Round 4 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW

After an exhilarating Round 3, the NPL Men’s NSW competition returns once more in what promises to be another pertinent and engaging weekend of football.

Sydney FC vs Marconi Stallions FC

7:30pm, Friday 27 February – Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Two of the top-four sides on the ladder will go head-to-head to jointly open Round Four in an exciting Friday night fixture at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

After suffering a 4-0 defeat to A-League academy rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in Round Two, Sydney responded in style, turning that scoreline in their favour with four goals against NWS Spirit.

Having scored seven goals in their first three games, the Sky Blues are looking exceptional going forward, with young talent scattered all over the park, but will be coming up against a stern test in the form of Marconi Stallions, who have become renowned for their defensive ability under Peter Tsekenis.

Marconi is one of just two teams to experience a perfect start to the season, winning all of their games in the competition so far, and will be looking to continue that record as they once more set their sights on the NPL Men’s NSW Premiership.

Sydney United 58 vs Manly United FC

7:30pm, Friday 27 February – Sydney United Sports Centre

The other side with a perfect record to begin their campaign will take on Manly United in an intriguing Friday night match.

Freescorers Sydney United added another three goals – and three points – to their impressive start to the season against Western Sydney Wanderers to finish Round Three at the top of the ladder.

A brace from young gun Gabriel Tilio was at the forefront of their victory, and he will be looking to continue his form coming into Friday, when they take on a Manly United side that has also begun their season in unbeaten fashion.

SD Raiders FC vs Rockdale Ilinden FC

5:00pm, Saturday 28 February – Ernie Smith Reserve

SD Raiders will take on Rockdale Ilinden in what promises to be a thunderous, fiery fixture on Saturday evening.

The home side for this clash picked up their first point of the season last weekend, thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Robert Eremugo, and will be aiming to go one better in Round Four against an NPL Men’s NSW heavyweight.

Rockdale will be aiming to push up towards their desired first-place on the ladder, after responding to a 4-1 loss to Marconi Stallions with a 3-2 victory over Blacktown City last weekend.

Sydney Olympic FC vs NWS Spirit FC

5:00pm, Saturday 28 February – Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic and NWS Spirit will go head-to-head in an interesting fixture at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday evening.

Olympic have experienced a mixed start to the campaign, with one win, one draw, and one loss in their first three rounds.

However, they will be coming into this match disappointed with the point they picked up last weekend, after dropping a two-goal lead against St George City.

NWS Spirit, meanwhile, will be coming into this match fired up, as they aim to avenge a 4-0 defeat to Sydney FC, but will be without Aiden Mostofi, who was sent off after the first goal.

St George FC vs UNSW FC

6:30pm, Saturday 28 February – Barton Park

St George will be aiming to continue their strong start to 2026 as they host UNSW FC at Barton Park later on Saturday night.

The home side for this match is the only team yet to concede a goal in the competition, with new signing Nicholas Sorras impressing in goal.

With seven points from their first three games, they will be aiming to continue to establish themselves as a hefty finals contender for 2026.

UNSW, meanwhile, will be coming into Saturday night fired up, after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to rivals SD Raiders to deny their first victory in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.

APIA Leichhardt FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC

6:45pm, Saturday 28 February – Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt will be aiming for their second victory of 2026 when taking on Wollongong Wolves at Lambert Park in an exciting match between two NPL Men’s NSW heavyweights.

By their standards, APIA will be disappointed with their start to the campaign, after a 2-2 draw with Manly United restricted them to four points from their first three games.

The Premiership hopefuls will be aiming to respond in style this weekend, against a Wollongong side that has also experienced a mixed beginning to the season, with their victory against UNSW giving them their only points thus far.

This match will be chock-full of quality all over the field, with sharpshooters Presley Ortiz and Lachlan Scott two of the standouts in what promises to be 90 minutes of eye-catching football at Lambert Park.

St George City FA vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC

7:15pm, Saturday 28 February – Penshurst Park

St George City will take on Western Sydney Wanderers as they search for their first win of the NPL Men’s NSW campaign in the final Saturday match for Round Four.

The home side for this game has had two draws and one loss to begin the season, but will come into this game with confidence after launching a spirited comeback from two goals against Sydney Olympic, thanks to goals from Brae Ovens and Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika.

The Wanderers, on the other hand, were unable to gain momentum from a mightily impressive 4-0 victory over Sydney FC in Round Two.

They pushed Sydney United 58 all the way, with goals from Awan Lual and Harper Ryles making it a tense match, but were edged out by the solitary goal, and will be aiming to respond this weekend.

Blacktown City FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC

3:00pm, Sunday 1 March – Landen Stadium

Blacktown City and Sutherland Sharks will go head-to-head in what promises to be an exhilarating fixture to conclude Round Four.

The Sharks have not had the start to the campaign that they would have hoped for, being the only side in the competition yet to pick up a point after an immensely promising offseason with some major signings.

Sutherland will have the perfect chance to kickstart their 2026 season this weekend, as they will aim to produce a statement win against one of the biggest clubs in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.

Blacktown City, however, will be coming into this match full of confidence, after suffering a 3-2 loss to rivals Rockdale Ilinden last weekend, and they will be aiming to respond confidently as they attempt to push up the ladder.

-By Jack George