SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 Round 22 Preview

We’re into the final stretch of what has been an exhilarating SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 season.

But anyone looking to sign off with a stroll is in the wrong competition. Six games, each with something at stake.

Dead rubbers are non-existent and it means we’re in for another weekend of brilliant drama.

The finals order could be in store for a reshuffle, while the races for promotion and relegation are wide open.

Match of the Round

Mounties Wanderers v Spirit FC – Sunday 3pm, Cook Park (Mt Prichard)

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Spirit 2-4 Mounties

Form guide:

Mounties – LDWDW 5th

Spirit – WDLWL 9th

This week’s match of the round features a Mounties side looking to secure their place in the finals series.

Given their superior goal difference over sixth-placed Sydney Uni, a draw should be enough for Steve Appleby’s men to progress to the post-season.

But the possibility remains for Wanderers to finish in third and assure themselves of a lifeline, meaning there will be no complacency shown at Cook Park.

Wanderers have had an impressive run of late and are currently on an unbeaten run of four matches that has provided the necessary momentum heading into the finals.

Spirit wouldn’t mind if their season extended a few more weeks. The back half of the year has been a promising one, akin to how last season played out for them.

The visitors will be playing for pride and position here, with just two points separating them from bottom-placed Fraser Park.

Sydney University v Fraser Park – Sunday 3pm, Hensley Athletic Field

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Fraser Park 2-2 Sydney Uni

Form guide:

Sydney University – WDDLD 6th

Fraser Park – WDDDD 12th

Just a month ago, Sydney Uni were propped up in fourth spot with a comfortable buffer. But three draws and a loss from their last four matches have put finals all but beyond reach.

Saturday’s stalemate against Mt Druitt put Uni’s fate out of their own hands. They need victory here combined with either a Mounties defeat or a Mounties draw with a whopping seven-goal swing.

Thanks to the simultaneous kickoffs, Raul Blanco’s will take to the field full of determination and hoping from a favour from Spirit.

But Uni’s task will be made immensely difficult by a Fraser Park outfit fighting to ward off the prospect of relegation. The club heads into the final round with just a five point lead over Hills Brumbies at the bottom of the Club Championship.

With 12 points up for grabs in the first grade clash, it could be Mile Todorovski’s men who guarantee Fraser Park’s Mens 2 status for another year.

Macarthur Rams v Bankstown City FC – Sunday 3pm, Lynwood Park

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Bankstown City 1-1 Macarthur

Form guide:

Macarthur – WDWLL 4th

Bankstown City – LDDLD 7th

It’s highly unlikely but Macarthur will head into the final round with the mathematical possibility of missing out on the finals. Back to back defeats have left Rams short of both confidence and momentum, meaning they will very much benefit from the sudden death nature.

The switch must be turned on this week for Claudio Canosa’s men, who will take great belief if they can finish as high as second, which remains a possibility with some favourable results.

They will perhaps benefit from the fact that Bankstown City are out of finals calculation. The Lions haven’t claimed victory in nine matches, no doubt a result of constant challenges to the player and staff roster, but will finish no lower than seventh which should be considered a good result given the circumstances.

Parramatta FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers – Sunday 3pm, Melita Stadium

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Mt Druitt 1-1 Parramatta

Form guide:

Parramatta – WDDWD 1st

Mt Druitt – LWLLD 11th

Two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum meet at Melita Stadium as premiers Parramatta welcome Mt Druitt Town. It’s hard to envisage a repeat of the 1-1 draw they shared in round 11, with the Eagles playing for the right to be promoted to the NPL Mens 1.

It’s a tantalising prospect for a deserving club, whose Under 20s side also enter round 22 at the summit of the ladder. Parra have a nine point lead over Mariners Academy and an 11-point lead over Northern Tigers in the Club Championship, meaning a first grade win should be enough on its own, even if the other two clubs pick up maximum points.

Franco Cosentino’s men stretched their undefeated streak to 16 consecutive matches with a draw against Bankstown City on the weekend and will be eager to extend it further ahead of their one-week break.

Rangers are simply playing for position in their final outing of the season and although their season won’t be judged on Sunday’s result, it wouldn’t be a bad farewell to knock off the seemingly unbeatable side.

Northern Tigers v Hills Brumbies – Sunday 3pm, Mills Park

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Hills 3-0 Tigers

Form guide:

Northern Tigers – WDDWD 2nd

Hills – LDLLL 10th

A team still in contention for promotion hosts a team in real danger of relegation at Mills Park. If you find yourself in the Horsnby area, don’t miss this one!

Northern Tigers have secured their place in the finals but have no chance of resting up this weekend. The Club Championship could still be on the line at 3pm, while the quest to cement a top three spot and a second chance next weekend provides added motivation.

Jason Eagar’s side have had quite an impressive second round and the 3-0 loss to Hills in round 11 has been very much an anomaly.

Brumbies will have plenty of nerves in this one. Languishing at the bottom of the Championship, they need at least one win across the three grades depending on Fraser Park’s results.

Nestor Meneses’ charges haven’t won a match since the shock drubbing of Tigers a full round ago but all will be forgiven if they pick up three points to avoid the drop.

Bankstown Berries v Central Coast Mariners Academy – Sunday 3pm, The Crest Athletic Centre

Last time they met: Rd 11 – Mariners Academy 1-1 Berries

Form guide:

Bankstown Berries – LLDWW 8th

Central Coast Mariners Academy – LDWWW 3rd

Mariners Academy assured themselves of a finals berth with a week to spare courtesy of an impressive win against Macarthur at the weekend.

That made it three wins on the trot for Jason van Blerk’s lads, who surged into third spot on the Mens 2 ladder and second spot on the Club Championship.

A top three finish and what will be considered an unlikely push into the Mens 1 competition will give the fresh-faced Mariners plenty to play for.

They will be duly challenged by a Berries outfit that is rounding out a disappointing season in encouraging fashion. Consecutive wins, including last week’s goal fest against Spirit, has Wally Savor’s outfit feeling all warm inside.

– By Mitchell Grima