Round 3 has arrived in PlayStation®4 NPL NSW and it’s sure to be another weekend of exciting football.
After two action packed rounds, teams are starting to find their groove and are determined to make their mark at the top of the competition ladder albeit with a couple of teams having last weekend off due to washed out fixtures.
This week’s match of the round will feature Bonnyrigg White Eagles facing off against reigning PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Champions Blacktown City at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown City, 7pm Saturday at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
It has been a tough start to the year for Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Brian Brown’s squad has been faced with an injury crisis and two defeats from their first two games.
However, it’s not all fire and brimstone for the White Eagles with the side displaying plenty of promise in last week’s 3-5 loss to Manly.
This week they take on a Blacktown City side still finding its feet after an offseason exodus of players.
Mark Crittenden’s side has a draw and a win from the opening rounds but has failed to truly impress.
Could Bonnyrigg finally find its feet against last season’s Grand Final winners?
Hakoah Sydney City East v Sydney United 58 FC, 3pm Saturday at Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah Sydney City East will be focussed on delivering a bounce back performance when they host Sydney United 58 on Saturday.
The Hensley Athletic Field based side held Blacktown in the opening week but was easy accounted for by APIA in Round 2. Hakoah will also be without veteran striker Neil Jablonski who was sent off at Lambert Park for a rash sliding challenge.
Sydney United 58 was shocked by APIA in Round 1 and was rained out of their clash against Rockdale last week. However the side did play that match on Wednesday evening and suffered its second successive loss 2-1
Davor Bajsic will want to get his Reds back on track and nothing less than a win will be good enough as the 2016 Premiers battle to open their account for the 2017 season.
Sutherland Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw
It must feel like Groundhog Day for Sutherland Sharks fans. Just like last season, their team is playing entertaining attacking football but struggling to win matches.
Coach Carlos Villazon has developed one of the best teams to watch in the competition, but the Sharks are a side which lacks the killer edge required to win tough games.
This week they will be desperate to win their first game of the year when they host the undefeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
APIA has started this season on fire and is rewarding their supporters for returning after a horror 2016.
It is sure to be an entertaining clash.
Sydney FC v Sydney Olympic, 7.45pm Saturday at Lambert Park
Competition new boys Sydney FC appear to have settled in to the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with ease and will have their heart set on a maiden win when they host Sydney Olympic.
The young side boasts dynamic attacking threats including prolific striker Charles Lokolingoy.
Sydney Olympic will need to be on high alert if they are to make it three wins from three starts on Saturday night.
New coach Jamie Monroy has Olympic playing quality football and more of the same is expected this weekend.
Wollongong Wolves v Manly United FC, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves were given a reality check by Sydney Olympic in Round 2 after the South Coast side's impressive opening week.
Jacob Timpano’s team returns to Wollongong for their first home game of the season against a fired up Manly United.
It will be the first chance for Wolves fans to see star signing and former Japan international Tashiro Yuzo in action.
Manly come into the match on the back of a 5-3 win against Bonnyrigg and are in good shape at this point of the season.
Rockdale City Suns v Parramatta FC, 5pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre
Is this the year Rockdale City Suns deliver on years of potential?
Paul Reid has assembled one of the strongest Suns teams in years and the side is ready to answer their doubters.
Ante Covic has settled in to the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with ease and has provided the perfect base for Rockdale to build.
Rockdale hosts a resilient Parramatta team in Round 3 which will be determined to claim a shock result away from home. Backing up from a gritty 2-1 victory over Sydney United 58 on Wednesday evening, the home saw will rely heavily on exciting winger Alec Urosevski as well as skipper Daniel Petkovski as doubts have been raised over the injuries to Jordan Figon and Blake Ricciuto from Wednesday's clash.