IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 12 Preview
Round 12 of the IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s competition sees the Match of the Round take place at Marconi Stadium, where Marconi Stallions will host Blacktown Spartans.
Rockdale City, Marconi and Sydney United 58 are separated by but a few points at the top of the table, whilst in mid-table, only six points separates fourth and tenth.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Marconi Stallions vs Blacktown Spartans, 1pm Sunday at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions are just a point off the top of the table heading into Round 12. They are breathing down the neck of first placed Rockdale City Suns and will be looking to keep the heat right on them but beating Blacktown Spartans in this week’s Match of the Round.
Blacktown Spartans are sixth, but only a point shy of third place, as the mid-table becomes more and more cramped week by week. On their day, Spartans can beat any team in the competition and given their potency in attack, they have more than enough quality to threaten Marconi in what should be an open, attacking match.
ROUND 12 PREVIEW
SATURDAY
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs Sydney Olympic FC, 5pm at Pluim Park
CCM Academy are another side caught in the mid-table cluster that has developed in recent weeks.
They proved their ability in the opening six weeks of the season but have struggled since, but they have a golden opportunity to get themselves back into shape against rock-bottom Sydney Olympic FC.
Olympic have struggled all season, but managed to upset APIA Leichhardt Tigers last weekend and will hope that a win here could set them on a run back towards the middle of the table.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 5pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Bonnyrigg White Eagles are third from bottom but in terms of points are also part of the previously mentioned mid-table cluster.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers, meanwhile, are fifth. They are one point shy of third but only three points clear of their weekend opponents Bonnyrigg, where a win for either side could change the complexion of the table entirely.
Blacktown City FC vs Rockdale City Suns, 5pm at Lily Homes Stadium
Blacktown City FC have quietly gone about their work this season and ground out a good 1-0 win against Manly United FC at Cromer Park in last weekend’s Match of the Round.
They are only four points away from the top of the table, a position held by their weekend opponents, Rockdale City Suns. Despite losing last week, Rockdale City are still at the top, but with only a one point buffer.
Sutherland Sharks vs South Coast Wolves, 5pm at Seymour Shaw Park
Sutherland Sharks are in eight place but are only a handful of points away from a top five position.
They are up against South Coast Wolves on Saturday evening, and a win for Wolves would catapult them right into the mid-table scrap and push them further away from the bottom of the table.
SUNDAY
Sydney United 58 FC vs Manly United FC, 10am at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 host Manly United on Sunday morning on their new synthetic pitch at Edensor Park.
Sydney United have been a constant presence at the top of the table and are currently sitting in third place behind Rockdale City and Marconi Stallions.
Manly United have shown potential and only profligacy in front of goal stopped them taking a point from their match against Blacktown City last weekend. They have the attacking quality to trouble Sydney United 58, particularly from Dylan Whitlock and Tommy Morrisey.
– by Matthew Connellan
