA Leichhardt, who have three wins from their last three games and are now just four points off the top of the table.
As they look to make a late Premiership charge, a win here is vital, making this an enticing clash at Wanderers Football Park.
NWS Spirit FC vs Manly United FC
5:30pm, Saturday 5 July, Christie Park
NWS Spirit will take on Manly United as they look to continue to push for what would be a sensational Premiership trophy.
Spirit have four wins from their last five matches, with their most recent victory coming in an impressive 2-0 scoreline against Sydney United 58, thanks to goals from Yu Okubo and Ollie Wiggin.
Just three points off the top of the table, Spirit will be looking to capitalise on any slips above them, and will be looking to assert their dominance over a Manly United side who hasn’t won since Round 17.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs St George FC
6:00pm, Saturday 5 July, Macedonia Park
To continue Saturday’s fixtures, Wollongong Wolves will host St George FC at Macedonia Park.
The Wolves are currently 10th on the ladder, eight points off the top six and two points off their opponents for this weekend in the form of St George FC.
One place higher, St George were beaten 3-2 by APIA last weekend, and will be looking to put more of a gap between them and the Wolves on Saturday evening, while remaining in the hunt for a finals place.
St George City FA vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
7:15pm, Saturday 5 July, Penshurst Park
St George City will host Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Penshurst Park in an intriguing match to conclude Saturday’s games.
With a loss to their relegation rivals in their last match, Mt Druitt fell to the bottom of the ladder – the only spot that receives automatic relegation from the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
They will be requiring a response in this fixture as they hope to move off as soon as possible, but will face a tough test when taking on St George City, who beat Manly United last weekend.
St George will be looking to continue to push up the ladder and enter the top half, while dispatching a Mt Druitt side who have just three wins to their name so far this campaign.
Blacktown City FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC
3:00pm, Sunday 6 July, Landen Stadium
Blacktown City will take on league leaders Rockdale Ilinden in a scintillating match at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With a loss to Sutherland Sharks in their last game, Rockdale lead the league only on goal difference, level on points with Marconi Stallions.
Blacktown City are only seven points behind in fifth place, and if Marconi lose this weekend, and Blacktown beat Rockdale, we could enter Round 23 with the top five separated by just four points.
This match is crucial to both sides as Rockdale look to avoid being leapfrogged and continue to remain on the top of the ladder, while Blacktown look to throw their name in the hat for the Premiership, with the home side currently safe in the top six by 10 points.
With two NPL Men’s NSW juggernauts going at it, this promises to be an exceptional match of football – a must watch either at Landen Stadium or on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC
3:00pm, Sunday 6 July, Pluim Park
Fresh off a major victory over Mt Druitt, the Central Coast Mariners will be looking to make it three from three against Sutherland Sharks.
The Mariners moved off the bottom of the table with their 2-0 win, which featured goals from Ahmad Elhelou and Jai Rose, but are still in the relegation playoff position.
With two wins in their last two games, they will come into this match with plenty of momentum, but will be taking on a confident Sutherland Sharks side who shocked the league by beating leaders Rockdale Ilinden last weekend.
The Sharks are only six points clear of the Mariners, making this an intriguing match in a potential relegation battle.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
3:00pm, Sunday 6 July, Marconi Stadium
In another Sunday 3pm match between two NPL Men’s NSW juggernauts, Marconi Stallions will host Sydney United 58.
Marconi rebounded from a three-match period without a win last week, defeating Sydney FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Damian Tsekenis.
Now only second by goal difference, they will be highly motivated to emerge victorious again and, at least, continue to pile pressure on rivals Rockdale, if not to leap above them into top spot.
Their opponents, United 58 will be coming off a mid-week Cup match, but will be searching for a win to comfortably maintain their spot in the top six.
It promises to be a fiery, exciting affair at Marconi Stadium, with two of the league’s best sides fighting for three highly valuable points.
