IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 20 Preview
Rockdale City Suns FC and Sutherland Sharks FC go head to head at Ilinden Sports Centre in what is a critical match for both sides in this week’s Match of the Round.
In other highlights, Sydney United 58 FC hosts APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC, whilst Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC play Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Rockdale City Suns FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC, 1pm at Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale City Suns FC will be upset by their 4-0 defeat to Blacktown City FC last weekend, after convincingly beating APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 5-0 just a fortnight ago.
They still have a chance of making the top five, but they can be unpredictable and will need to confidently bounce back this weekend when they play Sutherland Sharks FC at home.
Sutherland Sharks, after three successive losses recovered strongly last weekend, beating Sydney Olympic FC 2-0 in the Match of the Round. Sitting on 26 points, they are three points adrift of Blacktown City FC in fifth place and hold a one-point advantage over their weekend opponents in seventh position.
This is a critical game for the two sides as they both remain in the hunt for a finals place, with every point vital as the season draws to a conclusion.
ROUND PREVIEW
SATURDAY
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC vs Blacktown City FC, 5:30pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Second hosts fifth when Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC welcome Blacktown City FC to Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be disappointed with their 1-0 loss to APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC, after conceding late in the second half. Although at this stage they comfortably sit in second position they are now two wins adrift of the top of the table and it is crucial they gain the three points here to keep the pressure on Manly United FC.
Blacktown City FC are the team being hunted in the final weeks of the season, as they hold the coveted fifth position, sitting on 29 points. They are coming off a convincing 4-0 win to Rockdale City Suns FC last weekend and will need to take this confidence into this weekend’s match, as they look to seal their position in the top five.
SUNDAY
South Coast Wolves FC vs St George FC, 12:30pm at WIN Stadium
South Coast Wolves FC lost to current competition leaders Manly United FC last weekend, but Manly United FC are unbeatable at this stage, so this result is far from poor.
However with 19 points in tenth position, it is fair to say that the hopes of their season going beyond Round 22 is gone, but they will look for a win to finish as high up on the table as possible.
St George FC in ninth position are sitting three points ahead of their weekend opponents and are still possible contenders for fifth position on the table, but they will need to win their next three matches to stand a chance. They bounced back from their defeat a fortnight ago, to claim a 2-0 victory to Blacktown Spartans FC last weekend and will be looking to continue on this momentum.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Manly United FC, 1pm at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic FC dropped three points to Sutherland Sharks FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
They sit in eighth position on 24 points and it is a loss that could prove costly as they head into the final weeks of the season and now sit five points adrift of fifth placed Blacktown City FC.
A loss here could see the end of their top five ambitions, but a win could put them just outside the top five. Their weekend opponents Manly United FC are showing no signs of holding back though and will be a tough test at this stage of the season.
Manly United comfortably sit at the top of the table, with a six point advantage over Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC in second and are 15 points clear of APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC in third.
They have won 15 matches so far in the season and a victory this weekend could see them sit with an impressive 50 points and a secure hold on the pole position.
Blacktown Spartans FC vs Marconi Stallions FC, 1pm at Blacktown Football Park
Bottom of the table hosts second from the bottom as Blacktown Spartans FC play Marconi Stallions FC at home.
Marconi Stallions are four points ahead of their weekend opponents and four points behind South Coast Wolves FC in tenth position.
They looked like they could turn things around in the second half of the season, but like Blacktown Spartans they have struggled to get the results.
Both sides will be looking to take the three points this weekend as they try to avoid finishing bottom of the table and look to end on a high as the season draws to a close.
Sydney United 58 FC vs APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC, 1pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Fourth hosts third when Sydney United 58 FC welcome APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC to Sydney United Sports Centre.
Sydney United 58 sit with 31 points, just one point adrift of their weekend opponents. A loss here could put them in a vulnerable position from the chasing packs, but a win could place them firmly in the top five, in third position.
They continued in their winning ways last weekend with a 2-1 win to Marconi Stallions FC and have the quality to go back-to-back this weekend at home.
After a huge 5-0 defeat to Rockdale City Suns FC a fortnight ago, APIA-Leicchardt Tigers will be happy with their 1-0 victory to second placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC last weekend, after grabbing a goal late in the second half.
They will have some renewed confidence heading into this weekend’s match but they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. The current clustered nature of the table means this should be an interesting encounter that neither side can afford to lose heading into the final weeks of the season.
-By Anneliese Scenna
