IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 18 Preview
Two games on Saturday and four on Sunday make up round 18 of the Grade 20s competition, as we head into the final weeks of the season.
In the Match of the Round, seventh placed Rockdale City Suns FC host third placed APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC on Sunday afternoon.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Rockdale City Suns FC vs APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC, 1pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns FC are coming off their second consecutive win, after a 3-1 victory to Marconi Stallions FC last weekend.
Sitting in eighth position with 22 points, they will be looking for a win this weekend when they play APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC at home and should have the confidence to do that, which could push them into the top five.
Like their weekend opponents, APIA claimed their second successive win last weekend, beating Sydney Olympic FC 2-1. They are still nine points behind Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC in second place and will be looking to take the maximum points to tighten the gap.
ROUND PREWIEW
SATURDAY
Marconi Stallions FC vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 5:30pm at Marconi Stadium
After two successive wins, Marconi Stallions FC lost to Rockdale City Suns FC last weekend, going down 3-1.
Their loss means they continue to sit second from the bottom, with 15 points, three points adrift of South Coast Wolves FC in tenth position. They will be looking to bounce back this weekend to try and finish as high up on the table as possible, but their task doesn’t get any easier, as they host second placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC at home on Saturday evening.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles hold onto second position with 38 points, after their 4-3 win to St George FC last weekend in the match of the round. It was a fantastic victory for the side, coming from behind to snatch the three points in the final ten minutes.
They are just three points behind top of the table Manly United FC and can turn up the pressure by grabbing a victory on Saturday night.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Manly United FC, 5:30pm at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks FC sit in seventh place after beating Blacktown City FC last weekend. They are now sitting level on 23 points with Blacktown City and are a winning distance from the top five.
A victory here would provide them with a big confidence boost heading into the final matches for the season, but it won’t be an easy task as they host top of the table Manly United FC at home on Saturday evening.
Manly United delivered a solid win last weekend, beating Blacktown Spartans FC last weekend 6-1. They are still leading the competition, three points clear of Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC in second, though that could change at the end of the round.
SUNDAY
Sydney Olympic FC vs Blacktown City FC, 11am at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC are one point further back after their second consecutive loss, being beaten 2-1 to APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC last weekend.
Sitting in fifth position on 24 points, they are one point adrift from Sydney United 58 FC in fourth and a win this weekend could place them firmly towards the top of the table.
With 23 points, Blacktown City FC are one point adrift from their weekend opponents and from the top five. Like Sydney Olympic, they faced their second successive loss as they were beaten 0-1 to Sutherland Sharks FC on the weekend.
As the pointy end of the season approaches, both sides will be looking to bounce back this weekend to earn the all-important win that could turn the table around.
Blacktown Spartans FC vs South Coast Wolves FC, 1pm at Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans FC season has gone from bad to worse as they sit at the foot of the table, after being beaten 6-1 to Manly United FC last weekend.
Sitting five points adrift from Marconi Stallions FC in second to last position, they are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table and will be looking for a win this weekend in their hopes of finishing as high up the table as possible.
Their weekend opponents, South Coast Wolves FC are in tenth position, but are eight points clear on 18 points. They will be upset at their 2-0 loss to Sydney United 58 FC last weekend, after their win to Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC just a fortnight ago.
They will be looking to bounce back this weekend and have a good chance at doing that, which would be a great confidence boost heading into the final few weeks.
Sydney United 58 FC vs St George FC, 1pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 FC continue to move up the table, now sitting in fourth position after their 2-0 win to South Coast Wolves FC last weekend. This is their second consecutive victory and look to be in good form heading into the pointy end of the season.
But with Sydney Olympic FC, Blacktown City FC and Sutherland Sharks FC closely following them, a win this weekend at home to St George FC will be imperative.
Like their weekend opponents, a win this weekend is vital for St George FC as they are sitting just outside the pack on 19 points. They will be disappointed in their 4-3 loss to Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC last weekend, after leading 3-1 early in the second half and a win could be just the thing to renew their confidence.
-By Anneliese Scenna
