Finals Series Round 1 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
It’s down to the business end of the season in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
The grind of the regular season is behind us and only five teams remain with each focused on taking home the title.
This weekend features two absolute blockbuster matches at Lily’s Football Stadium in Seven Hills.
Fourth placed Rockdale City Suns will take on fifth placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles in an Elimination Final on Saturday while Blacktown City host Manly United in a Qualifying Final on Sunday.
Rockdale City Suns v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Saturday 7pm at Lily’s Football Stadium
PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition finals survival will be on the line on Saturday when Rockdale City Suns takes on Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a sudden death elimination final.
Both sides come into the match riding a wave of recent victories and should be in good form.
Fourth placed Rockdale has turned around a late season form slump to win back to back matches for the first time since May.
Former A-League midfielder and Rockdale captain-coach Paul Reid has led by example in recent weeks. Reid’s midfield mastery has been the basis of the Suns attacking movements this season and compliments the attacking play of teammates Peter Makrillos and Toufic Alammeddine.
Burly Striker Dylan Macallister has been the focal point up front for Rockdale this year with eight goals to his name and is expected to once again lead the line on Saturday.
Alec Urosevski was on par for his best season in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition before a foot injury forced an extended stint on the sidelines for the former Sydney FC youth star.
The speedy winger returned to the pitch for the first time during a late cameo in Rockdale’s Round 21 win and did the same in Round 22.
Urosevski could prove to be Paul Reid’s secret weapon this finals series.
A run of wins across the final weeks of the season has kickstarted Bonnyrigg’s stuttering season back to life.
The regning PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Champions looked as if they were going to miss the finals all together only five weeks ago but a recent turn in form has them as contenders once again.
Strikers Aaron Peterson and Robbie Younis have been prolific this year with eight and 11 goals respectively. The pair will need to fire on Saturday if they are to keep Bonnyrigg’s season alive.
Ray Miller will once again be the fulcrum of the White Eagles attack while left back Sam Gallaway will be a threat out wide
Will Bonnyrigg and Rockdale be able to find their best form or will the mistakes of their mid season slumps resurface. Nevertheless, Saturday’s do or die clash is sure to be a thrilling encounter.
Blacktown City FC v Manly United FC, Sunday 3pm at Lily’s Football Stadium
Two high powered offences go head to head on saturday afternoon as Blacktown City face off against Manly United in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition Qualifying final at Lily’s Football Stadium.
Despite a few minor hiccups a long the way, it has been another quality season from Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown CIty side.
Boasting a playing roster bristling with A-League quality talent, Blacktown has continued its standing as one of the competition’s most consistent sides.
After playing out a 0-0 draw with Manly in Round 22, Blacktown will call on all its firepower to secure a finals victory on Sunday.
Crittenden’s abundance of attacking weapons including Joey Gibbs, Travis Major, Danny Choi, Patrick Antelmi, Mitch Mallia and Riku Sasaki will be called on to full effect with Blacktown determined to make up for their defeat in last season’s grand final.
Defensive stalwart and captain Zach Cairncross will return to the lineup this week after sitting out the Round 22 clash while midfield engine Sasa Macura will also comeback into the side.
For Manly, Sunday’s match is a culmination of what has been an exciting season for the Northern Beaches club.
The Paul Dee coached team has been arguably the form team of the second half of the season and has shown they can beat any team in the competition.
Led by crafty attacking midfielder Brendan Cholakian, Manly’s attack is up their as one of the competition’s best.
The return of Richie Cardozo has given United the attacking focal point they desperately needed while young wingers Dejan Pandurevic and Adam Parkhouse boast the sought after combination of speed and goalscoring ability.
Former Leeds United player Shane Cansdell-Sheriff was a late signing to the side but has added steel and veteran savvy to Manly’s defence.
This match has the potential to be one of this season’s best with both side’s in with a very good shot of going all the way in 2016.
Definitely not one to miss.