Round 8 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
In a week where the football world turned upside down overseas.
I am going to take my shot at introducing you to round eight of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition.
I can promise two things: you’ll be satisfied with what you see, and you’ll be back for the review!
This weekend, Bonnyrigg host Mounties in our match of the round. Northern Tigers host St George City, Saturday afternoon before Hakoah FC host Central Coast Mariners 24 hours later.
Match of the Round: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 24 April, 6:30 @ Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg White Eagles welcome Mounties Wanderers FC to Bonnyrigg Sports Club for our round eight match of the round.
Seven weeks into the competition. It probably is a bit early to label a fixture “must-win”. But now seven points adrift from the ladder leaders. Bonnyrigg will want to steer the ship in the right direction in this one.
A couple of weeks since we last saw them, round seven saw the return of keeper James Chronopoulos for their match against Spirit. While David Vrankovic should also be available for this one.
They face a Mounties Wanderers side who we last caught up with in round two. Since then, the going has been pretty tough for Jerry Bilokapic’s side. However, in recent weeks there have been some encouraging signs.
With the window opening up soon, expect to see some strengthening at the Wanderers.
So, what happened to these two sides last weekend? In what could well go down as the game of the season. A thrilling second half saw five goals scored. Aaron Peterson and Ray Miller finding the net for the hosts while a 90th minute header consigned Bonnyrigg to defeat.
Their opposition this week suffered a similar fate going down at home to Hills United in a nine-goal game at Wanderers Football Park. In that one Marcus Donatiello, Adam Voloder, Christian Torrelli and Nathan Manno all found the back of the net.
Two sides desperate for a win and a familiar foe of Bonnyrigg coaching the visitors. We are all set for an intriguing contest out in Sydney’s South West.
Join Nikola Pozder for the call exclusively on NPL.TV this Saturday evening.
Elsewhere
Northern Tigers FC v St George City FA; Saturday 24 April, 3pm @ North Turramurra Recreation Ground No.1
It is a weekend that the Northern Tigers look forward to every year. Their annual Club weekend sees them host St George City, Saturday afternoon.
It will be a tough ask for the home side after a humbling defeat to Central Coast Mariners last weekend. In what can be summed up as “Just one of those days”, the Tigers could not buy a goal despite threatening their opposition on multiple occasions. It has been a rocky start to the season, but well rested with their big weekend ahead. We can expect the Tigers to roar back to life.
It will not be easy though, St George City come into the weekend as one of the form teams in the competition. Having not lost since their round one defeat to Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Round seven saw an impressive victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in which they put together their best half of the season, Nathan Roberts and Jason Romero finding the net.
In the last meeting between these two, Northern Tigers staged a trademark late comeback on the road.
SD Raiders FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC; Saturday 24 April, 6:30 @ Ernie Smith Reserve No.1
Two sides looking to bounce back from a round seven defeat meet at Ernie Smith Reserve, Saturday evening.
Comeback time? SD Raiders FC need to find something after a tough couple of months. Last weekend they went down to a resurgent St George FC outfit at Ilinden Sports Centre. Noah Chianese found the net in the first half but there were positive signs in the second half, the visitors peppering the host’s net. But coming away empty handed.
Western Sydney Wanderers had a blip of their own last weekend. In a five goal thriller against St George City FA, they came up a goal short. Speaking afterwards coach Patrick Zwaanswijk labeled the first half his sides worst half of the season. So, you can be sure they will be keen to get on the field for this one. It will be tough though at one of the more unforgiving grounds in NSW.
Hills United FC v NWS Spirit FC; Saturday 24th April, 7pm @ Lily Homes Stadium
It is hard to not see goals in this one as Hills United host NWS Spirit FC at Lily Homes Stadium, this weekend.
Hills United secured their first win in five last weekend prevailing over Mounties Wanderers in a high scoring contest. In a game where they made it harder than it needed to be, Jordan Parfait, Duncan Stewart, Glen Kelshaw and Joshua De Rossi all found the net. It was the first time Hills have scored five since their trophy winning season in 2019, that time over Canterbury Bankstown FC.
NWS Spirit FC on the other hand, left in late to beat Bonnyrigg White Eagles on the road. Although Michael Konestabo scored the pick of the goals for the visitors. It was Anthony Vastag who the stole headlines through a stoppage time header. With a stop start form guide, David Perkovic will want his side to pick up back to back victories for the first time since round three.
St George FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 24th April, 7pm @ Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Blacktown Spartans will be looking to overturn a poor head-to-head record when they travel to face St George FC this weekend.
Having broken their duck the week beforehand, St George FC have found a bit of form on the field. Two games within 48 hours allowed Jane Talcevski to see the depth of his squad. And they passed with flying colours prevailing over Western NSW Thursday night before edging SD Raiders last weekend. In that one it was Anthony Morabito and Gabriel Lopez who found the net.
Their opposition Blacktown Spartans will want to put last weekend behind them. Facing a strong Hakoah FC side, the Spartans struggled to follow up their victory over NWS Spirit the week before. However, if they need any motivation for this one, they need only look at the history books having not tasted victory over St George since 2014.
Hakoah FC v Central Coast Mariners FC; Sunday 25th April, 3pm @ Hensley Athletic Field
How about that first touch? Zachary Sapsford starred in Hakoah FC’s victory over Blacktown Spartans showing his worth with two impressive goals. It was just the latest victory in a run which has seen them go unbeaten since round one. This week however, they face a tougher test in Central Coast Mariners. Win this and you will have to consider them a top four contender.
Five star performance. Central Coast Mariners issued yet another statement last weekend in the grand final rematch. With star man Damian Tsekenis absent, Nick Montgomery’s side showed they are indeed a collective unit with Lewis Miller, Harry McCarthy, Jacob Vasilou, Dean Larson and Sasha Kuzevski all finding the net.
The Mariners claimed victory in both their meetings last year. Same again or will Hakoah make a statement of their own?
By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
