NPL Men’s NSW/League One Men’s Leg 1 Playoff Preview
It’s time for some post season football as Central Coast Mariners and Bulls FC Academy meet in our promotion/relegation playoff for a spot in the NPL Men’s NSW competition next season.
Guaranteed to feature plenty of tension, drama and hopefully goals from these two young sides. We have your next two weekends covered.
Despite finishing in second, the last couple of months haven’t been easy for Bulls FC Academy. Their last win coming back in round 24 against Bonnyrigg White Eagles, they have only picked up two points in that time.
Most notably in that time, they have struggled defensively more than anything, conceding thirteen goals across that period. As such it will be up to the likes of Sebastian Krslovic, Alexander Parkes and Oliver Jones will play an important part in this one to find solutions. While Alexander Robinson in goal saved an important penalty against the students so could well step up for the big moments here.
In front of them, their attacking fortunes will be decided by the likes of Flynn Madden, Dean Bosnjak and Oliver Randazzo. Lacking a traditional number nine after the departure of Abdelelah Faisal and Ariath Piol, they’ve had to look for different ways to find the back of the net, hence their output slowing down in recent weeks. Madden their top scorer this season with 10 goals throughout the season.
They face a Central Coast Mariners side who up until recently have been in good form. However that all changed in the final rounds with two losses in Sydney’s South putting them in the relegation side of this playoff amongst some final day chaos.
Prior to that, they were on quite the run going unbeaten barring a forfeit back in round 26 against St George City. And there’s one name which stands out in recent times, that of Arthur De Lima whose recently earned himself a scholarship deal for the A-league side. While Bailey Brandtman scored a spectacular ‘Olimpico’ against Rockdale Ilinden last weekend.
Alongside him, Jordan Small and Lucas Scicluna are two players who will guide the side around in midfield. While keeper Jack Warshawsky and Nicholas Duarte are now experienced players at the level. It’s also worth noting that the physicality of the Mariners side could give them a slight advantage over the Bulls in this one.
These two legged matches have the hallmarks of being matches not to be missed so if you aren’t at the match catch Nikola Pozder calling the first match on Saturday on Football NSW’s official YouTube channel and Peter Prior calling the second game at the Central Coast next Friday.
Leg 1
Bulls FC Academy v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 31st August
3pm – Sydney United Sports Centre
Leg 2
Central Coast Mariners v Bulls FC Academy
Friday 6th September
7:30pm – Pluim Park
By Justin Smith
