Round 4 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20

It’s been a stop-start opening to the 2017 season in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20’s competition but things are heating up as we enter April.

Sutherland Sharks will look to retain their grip on top spot when they head to Sydney United 58, while a big clash looms at the bottom of the competition with APIA Leichhardt Tigers hosting Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

The Match of the Round is in Blacktown where Blacktown City aim to get back on track against Wollongong Wolves.

Match of the Round

Blacktown City v Wollongong Wolves, Saturday 5.00pm at Lilys Football Centre

Blacktown City will look to make a winning return to action when they welcome Wollongong Wolves to Lilys Football Centre on Saturday afternoon.

With wet weather postponing their round three fixture against Bonnyrigg, John Carnevale’s side find themselves in sixth position with their heavy defeat to Sutherland in round two still sure to be on the players’ minds when the Wolves come calling.

The South Coast outfit have had a tricky start to the season with defeats to competition heavyweights Manly United and Sydney Olympic following a 3-1 victory over Parramatta. After conceding eight goals in their opening three fixtures, the Wollongong rear-guard will be wary of a Blacktown side with plenty of attacking firepower in their ranks.

Saturday

Hakoah Sydney City East v Rockdale City Suns, 5.00pm at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sydney United 58 in round three when they host Rockdale City Suns at Hensley Athletic Field in Saturday’s other fixture.

Hakoah struggled to test to the Reds in their scrappy 1-0 defeat and will be hoping for a response at home against Rockdale, which presents an excellent opportunity to get back amongst the winners circle.

After a disruptive start to the 2017 campaign, which has seen two fixtures against Parramatta and Sydney United 58 postponed, the Suns are yet to get up and running and lie in tenth position on the competition ladder.

But the Illinden Sports Centre outfit will take plenty of heart from their round one display against Sydney FC in which they were more than competitive, and with Hakoah themselves showing signs of vulnerability, Rockdale will hope to leave Hensley Athletic Field with their first points of the season.

Sunday

Manly United v Sydney FC, 1.00pm at Cromer Park

The Sky Blues were given their first taste of defeat this season after going down 2-1 to Sydney Olympic last weekend and David Zdrilic’s side face another tricky assignment on Sunday when they travel to Cromer Park to take on a resurgent Manly United side.

Last year’s Premiers have looked impressive after their opening day defeat to Sutherland with a 4-0 win over Bonnyrigg and 3-1 victory over Wollongong Wolves bringing Manly up to third on the competition ladder.

George Firth, Sipan Berti and Sheldon Tweedie have all been in fine goal scoring touch for United over the past fortnight with the former grabbing a brace in last weekend’s triumph over Wollongong and with the side netting seven in their past two appearances Sydney FC will have to be wary.

Parramatta v Sydney Olympic, 1.00pm at Melita Stadium

The Sydney Olympic juggernaut continued to roll on after the Blues’ 2-1 victory over Sydney FC last weekend and the reigning champions will fancy their chances at extending their unbeaten run when they visit Melita Stadium to play Parramatta on Sunday.

Olympic have begun the 2017 campaign as they finished their last and three consecutive victories over Bonnyrigg, Wollongong and Sydney have the Belmore Sports Ground outfit well positioned to defend their crown, despite the youth of the season.

Parramatta on the other hand lie ninth in the table having played one match all season, a 3-1 loss to Wollongong Wolves a fortnight ago. The Eagles will have their work cut out in searching for their first points of the season against the reigning champions.

Sydney United 58 v Sutherland Sharks, 2.00pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sutherland Sharks top the competition after the first month of action and will be shooting for four wins in a row when they take on Sydney United 58 in Edensor Park on Sunday.

Nick Dimovski’s side have scored 11 goals in three wins over Manly United, Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt and will be regarded as heavy favourites when they arrive at Sydney United Sports Centre.

However they may come up against the sternest competition yet in the form of a Sydney United 58 side undefeated in their two matches so far this campaign. The Reds are yet to concede a goal and head into Sunday’s clash on the back of a gritty 1-0 win over Hakoah Sydney City East.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 2.30pm at Lambert Park

Two sides who have yet to claim a point so far this season will face off at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon with APIA Leichhardt hosting Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

It might only be round four but it looms as a big clash for both sides who boast talented rosters and will no doubt have finals ambitions come the pointy end of the season.

APIA Leichhardt put up a commendable fight in their 2-0 loss to competition leaders Sutherland last weekend and will be desperate to avoid a fourth straight defeat, while Bonnyrigg come into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Sydney Olympic in round one and a 4-0 defeat to Manly United in round two.

-By Jacob Windon, Football NSW U20’s Reporter