MEN’S PREVIEW: MANLY UNITED v WOLLONGONG WOLVES

The Manly United Men’s 1st Grade team returns to Cromer Park on Saturday night for a meeting with Wollongong Wolves.

This game will come just 11 days after our incredible Australia Cup victory over the Wolves. Manly have a good record against Wollongong in recent times after earning four points from the two games against them in 2022. Our Men’s team is strong at home, having won four out of the five matches played at Cromer Park this season.

Wollongong currently occupies 12th place, sitting one place and one point behind Manly. The Wolves drew 0-0 with Sydney United on the weekend and have failed to win in each of their four previous games, but they will definitely pose a threat on Saturday. Manly’s defence need to be alert against Wollongong’s strike partnership of Jake Trew and Lachlan Scott, while Wolves midfielder Chris McStay is another player who can trouble United.

Manly are looking to get back to winning ways after last weekend’s road trip ended with defeat at the hands of Sutherland Sharks. Bilal Belkadi was one of our better performers against Sutherland and his tenacity will be required against the Wolves, a club that Belkadi used to play for. Bruno Mendes could also be important: he will have fond memories of playing Wollongong after scoring twice against them last season.

The Manly U20 team have been strong this year and are fifth heading into Round 12. Stefan Visscher scored on the weekend – he and Stefano Rossello have been strong goal threats for our U20s this year. The U20s have certainly enjoyed home field advantage in 2023, with three wins and a draw from the four games played at Cromer Park.

If you can’t get to the ground for our Men’s 1st Grade clash, tune in on NPL.TV .

Manly United v Wollongong Wolves

Saturday 22 April, 7:15pm (U20s kickoff at 5pm)

Cromer Park