Round 13 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW U20
All eyes will be on Seymour Shaw on Saturday as leaders Sutherland Sharks host Blacktown City, while Parramatta are hoping to avoid a seventh straight defeat when they meet Sydney FC later on.
The Match of the Round is at Bonnyrigg where the White Eagles are aiming for back to back wins against Manly United.
Match of the Round
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Manly United, 5.00pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg secured their second win of the season against Sydney Olympic last weekend to lift themselves off the bottom of the competition ladder and have a chance to breathe further life into their campaign when they host Manly United at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Saturday evening.
Hamish Brown’s outfit triumphed 1-0 over the reigning champions in what was the side’s first win and clean sheet since round three and while the visitors were far too classy for the White Eagles in their second-round 4-0 drubbing there are indications that the tables are starting to turn.
It’s been a hugely inconsistent for Manly so far, who have won back to back games only once (in rounds two and three) and have been uncharacteristically poor at the back in conceding 26 goals, including another three in a 3-1 loss to leaders Sutherland in round 12. In fact, only Bonnyrigg have a worse defensive record (37 conceded) than the Cromer Park outfit who find themselves at risk of failing to make the finals should their rocky form continue.
However, United have no trouble finding the back of the net having maintained the third best offensive record with leading goal scorer Sheldon Tweedie enjoying a fine campaign to date with six. With both sides yet to show their excellent 2016 form it will likely be a decisive encounter for both teams as the season enters its second half.
Saturday
Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown City, 4.30pm at Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks can extend their advantage at the top to nine points pending results elsewhere with a win over second-placed Blacktown City at Seymour Shaw on Saturday’s early kick-off.
Nick Dimovski’s outfit continue to lead the way after beating rivals Manly United 3-1 at Cromer Park last weekend and will be well-primed for the arrival of John Carnevale’s Blacktown who returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Hakoah Sydney City East in round 12.
Prior to that win City had failed to score in their previous three matches and will need to be clinical in front of goal to stand a chance of upsetting the Sutherland applecart.
Another victory for Sutherland would cement their claim as championship favourites and put a serious dent in the premiership hopes of the chasing pack who have been unable to match the competition leaders so far.
Hakoah Sydney City East v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 5.00pm at Hensley Athletic Field
APIA Leichhardt Tigers hammered fellow championship dark horses Sydney United 5-1 in last weekend’s match of the round at Lambert Park and will fancy their chances at continuing their excellent recent form when they play Hakoah Sydney City East at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday.
The Tigers have won seven of their last nine after opening the campaign with three consecutive defeats and in Jordan Morfitis APIA have an outstanding golden boot candidate that have more than made up for the loss of 2016 golden boot winner Duncan Stewart.
Michael Urukalo’s side have seemed to remedy some of their defensive lapses that proved costly at the start of the season which spells danger for a Hakoah side who have struggled for goals (15) and have lost three on the bounce.
Sydney FC v Parramatta, 5.45pm at Lambert Park
Sydney FC will be hot favourites when they host a Parramatta side hoping to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat when they arrive at Lambert Park for Saturday’s final fixture.
The Sky Blues’ 2-0 defeat of Rockdale last weekend maintained what has been a remarkable defensive record for David Zdrilic’s men who have conceded just eight goals all season. The goals are also starting to flow with more regularity with John Iredale the key man up front for Sydney with five.
Although Parramatta have sunk to the bottom of the table as a result of their horrid run the Melita Stadium outfit have not been comprehensively outplayed by their opponents throughout the run and have only been beaten narrowly by the likes of Sutherland and Sydney United 58.
They’ll hope something will finally give this weekend as they look to drag themselves back off the foot of the table.
Sunday
Wollongong Wolves v Sydney Olympic, 1.00pm at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves have been steady fixtures in mid-table throughout the campaign but will sense an opportunity to boost their final hopes when they welcome Sydney Olympic to the South Coast on Sunday.
Julio Miranda’s side have a game in hand and are fresh from a 2-1 victory over Parramatta that pushes the Wolves in touching distance of the top five with another win on Sunday.
It might not be a bad time to play Olympic who have lost their last two matches and failed to score in either, including a shock 1-0 loss at home to Bonnyrigg White Eagles in round 12. The reigning premiers will need to overturn their form in order to remain on the edge of the top five with the likes of Sydney FC and Sydney United poised to pull away.
Sydney United 58 v Rockdale City Suns, 2.00pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 will be out to avenge a 5-1 thrashing suffered at the hands of APIA Leichhardt Tigers last weekend when Rockdale City Suns come to Edensor Park in the final fixture of the round.
The Reds’ loss to APIA was their worst performance of the season and a result that saw them drop nine points behind competition leaders Sutherland Sharks.
It will be a big ask for a Rockdale side who are the equal lowest scorers in the competition and fresh from a 2-0 defeat to Sydney FC.
-By Jacob Windon
