The PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition is warming up with sides beginning to hit top gear going into this weekend’s Round 4 action.
April 2 will be a super Sunday for football fans with four matches taking place across the competition including an exciting matchup between the undefeated APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
This weekend’s match of the round will feature Parramatta FC taking on Sydney Olympic at Melita Stadium with match also to be Live Streamed on the PS4 NPL NSW Facebook page.
Parramatta FC v Sydney Olympic, 3pm Sunday at Melita Stadium
Parramatta FC will be determined to bounce back from their 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Sydney FC.
Despite holding a 2-0 lead against the Sky Blues on Wednesday night, Parramatta capitulated in the second half to concede five unanswered goals.
The performance was a bad sign for Parramatta so early in the season.
The undefeated Sydney Olympic currently leads the competition and will set out to continue the woe of Parramatta FC fans.
With Parramatta FC backing up only days after their game with Sydney FC, look for Olympic to take advantage of their opposition’s potential tired legs.
Hakoah Sydney City East v Rockdale City Suns, 7pm Saturday at Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah Sydney City East supporters have plenty to smile about going from the performance of their side so far this season.
A win against reigning PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues national champion Sydney United 58 and a draw against PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s champions Blacktown City has given Gavin Rae’s side plenty of confidence.
This week they hope to claim the scalp of the undefeated Rockdale City Suns when they host Paul Reid’s side on Saturday night.
So far this season Rockdale City Suns has given little reason to doubt them as competition favourites despite a number of hurdles, including postponed matches and injuries to key players, getting in their way.
The Suns has the upper hand going into the match but as they have shown so far this season, Hakoah will be determined to spring an upset.
Blacktown City FC v Wollongong Wolves, 7pm Saturday at Lily’s Football Centre
Blacktown City’s first round draw with Hakoah Sydney City East proved to be merely a hiccup for the reigning PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s champions who have now claimed back to back wins from their past two games.
Mark Crittenden’s side is slowly finding its groove and new players are stepping up to fill the space vacated by City’s departed stars.
A hard-fought victory against Bonnyrigg White Eagles midweek was proof that Blacktown has not lost its winning edge.
That same winning edge is what Jacob Timpano’s Wollongong Wolves are so desperate to obtain.
Star signing Yuzo Tashiro has been a shrewd acquisition for the South Coast team and will be relied on to hit the back of the net at Lilly’s on Saturday night.
Patrick Antelmi will want to make a good impression on his return to his old club.
Both sides are stacked with goalscoring ability so it is a match which could feature plenty of goals.
Manly United v Sydney FC, 3pm Sunday at Cromer Park
The departure of head coach and club favourite Paul Dee has failed to break Manly United’s stride so far this season and the Northern Beaches club will set out to continue its impressive start with a win against competition young guns Sydney FC.
A 1-1 draw with Wollongong Wolves last round at WIN Stadium ensured Manly remained undefeated with captain Brendan Cholakian a shining light for the visitors.
Sydney FC is sure to present an interesting challenge for United with the pacy sky blues likely to stretch the manly defence.
Expect plenty of goals to be on offer with both teams able to find the back of the net with ease.
Sydney United 58 FC v Sutherland Sharks, 4pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre
Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong for Sydney United 58 in the first three matches of the year.
Three losses from as many games and the resignation of their coach Davor Bajsic has the reigning PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues champions Sydney United 58 on red alert.
A visit from the Sutherland Sharks is the next opportunity for the Reds to end their sluggish start to the season minus their skipper Nick Stavroulakis who will serve his one match suspension against his former club.
However, the Sharks won’t be giving away any competition points so easily.
Sutherland has followed a similar path to United 58 this season with their solid performances failing to equate to wins or competition points.
With so much riding on this much, it could be a tense encounter at Sydney United Sports Centre.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, 4.45pm Sunday at Lambert Park
The season couldn't have started much better for competition leaders APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Three wins from three games has Danial Cummins side tied for first place with Sydney Olympic and has helped their fans forget about their disappointing 2016 season.
APIA will be determined to make it four wins from four on Sunday afternoon against Bonnyrigg White Eagles with the first leg of the Robbie Younis Cup also to take shape as the now retired star attacker had the pleasure of playing for both clubs during his time in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition.
Bonnyrigg has been a valiant performer this season but an early season injury crisis at the club and postponed matches has conspired against Brian Brown’s men.
While they are still without a win this season, the White Eagles are building in confidence and will be difficult opposition for APIA.
Jordan Murray and Tasuku Sekiya are expected to lead the line once again for the home side.
They will need to be in good form for APIA to maintain its winning start.