Round 1 Finals Series Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s

The changed finals format for this year’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s season, with six teams competing and run along the same lines as the Hyundai A-League, leaves no room for error with automatic elimination for the defeated side in every game.

That promises plenty of exciting football with the six finalists all having major strike-forces which can win a game.

Elimination Final 1

Marconi v Mounties Wanderers Saturday 7pm Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills

These near neighbours may be only a few kilometres apart in distance but in football terms, they have previously been leagues apart. The Stallions of course have a national heritage going back decades while Mounties are relative newcomers by comparison, but all that will count for nothing when the two sides take to the field on Saturday night.

Both sides are coming of three goal losses last weekend with Marconi slumping at home 0-3 to Spirit FC while Mounties Wanderers travelled to Macarthur Rams only to go down 1-4. Not the best of results for either side but with the finals having been on the horizon and their respective participation confirmed, a few players were notable absentees from action.

It is no surprise the competition’s top eight scorers all play for sides who made the finals, with half of those taking the pitch in this one game. Marconi of course will be looking to the oft-commented trio of Mirjan Pavlovic, Sean Rooney and Marko Jesic who have scored a phenomenal 49 league goals between them this season. What odds on them sharing their fiftieth this weekend? But while the three may claim the headlines, equally important has been keeper Chad Taylor who has impressed again this season, while captain Christopher Nunes has been everywhere on the pitch. Marconi have been showing some great form of late, and they will be ready to fire once more come Saturday.

Mounties however, will be confident that they have the ability to overcome Marconi, as they almost did just a few short weeks ago. Up 3-0, they somehow contrived to ship five goals in the second half but it will be the knowledge that they had such a commanding lead at all, which will be their focus this weekend.

Matthew West, a Grand Final winner with Northern Tigers last season, will be looking to repeat that experience again, this time for Mounties, and his 20 goals this season shows where their danger lies. Ably supported by Reid Taylor and Mitchell Davidson on the flanks, and the ultra classy Neftali Gonzalez prompting from midfield, Mounties will go into this game with every chance.

Marconi may have the record this season, having won both previous encounters, but Mounties will know that there is never a better time to turn the tables than in the finals.

Elimination Final 2

Bankstown City v Mount Druitt Town Rangers Sunday 3pm Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills

For Bankstown City, it is a case of a job unfinished. Losing Grand Finalists last season, they hope to go one better this year, with nine of the players who started the 2015 decider still a part of the Lions squad this year, not to mention coach Leo Carle. Only Chris Gomez of those nine, sent off last Sunday against Fraser Park, can’t take part this weekend.

There remains plenty of motivation then for Bankstown City to get over the top of Mount Druitt Town Rangers. After finishing third in the league, there can be little doubt that the Lions are a side with quality across the park. Along with the newly crowned Premiers, Sydney FC, Bankstown have the best defence in the league, starting in goals with Dion Shaw, and led in the centre of the defence by Michael Beauchamp. Add in the marauding raids of players such as Grant Lynch and Todd Halloran, the Lions are one of the best in using attack as the best form of defence, as the saying goes.

And it doesn’t stop there. Huseyin Jasli likes nothing better than putting in swinging crosses for the likes of Gerard Ouffoue, who can strike a ball, and whose ten goals for the season is evidence of that. The Golden Boot winner for 2014, Ouffoue is also one of the best in holding up the ball, a skill likely to be needed against a tough Mount Druitt Town Rangers.

For Rangers, a foray into the semi finals at this level is uncommon, and there is little question that this season has been their best for some time. They fought tooth and nail with Northern Tigers for the last available position, eventually coming out in sixth spot with a round to spare. A rare appearance it may be for the club itself, but they have plenty of players who have been there before.  

Coach Aidan Desmond put together a strong squad, snaring leading scorers Abraham Majok and Kuag Reec from last season’s Premiers Spirit FC, along with defender Nick Trimble while Scott Goodwin, a scorer in the 2013 Grand Final for Mounties, also knows what is required. Add in Daniel McCann, another Grand Finalist with Mounties, and Matthew Clowes, a Premiership winner with Parramatta Eagles, and there will be plenty of experience on show.

With the likes of Luke Clifford, Nathan Ralph and Brian Griffin-Colls also keen to enjoy the occasion, it looks set to be a weekend of exciting football at Seven Hills. 

by Peter Rowney, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2 Reporter