Round 15 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
Get yourselves wrapped up and ready for another round of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Mens.
The finals race is as tense as ever and quite unbelievably, half the league can all be considered within a shot at cracking the last ticket to the endgame.
Here’s this weekend’s preview to fill your football fix.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC vs. Macarthur Rams FC – 7pm Saturday 8th June, Blacktown Football Park
Over the last few rounds, there was a feeling around the Spartans camp that good fortune would soon befall and at last they picked up a win to steer themselves back into finals contention.
Macarthur broke the deadlock early against Tigers and despite not netting again, their attacking outlets seemed to be linking up to greater effect, promising signs indeed.
Mid-table will consume all, we have seen it so many times before. Both these sides are in the thick of it, and now is as good as time as ever to get a win and launch themselves upwards.
An encounter where the three points are just that little bit more valuable, the reward is sure to spark an exciting contest.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC vs. Hills United FC vs. – 6.30pm Saturday 8th June, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
The White Eagles will be ruing that they left their shooting boots in the change rooms last week as they fell to defeat against the Spartans.
Hills on the other hand maintained on course and picked up double digits in the ‘W’ column and have settled on the peak of the ladder.
Bonnyrigg have been stubborn in defence thanks to keeper James Chronopoulos and the likes of Sam Gallaway, Goran Subara and Nikola Zonjc to name a few but are still lacking the finishing touch that would transform their season. Their opponents are fluid and resilient on both ends of the pitch, a side in a great patch of form.
There was plenty of goals in the first meeting between the sides and for the neutrals it will be a hope for more of the same.
St George FC vs. Northern Tigers FC – 7pm Saturday 8th June, Ilinden Sports Centre
The Saints will consider their efforts up the coast last week a success, given they fell behind then had a man sent off before finally finding an equaliser.
Tigers settled for a draw against the Rams, a result which will have left them wanting more considering their chances.
The first meeting of these sides was a typical competitive encounter, on that occasion Tigers picking up the win. Some personnel changes for both teams should spice things up this time around and there is no denying it will be another combative affair.
GHFA Spirit FC vs. Canterbury Bankstown FC – 7pm Saturday 8th June, Christie Park
Spirit got back on the winning path and continue to hold steady in the top four whereas Canterbury will arrive on the back of yet another defeat.
David Perkovic’s side was a little depleted in their last outing, previous iterations would have likely struggled. This side however pulled it all together, testament to the extensive efforts from the entire squad before and during the season, coming to fruition at key moments.
When and how do things turn around for Canterbury? That’s just some of the questions floating around and whilst there has not been a concrete answer yet, there is time for things to change.
Whilst form favours the home side Spirit, it will be a tricky test and rest assured, Canterbury are the type of customers that can bring a whole bag of uncertainty to the table.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Central Coast Mariners FC – 7pm Saturday 8th June, Sydney United Sports Centre
The battle for A-League supremacy in the NPL 2 once again joins the party.
Since their last meeting it has been upwards again and again for Western Sydney, and still they look capable of continuing their run all the way to the finish line.
Central Coast have been at the mercy of the waves of fortune, often riding smooth until it swells and comes crashing down.
Obviously a little more than the three points are on the line in this one. It could be a last chance for the sides to face each other this season, bragging rights and reputation holds a certain priceless value.
St George City FA vs. Rydalmere Lions FC – 3pm Sunday 9th June, Jubilee Oval
Both sides experienced losses last week and with how the results fared around the grounds, they both now linger at the lowly end of the table.
Rydalmere had the lion’s share of the points in the last meeting, a result they will be eager to secure again to leap back into mid-table. City will have their own sights set on the victory after their winning run was cut short, it will be a taste enough to spur them on.
Whilst there is breathing room above last place, neither side will want to falter and chance their luck, fortunes can change almost at will in this league.
North Shore Mariners FC vs. Mounties Wanderers FC – 4pm Sunday 9th June, Northbridge Oval
Rounding up the fixtures for the week is another enticing matchup that will be foreshadowed with anticipation.
North Shore’s reign at the top only lasted the one week, yet that will not phase them in the slightest. The taste of the top will only increase their desire to be there at the end of the season, and that is when it really counts.
They produced numerous chances against Western Sydney last week and will surely be locked and loaded ready for another tough encounter.
From the Mounties camp, it’s time for a bit of vengeance.
What a time to unleash perhaps their most potent strike force and make amends for the drubbing they copped in Round 2. Their recent form, three wins on the trot, is more of what the club has been aiming at all season and confidence is back in their boots.
Expect the supporters to come flocking in for this one, there’s a buzz that Mounties will be bringing their new “A” to the league – watch this space as Brian ‘Bomber’ Brown could be set to unleash a big gun in his corner.
NPL 2 Chief Writer – Marcus Flottmann
Twitter – @MarcusFlottmann
