Round 11 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
We can already sum up that the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s is a competitive league, it’s once again proving a slippery slope.
One false move could see you slide the ladder and even the best result may not guarantee you a strong foothold. It makes it a simple equation, work hard to get the win and three points, rinse and repeat.
Find out which team is working on the best recipe for success this weekend!
Match of the Round: North Shore Mariners vs. Blacktown Spartans – St George City vs. Hills United – 7pm Saturday 11th May, Valentine Sports Park
After firing home a last minute penalty to save their skins and secure a draw, North Shore slipped a place on the ladder. Yet the Mariners south of the motorway have kept themselves still within touching distance of first place.
Two consecutive draws for the hosts has halted their quest to reign at the peak. Nevertheless with Mitchell Smith still running hot at the top of the scorers charts and Daniel Saric featuring as a late game specialist, North Shore know they have got quality and depth to get the result.
We may only be a touch over a third through the season, but for many of the NPL 2 faithful, it may be a surprise to see the Spartans currently nestled in sixth position. They are writing the turnaround story of the season thus far having already matched the same amount of wins from last year and are two favourable results from surpassing their points tally in 2018.
Putting faith in youth and driven to work until the last, the outfit from Blacktown are proving capable to throw punches with the heavy hitters, a chance to take out a top three side is this week’s enticing reward.
Mounties Wanderers FC vs. Northern Tigers FC – 7.30pm Friday 10th May, Cook Park
It’s set to be a cold Wintery evening at Cook Park this Friday evening, with the degrees dropping to single digits.
Whilst the cool weather may come into play, it’s a fixture that has the makings of a classic battle and is expected to bring the heat.
Only a single point separates the sides and both have slipped out of the top six. A win is the simple remedy and neither side will be willing to relent.
Can the Tigers pounce and puncture the often shaky defence of Mounties or will the hosts embrace the home crowd support and dazzle under the Friday night lights.
St George FC vs. Rydalmere Lions FC – 7pm Saturday 11th May, Ilinden Sports Centre
The Saints are in desperate need of the luck of the bounce, spin and roll.
Last year’s Champions are still searching for the missing piece in the final third and their shortcomings in front of goal are proving their downfall. Sitting a lowly twelfth it’s a long haul up the ladder yet they have the tools to begin making their ascent.
Rydalmere have needs of their own in the final third. Despite having one of the best defensive records in the league, it is paired with one of the worst attacking records.
It’s a tough ask for some of the young blood in their stocks to fire in a league where treading water can only last so long until you sink. Rest assured though, these cats have aspirations to achieve and no intention of getting wet.
We will have to wait and see if either side can flex their attacking options and put on a clinical performance in front of goal this weekend.
Macarthur Rams FC vs. Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC – 7pm Saturday 11th May, Lynwood Park
This season it has been better but not yet great for Macarthur. Too often their patches of good play are not converted into dominance.
They need to begin pulling it all together and soon.
As the matches keep rolling their points remain stalling. Hitting the net is the highest priority, only notching five past opponents leaves them as the last team in single digits in the goals for column.
Whip their attacking stocks into shape is a must this weekend.
If scoring troubles are their opponents biggest weakness, Bonnyrigg can use that as a licence to get forward and press. This season they are proving to have one of the league’s sturdiest defence but up the other end of the park it’s a similar story, having been unable to really ignite the flame in the final third.
The experienced side can leap into the mix of the finals positions with a win and it could be a chance for their attacking players to click into gear.
Canterbury Bankstown FC vs. Hills United FC – 7pm Saturday 11th May, The Crest Athletic Centre
You favour Hills in this fixture and why not?
Putting together an impressive run thus far has them nipping on the heels of first place.
This season it has been win or lose for Hills with the former the most occurring outcome.
A strong outfit, competing for every ball and clinical in the final third, the signs are ominous for Canterbury.
Canterbury’s results have been woeful. Perhaps it is not an accurate reflection of the side as there has been the flickering light of resistance still lingering when they step onto the pitch.
That resistance is going to need to explode into a supernova if the intention is to light up the dark tunnel.
Getting their first win on the board is the starting point and it will need to come soon.
Central Coast Mariners vs. GHFA Spirit FC – 3pm Saturday 12th May, Pluim Park
Third plays fourth and with a gap beginning to form, you wonder if the top four will begin to pull away.
The Mariners have made a claim in the last few seasons that they belong in the top four and pushing for glory. Having secured a tough win last week against Mounties, it’s a return home which often favours the lads in yellow and navy.
Whilst their hot start was halted, Spirit have managed to regain some form and keep well within the race for top of the ladder.
Whilst their nearest rivals have subjectively kinder fixtures, Spirit will be required to prove their quality if they are to remain with the current breakaway pack.
St George City FA vs. Western Sydney Wanderers – 6pm Saturday 12th May, Seymour Shaw
They are a competitive side City and they must bring their absolute best as they host the league leading Wanderers this Sunday evening.
Mohamed Adam and Marley Peterson have been playing quality football at the calibre that is surely sparking interest from the eyes of other clubs. The Wanderers would benefit keeping such talents in their ranks as they continue to impress and impose themselves on the league.
You have to look back to Round 4 to find City’s last win, and their recent string of four consecutive defeats doesn’t match up too kindly against a side with three times their point haul.
That said, Matthew Mayora was an imposing figure for City in last week’s match and unfortunate to not have found his name on the scoresheet. His presence and pressure could easily cause the Wanderers backline trouble.
NPL 2 Chief Writer – Marcus Flottmann
Twitter – @MarcusFlottmann
