Round 12 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Men’s
239 goals and 66 games later, we’ve reached the halfway point of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition. So, with another half season remaining, it’s time to reflect and look ahead at what awaits us in Round Twelve of the competition.
In our match of the round, we return to Wanderers Football Park to see the two A-league academies face off. While there’s plenty to look forward too elsewhere.
Match of the Round: Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Central Coast Mariners FC; Saturday 22 May, 1pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to overturn a round one three goal defeat when they host Central Coast Mariners this weekend.
Western Sydney Wanderers come into the fixture having the better form of the two, taking ten points from a possible twelve in their last four outings. Last weekend, a late lapse of concentration allowed NWS Spirit to score two goals. However, prior to that Allesandro Lopane, Kosta Grozos and Reuban Awaritefe all found the net in an efficient performance in front of goal.
Central Coast Mariners on the other hand, have been a little disappointing in recent weeks. Winless in four, they drew with Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Bonnyrigg Sports Club in round ten. Jing Reec putting them ahead before an equalizer came after half time. This will be the third last away game for the Mariners, who will be hoping a late run of home games brings back their best on the field.
So, who will be the key players in this one? Western Sydney Wanderers have added a bit of firepower to their ranks with the signing of Aiden Mostofi from the Sydney FC NPL set up and signs were promising last weekend as he combined with Alex Badolato well throughout. While for Central Coast Mariners, Jing Reec has stepped up to provide their goalscoring threat netting in his last three matches.
Last time these two met, Central Coast Mariners claimed victory in style with James Bayliss and Damian Tsekenis scoring. Be sure to join Eric Subijano for the call on NPL.TV Saturday lunchtime.
Elsewhere:
SD Raiders FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 22 May, 6:30pm @ Ernie Smith Reserve
Having secured their first home victory of the season a fortnight ago. SD Raiders will be looking to make it back-to-back home wins when they host Hills United this weekend.
Yes, having gone winless in their first five home games this season. SD Raiders pulled off a memorable win over NWS Spirit in round nine. But perhaps just as impressive, they backed it up with a gritty win away from home against Blacktown Spartans. Controlling the first half in that one, Matias Toro Suazo and Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu combined to put them ahead before surviving a second half onslaught from their hosts. Three wins in a row, are the finals suddenly in picture for Nick Carle’s men.
They face a Hills United side who will be eyeing revenge after a three-goal round one defeat to the Raiders. Last weekend, John Gibson’s side came so close to pulling off an upset against St George City. Down by three at the hour mark, Glen Kelshaw, Duncan Stewart, Daine Merrin and Matteo Pandolfo all found the net to restore parity before conceding late to come away nothing. If they reproduce that second half performance in this one, they will be hard to stop.
St George FC v NWS Spirit FC; Saturday 22 May, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
St George FC will be looking to overturn a poor head-to-head record when they welcome NWS Spirit FC this Saturday night.
Ask any coach, playing three times every second week is a tough ask come this time of the year. Yet, that’s exactly what Jane Talcevski and his resurgent St George FC side are doing right now. Possessing a small squad, the Saints are marching forward winning their last four matches (cup included). Last weekend they beat Hakoah FC by a single goal margin, Emmanuel Gonzalez stepping up with an impressive free kick. Playing Rockdale City Suns in the cup midweek, we are left asking how far adrenaline can take you?
And we need to look no further to see how taxing a cup run can be than this week’s opposition NWS Spirit FC. In their toughest week of the season, David Perkovic’s men went down to SD Raiders and Marconi Stallions before showing character to pull a rabbit out of the hat against Western Sydney Wanderers. Two goals down, Kota Odakura and Geoffry Lino stepped up to bring them back level late on after Michael Konestabo found the net earlier. With a full week of training in the lead up, Will NWS Spirit FC return to winning ways this weekend?
Mounties Wanderers FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 22 May, 7pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Wanderers Football Park hosts another double header Saturday with Mounties Wanderers looking to repeat their round one success when they welcome Blacktown Spartans.
Sitting bottom of the table, Mounties Wanderers come into the match having lost their last ten league fixtures. Last weekend they went down courageously to Northern Tigers in one of the leagues toughest away trips. Andre Taouil found the net in the first half to bring the deficit back to one. Whilst an improved second period saw them hold an opposition scoreless in a half for the fifth time this season. Look out for Cole Mutton and Peter Pelekanos who have both signed for the club recently.
The reverse fixture of this one hurt the Blacktown Spartans. It was one of those games where everything clicked for the opposition and nothing for them. So, you better believe they will be looking to restore their pride in this one. Last weekend they narrowly fell to an in-form SD Raiders side at home down the driveway. Coming in on a poor run of results, it’s almost now or never time for Andrew Montgomery and his side.
Hakoah FC v Northern Tigers FC; Sunday 23 May, 3pm @ Hensley Athletic Field
A fixture deserving of a whole timeslot to itself (At least at the time of writing)! Hakoah FC host Northern Tigers in a contest where there is plenty on the line.
Possessing the league’s most stringent defense at the halfway mark conceding less than a goal a game, Hakoah FC will be looking to return to form after a disappointing round eleven result. Coming up against an in-form St George FC away from home, they conceded their first goal before the fifteenth minute in nine weeks to consign them to defeat. Undefeated at home in all competitions this season and with plenty of attacking talent, it’s a tough ask for this week’s opposition.
Speaking of… There’s evidence that the Northern Tigers are finding their mojo again after a disjointed start to the season. And just in time as well with a four-game stretch seeing them face Apia Leichardt, Hakoah FC, NWS Spirit and Western Sydney Wanderers. Last weekend they prevailed over Mounties Wanderers courtesy of a Shervin Adeli brace and Oliver Scott with the other. It’s a big month coming up for the Tigers, one which could see them roar towards promotion or leave them with a bit of work to do later.
St George City v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 22 May, 6pm @ Peakhurst Park
Top of the table with eight home games to come. Things are looking pretty good for St George City and they’ll look to continue their good form this weekend against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Health warning: Those with blood pressure issues should not support St George City. Yes, St George City are beginning to create a reputation of making things difficult for themselves, yet still coming away with victory. Last weekend for example, they got out to a three-goal lead before being pegged back twice, only for Steve Kuzmanovski to get the winner after earlier goals to Jason Romero, Juan Carlos Romero and Dominic Brischetto. After an eyewatering 16 goals in their past two fixtures (at either end), I’m sure they would settle for a comfortable victory here, but is that the St George City way?
Since the last meeting between the two, Bonnyrigg White Eagles have only recorded two further victories. So safe to say things haven’t quite gone to plan. But the midway point of the season offers captain Ray Miller and his side the opportunity to regroup and do better this time round. Last weekend, they were perhaps unlucky (again) to walk away with only a point courtesy of a David Vrankovic goal. They won the last meeting between the two by a goal back in March.
By NPL2 Men’s Reporter Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
