Round 7 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
Do we have a treat for you in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition?
Round Seven looks like our best yet, with high quality fixtures in Sydney and beyond.
Central Coast Mariners face Northern Tigers in a Grand Final rematch. Bonnyrigg host NWS Spirit and St George City welcome Western Sydney Wanderers. And that’s not even mentioning our match of the round which sees a in form Blacktown Spartans face off against Hakoah FC. Six rounds in, don’t throw away your shot.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 17th April, 7pm @ Blacktown Football Park No.1
It has taken seven weeks but finally we are able to bring these two sides to your screen as Blacktown Spartans welcome Hakoah FC to Blacktown Football Park this Saturday night.
The most unpredictable team in the league. That is how Blacktown Spartans coach Brett Hewit labeled his side after a week which saw them defeat two fancied side this season. Last week, it was Spirit FC who they got the better of, scoring the first two goals by an away side at Christie Park.
Two score draws in the space of four day have Eastern Suburbs based side Hakoah FC sitting just outside the top five. Last weekend, they shared a point with St George City in tricky conditions at Hensley Athletic.
So, who do we look out for? Blacktown Spartans have their own way of playing the game and more importantly it can be remarkably effective. Mason Ireland and Mark Cindric stand out as their key players in the attacking third. While Andre Carle, Christian Nascimben and Emilio Manos have also found the net this season.
When it comes to Hakoah FC, they definitely will not be caught short in terms of quality in the front third. Bruno Mendes is their top scorer with four this season and he will be supported by James Demetriou and Luiz Lobo. While Yianni Spyrakis and Dominic Cox make a formidable combination in holding midfield.
In the last meeting between the two, Blacktown Spartans prevailed comfortably by a three-goal margin. Mason Ireland and Dau Akol finding the net in that one.
Be sure to join Eric Subijano for the call exclusively on NPL.TV, 7pm Saturday.
Elsewhere
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v NWS Spirit FC; Saturday 17th April, 6pm @ Bonnyrigg Sports Club
It is not yet panic stations for either of these two sides. But both Bonnyrigg White Eagles and NWS Spirit FC will want to pick up three points in this clash, Saturday evening.
It seems like every week we get a goal of the season contender. Yes, Bonnyrigg White Eagles went down to Western Sydney Wanderers. But they put in a good performance to match it with one of the leagues form teams. Highlighted by Richard Darko’s goal which saw a stunning back-heel assist from Asmir Kadric. Now, returning home against another top four opponent, three points would be oh so valuable in this one.
We have come to expect a certain level of performance from NWS Spirit FC in the opening five rounds. Yet, for the first time in 2021, they failed to live up to it in their round six match with Blacktown Spartans. A first half goal to Geoffry Lino saw them equalize in the first half, but a sloppy mistake at the other end consigned them to defeat. They will be backing up from a Tuesday night FFA Cup fixture in Nowra.
St George City v Western Sydney Wanderers FC; Saturday 17th April, 6pm @ Poulton Park
Is it possible to be in three places at once? It is getting to the stage where several matches catch the eye across the competition each weekend. And this one between St George City and Western Sydney Wanderers is no different.
Steady as she goes. St George City will return home for just the second time this season when they host the Wanderers. The home side have a poor record against their visitors having lost in their 2019 fixtures. Last weekend, City took a point away from Hensley Athletic Field courtesy of Paolo Mitry’s first of the season. With nine players having appeared in all their fixtures so far, is this the season St George City mount a serious top four challenge?
Sometimes the wins you look back on are not the prettiest on the eye. And you suspect that will definitely be the case for Western Sydney Wanderers as they reflect on their win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend. Down to ten men for a third of the contest, they gritted out a 3-2 win courtesy of goals to Alex Badolato, Lochlan Constable and Ali Auglah. They will be without Nectarios Triantis who picked up a red last weekend.
St George FC v SD Raiders FC; Saturday 17th April, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Fresh off their first victory of the season, St George FC will want to keep the good times rolling as they host SD Raiders this weekend.
It was a bit of a wait, but St George FC finally got to sing their team song in 2021. Having focused on their ability to rebound from disappointment before the match. Coach Jane Talcevski was both relieved and pleased with his teams two goal victory over Mounties Wanderers. Brandon Stojcevski and Anthony Morabito found the net, but it was captain Brad Bartels who impressed the most. This will be their second game in three days having faced Western NSW in the cup 48 hours beforehand.
The last three fixtures make for sobering reading for SD Raiders FC. Nine unanswered goals against St George City, Hakoah FC and Northern Tigers have them languishing in second last. But you do not have to look too far before that to see what this side is capable of, having taken a point against Central Coast Mariners. A mid-week trip down the coast to face Wollongong United offers them a chance to reset before this one.
Mounties Wanderers FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 17th April, 7pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Mounties Wanderers and Hills United will both be looking to return to the winner’s circle in their clash, Saturday night.
It is a tough ask for Jerry Bilokapic and his Mounties side as the club have a horrible record against this week’s opponents. Last weekend they went down to St George FC on a windy night at this same venue. Nathan Manno scored their lone goal with a great finish, while Franco Scarcella and Carlo Imola both started from their 20’s set up. Coming into this one considered underdogs, they will be looking for a repeat of their round one performance here.
The draw has not been particularly kind to Hills United. After tasting victory against St George FC one month ago, they have faced Bonnyrigg and the two A-league academies in succession. Last weekend, they faced Central Coast Mariners and oh so nearly took a point away from the contest. With only five goals scored so far this season, they will be looking to the likes of Duncan Stewart, Jordan Parfait and Wade Giovaneli in this one.
Central Coast Mariners FC v Northern Tigers FC; Sunday 18th April, 1pm @ Pluim Park
Last but definitely not least. Central Coast Mariners host Northern Tigers in a grand final rematch at Pluim Park, Sunday.
It will be a weekend of returns for hosts Central Coast Mariners as they take the pitch at Pluim Park for the first time since round one. Whilst also welcoming coach Nick Montgomery back to the dugout. Last weekend, they backed up a mid-week victory over Blacktown Spartans with a 1-0 win over Hills United. Damian Tsekenis continues to find the net on a regular basis. While joined by Gideon Arok, Harry McCarthy, James Bayliss, Jing Reec and Zenden Hart as constants in the side.
Their opponents Northern Tigers are starting to pick up some scoring momentum, putting five on SD Raiders last weekend. But it’s at the other end where they have been most impressive. With the equal second best defense and having not conceded a goal since their round three defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers. It is about time we gave a shout out to Hugo Forlico, Sam Wilson, Jamie Lobb, Nicholas Kalogerou, Lachlan Mcgrath and keeper Elliot Carwardine.
By NPL2 Men’s reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
