KICKOFF 2020 4TH - 6TH ROUND 06 SEPTEMBER MEN’S FIXTURES - ROUND 06 7:30 PM • FRI 4 SEP • CROMER PARK Referee: M. Bailey Assistant Referees: M. McOrist Fourth Official: J. Park 4:00 PM • SAT 5 SEP • MARCONI STADIUM ® Referee: K. Ams Assistant Referees: R. Osborne Fourth Official: M. Allum 7:00 PM • SAT 5 SEP • POPONDETTA PARK Referee: S. Kelly Assistant Referees: S. Edeling Fourth Official: E. Kocbek 2:30 PM • SUN 6 SEP ALBERT BUTLER MEMORIAL PARK Referee: K. Patterson Assistant Referees: N. Ryan Fourth Official: B. Merchant 3:00 PM • SUN 6 SEP • ILINDEN SPORTS CENTRE Referee: M. Weiner Assistant Referees: J. Adabjou Fourth Official: P. Teleki 3:00 PM • SUN 6 SEP SYDNEY UNITED SPORTS CENTRE Referee: C. Fisher Assistant Referees: N. Wotton Fourth Official: M. Ebrahimi 2 #NPLNSW PLAY IT SAFE AND REDUCE THE RISK PREPARE AND WASH OR SANITISE YOUR DRESS FOR GAMES HANDS BEFORE AND AT HOME AFTER YOUR GAME SOCIAL DISTANCING TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT ALL TIMES DO NOT SHAKE HANDS, FILL AND BRING YOUR OWN HIGH FIVE OR HUG OTHER CLEARLY LABELLED DRINK PLAYERS, OFFICIALS, TEAM BOTTLE FROM HOME. OFFICIALS OR SPECTATORS DO NOT SHARE DRINK BOTTLES. DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS FEVER COUGH FATIGUE SORE THROAT SHORTNESS OF BREATH PREVIEWS Round 6 of the National Premier Leagues With new coach Adam Griffiths at the helm, NSW Men’s competition has arrived, and Manly will be looking to their young squad to we’re now at the halfway point of the find a way to secure the three points. rebooted 2020 season. Luca Kmet found himself on the scoresheet last Sydney FC is the surprise competition leaders round, following the goalscoring heroics of up after an incredible start to their campaign and coming stars James Georgaklis and Jordan winning four of their first four matches including Devries a week earlier. a 2-1 win against Manly United last week. If their young players can find their touch However, the chasing pack is hot on their tail alongside veterans Scott Balderson and with an undefeated Rockdale only one point Brendan Cholakian, then the struggling APIA behind in second place, while Sydney Olympic defence could be in for a difficult night. and Marconi Stallions sit in third and fourth two APIA has been a shadow of themselves since points behind the ladder leaders. the competition restart, and the side is in a This week’s matches get underway on Friday precarious position after only five matches with night at Comer Park as Manly United host APIA only four points to their name. Leichhardt. Injuries and suspensions have wreaked havoc on the squad which as resulted in the club Two matches have been scheduled for Saturday playing some up and coming youngsters with Marconi Stallions taking on Sydney with the likes of Nicholas Azzone and Camil Olympic FC, while Mt Druitt Town Rangers go Abouchaaya getting some senior game time. up against North Shore Mariners. Coach John Calleja will need his players to The round wraps up on Sunday with three find something extra if they are any hope of matches scheduled including Wollongong resurrecting their campaign. Wolves at home against Blacktown City, Rockdale Ilinden against Western Sydney Chris Payne will be determined to find the Wanderers and Sydney United 58 in a clash back of the net while the experienced heads against Sydney FC. of maestro Franco Parisi, Adrian Ucchino and Sean Symons will need to spur the team back to winning ways. Manly United v APIA Leichhardt FC, 7.30 pm With their finals hopes fading away, will it be Friday at Cromer Park Manly or APIA who find a much needed second wind when it matters most? The finals hopes of Manly United and APIA Leichhardt go on the line on Friday night when the two sides go head to head at Cromer Park. Marconi Stallions V Sydney Olympic, 4 pm Both Manly and APIA sit two games outside the Saturday at Marconi Stadium top five and will need a near-perfect run home if they are going to secure an unlikely finals berth. Two of the league’s most potent attacks will 4 #NPLNSW square off on Saturday afternoon as Marconi plenty of chances. Stallions host Sydney Olympic at Marconi Stadium. Olympic was held to a scoreless draw in a grinding contest against Rockdale last week. Third-placed Olympic and fourth-placed Marconi have both won three of their first four Pacy winger Adam Parkhouse and veteran games and are both on ten points. Wideman Fabio Ferreira were both unable to make the most of their chances against a The winner of this clash could potentially finish suffocating Rockdale defence. the round in top spot if other fixtures go their way. Thomas Whiteside was in good form against Home side Marconi were big winners in Round Rockdale and will be busy in the centre of 5 as they collected a 3-0 victory against rivals defence this week. Blacktown City. Expect fireworks from this blockbuster clash The Peter Tsekenis coached side scored three which could be the best of the weekend’s goals which all could be contenders for the matches. best of the season including a sublime solo run from Martin Fernandez. With Marko Jesic, Anthony Frangie and Mitch Mt Druitt Town Rangers v North Shore Mallia all in form, expect the Stallions to create Mariners, 7 pm Saturday at Popondetta Park NPLNSW.COM.AU 5 PREVIEWS Back-to-back wins for Mt Druitt Town Rangers return to the winner’s circle when they host have the confidence sky-high at Popendetta Blacktown City at Albert Butler Memorial Park Park, and they will be determined to make it on Sunday. three when they host bottom side North Shore Mariners on Saturday night. The Wolves suffered a costly 3-1 defeat on the road against Sydney United 58 last week and The Rangers have started to buy into new coach lost rising star striker Bul Juach to a severe injury Franco Cosentino’s style, and they are reaping in the process. the rewards on the pitch as highlighted in their 3-1 victory against local rivals Western Sydney Juach’s injury will force a shake-up of the Wolves Wanderers. attack, but what better replacement to have than none other than 2019 Player of the Year Jack Stewart is playing some of his best football and Golden Boot winner Thomas James who for the Rangers and has three goals in his past returns to the club following his tough short- two matches. term deal at the Perth Glory. It has helped take the pressure off fellow Blacktown is struggling all over the park attacker John Roberts who has also been in during this rebooted season, and coach Mark good form. Crittenden won’t be happy with the poor discipline shown by his side. Looking to stop them is a North Shore Mariners team who would be buoyed after holding APIA City is in desperate need of a confidence- to a scoreless draw last week. boosting win. Mitch Smith was dangerous for the Mariners as Last week Matt Lewis broke the club’s was Lawrence Frederick. appearance record, and it will be on the club captain to inspire his side to victory. They will be without Zac Sfiligoi who was sent off for a cynical challenge on Franco Parisi in the Wollongong will be favourites at home but dying stages of their Round 5 contest. don’t expect Blacktown to take it easy. Mt Druitt is full of confidence and playing at home, which makes them a tough team to beat. However, don’t write off the Mariners who may Rockdale Ilinden v Western Sydney be able to pull off an upset. Wanderers, 3 pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre Undefeated Rockdale Ilinden will have the top Wollongong Wolves FC v Blacktown City FC, spot in their sights when they host Western 2.30 pm Sunday at Albert Butler Memorial Sydney Wanderers at Ilinden Sports Centre on Park Sunday. Wollongong Wolves will be out to make a quick Only one point behind ladder leader Sydney 6 #NPLNSW FC, Rockdale will be driven to keep the pressure Sydney United 58 will we be out to topple on their Premiership title rivals. league leaders Sydney FC when the two sides clash on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Last week the Steve Zoric coached side battled Sports Centre. out a scoreless draw against Sydney Olympic at Lambert Park clinging on in the dying stages to Bolstered by the return of star striker Patrick secure a point. Antelmi, whose brace led United 58 to a 3-1 win last week, the Zjelko Kalac coached side Incredibly, Rockdale’s defence has yet to concede a goal since the competition restart has quickly become a team to watch. with the partnership of Banri Kazizumi and Antlemi was as sharp as ever leading the attack Daniel Petkovski proving more reliable than and his stint with A-League side Western United ever. appears to have taken his game to all new The return of Micheal Neill and Alec Urosevski highs. in recent weeks has only boosted Rockdale and given their long-suffering fans hope that this With support from Devante Clut, Glen Trifiro season could be their year. and Matt Sim, United 58 have the personnel to push for championship success. Looking to end Rockdale’s unbeaten run is a Western Sydney Wanderers side who have One side who will have a big say in any title talk shown glimpses of brilliance since being for United 58 is current competition leaders promoted into the state league top-flight for Sydney FC.