Mostly agree... except I'd argue that Manly are probably expected as they overachieved last year. 

The circumstances of Blacktowns slide down the ladder has been explained to me by a couple of rusted on supporters. The team is being run as the coaches are told to run it. The real problem is that the man with the money is making the decisions. I wondered why U20's players from recent years have gone and done well at other clubs in 1sts , also why the U20's  that won the competition this year didn't get  a run in a 1st grade side that has been terrible. Problem 1, Bragg, who is an ordinary footballer at best and also has the mantle of GRUB as he only challenges from behind, his position is assured because of his association with the Boss's daughter. Problem 2, Clut,who is a dreadful footballer, his only talent is giving the ball to the opposition, never wins a ball because he won't go close enough to any one to challenge = no pump. These two superstars do coaching clinics at Blacktown, so the next generation of footballers through this club will be learning off two Pea hearts with no ability. This is as told to me by two long term supporters who also had long careers playing at Blacktown. No wonder the team doesn't resemble the teams of recent years.

What supporters? Blacktown "fans" are all dads & girlfriends like 90% of the league

That being the case these blokes must be part of the 2%, and I  suppose that percentage doesn't have much influence on the direction of a club. The thing is this season must have went according to plan , as if it was any other club there would be strong discussion about the future of the coaches. That hasn't occurred, so the decision makers must be happy, and the 2% might also disappear. No doubt Bonnyrigg can explain how quickly everything can go belly up. It looks like another powerhouse of the competition has started it's tumble also.

A win over APIA on saturday night, through to penalties. 

We received a red card in the 30th min for an off the ball incident, looked like nothing in it, and the linesman got the wrong player as well. The standard of referring in this league is a joke...
Somehow we managed to take them to Penalties, Manos pulled off some fantastic saves.
Going to be interesting against Olympic on Sunday, especially that we got a few injuries, Gonzales and Cole needed to be taken off against APIA

Incredible defensive performance by United.  Manos was world class, as was the defence. 

Have a look at the video on NPL facebook page.  Antelmi will be in big trouble.  Two very obvious elbows. Ridiculous the ref thought it was Payne. 

Looks like he will get a week for it, regardless, how the F*** did they pick payne lol.

Dont know if there was 'nothing' in it lol. APIA player definitely made the most of it by grabbing his throat and rolling around for 5 minutes though. 

Anyone knows what the rules are in situations like this? Is there anything in the competition rules that allow a card to be rescinded if given to the wrong player? I believe the fourth official confirmed the mistake at half time and the linesman even put it in his match report. 

Either way, fantastic defensive performance given we played 90 minutes with 10 men and one or two seemingly playing on one leg for most of extra time. Up until the red I thought we were the better side. We pegged them back in their half for the first 15 minutes before they worked their way back into it leading up to the card. 

Rockdale will be pretty happy - APIA backing up on Tuesday against Victory along with a couple of mental scars from letting the Premiership slip and then not capitalising against us in the semis. 

United will need to lodge a mistaken identity claim with FNSW.  Could be risky as would cause them to review the incident again.  The ref is a clown. 

Watched the Apia/United game on the stream, no idea how they got the wrong player, maybe a blessing in disguise as Antelmi got the goal, Apia were unlucky not to win it but United defended brilliantly, great entertainment all round.

With 1 round to go and infront of the club championship by 19 points, looks like Mt.Druitt Rangers will be promoted to NPL1 next season

great win over blacktown. dominated the game and should of won by more. hit the crossbar three times as well.
next up is APIA.  yes they will be backing up from ffa cup but they didn't finish where the did for no reason. will be a tough game but confident the boys can get the job done.

I think Murray gone has really taken that x factor - sure they can still give a fight but Murray's execution as well all know takes the pressure off during games.
Coupled with ET pens followed by MV tomorrow night they are sitting ducks imo. 

yep, can't see that changing and as we know Bonno to PL2.
Parra down to PL3.
One hand on promotion PL3 St George City to PL2. Making it both St G clubs in PL2 for 2019.
Fraser likely to State with Bankstown United to PL3 next season.

Looks like sydney olympic vs sydney united will be played at Lambert Park this sunday 5pm?

Did the bulldogs kick them off the field again? lol

more like fnsw has a policy nowadays of playing finals on synthetic fields.

You cant be serious?
What a joke that is. lol

Incorrect.  Sydney Olympic elect where the game is held and chose Lambert.  Just like they have chosen Lambert for their National NPL Finals game and any further home games in 2018.    

why not at belmore? save the headaches from the bulldogs?

look it up, fnsw has a preference of playing finals on synthetic fields.  its a policy for a couple of years now and given most npl clubs have one, it doesn't cause many shifts of games. 
should be a cracking game. Olympic rested up against united who did well against apia with 10 men.

They'll allow finals to be played on big stadium grass pitches if the pitches are in good nick. Belmore is getting re-turfed, so not able to play there even if they wanted to, apparently...

Isn't that why they moved your game against Manly last year to Lily's so it wouldn't get washed out?

They moved it as "the pitch condition would not allow for attractive finals football" the grand final is played at Leichhardt oval after all

No matter who you support got to give credit to APIA knocking off MV at Leichardt in the FFACup tonight making it to the last 8 !.
I was there and have to say they played a good patient game even though I expected them getting done.
Obviously pumping it up to Sekiya when possible and he did deliver on 2 top occasions but there was some good build up play as well through the game.
Ivan put in a few good saves when under the pump.
Heck even saw Parisi nut meg Antonis lol.....
So good on one of our NSWPL clubs !

wasnt expecting that lol, question is how much they got left in the tank?

So I guess that means that Hakoah & Sydney Croatia are better than Melbourne Victory.    :D  

your telling me.
I know we both expected them getting done.
What have they left - apart from subbing Biczo for DApuzzo late 1st half from memory they used no other subs.
As FT was nearing and being under the pump from MV people were shouting out to make subs to kill time.
So they saved the legs of the subs but burned the start line up - heck even Parisi played a full game.
MV's line up was not 2nd string despite early season for them APIA sure hung in there and took the chances and held them out and some luck as any game.

Old man Parisi played the game of his life.  Incredible character to win a game against the A League champions after playing 120 minutes &  being accounted for by a ten man Sydney United team on the weekend.  

APIA been very unlucky the last two games.  Last night the shots went in.  The beauty of football. Great to see the NPL boys matching it. 

Looking forward to our match on sunday against Olympic, should be a bumper crowd too.

I heard rumors that kick off might be at 6pm now, can anyone confirm?