A blockbuster four days of National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s football action awaits fans this Easter Long weekend.

Round seven gets underway on Good Friday with APIA Leichhardt Tigers gunning for top spot when they take on third placed Blacktown City before Sydney Olympic plays host to Manly United in the day’s late game.

Saturday will feature an in-form Marconi Stallions as they welcome a Sutherland Sharks team battling to fight their way off the bottom of the ladder.

The match action continues on Sunday as Rockdale City Suns hope to recover their season with a win against Sydney FC at Ilinden Sports Centre, while Hakoah Sydney City East face off against league leaders Wollongong Wolves.

Round seven comes to a close on Monday as Sydney United 58 take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Blacktown City, Friday 4pm at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers will have their eye on taking top spot when they host Blacktown City at Lambert Park this Friday.

The Tigers missed a chance to leapfrog Wollongong Wolves last round after being held to a scoreless draw by Hakoah Sydney City East.

John Calleja’s side won’t to throw away another chance like that and a return to their home ground could be the perfect recipe for APIA to rediscover their potency in front of goal.

A serious knee injury has forced David D’Apuzzo off the pitch for an extended stint but young midfielder Sam McIllhatton has stepped into his role in the centre of the park with aplomb.

However, the biggest selection headache facing Calleja is how he manages his wealth of defensive talent with Paul Galimi’s incredible performances keeping star centre back Josh Symons out of the starting eleven.

Blacktown City come into the contest sitting in third position after a narrow 1-0 win against Sydney FC.

A James Demetriou strike saved the day for City in a match where opportunities where few and far between. Off the bench Demetriou found his modjo and he too took his opportunity hoping to score a start this Friday.

The Mark Crittenden coached side has struggled to create and convert chances so far this season and boast the third worst goal tally in the league.  Only bottom side Sutherland Sharks and a struggling Rockdale City Suns outfit have found the back of the net less than Blacktown’s six goals.

Focus on keeping things tight at the back has been the secret to City’s climb up the ladder into third spot, but you would have to think their lack of goals could prove to be an Achilles Heel as the season progresses.

Blacktown’s defence will be up against arguably their toughest challenge of the season so far in an electric APIA attack.

It it sure to be a gripping contest between two sides renowned for pushing all the way until the final whistle.

 

Sydney Olympic FC v Manly United FC, Friday 4.45pm at Belmore Sports Ground

Sydney Olympic will be determined to end their Premiership hangover when they take on Manly United at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday.

It’s been a less than ideal start for the reigning premiers who slumped to yet another defeat last week at the hands of Rockdale City Suns.

Abbas Saad’s side has failed to replicate the brand of football which elevated them to an incredible Premiership and Championship double in 2018.

Saad will likely be forced to make a number of changes to his starting side this week with key players Hagi Gligor and Alex Sanchez succumbing to injury against Rockdale while Nikola Kuleski saw red against the Suns.

It will be a great chance for Olympic’s fringe players, like last week’s goal scorer Dimi Petratos, to make a name for themselves as the club battles to keep their season on track.

Their opponents Manly United have had a solid yet unspectacular start to the campaign but would be happy with their fifth spot on the ladder after six weeks.

Manly have only lost one game this season but have had their fair share of drawn matches and collecting a win on the road could be a turning point for Paul Dee’s side.

Last week’s scoreless draw against a 10-man Sutherland Sharks team will be seen as an opportunity lost by Manly with this week’s game a chance to makeup for the dropped points.

Dee has been fairly set with his starting side so far this season, one player that continues to grow in confidence week by week is attacker Dejan Pandurevic who is hoping he can sting the back of the net this Friday.

Olympic are in desperate need of a win but their struggle to find consistency and a growing injury ward could open the door for Manly to cause an upset on Good Friday.

 

Marconi Stallions v  Sutherland Sharks, Saturday 7pm at Marconi Stadium

Full of confidence and hitting top form, Marconi Stallions will be on a mission to collect nothing less than all three points when they host Sutherland Sharks on Saturday night at Marconi Stadium.

The Stallions put on a show of brilliant attacking football in the first half of their clash against Sydney United 58 last week on the way to claiming an incredible 5-0 drubbing of their local rivals.

Coach Peter Tsekenis will be hoping it is a sign of things to come from his side after a less than perfect start to the campaign which earmarked them as the early favourites to take out the title thanks to a number of high profile off-season signings.

It appears as if the star studded Stallions squad is starting to develop some chemistry with improved performances week after week.

Striker Mirjan Pavlovic’s hot run in front of goal in recent weeks will make him one of the first on the team sheet as Marconi look to climb their way up the ladder. Pavlovic has formed a deadly partnership with Marko Jesic with the two hitting a purple patch at the moment.

Sutherland earned some respite from their horror campaign so far when they claimed a 0-0 draw against Manly United last week.

However, Sharks gaffer Terry Palapanis will be hoping for much more from his players as they look to end a five week winless streak.

They will have to do so without key defender and club captain Marc Warren who was sent-off in the dying stages last round.

An injury to Quivi Fowler is also cause for concern for Palapanis with the young attacking midfielder one of a few bright spots for the Sharks so far this season.

Palapanis is hoping his Spanish connection of Juan Carlos Heras Romero and Raul Beneit Romero will spur his side on with the aid of marksman Jeremy Cox.

It could be a tough day at the office for Sutherland if they are below their best this week up against a Marconi outfit flying high and full of confidence.

 

Rockdale City Suns v Sydney FC, Sunday 4.30pm at Ilinden Sports Centre

A change in coach helped Rockdale return to the winners circle last week and they’ll be hoping to make it two in a row when they host Sydney FC on Sunday.

The Suns were able to bounce back from the sacking of Paul Reid to give new interim gaffer Nick Porrecca the perfect start to his time in the Rockdale hot seat with a 2-1 win against Sydney Olympic.

Porecca resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes last week to a Rockdale side which had failed to score in three games while conceding nine.

Leigh Egger and Aleks Canak returned to the starting team while Khang Hoon Cho was given a call up as the Suns delivered a much improved showing.

The Suns are still without star recruit Panny Nikas who remains sidelined with a knee injury while Alec Urosevski will be looking for a return to the starting team after coming off the bench for the past two games.

Sydney FC suffered a last ditch 1-0 loss last week to Blacktown City in an at times dour contest.

The Young Sky Blues struggled to create chances and paid the price after conceding a winner at the death.

Hamish Lamberton was rewarded with a starting berth after his incredible display seven days early coming on as a substitute. However the young midfielder was unable to replicate his form.

Liam McGing was a standout performer against Blacktown at the heart of defence.

It is sure to be an interesting contest with fans intrigued to see if Rockdale has turned the corner or if they will fall back into bad habits against a hard working and enthusiastic Sydney FC team.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves, Sunday 5pm at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East will be out to unsettle the league leaders when they host Wollongong Wolves at Hensley Athletic Field this Sunday.

Hakoah has had a solid start to the campaign but performances like last week’s 0-0 draw against APIA Leichhardt Tigers is sure to give them the confidence to take it to the competition front-running Wolves.

Bradley Walker’s return to the centre of defence last week was a big addition for Hakoah while Shohei Okuna showed flashes of brilliance playing on the flanks.

The absence of Amaury Gauthier at the point of the attack was felt last week with his replacement Hristijan Tanoski unable to challenge APIA’s back line.

Goals are one thing which has been lacking for Hakoah and if they are to stand a chance against Wollongong they will need to pinch a goal or two.

The Wolves come into the match on a six game unbeaten streak after a late comeback last week helped them avoid defeat in a 1-1 draw against Mt Druitt.

Striker Thomas James has been a revelation for the South Coast side and it was the English-born front man who came to the rescue from the penalty spot in Round six.

Coach Luke Wilkshire is sure to be concerned with how his side allowed Mt Druitt to dictate proceedings despite playing away from home.

Hakoah has shown they have a knack of suffocating opposition attacks especially at their home den and that will be needed if they are to shock Wollongong on Sunday.

 

Sydney United 58 v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Monday 3pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58’s season is at a crossroads and nothing less than a win against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Sydney United Sports Centre this Monday will be enough.

The Reds suffered a humiliating 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Marconi Stallions last week to fall to their second big defeat in three weeks.

It has been a roller coaster season for United 58 who are in desperate need of some consistency from their players.

During a whirlwind opening 30 minutes last week, Miro Vlastelica’s side were torn to pieces by an inspired Stallions team who struck five times to all but secure victory before the end of the opening stanza.

The absence of the injured Yianni Fragogiannis in the heart of defence is being felt with United’s leaky back-line a major cause for concern while club captain Nick Stavroulakis is also making a comeback with his presence sorely missed in last Saturday’s Western Sydney derby.

Defensive woes have also been a problem for opponents Mt Druitt who only two weeks ago conceded 12 goals in three days.

The Rangers bounced back somewhat in a 1-1 draw on the road against league leaders Wollongong Wolves but coach Aidan Desmond is sure to still have his concerns.

One concern sure to be facing Mt Druitt fans is the absence of star winger Toufic Alameddine who has not featured for the side in weeks.

The Rangers have shown that they won’t be a pushover side in the NPL NSW Men’s competition and have been able to hold their own. Alex Boyadjian threw himself about in the match against the Wolves last weekend and he will be out to do the same on Easter Monday.

United 58 will be determined for a big bounce back performance so Mt Druitt could be on the end of another big scoreline if they don’t come prepared.

 

Wollongong Wolves will be out to extend their five week run as competition leaders when Round 6 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition gets underway on Saturday.

The Wolves have been on top of the table since Round 1 but the chasing pack is hot on their tail.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers are Wollongong’s nearest challengers and are getting better each week.

This week’s football gets underway on Saturday night with a triple header of matches starting off with Sutherland Sharks hosting Manly United.

Saturday night’s games will also feature Sydney FC taking on Blacktown City at Lambert Park while Marconi Stallions host Sydney United 58.

On Sunday, Wollongong Wolves return to their WIN Stadium home ground to take on Mount Druitt Town Rangers and Sydney Olympic travel to Illinden Sports Centre to play Rockdale City Suns.

Hensley Athletic Field in the Sydney Suburb of Eastgardens will play host to the weekend’s final match with APIA travelling across town to take on Hakoah Sydney City East.

 

Sutherland Sharks vs Manly United, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw 

Sutherland Sharks will be desperate to avoid five straight defeats when they take on Manly United on Saturday.

The Sharks are rooted to the bottom of the table after a horror start to their 2019 campaign but if their performances have been anything to go by then good results can’t be far away.

The Terry Palapanis coached side were moments away from clinching a draw last round but conceded in the 93rd minute to give opponents Sydney United 58 the win.

Raul Romero had his best game in a Sharks jersey so far in the loss to United 58 and the midfielder’s performance was just one of many signs from Sutherland that they have much more to give than what fans have witnessed so far.

Marc Warren is another player who has been a leading light and the veteran defender’s experience will be important to turning things around.

Caoimhin ‘Quivi’ Fowler is a young gun with the ability to break a game open and has experience playing youth football at Eredivisie club Vitesse and Premier League outfit Cardiff City.

If he can find some consistency in his play then Manly will have trouble keeping skilful attacking midfielder in check.

Their opponents Manly United come into Round 6 in third position and have so far had a knack for late heroics.

The Northern Beaches side boast an enviable roster of attacking talent who know their way to the back of the net.

Last week’s 1-0 win against Blacktown City proved Manly can grind out a win as well.

Shot stopper Dylan Mitchell was a major part of that win and his form in between the sticks is sure to give plenty of confidence to the Manly defence.

While their is a big gap between the two side’s positions on the table, the match should be a much closer contest.

Manly will want to take advantage of Sutherland’s struggles but the Sharks sheer desperation to end their losing run could be enough to power them to an upset.

It could be a game with more than one twist in the plot.

 

Sydney FC vs Blacktown City, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park Leichhardt 

Back to back wins will be on the agenda for Sydney FC when they host Blacktown City at Lambert Park this Saturday.

The Young Sky Blues put four past Mount Druitt in an inspired second half performance.

The Jimmy van Weeren coached side have shown they are no walkovers and will be looking for nothing less than all three points this weekend.

Midfielder Hamish Lamberton was named man of the match despite coming on as a substitute last week and is sure to be considered for a starting berth against Blacktown.

One player young Sky Blues fans are sure to have their eye on is Luke Ivanovic.

The winger made his debut for the senior A-League side earlier this year and even scored in a match against Melbourne City.  He will be hoping to replicate that form in the NPL.

Sydney FC’s opponents Blacktown City come into this week’s match off the back of a narrow 1-0 loss to Manly United.

Currently in seventh position with two wins, two losses and a draw from their first five matches, Blacktown have had a mixed start to their campaign.

One player Crittenden will be hoping to see a greater contribution from is former A-League midfielder Devante Clut.

The one time Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets player has yet to truly get the most out of his talents since joining the Seven Hills based side in 2018.

Able to unlock a defence with pinpoint passing ability, Clut could be a game changer for City.

Blacktown City will be determined to break back into the top five with a win as will sixth placed Sydney FC.

Blacktown will go into the game as favourites but don’t be surprised if Sydney FC claim yet another big win.

 

Marconi Stallions v Sydney United 58, 7pm Saturday at Marconi Stadium

Dubbed the original #westernsydneyderby, Marconi Stallions will be hoping their return to winning ways last week is a sign of things to come as they prepare to take on Sydney United 58 this Saturday at Marconi Stadium.

It has been a season of mixed result so far for the Stallions with only two wins from their first five matches.

Injury and inconsistent form has plagued the Peter Tsekenis coached side but they will be hoping the win against Hakoah Sydney CIty East last round is the kick start they needed to get their campaign back on track.

Most promising for Marconi fans is the return to form of cult favourite Mirjan Pavlovic who scored a brace in last week’s 3-1 win.

The talented front man will be determined to continue his run especially after being sidelined for most of 2018 with injury.

Looking to stop Pavlovic this week will be his former club Sydney United 58.

The Reds have been strong performers this season and go into round six in fourth position with two wins and two draws from their opening five matches.

Last week United 58 snatched a last minute winner against Sutherland Sharks thanks to a Tariq Maia finish at the death.

The Miro Vlastelica coached outfit will be determined to make it back to back wins and close the gap on league leaders Wollongong.

Uruguayan import Sebastian Gallegos made his return from injury off the bench and will be looking to return to the starting line-up in coming weeks as well as another new recruit in Peter Simonoski.

Expect plenty of excitement from this clash with matches between these sides always featuring plenty of big moments.

 

Wollongong Wolves FC v Mount Druitt Town Rangers, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium

League leaders Wollongong Wolves will be out to put on a show when they return home to WIN Stadium to take on Mount Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday.

Wollongong added plenty of clout to their premiership credentials last round with a 2-0 win against reigning premiers Sydney Olympic.

Rookie coach and former Socceroos star Luke Wilkshire should return to the dugout this week after being forced to watch from the stands for receiving a red card in their round four clash.

The Wolves appear to be delivering on their potential after years of underachieving and WIlkshire’s off-season recruitment has played a big part.

Gone is the club’s previous strategy of bringing in ageing big names looking for a final swan song and instead local talents from the Illawarra Premier League and hidden gems from outside the NPL NSW have helped the team last success.

One example of that is Harry Callahan who joined from IPL champions Bulli and has gone from strength to strength since the start of the season.

Wolves defender Nikola Djordjevic also earned himself a spot in the Team of the Week for Round 5 with a solid performance as Wollongong held out Olympic’s star striker Alex Sanchez.

Their opponents Mount Druitt come into this clash on the back of a horror week where they lost twice in four days and conceded a whopping ten goals in the process.

The packed schedule obviously got the better of Aidan Desmond’s side who had up to that point had held their own against the NPL NSW’s top sides.

After Sydney Olympic put six goals past them on Wednesday, the Rangers suffered further humiliation as Sydney FC scored four unanswered goals to fight back from 2-0 down.

While there was little to smile about from either results, Jordan Gomez and Cooper Coskerie were once again Mount Druitt’s best.

If the competition new boys deliver a similar performance to their previous two matches then this clash against the league leading Wolves could get messy.

 

Rockdale City Suns FC v Sydney Olympic FC, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Three catastrophic defeats in a row cost Paul Reid his job as Rockdale coach but will new City Suns boss Nick Porreca be able right the ship on Sunday when they return to Ilinden Sports Centre to take on Sydney Olympic.

The board of Rockdale made this decision on Monday after the side slumped to its third straight loss on Sunday as APIA thrashed them 4-0 at Lambert Park to cap off a horror start for a side touted to challenge for the title.

It was an unfortunate end to Reid’s tenure in the top job at Ilinden Sports Centre but no the challenge falls to Porreca to rescue Rockdale’s season after a run of poor performances.

Despite Rockdale’s embarrassing statistic of no goals scored in three games, Porecca’s first task is sure to be fixing a leaky defence which has shipped nine goals during the same time period.

It will be interesting to see how the side lines-up against Olympic with Porecca surely set to swing the axe on a number of Rockdale’s struggling veterans.

The injury to high profile off-season addition Panny Nikas is another major concern for the Suns with the team desperate for a win.

Olympic will be out to take advantage of Rockdale’s struggles but will be cautious of a new coach bounce in form from the Suns.

However, reigning premiers Olympic haven’t had the best start to the season themselves and come into this match after suffering a 2-0 loss to league leaders Wollongong last week.

The Abbas Saad coached side has been blighted by inconsistency and have only recorded back to back wins once so far this season.

It is surely a concern for Saad as their ability to deliver strong performances week in and week out played a major part in last season’s success.

The Olympic defence will be under the spotlight this week with Thomas Whiteside and Mitchell Stamatellis sure to face plenty of action from a Rockdale front third desperate to break their three game scoring duck.

While only six weeks into the season, this match could prove to be a turning point for either side.

It is sure to be an enthralling contest and one that shouldn’t be missed.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 5pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field

APiA Leichhardt Tiger’s Kiwi International Andre de Jong is set for his first match against his former club Hakoah Sydney City East when the two teams go head to head at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.

It will only be de Jong’s second match in an APIA Jersey after joining the Lambert Park based club following three successful seasons at Hakoah which included their Waratah Cup win in 2017 and run to the FFA Cup quarter-finals.

Hakoah come into the match after having suffered two losses on the trot and will be determined to get back to winning ways.

They won’t want their former club star having a field day at his former hunting grounds with Sydney City East coach Gavin Rae sure to implement a strategy to nullify their one time favourite son.

Solid defensive performances helped deliver back-to-back wins in the opening weeks for Hakoah but the side has been unable to find that defensive steel over the past fortnight to slump to a record of two wins and three losses from their five games so far.

Against APIA they will need to find a way to rediscover that defensive solidarity with de Jong just one of many talented players they will need to contend with.

In contrast to Hakoah, The Tigers have taken their game to a new level over the past two weeks with big wins over competition favourites Sydney United 58 and Rockdale City Suns.

One player they will need to watch for is Chris Payne who has five goals from two matches.

APIA boss John Calleja has his team playing great football and the addition of de Jong to the team is a scary proposition for their opponents.

Hakoah has been a little bit of a bogey team for APIA in recent seasons with a handful of big upsets against the Tigers.

The Eastern Suburbs side know how to get under APIA’s skin and shouldn’t be underestimated on Sunday.

The National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is in full flight after four weeks and it’s going to heat up even more this weekend when Round 5 kicks-off on Saturday night.

Wollongong Wolves have had an electric start to the season and sit at the top of the pile with three wins and a draw from their first four games.

The round gets under way on Saturday with two matches as Sutherland Sharks host Sydney United 58 while Sydney FC go west to take on Mount Druitt at Popondetta Park.

Sunday will feature four big matches including a grudge match between APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Rockdale City Suns.

Other matches on Sunday include Manly’s clash against Blacktown City, Sydney Olympic taking on Wollongong while Marconi Stallions’ game against Hakoah Sydney City East closes out the Round 5 action.

 

Sutherland Sharks v Sydney United 58, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw

Three losses from their first four games is not the way Sutherland Sharks would’ve wanted to start their season but they will have a chance to make amends when they host Sydney United 58 at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

A narrow 1-0 loss to Blacktown City in round four was another painful defeat for the Terry Palapanis coached side.

Despite their poor results, Sutherland have shown plenty of potential and should’ve come away with much more from their past three matches.

Against Blacktown City last Sunday, new recruit Caoimhin Fowler and Lachlan Everett stole the show and were unlucky not to find the back of the net with their attacking displays.

Momentary lapses have proved costly for the Sharks and if they can keep it together will be a good chance of snapping their losing streak.

United 58 come into the game off the back of defeat as well with the Reds suffering a 3-1 loss to APIA Leichhardt Tigers last week.

It was their first defeat of the season as they were undone by their former star striker, now playing for APIA, Chris Payne.

Injuries to Petar Markovic and Patrick Antelmi will give coach Miro Vlastelica plenty to ponder going into this weekend’s match.

The Reds are hoping that their Uruguayan star Sebastián Gallegos could be ready to go this Saturday after an injury lay-off in pre-season.

United 58 will be the favourites for this clash but Sutherland have the players to cause an upset as they did so against 2018 Premiers and Champions Sydney Olympic in round 1.

 

Mount Druitt Town Rangers v Sydney FC, 7pm Saturday at Popondetta Park

Mount Druitt Town Rangers will be pushed to their limits on Saturday night as they kit up for their third game in seven days when they take on Sydney FC at Popondetta Park.

The competition new boys have made a good showing of their time in the NSW top flight and will be a contended for finals football if they keep up their early season form.

Coach Aidan Desmond will need to find a way to get the most from his fatigued players in a match the club will view as a must win contest.

Cooper Coskerie had a breakout performance in the Rangers win against Rockdale City Suns last weekend, scoring the match winning goal in a brilliant showing for Mount Druitt.

Coskerie has shown he can be a dangerous customer in attack and Desmond may call on him more and more as the season progresses.

Goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre’s name has earned plenty of column inches since the start of the season with the experienced shot stopper making an inspired return to the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Expect another big week from the former Blacktown Spartans keeper.

Their opponents Sydney FC come into the game on the back of a 4-3 defeat at the hands of league leaders Wollongong Wolves.

While the Young Sky Blues conceded four goals, coach Jimmy van Weeren will be pleased with how his side played until the final whistle to nearly snatch a point.

While the excitement of their round one win against Hakoah has worn off, Sydney FC haven’t completely fallen away despite the results not going their way in the preceding three matches.

Marco Tilio and Jordan Swibel have proven to be a reliable option in attack and will again be expected to lead the charge.

Neither side go into the match as outright favourites but Mount Druitt as the home team might hold the upper hand.

Either way it is sure to be an exciting contest.

 

Manly United FC v Blacktown City FC, 3pm Sunday at Cromer Park

Back to back wins will be the goal for Manly United when they host Blacktown City at Cromer Park this Sunday.

Buoyed by their last minute win against Marconi last week, the boys from the Northern Beaches will be full of confidence as they take on a City outfit still finding its feet after an off season roster overhaul.

It’s been a mixed start to the season for Manly but they’ve shown plenty of promise and have only lost one game from their opening four.

Coach Paul Dee will want more consistency from his troops as well as improved composure on match day.

Defender Travis Oughtred was a rock at the back against the Stallions and a similar performance will be needed to stop Blacktown.

In attack Manly boast plenty of options with the return of Dejan Pandurevic and Adam Parkhouse, as well as the signing of Charles Mendy, giving the team multiple ways to sting their opponent.

The ever elusive Brendan Cholakian has also been a menace for Manly in the front third and he will be in and amongst all the action on Saturday.

Their opponents Blacktown City will be up for this match and determined to keep their winning form alive.

While resilience and a little bit of luck was the secret to their narrow 1-0 win against Sutherland Sharks last week, Blacktown has shown their roster overhaul has not seen them drop their standards on the pitch.

Leroy Jennings has been a shrewd acquisition for the Seven Hills based side while club veterans Matt Lewis, Grant Lynch and Joey Gibbs continue to perform.

Both teams have the players to turn the game into a shootout so goals could be on the menu in Manly this Sunday.

 

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Rockdale City Suns, 3.30pm Sunday at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers will be looking to add to the misery of a struggling Rockdale City Suns team when the two sides face off at Lambert Park on Sunday.

The Tigers claimed a huge statement victory last round with a 3-1 triumph against Sydney United 58 thanks to a masterclass from star signing Chris Payne who netted a hat-trick against his former club.

Sunday’s performance was APIA’s best so far this year and a big statement of intent from last season’s Waratah Cup winners.

Payne showed yet again why he has been so successful in this competition and will be salivating at the chance of taking on a defence low on confidence after two sapping defeats.

Coach John Calleja could have some tough selection decisions to make with Paul Galimi excelling at centre back against United 58 in place of usual starter Josh Symons who was on the bench.

Young midfielder Sam McIllhatton has also been a handy player for APIA off the bench and he will also be pushing for a starting berth.

The club will also unearth a new weapon in former Kiwi International Andre De Jong. The ace attacker was one of Hakoah Sydney City East’s finest stars and he will certainly add more spark to what is a pretty strong attack.

Rockdale on the other hand have had a horror fortnight and come into the match after two heartbreaking losses to Hakoah Sydney City East and Mount Druitt Town Rangers.

The most frustrating thing for Paul Reid and his team has been that they have dominated both matches and should’ve claimed big wins if they were able to make the most of their plethora of chances.

Jordan Figon made a return to the starting line-up to replace Jonathan Grozdanovski last week but he too struggled to find the score sheet.

Star siging Panny Nikas missed last week with injury and Rockdale will be hoping he can make a speedy return – however early prognosis has hinted that he may be spending a weeks on the sidelines.

Reid will be desperate to find the answer to his side’s struggles but a grudge match against a high flying APIA won’t give him much room for error.

Rockdale will need to get out of their funk fast if they’re to take home any points from this encounter especially with a fired up APIA looking stronger by the week.

 

Sydney Olympic FC v Wollongong Wolves, 4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

It’s not been Sydney Olympic’s best start to a season and the reigning Premiers will have a point to prove when they host league leaders Wollongong Wolves at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday

Olympic finally clinched their first win of the campaign last week in a dour and physical encounter against Hakoah Sydney City East.

Against The Wolves they will need to bring even more with the pressure on star Spanish striker Alex Sanchez to rediscover the goal scoring prowess which saw him take the league by storm last season.

Jinya An and Nikola Kuleski will be hoping to make a return to the Olympic starting side after performing well coming off the bench last week.

The Wolves come into the contest off the back of their third win in four games as they remain undefeated to start the season.

However, it’s not all sunny for Wollongong who nearly blew a 4-1 lead last week before clinging on to a 4-3 victory against Sydney FC.

They will be without coach Luke Wilkshire for this clash after he was shown a red card for a tirade against the match officials.

Thomas James has been the star performer for the Wolves and he will need to continue carrying the attack especially against a disciplined Olympic back line.

It will be a blockbuster clash and a brilliant chance for either side to prove their title credentials.

 

Marconi Stallions v Hakoah Sydney City East, 7pm Sunday at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions will be looking to bounce back from last week’s dramatic late defeat to Manly United when they host Hakoah Sydney City East at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.

The Stallions would’ve thought they were on track for a 1-1 draw against Manly before conceding a penalty deep into added time. Brendan Cholakian duly converted the spot kick and condemned Marconi to their second loss of the campaign.

While they may boast one of the most star studded line-up on paper, Marconi has been unable to convert that into results.

Coach Peter Tsekenis will be asking much more from his sides big name signings.

They will be without Nathan Millgate for this weekends match after he was sent off against Manly for dissent.

Hakoah were given a bit of a reality check last week against Sydney Olympic after winning their previous two matches.

Goalkeeper Ryan Norval has been an incredible addition to the Eastern Suburbs side this season with his performances between the sticks a big part of Hakoah’s success.

Amaury Gauthier has been another bright spot for Hakoah with the striker in fine fettle.

Gavin Rae’s side have shown so far this season that they like to sit deep and pounce on the counter attack.

Their dogged defence is hard to break down and for the most part they have taken advantage of the few chances which have come their way in attack.

Expect much more of the same against the Stallions.

Marconi’s star power filled line-up should, on paper, beat any team in the competition.

But, football isn’t played on paper and Hakoah could very easily cause an upset if the Stallions don’t play to their full potential.

Week four of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition is upon us and if last week’s action was anything to go by the season is really starting to heat up.

Wollongong Wolves clung onto top spot despite being held to a draw in round three, but Hakoah Sydney City East is on their tail only one point behind in second spot.

The Wolves will return to action on Saturday in the opening match of round 4 when they take on Sydney FC.

Saturday will also feature Marconi Stallions hosting Manly United at Marconi Stadium.

On Sunday four games will take place with Blacktown City taking on Sutherland Sharks, Rockdale playing Mount Druitt Town Rangers, a clash between Hakoah Sydney City East and Sydney Olympic while Sydney United 58 will wrap up the round’s action against APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

Next Wednesday will also feature midweek football as Mount Druitt hosts Sydney Olympic in a catchup match from their rained out round 2 clash.

 

Sydney FC v Wollongong Wolves, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Sydney FC will be out to upset the competition leaders on Saturday when they host Wollongong Wolves at Lambert Park.

The Young Sky Blues were given a reality check last round as they suffered a 2-0 loss to Marconi Stallions.

It was a tough day at the office for Sydney FC who struggled to find their way in attack.

They will need to work on their effort in the final third if they are to get the win this weekend.

Once again Marco Tilio was the main outlet in attack but he will need some assistance.

Their opponents this week is a Wollongong side flying high at the top of the table.

New coach Luke Wilkshire has the team excelling and unbeaten in three games.

One of the star players has been striker Thomas James who just can’t stop scoring and added to his tally once again last week against Sydney United 58.

He really has been the talk of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Japanese Midfielder Takeru Okada also had a breakthrough performance last round against Sydney United 58 and will be full of confidence for a another big showing.

Wollongong have set the pace this season so far and they will be tough to beat.

However, Sydney’s young players shouldn’t be written off and if they can put in a strong performance they will be in with a shot of pulling off an upset.

 

Marconi Stallions v Manly United, 7pm Saturday at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions found their groove last week and will be out to make it two wins on the trot when they host Manly United on Saturday.

Their round three win against Sydney FC was the first victory of the campaign and a return to form for the Stallions.

New recruit Anthony Frangie had his best game in Marconi colours so far which is sure to excite club coach Peter Tsekenis and their fans.

Frangie isn’t the only new recruit at Marconi Stadium making a mark with Girogio Speranza proving to be an inspired acquisition.

With so many talented players on their roster, Marconi will be sure to test any opposition and their opponents this week Manly know they will need to be at their best.

The Northern Beaches based side were held to a 2-2 draw by Mount Druitt last week despite taking an early lead.

It was the second straight draw for Manly who have yet to taste victory this season.

Against Marconi they will look to creative midfielder Brendan Cholakian, who claimed a brace against Mount Druitt, one an absolute pearl of a shot, as well as defensive contributor Kieran Paull.

Desperate for a win, Manly will throw everything at Marconi’s star studded squad.

It is sure to be an exciting match with plenty of goals on the menu.

 

Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks FC, 3pm Sunday at Lily Homes Stadium

A thrilling draw to Sydney Olympic last week is sure to be a motivator for Blacktown City this week as they host Sutherland Sharks.

Blacktown were forced to settle for a point at Belmore Oval despite taking a 2-0 lead and it is sure to be seen as an opportunity lost for the Mark Crittenden coached side.

Leroy Jennings has been one of the standouts for City this campaign since joining the side in the offseason from Sutherland Sharks.

His contribution in attack, alongside the performances of Blacktown club veterans Matt Lewis, Joey Gibbs and Grant Lynch will be key to their success on Sunday.

Their opponents this week is a young Sutherland Sharks team who have shown plenty of promise.

A round one win against reigning Premiers Sydney Olympic hinted that the Sharks could be a surprise packed this campaign but back to back defeats has seen the buzz settle a bit.

A win against Blacktown would be the perfect tonic for the boys from the Shire as they set out to bounce back to winning ways.

Former A-League defender Marc Warren has taken on the captaincy duty with aplomb for his new club and has been week in and week out Sutherland’s best performer.

If the side’s other high profile additions such as Matteo Poljak as well as Spanish duo Juan Carlos and Raul Beneit Romero are able to hit their top form then the Sharks could be ones to watch out for.

Blacktown will go into the game as favourites but Sutherland has the cattle to spring an upset.

 

Rockdale City Suns FC v Mount Druitt Town Rangers, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale City Suns will be desperate to forget last week’s horror defeat and will be determined to bounce back with a big win against Mount Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday.

Despite dominating almost all facets of the game, Rockdale went down 3-0 against Hakoah Sydney City East in what was best described as a smash and grab.

Coach Paul Reid was quick to reassure his players and without a doubt they will be motivated to make up for the shock loss last week.

Alec Urosevski was a standout performer against Hakoah and was very unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet.

Finishing in front of goal and making the most of chances will be a key topic at training this week for Rockdale.

Their opponent this week is a Mount Druitt side who is making the most of their new found top tier status after winning promotion from NPL 2 at the end of last season.

The Aidan Desmond coached side has held their own so far and none more so than an impressive fightback against Manly to snatch a 2-2 draw last week.

This week’s game will have extra meaning for winger Toufic Alameddine who faces off against his former Rockdale teammates for the first time.

Rockdale will not want a repeat of last round’s loss so expect them to be firing from the outset.

Mount Druitt showed they aren’t lacking any fighting spirit so they will be out to push their highly favoured opponents all the way.

 

Hakoah Sydney City East FC v Sydney Olympic, 5pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field

A third consecutive win will be the objective for Hakoah Sydney City East when they host Sydney Olympic at Hensley Athletic Field this Sunday.

The Eastern Suburbs side is flying high in second spot on the ladder and still flying under the radar after three rounds thanks to back to back wins against Sutherland Sharks and Rockdale Sydney City East.

Last week’s 3-0 win against Rockdale was a brilliant display of Hakoah’s patience and resilience as they weathered a storm of attack and limited possession to claw out a brilliant victory.

It will take a similar performance this week against the league’s reigning champions and coach Gavin Rae will surely have his troops fired up for another big showing.

Ryan Norval has been in amazing form in recent weeks and he is set to be a vital piece of the puzzle in this week’s matchup with the goalkeeper set for another busy outing between the sticks.

Amaury Gauthier up front and Adison Sayan in the middle of the park have also been impressive while Nathan Roberts has also provided a solid contribution.

Their opponents Sydney Olympic will be out to see if Hakoah are the real deal.

An incredible 3-3 draw last round against Blacktown City showed that Olympic have plenty of fighting spirit as they battled back from 2-0 down to secure a vital point.

Jason Madonis was the standout for the Abbas Saad coached Blues with his high energy performance.

Star striker Alex Sanchez is returning to top form and will be a handful for the Hakoah defence.

Olympic has not enjoyed the start to the season they would’ve envisioned but remain favourites for this clash.

Hakoah has shown they can hold their own and more against anyone and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they replicate their victory from a week early.

One thing for sure is Hensley Athletic Field is set for a blockbuster this Sunday

 

Sydney United 58 FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 5pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 is set to face off against rivals APIA Leichhardt Tigers on Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre in a blockbuster match.

United 58 ended Wollongong Wolves winning streak last week with a 2-2 draw at home and are beginning to find their grove.

Miro Vlastelica’s side remain unbeaten with two draws and a win from the first three games to put them in striking distance of top spot.

The departures of Panny Nikas and Chris Payne has seemingly not been felt too heavily by The Reds with Patrick Antelmi one player to have taken on a more central role.

Antelmi will need to be at his best to challenge a battle tested APIA defence but he has the skill to turn a game at any moment.

Another player really finding his element with the Reds is young gun Tariq Maia. He along with Jordan Roberts were the unsung heroes in their side’s 2-2 draw against the Wolves last Sunday.

The Tigers come into the match on the back of a 2-1 win against Sutherland and proved that their 3-0 loss against Wollongong the previous week was a mere lapse.

Payne returns to take on his former club this week in what is sure to be an interesting subplot

The striker claimed a brace against the Sharks and will be out to get one against United 58.

Corey Biczo has been another player in fine form and his speed and trickery on the ball could provide headaches for the Sydney United 58 defence

Matches between these two sides are always full of excitement and this one is sure to be no different.

 

RESCHEDULED FIXTURE

Mount Druitt v Sydney Olympic FC, 7.30pm Wednesday 3rd April at Popondetta Park

A second game in four days is sure to test Mount Druitt Town Rangers when they host Sydney Olympic FC in a rescheduled Round 2 clash at Popondetta Park this Wednesday.

The Rangers have not looked out of place in NSW’s top tier since winning promotion but this match, especially backing up for a second game in a few days, will be one of their biggest tests.

Carlos Saliadarre has really savoured his return to the NPL NSW Men’s competition and has been in red hot form between the sticks.

Coach Aidan Desmond has prepared a well disciplined unit which showed off plenty of fighting spirit in their Round three clash to claw their way back for a draw against Manly united.

They will need more of the same if they are to take home the points against Sydney Olympic.

Olympic come into the game in less than top form but have shown flashes of what they’re capable of.

The Abbas Saad coach side will also need to deal with the challenges of playing back to back games with squad depth sure to be tested.

Haji Gligor has made an impressive return from injury this season and will be expected to marshal the midfield in this match.

This match will be a big test for both sides and a win would give either team a major confidence boost early in the season.

Two rounds of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Competition are in the book and things are only going to heat up even more when with this weekend’s round three action get’s underway on Saturday night.

Wollongong Wolves have had a perfect start under new boss Luke Wilkshire and are shock ladder leaders with two wins from two matches.

This weekend they will be out to make it three from three when they travel to take on a Sydney United 58 side who would love nothing more than to end the Wolves streak.

Saturday night will feature three matches headlined by Sutherland Sharks hosting APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

There will also be three matches on Sunday as reigning premiers Sydney Olympic host Blacktown City, while Hakoah Sydney City East travel to Rockdale.

If the first two weeks are anything to go by it is sure to be another blockbuster round of action.

 

Sutherland Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw.

Sutherland Sharks will be determined to prove last week’s shock loss was a rare lapse and not a sign of things to come when they host APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

The Sharks made a fast start to the 2019 season with a stunning 1-0 win on the road against reigning premiers Sydney Olympic, but a loss to Hakoah Sydney City East last week was a sudden crash back to earth for the boys from the Shire.

Coach Terry Palapanis will be looking to Marc Warren to help marshall the defence as he did in week one, while the combination between Spanish midfield duo Juan and Raul Romero with Jeremy Cox up front will be the cornerstone of Sutherland’s attack.

Their opponents APIA Leichhardt Tigers come into the game with a similar point to prove.

John Calleja’s side was on the wrong side of a 3-0 thumping from Wollongong and are driven to bounce back in quick fashion.

New signing Chris Payne is hoping he can kick start his goal scoring tally with his new club against the Sharks after he had a number of flawed changes in the team’s humbling 3-0 loss to the Wollongong Wolves last Sunday.

Aside from Payne, Calleja is hoping his defence will keep it water tight as they were in 2018 so expect big games from Themba Muata Marlow and Josh Symons while expect the return from suspension of Paul Galimi to hype up his troops.

Early season results are important in setting the standard for the year ahead so expect nothing less than an all out grudge match when these sides face off.

 

Sydney FC v Marconi Stallions, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Sydney FC have proven in the first two rounds they are no easy beats and they will be out to emphasise that with a win against Marconi Stallions on Saturday night at Lambert Park.

A hard fought 1-1 draw against Manly United in week two was a solid follow up from the young Sky Blue’s 2-1 win against Hakoah in week one as last season’s wooden spooners show they have come a long way.

One player that made the headlines was striker Hamish Lamberton.

Dubbed scoring a “Messi” like goal against Manly United, he will hope he can make it two from two with the clash against the winless Stallions.

Skipper Liam McGing has shown that he is one of the most consistent defenders in the NPL competition and will need to be at his very best in marshalling the Stallions attack.

The game will be a must win for Marconi who have had a horror start to the campaign with back to back defeats in their opening two games.

Stung 1-0 by APIA in week one, Marconi suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against Rockdale City Suns in their next fixture.

For a side featuring the attacking talents of Mirjan Pavlovic, James Andrew, Mitch Mallia, Anthony Frangie, Richie Cardozo and Marko Jesic goals shouldn’t be hard to come by.

Expect the Peter Tsekenis coached side to throw everything at Sydney FC in search of their first points of the season, a loss could really put pressure however on the side.

 

Manly United v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, 7pm Saturday at Cromer Park

A maiden win for the 2019 season will be on the cards when Manly United and Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off at Cromer Park on Saturday.

Sydney’s recent wild weather has meant the round three fixture has become a home game for Manly with Mt Druitt’s Popondetta Park still recovering from the heavy rain.

Manly will be out to make the most of the unexpected return to Cromer and claim all three points after last week being held by Sydney FC 1-1.

Sam Gallagher found the back of the net for Paul Dee’s Manly side for the second successive week and will be out to continue his impressive start to the campaign.

The pressure will also be on Manly’s attacking stars of Brendan Cholakian, Dejan Pandurevic and Adam Parkhouse to make the most of their chances after being some what stifled by the Young Sky Blues in round two.

Mt Druitt come into the match after an impromptu week off after their game against Sydney Olympic last week was washed out.

The long break between their 1-0 opening round loss to local rivals Blacktown City has given them time to regroup as they set out for their first win in the NSW state league top flight since earning promotion.

Despite the loss against Blacktown, Mt Druitt didn’t look out of place and hopefully Toufic Alameddine and Adrian Vranic can fire to help the Rangers on the scoresheet.

It is sure to be an exciting clash with both teams desperate to notch their first three points of the season.

 

Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City, 4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Reinging National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiers Sydney Olympic will be hoping to kick-start their campaign with a win against Blacktown City this Sunday.

A shock round one loss to Sutherland Sharks and then a washed out match last week has made it a frustrating opening two weeks to the season for Olympic.

Hagi Gligor was a standout despite his side’s defeat in week one, while Alejandro Sanchez will be determined to carry the weight of Olympic’s attack with a bounce back performance of his own.

For Blacktown City it has been a mixed start to the campaign.

A narrow win against Mt Druitt in week one provided positive signs but City were unable to back up as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Sydney United 58 last week.

It is a season of transition for Mark Crittenden’s side this year after the departure of a number of his former stars and the veteran coach will need to show his best work to get his new squad firing.

Devante Clut has been a standout for Blacktown while new signing Leroy Jennings impressed in the round one win.

Skipper Matthew Lewis is hoping his experience can steer his young chargers towards the three points so expect plenty of excitement in this clash.

 

Rockdale City Suns v Hakoah Sydney City East, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale City Suns will be hoping to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they host Hakoah Sydney City East this Sunday.

Paul Reid’s side have shown why they will be a team to watch out for this season with two solid results to start the season including last week’s 2-1 win on the road against Marconi Stallions.

Big name star Panny Nikas has slowly worked his way into the team after returning from a serious knee injury and scored his maiden goal for his new club last week.

Matthew Lecce, a former Wanderer, has arguably been the club’s best performer in the two games played and the young gun is hoping to put in another huge performance against Hakoah.

Last round Hakoah showed a tonne of heart to win 1-0 against Sutherland Sharks.

The Eastern Suburbs based side had a tough defeat in week one but a courageous performance from shot stopper Ryan Norval and an impressive goal from Jack Green helped the Gavin Rae coached side claim all three points.

Rae will want his side to show that same spirit this week as they take on the biggest test they have faced this season so far.

 

Sydney United 58 v Wollongong Wolves, 5pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 will be hoping to end Wollongong’s rampaging start to the season when the two sides go head to head this Sunday.

Fourth placed United 58 have had a solid start to the season to remain undefeated with a draw and a win from their opening two games. Victory against Wollgongong could be the statement victory which really kicks Miro Vlastelica’s side into gear.

Last round they snatched a narrow 1-0 win against Blacktown City thanks to a brilliant Matt Sim free-kick.

Shot stopper Thomas Manos has been in sterling form and has kept two clean-sheets. Assisted by the defensive pairing of Yianni Fragogiannis and Petar Markovic, the Reds have assembled a tight defence with the club also expecting Adrian Vlastlecia to the fold.

Josh Macdonald made his debut for the Reds coming off the bench last week and he will look towards a start while Patrick Antelmi added some attacking power against his former club and will hope he can repeat the same effort against another ex-Club of his.

For Wollgonong their two wins from as many games has given new boss Luke Wilkshire the perfect start to his senior coaching career.

However, The Wolves face their biggest test yet this week.

English striker Thomas James has proven to be a shrewd signing for Wilkshire and last week’s incredible hat-trick against APIA proved what he is capable of.

James is sure to tie the United 58 defence in knots this week and he could be on the scoresheet again if they’re not careful.

Japanese import Takeru Okada has also been a strong contributor for the South Coast side pulling the strings in midfield.

Nick Littler has also been solid in the Wolves back-line and he is hoping he can further tighten things up against United 58.

Look out for former Wanderer Lachlan Scott to do some damage as the young striker goes in search for his maiden goal for 2019.

Wollongong has shot out of the gates to start the season but Sunday’s clash could be a match which proves if they are the real deal.