NPL Men’s NSW/League One Men’s Leg 2 Playoff Preview
A final place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2025 competition is up for grabs as Central Coast Mariners host Bulls FC Academy at Pluim Park this Friday night.
After a somewhat surprising result in the first leg which saw Bulls FC Academy take a lead in the tie, this one is set up perfectly heading into the second leg this Friday night.
We’ll start with the hosts who come into this one having tasted defeat in their last three fixtures.
Their record at home this season has been a mixed bag with five victories, four draws and six defeats throughout the 2024 NPL NSW Men’s season.
Last weekend, the combination of Harry Menham and Taye Hedley on the left hand side stood out combining for their sole goal of the fixture. Elsewhere, there were glimpses of quality with Donatien Niyonkuru starting the game well in particular. But for the most part, coach Lucas Vilela will want to his side perform a lot better at their home this weekend and they could welcome Sasha Kuzevski back into the fray.
Their opponents Bulls FC Academy were back performing close to their best last weekend after a tough run of results.
Indeed coming in, they would have been considered outsiders but a convincing second half display saw them take the lead in the tie.
They will also take confidence from an impressive record away from home in their League One campaign losing just four of their fifteen away games.
It was really a team effort last weekend but Flynn Madden and Ethan Debono found the back of the net. Elsewhere, Frans Deli was an important contributor with the assist for the second goal. Deli anchoring the midfield throughout. They could be potentially without Will Mckay who came off injured last weekend with what looked like a hamstring injury.
So there we go, it’s all up for grabs this Friday night.
Don’t be surprised if this goes beyond the ninety minutes – you can catch all the action on the Football NSW YouTube page with Pete Prior behind the mic for the call.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners (1) v (2) Bulls FC Academy; Friday 6th September, 7:30pm, Pluim Park
