Round 2 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
You don’t win the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition mid-March, but you can sure set your self up for a good season. And that’s exactly what our 12 clubs will be trying to do this weekend.
The fixtures this weekend see each Round One loser face another, and each round one winner doing the same. We’ll be off to Wanderers Football Park on Sunday, whereas two local rivalries light up our Saturday serving.
Match of the Round: Mounties Wanderers FC v Central Coast Mariners FC; Sunday 14th March, 3pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Two sides who came out of the blocks quickly meet in our second match of the round this season. But that is where the similarities end as we look ahead to what is sure to be an intriguing clash Sunday afternoon.
Sometimes in football, the result can be decided by grit and determination alone. And that is exactly what happened in Mounties Wanderers first round win over Blacktown Spartans. Inspired perhaps by some pre-season predictions, Jerry Bilokapic’s men were clinical in front of goal as they dismantled their opposition. Nathan Manno and Adam Voloder finding the net. But just as impressive was their ability to hold the Spartans scoreless having gone down to ten men for over a third of the fixture.
This week however, they face a more difficult test in the form of the defending champions. Yes, Central Coast Mariners started their title defense in the best possible fashion, running out three goal winners over Western Sydney Wanderers. James Bayliss and Damian Tsekenis both found the net. But it was an impressive all-round team performance which proved they could well be up there once again in 2021. Last time these two met, the Mariners pulled off a victory back in August 2019. Take that result with a grain of salt though, things have changed since then.
Get the camp chair out, this is going to be the first of many trips out to Rooty Hill this season. Be sure to join Eric Subijano for the call this Sunday afternoon exclusively on NPL.TV.
SD Raiders FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 13th March, 6:30 @ Ernie Smith Reserve No.1
A south west Sydney showdown opens the action in round two of the NPL 2 NSW Men’s competition.
SD Raiders return home for the first time this season after a convincing win over Hills United last weekend. Nick Carle’s men showed a ruthless streak scoring three goals in quick succession in the latter stages of the first half. Whilst Anthony Prioa and Matias Toro Suazo led their goalscoring exploits. The performance of Mario Aleksik at the other end, is sure to encourage his teammates in front of him.
They meet another team motivated by some pre-season predictions. Bonnyrigg White Eagles got their season off to a positive start with a round one victory over St George City. Led by an inspirational performance from defender Goran Subara, the eagles turned around a goal deficit with the other goal coming through Asmir Kadric’s deflected shot.
In the last meeting between these two sides last August, a 96th minute penalty ensured that SD Raiders took a point against a stubborn Bonnyrigg outfit.
Blacktown Spartans FC v St George City; Saturday 13th March, 7pm @ Blacktown Football Park No.1
Better to get that one out of the way. That was the sentiment shared by Spartan’s coach Brett Hewit after a disappointing round one outing. Up against an enthusiastic Mounties Wanderers side, his side could not match them. And not even having an extra man for half an hour could change the momentum. Will that defeat inspire an improved outing this time out? Or will the absence of Connor Eldridge continue to loom large?
One of two sides coming into this weekend after a respectable loss. St George City will be looking to make a minor course correction after going down to Bonnyrigg White Eagles (aka don’t concede so many corners). Ethan Dosanjh popped up to score his first senior goal against his former club whilst Nathan Roberts and Jason Romero both showed promising signs for the season ahead.
Blacktown Spartans have won each of their previous three meetings. Same again or will St George City take the points home?
Northern Tigers v NWS Spirit FC; Saturday 13th March, 7pm @ North Turramurra Recreation Area No.1
If you are not excited for Round two to come already, surely this fixture seals the deal as Northern Tigers welcome NWS Spirit FC for their first clash in 2021.
Northern Tigers have made quite the habit of scoring late goals in recent times. In fact, the Tigers have scored nine goals after the 75th minute in their last 11 appearances. Last week in was Hakoah FC falling victim to the men from North Turramurra courtesy of goals to Lachlan Mcgrath and William Dimartino. Coming into this one, they hold a six-game unbeaten run at home, last time losing at the venue in round two last March (before Covid).
Things could have got messy last weekend for NWS Spirit FC. But to their credit, they kept focus and pulled off a comfortable win over St George FC. Four goals from four different goal scorers saw them get off to the best possible start to this season. And with a bit of extra motivation on the table, they could well win their first game at North Turramurra in four years.
These two sides played out some memorable clashes in last years shortened season. This week’s hosts had the last laugh, so you better believe NWS Spirit FC will be up for this one.
St George FC v Western Sydney Wanderers; Saturday 13th March, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
If things were not hard enough with the recent regime change at St George FC. They just got a little harder after some off field drama. However, the Saints will hope their return home will be a positive one after difficult defeat on the road last weekend to NWS Spirit FC. In that one, the visitors paid for an early penalty miss before shipping four goals.
Western Sydney Wanderers on the other hand will be looking to bounce back after a poor showing in round one. Lining up with three members of the A League squad, they were unable to trouble a confident Central Coast Mariners outfit. However, as bad as it was, it is hard to see a performance like that happening again this weekend.
Last time these two sides met; it was a memorable St George FC victory back in July 2019. Couldn’t they do with a similar result this time round.
Hakoah FC v Hills United FC; Sunday 14th March, 3pm @ Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC put in a good effort last weekend against Northern Tigers. But unfortunately, football can be cruel. A James Demetriou goal was snuffed out by two injury time goals in quick succession consigning the Eastgardens based team to defeat. Returning to their home turf for the first time this season, they will build on a solid yet unspectacular record in the rebooted season which saw them take 8 points from a possible 15.
Their opposition Hills United will be looking to put in a complete 90-minute performance this time out. Last weekend, a poor second quarter of the game cost them dearly against SD Raiders. However, despite the 3-goal deficit, there were encouraging sides from both starters and substitutes alike. Alex Vlismas, Duncan Stewart and Jordan Parfait to name a few. They will be without Eoin Montford after a red card last week.
In their only previous meeting (in the league), Hakoah Fc came out victors thanks to a Matt Nezval goal.
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By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith
