There is no more time for dusting off any cobwebs heading into Round 2 of PlayStation®4 NPL NSW.
There were goals, upsets and plenty of excitement in Round One and Round Two is set to feature even more action on the pitch. This week’s match of the round heads to Sydney United Sports Centre as Sydney United 58 FC host Wollongong Wolves.
Match of the round
Sydney United 58 FC v Wollongong Wolves FC, 5pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Mark Rudan’s new look Sydney United 58 side were unlucky losers in round one and will be out to make amends for its 3-2 loss to Blacktown City.
That match in Seven Hills was a tough test first up, but United will face another on Sunday afternoon at home against a fired up Wollongong Wolves side.
The Red’s defensive stocks will be stretched as veteran Eddie Bosnar faces a week on the sideline after receiving a red card last match.
Wollongong will have their work cut out marshalling Sydney United 58 FC star Panni Nikas as well as prolific striker Chris Payne.
Hakoah Sydney City East provided plenty of competition in round one before succumbing 3-2 to the Wolves.
Sydney United 58 FC will be a whole new challenge for Jacob Timpano’s men.
Skipper Chris Price grabbed the headlines for Football NSW’s Goal of the Week which was an absolute belter – he will hope to rally his troops to glory at Edensor Park on Sunday.
Sutherland Sharks v Blacktown City, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw
Attacking football was the mission statement from Sutherland Sharks coach Carlos Villazon before the season started and his players delivered with a quality 2-0 win against Manly in round one.
Saturday’s clash against current Australian PlayStation 4 National Premier League Champions Blacktown City will be a true litmus test for the boys from The Shire.
The home side will once again look to lead from the front against a well marshalled Blacktown City FC defence.
Blacktown were slow to start against Sydney United 58 FC in Round One but were hard to stop once they got going.
No matter the result, this game is set to be a thriller.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown Spartans, 7pm Saturday at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
The ever reliable Robbie Younis rescued a point for Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg side last week in a tightly contested 2-2 draw away from home against Rockdale City Suns.
The reigning PlayStation 4 National Premier League NSW Men’s Champions are back on their home turf this week to host Blacktown Spartans and will be determined to return to the winners circle.
Nikola Zonjic’s red card after 60 minutes at Illinden Sports Centre will mean changes to Brown’s side as the defender serves his suspension.
Blacktown coach Ben De Haan will be hoping his club’s injury troubles ease this week as five regular starters missed the opening week of fixtures.
Hakoah Sydney City East v Rockdale City Suns, 7pm Saturday at Hensley Athletic Field
It was an impressive start to life in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League NSW Men’s competition for Hakoah despite going down 3-2 to Wollongong.
A trip down to WIN Stadium is never an easy task and the boys from the East of Sydney went very close to snatching all three points.
A fired up Rockdale will be a tougher test.
Paul Reid’s side will be disappointed with not winning against Bonnyrigg despite holding an early 2-0 lead.
Expect plenty of goals with both teams determined to play attacking football this season.
Sydney Olympic FC v Manly United FC, 3pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground
Despite a major turnover of player from last season, Sydney Olympic showed they had plenty of life left in a thrilling 1-1 draw with APIA Leichhardt in Round One.
New signing Chris Triantis joined forces with Olympic favourites Harris Gaitatzis and Will Angel to lead the Grant Lee coached side on the park and it should be no different when Manly United come to Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
Manly’s Travis Cooper, Brendan Cholakian and Luke Givern were dangerous in week one and are sure to create problems for the Olympic defence.
Dejan Pandurevic is another player Sydney Olympic should keep an eye on with the pacy striker able to turn a match in an instant.
Parramatta FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday at Melita Stadium
Parramatta FC’s 3-2 win against Blacktown Spartans was easily the biggest upset of Round One.
Franco Consentino’s side is full of confidence after the win and will be out to make it two in a row when APIA Leichhardt comes to Melita Stadium on Sunday.
Defensive signing Ibrahim Haydar was huge for Parramatta in week one and will need to continue his run of form to keep out an explosive APIA attack.
While it is only Round Two, APIA must win if its to be taken seriously as a premiership threat this season.