Round 14 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20

Round 14 in the PlayStation4 NPL NSW Men’s U20 competition could be a pivotal one for leaders Sutherland who face premiership outsiders APIA Leichhardt Tigers on Saturday, while other hopefuls Blacktown City and Sydney FC look poised to close the gap further on the Sharks should they stumble at Lambert Park on Saturday night.

Elsewhere, Hakoah Sydney City East will be hoping for back to back upset wins when they take on Sydney United 58 on Friday night, while lowly Parramatta look to stop the rot against Rockdale City Suns.

Match of the Round

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks, Saturday 5.30pm at Lambert Park

A key battle in the race for the premiership looms large at Lambert Park on Saturday evening where third-placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers host leaders Sutherland Sharks.

Both sides enter the contest on the back of defeats with APIA going down 2-1 to Hakoah Sydney City East and Sutherland defeated 2-1 by Blacktown City last Saturday.

Sutherland have so far been a class above the rest of the chasing pack but had their lead trimmed to three points as a result of the defeat and will potentially open the door even further for the likes of Blacktown City, Sydney FC and Saturday’s opponents APIA with a second consecutive defeat.

Regardless, it looks to be a hugely entertaining prospect when the two clash on Saturday with both sides boasting the best offensive records and offering some of the talent in the competition.

Friday

Sydney United 58 v Hakoah Sydney City East, 6.30pm at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 know they’re in danger of slipping out of the top five should they face a third defeat in a row when Hakoah Sydney City East arrive at Edensor Park on Friday night.

The Reds were upset 1-0 at home Rockdale in round 13 following a heavy 5-1 defeat to APIA Leichhardt Tigers the previous weekend and need to avoid another loss with several sides sniffing around the finals positions.

Hakoah will consider themselves as one of these key contenders and will arrive into the match full of confidence having beaten championship dark horses APIA 2-1 at Hensley Athletic Field last Saturday, a result that overturned a poor spell of form Friday’s visitors. Paul Hubbard’s side will be level on points with United 58 should they make it two wins in a row and take advantage of this mini-slump for the Reds.

Saturday

Manly United v Wollongong Wolves, 5.00pm at Cromer Park

Two teams who need to get a move on meet at Cromer Park on Saturday where reigning premiers Manly United welcome Wollongong Wolves.

Both outfits have endured inconsistent campaigns to date and lie in ninth and tenth position respectively and with sides like Hakoah Sydney City East and Sydney Olympic offering a little more resolve the finals equation could begin to look ugly for the loser.

Manly United were defeated 3-2 by Bonnyrigg White Eagles in last Saturday’s match of the round, while Wollongong were held to a 2-2 draw at WIN Stadium by Sydney Olympic.

Parramatta v Rockdale City Suns, 5.00pm at Melita Stadium

Parramatta could be staring down the barrel of a ninth consecutive defeat when they take on Rockdale City Suns at Melita Stadium.

The Eagles face Bonnyrigg in a catch up fixture on Wednesday before hosting Rockdale in what should be a do or die clash for the clubs slim hopes of making the finals.

Only Rockdale (11) have scored less than the bottom-placed Parramatta (12) but with the Suns grabbing a confidence boosting win over championship contenders Sydney United 58 in round thirteen it will be another big ask for the struggling Melita Stadium outfit.

Sunday

Blacktown City v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 1.00pm at Lilys Football Centre

Blacktown City will arrive into their meeting with Bonnyrigg with the wind in their sails having beaten leaders Sutherland 2-1 in the previous weekend as John Carnevale’s side look to press the premiership claim.

Although massively behind on goal difference, City are only three points behind the leaders going into round fourteen and with APIA Leichhardt Tigers hosting Sutherland at Lambert Park the night before Blacktown will want to capitalize on any dropped points.

Facing Bonnyrigg will be a different proposition though, with the White Eagles winning back to back matches against Sydney Olympic and Manly United in the last fortnight. In addition to a 2-0 triumph over City in round three, Hamish Brown’s side were also 4-0 and 8-0 victors over their opponents in the 2016 season and will fancy their chances continuing their mid-season revival at Lilys Football Centre.

Monday

Sydney Olympic v Sydney FC, 4pm at Lambert Park

Sydney Olympic dropped out of the top five last weekend after a third consecutive match without a win and face a tough examination of their credentials on Monday when an in-form Sydney FC visit Lambert Park.

The Sky Blues have begun to hit their stride and have not lost since round five, maintaining the league’s leanest defensive record (9 goals conceded), including three clean sheets in their last five. The goals are also beginning to flow for David Zdrilic’s men with John Iredale notching a hattrick against Parramatta last weekend to gain outright lead in the golden boot standings with 10.

Olympic will need to be wary of a Sydney FC growing in stature and confidence and are at risk of slipping further down the table with Hakoah Sydney City East and Rockdale poised to capitalize should the Blues fail to win again.

-By Jacob Windon