SUPA IGA NSW NPL Mens 2 Round 15 Preview
There are plenty of interesting storylines ahead of round 15 in the SUPA IGA NSW NPL Mens 2 competition as the gap between the contenders and the pretenders looks to open up.
Fraser Park and Hills clash in this week’s match of the round, in-form sides Central Coast Mariners Academy and Parramatta FC do battle, while it’s 4th v 5th as Bankstown City host Mounties Wanderers. Strap yourselves in.
Match of the round
Fraser Park v Hills Brumbies – Saturday 7.30pm, The Crest
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Hills 1-0 Fraser Park
Form guide:
Fraser Park – LDLLD 12th
Hills Brumbies – WLWDL 7th
Hills Brumbies travel to The Crest to take on Fraser Park on the back of a rare home loss to Mt Druitt over the weekend. With just six points separating fourth place from eighth, Hills will be well aware that any slip ups over the next few weeks will be costly, while any points gained carry an ever sweeter reward.
Brumbies’ defensive record has been quite resolute this season, with just over a goal per game conceded, but they will be looking to emphasise their attacking prowess on Saturday, with Fraser Park having leaked 29 goals in 14 games.
The hosts head into the match with a dose of confidence after holding Bankstown City to a 2-2 draw last weekend and they have plenty to play for as they languish not only at the bottom of the Mens 2 but also the Club Championship standings.
Just one goal separated these two sides last time they met in round four, but you get the impression that things will be much more open this time around.
Sydney University v Macarthur Rams – Saturday 7.30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Macarthur 2-1 Sydney Uni
Form guide:
Sydney University – WDDWL 9th
Macarthur Rams – DDLDL 2nd
Sydney Uni’s four game undefeated streak was brought to an end when they slipped to defeat against Central Coast last weekend as Raul Blanco’s men missed an opportunity to jump as high as seventh.
It’s been a delightful change of fortunes for them recently and they have the backing of a game in hand to make a finals appearance still a legitimate thought. That all hinges on the next few weeks and how they can cope against the top teams. Uni have only taken points from one team in the current top five (Mounties).
It’ll be immensely difficult to change that, with Macarthur reeling from Saturday’s narrow loss to Northern Tigers. It’s now six weeks since the Rams tasted victory and they risk dropping as low as fourth with defeat at Hensley Athletic Field.
So Claudio Canosa will have his charges primed for battle.
Bankstown City v Mounties Wanderers – Saturday 7.30pm, Jensen Park
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Mounties 0-0 Bankstown City
Form guide:
Bankstown City – LDWWD 4th
Mounties Wanderers – WWLDW 5th
A potential finals preview at Jensen Park on Saturday when Bankstown City host Mounties. These two sides have almost identical form guides, having lost just one of their last five matches each.
It was a 0-0 stalemate last time they met at Cook Park and all signs point towards a similarly tight encounter this weekend.
The Lions are coming off a 2-2 draw with Fraser Park, continuing an impressive run that has seen them pick up eight points from their last four matches.
Things are just as rosy for Mounties, with Steve Appleby’s men returning to winning ways at the expense of Bankstown Berries. Two teams very deserving of a top five spot, but able to drop straight out with a negative result here.
They’ve both conceded just 17 goals in the 2014 campaign and we can expect some cagey tactics here.
Parramatta FC v Central Coast Mariners Academy – Saturday 7.30pm, Melita Stadium
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Central Coast Mariners Academy 2-2 Parramatta
Form guide:
Parramatta FC – WWDWD 1st
Mariners Academy – DDWWW 6th
The competitions hottest sides face off at Melita Stadium on Saturday when Parramatta FC host Central Coast. Both teams have picked up three wins and two draws from their last five fixtures, with Mariners facing the ladder leaders looking to pick up their fourth consecutive win.
Mariners have proved they are worthy challengers for the top five, defeating fifth-placed Mounties and third-placed Northern Tigers in recent weeks. Their vibrant attack has provided a significant worry for their opponents in 2014 and they will need to be on song to break through one of the league’s most rigid defensive lines.
Parramatta surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw with Spirit on Sunday and will be eager to retain their lead over Macarthur. Frank Cosentino’s side will take on the task without left-back Lord Darkoh who was handed a straight red card.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Spirit FC – Saturday 7.30pm, Popondetta Park
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Spirit 1-2 Mt Druitt
Form guide:
Mt Druitt Town Rangers – LDLWW 8th
Spirit FC – LLLLD 11th
Things are looking up at Popondetta Park with Mt Druitt snapping a difficult run with consecutive wins in the last two weeks. Rangers have picked up most of their points this season against teams in the bottom half and they will target another victory here ahead of a difficult month of fixtures.
They meet a Spirit outfit that has been on a steady slide over the last month. A draw against Parramatta over the weekend could have provided a boost for Tony Walmsley’s men as he and Robert De Ceglie look to lift Spirit out of 11th place.
Two desperate sides will be going gung-ho in this one.
Northern Tigers v Bankstown Berries – Sunday 3pm, Mills Park
Last time they met: Rd 4 – Bankstown Berries 2-1 Northern Tigers
Form guide:
Northern Tigers – WLWLW 3rd
Bankstown Berries – WDWLL 10th
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride for Northern Tigers, with a consistent run of win-loss-win-loss-win. They returned to third place with an impressive 2-1 win over Macarthur to inch ever closer to the Rams.
They host a rejuvenated Bankstown Berries side that has been unfortunate to slump to back-to-back 3-2 defeats against quality opposition. Wally Savor’s charges look a completely changed team to the one that kicked off the season and will be making Tigers work for their points.
– By Mitchell Grima
