MEN’S PREVIEW: MT DRUITT v MANLY UNITED

On Saturday evening, the Manly United Men’s 1st Grade team will head west for a very important game against Mt Druitt Town Rangers. As teams battle to stay out of the bottom two, this fixture could prove critical in determining the fortunes of both sides.

We’ve already played Mt Druitt twice in 2023: on Back To Manly Day in April, we recorded a 2-0 win over Rangers at Cromer Park. Then in May, Mt Druitt would turn the tables when we met in Round 5 of the Australia Cup qualifiers, winning 4-3 after a thrilling game which went to extra time.

The Rangers are looking for a return to winning ways after losing their last five league games. However, they won’t be easy beats, and their qualification for this year’s Australia Cup Round of 32 shows that they are a talented side. Former Socceroo Tarek Elrich anchors their backline and goalkeeper Dylan Niski has put in some impressive goalkeeping performances. Manly’s backline will have to watch out for speedy forward Olayinka Sunmola, who has returned to Mt Druitt after a spell with Central Coast Mariners Academy.

For Manly, Harry McCarthy will be looking for more goalscoring heroics, following on from his stoppage time goal that rescued a deserved point as we drew 1-1 with high-flying Marconi Stallions. Youngster Saxon Hillyer was one of our best players against Marconi and received plaudits from the coaching staff, while another emerging talent in Marcus Lal set up McCarthy’s equalising goal against Marconi – Lal is also leading the U20 Golden Boot race with 14 goals in 2023.

Victory here will put further ground between Manly and the bottom two, but Mt Druitt are desperate for points and are sure to fight for every ball, so this is set to be a fascinating game! If you can’t get to the ground for our Men’s 1st Grade clash, tune in on NPL.TV .

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Manly United

Saturday 15 July, 5pm

Popondetta Park