Finals Series Round 1 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
It’s semi-final time! The four remaining teams are 90 minutes away from the Championship game … or 90 minutes away from heartbreak and disappointment. Our Saturday entertainment sees two of this division’s stalwarts renew acquaintances in north-west Sydney, while the Sunday fixture is a repeat of a match from last weekend that had plenty of fireworks.
NWS Spirit FC v Northern Tigers, 7:30pm Saturday 3 October, Christie Park No. 1
Everyone loves knockout football and local derbies! Spectators at Christie Park will see both of those things when Spirit FC and Northern Tigers go head to head on Saturday night. These two teams have averaged well over two goals scored per game this season, and they played out a breathless encounter at the same venue two weeks ago – get set for another 90 minutes (at least) of full throttle football.
The history books don’t really help in deciding who might come out on top: since the start of the 2013 campaign, Spirit and Tigers have met 16 times, with six wins apiece and four draws. Spirit FC have been excellent at home this year, scoring 12 and conceding only three in their five previous games at Macquarie Park, however Northern Tigers are the only visiting team to avoid defeat at Christie Park in 2020.
Four Spirit players have been ever-present this season, and all of them offer something different to the team. Jack Greenwood has made the number one goalkeeping spot his own, performing solidly between the sticks since returning to the club from Western Sydney Wanderers Academy. Kota Odakura is fantastic both with and without the ball, and his set pieces (whether he takes them with his left or right foot) are always dangerous. Up front, Duncan Stewart provides the penalty box presence and has scored 26 goals in 37 games for Spirit FC, while Michael Konestabo brings creativity, whether he’s dancing around defenders or playing the killer pass.
After only winning once in the first four rounds, the Tigers ended the regular season with 16 points from a possible 18. The start of this run coincided with Oliver Scott’s 1st Grade debut – the 19 year old has recorded five goals and three assists in six games, way beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. Scott is far from the only goalscoring threat Tigers coach Adam Hett can call on: Ally Brown, Ollie Wiggin, Shev Adeli and Nick Drummond have all scored at least four times. There is also a lot of stability in the Tigers lineup with eight players appearing in every game this season.
Central Coast Mariners v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 3:00pm Sunday 4 October, Pluim Park No. 1
Having clinched the Premiership against Bonnyrigg on Sunday, Central Coast face the White Eagles for the second time in seven days with a place in the Grand Final at stake. Who will prevail when the league’s most prolific attack hosts the joint-best defence?
The Mariners have certainly made best use of home advantage at Pluim Park, winning five games in Lisarow this year – the same number as they won there in the whole of the 2019 campaign. However, last weekend’s meeting between these two was closer than the 4-1 result suggests, and Bonnyrigg created chances even after going down to 10 players midway through the second half.
It would be an understatement to say that the Central Coast attack is dangerous. The front four of Matthew Cahill, Damian Tsekenis, Harry McCarthy and Michael Katsoulis have scored 26 goals between them, and Mariners coach Nick Montgomery can also select the likes of Alou Kuol, Jordan Smylie and Louis Khoury if needed. It’s not just the attackers who can trouble opposition backlines – Dan Hall started the move for their first goal on Sunday with a run from centre back (not the first time the Mariners skipper has stepped out of defence to help set up a goal), and overlapping right back James Bayliss played a part in their third goal.
Yes, Bonnyrigg conceded four against Central Coast, but it would take a brave person to bet on that happening again as they conceded only four goals in the eight games prior to that one. Bradie Smith will be a big miss after his red card on the weekend, but the White Eagles still have plenty of talent at the back: James McKenzie has been excellent all season, and James Chronopoulos can pull off some incredible saves. Bonnyrigg’s height means they always pose a threat from set pieces, as Aaron Peterson demonstrated on Sunday, and Ray Miller has a wonderful passing range, both from the dead ball and in general play.
By Eric Subijano (@eric_subijano)
