IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round Five Preview
The Match of the Round sees new leaders of the table, Blacktown City FC play Manly United FC on Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park.
The weekend will also see APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC hoping to claim their first win for the season and Sutherland Sharks FC looking to continue their undefeated run.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Manly United FC vs Blacktown City FC, 1pm Sunday at Cromer Park
Manly United FC will have the home ground advantage when they play top of the table Blacktown City FC at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.
Manly have won two and lost two so far in the season and will have to be in top form to deny the visiting side all three points.
Blacktown City FC have shown they are a force to be reckoned with this season, after another convincing win in round four where they put away five goals at home to APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC.
With three wins in four matches, Blacktown City FC will be looking for another to continue their string of victories and maintain their position on the table.
ROUND FIVE PREVIEW
SATURDAY
Blacktown Spartans FC vs Sydney United 58 FC, 5:30pm at Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans FC host Sydney United 58 FC at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday evening.
The home side had their second loss last weekend to Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC and will be looking for more consistent wins to push them up the table.
Sydney United 58 have won their past two matches and after a slow start to the season are developing their form and will be tough opponents for the home side.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC, 5:30pm at Lambert Park
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC have had a dire start to the season, conceding 10 goals in four matches and remain the only winless team in the competition.
They will need to start stringing together some far better performances when they play Sutherland Sharks FC in their second match at the new Lambert Park on Saturday evening.
But the home side will face a tough match against Sutherland who remain unbeaten and are sitting second only to Blacktown City FC.
Sutherland’s youthful squad has proved an advantage so far in the competition, bouncing back from 2-0 down to Marconi in the Match of the Round last weekend, to claim a share of the points with a 2-2 draw.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Sydney Olympic FC, 5:30pm at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions FC will have the home ground advantage when they play Sydney Olympic FC on Saturday evening.
Marconi Stallions played out a draw last weekend in the Match of the Round, a result that disappointed coach, Pat Marando, given the countless chances they had in the first half and the fact that they led 2-0 at the break.
They were unable to deal with Sutherland in the second half though and ended up having to settle for a point.
Sydney Olympic have one win, one loss and two draws to show from their first four matches. They have scored eight goals, but have also conceded the same amount and will be hoping to tighten their defence in order to claim more consistent wins this season.
SUNDAY
St George FC vs Rockdale City Suns FC, 1pm at Seymour Shaw Park
St George FC have had one win, two draws and a loss so far in the season and will be looking to earn the valuable three points when they encounter Rockdale City Suns FC on Sunday afternoon.
Rockdale City Suns were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat to South Coast Wolves last weekend. It’s their second big loss in the season, indicating they will have plenty of work to do.
South Coast Wolves vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 1pm at WIN Stadium
Fourth hosts third when South Coast Wolves play Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC at WIN Stadium in the closing match of round four.
South Coast Wolves have developed strongly so far in the season, a 3-0 win to Rockdale City Suns FC last weekend a real measure of their progress.
Likewise, Bonnyrigg beat Blacktown Spartans FC last weekend in a home game, picking up their second win for the season and things are starting to come together for Mark Zecchin’s side.
-By ANNELIESE SCENNA, NPL NSW Grade 20s Reporter
