The Western Sydney Wanderers will be looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Mounties when they travel to Northbridge Oval to take on North Shore Mariners in the final round of the NPL 2 regular season.
Despite being 7th on the NPL 2 table, North Shore Mariners are only one point behind the Red & Black who start the weekend in 4th place.
The men from the North Shore are in good form, going undefeated in their last six games, and will almost certainly secure their club’s first NPL 2 finals appearance with a victory.
The Wanderers defence will need to keep a close eye on North Shore striker Mitchell Smith who has scored 14 times this season. Most recently, last weekend in the club’s 1-0 victory over Bankstown Berries.
The Red & Black still have the chance to finish as high as second with a victory but a loss could potentially see them drop out of the finals.
Mohamed Najjar is one player that could play more frequently in the NPL 2 squad next year after an incredible season with the U20s that has seen him score 20 goals.
Earlier this month, Najjar was also selected for the Young Socceroos training camp in Perth where he scored three goals in two games.
Sam Silvera is another youngster who has recently progressed into the NPL 2 squad.
The speedy winger has scored 14 times in the U20s and has already made four appearances in the NPL 2 squad this season.
Silvera has also been selected for the NSW All Schools Team in the 2017 U19 Boys Tri-State Football Championship.
When these two teams met back in Round 13, North Shore won 2-1 thanks to goals from Smith and Chris Lindsay. Lochlan Constable scored the only goal for the Wanderers that night.
NPL 2 NSW Round 26
North Shore Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 27 August, 3:00pm (U20s at 1:00pm, U18s at 11:00am)
Northbridge Oval, Northbridge
