IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 15 Preview

Round 15 of the IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 20s kicks off this weekend with APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC going head to head with Blacktown City FC in the Match of the Round at Lambert Park.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC vs Blacktown City FC, 5:45pm at Lambert Park

Third hosts fifth at Lambert Park this weekend, after their early season meet up at Lilys Football Centre. The last time these two teams met, Blacktown City FC were victorious, beating APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 5-0 and taking all three points.

But APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC have come a long way from the beginning of the season and have proven themselves to be tough opponents in this second half of the season.

They sit on 23 points after a 2-2 draw with Manly United FC last week, but are still nine points adrift of Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC at the top of the table.

Blacktown City grabbed all three points last week, after a 4-0 win to Marconi Stallions FC and a consecutive win this week could see them move next to their weekend opponents.  

SATURDAY

Blacktown Spartans FC vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 5:30pm at Blacktown Football Park

Blacktown Spartans FC host Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC and will need to put their best foot forward against a side that are proving to be the team to beat this season.

Blacktown Spartans are sitting second from the bottom after a 2-1 loss to Rockdale City Suns FC last week. They face a tough assignment but will have plenty to prove after three back-to-back defeats.  

Meanwhile, Bonnyrigg White Eagles are on the top of the table and they were excellent in defeating Sydney United 58 FC 4-1 in the match of the round last weekend.

They are a strong knitted team and the strikeforce of Osadolor Edosomwan could very well prove to be dangerous for the home side.

Manly United FC vs Sydney United 58 FC, 5:30pm at Cromer Park

Manly United FC have moved out of the coveted position at the peak of the table after they drew 2-2 with APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC last weekend. But they have had a brilliant season so far, which has given them a nine point buffer from APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in third place and a 13 point buffer from their weekend opponents.

They have the home ground advantage when they host Sydney United 58 FC this week and will be a stern test for the visiting side.

Sydney United had a number of opportunities on goal in the Match of the Round last week but couldn’t find the back of the net and went down 4-1 to Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC.

The defeat has pushed them into eighth position and they will be hoping to gain at least a point at Cromer Park to break clear of the lower part of the table.

Marconi Stallions FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC, 5:30pm at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallions FC have struggled this season and remain at the bottom of the table after they were beaten 4-0 to Blacktown City FC last week. They are only one point behind second from the bottom Blacktown Spartans FC but are 24 points adrift of the leaders. 

With only one win so far this season they really need to tighten up at the back if they are going to have any hopes of making the long climb up the table. 

Sutherland Sharks meanwhile who were sitting in fourth a fortnight ago, are now in sixth position after they were beaten by St George FC last week. 

But only three points separate Sutherland Sharks with APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC in third position and a win this week could see them move into the top five. 

SUNDAY

St George FC vs Sydney Olympic FC, 1pm at Win Jubilee Oval

St George FC are slowly making their way up the table following a 2-0 win to Sutherland Sharks FC last week and are now sitting in seventh position.

They will need to grab at least a point to stay clear of the lower part of the table, but with the mid table so tight a win could put them right next to their weekend opponents, who are only three points in front.

Meanwhile Sydney Olympic’s win on the weekend to South Coast Wolves FC sees them jump into fourth position, with 21 points.

But they are only one point in front of Blacktown City FC in fifth place and it will be imperative that they continue their string of wins this weekend to keep the pressure on the chasing sides.

South Coast Wolves FC vs Rockdale City Suns FC, 1pm at WIN Stadium

South Coast Wolves FC and Rockdale City Suns FC are separated by only one point heading into this weekend’s fixture.

At the time of their first clash, South Coast Wolves were towards the very top of the table, but times have changed and a 3-0 loss to Sydney Olympic FC last weekend has now put them in tenth position.

They are now five points adrift of the mid table and a win would put them ahead of their weekend opponents and will be imperative if they want to get their season back on track.

Likewise, Rockdale City Suns desperately need a win this weekend to push them closer to the middle of the table. They defeated Blacktown Spartans 2-1 last weekend, a big improvement from their 6-0 loss the last time they met. This should give them the confidence heading into this weekend’s match 

-By Anneliese Scenna