New South Wales Preliminary Round 5 action draws to a close with a pair of cracking ties featuring three former Round of 32 entrants on Wednesday night.
Sydney United 58 host Rockdale Illinden in an all NPL NSW clash at the Sydney United Sports Centre while Northern Tigers face Manly United in a Northern Beaches derby at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
Sydney United and Rockdale look to make a return to the national stage after both missing out on the Final Rounds in 2021.
United have reached the finals rounds on five occasions, with four Round of 16 appearances being their best ever finish.
United's most recent appearance on the national stage saw them reach the last 16 in 2019 where they were beaten by Western Sydney Wanderers.
Rockdale have appeared twice in the Final Rounds with a run to the Round of 16 where they were defeated 3-2 by Melbourne Victory being their deepest ever cup run.
United and Rockdale ran out big winners over Quakers Hill and Tarrawanna Blueys respectively to reach Preliminary Round 5.
After 12 rounds of action Rockdale sit sixth on the NPL NSW ladder, just three points shy of league leaders Sydney FC in a congested top half of the table.
United sit three spots further back in ninth with 14 points to their name so far this season.
The two sides have already met once at the Sydney United Sports Centre this season with a pair of early goals from Alex Masciovecchio & Alec Urosevski securing a 2-0 win for Rockdale in the league.
A home tie against NSW League Three outfit Hurstville ZFC in Preliminary Round 6 awaits the winner of Wednesday’s match at the Sydney United Sports Centre.
In Wednesday’s other match Manly United are on the road against Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
Manly aim to reach the Final Rounds for the third time. Their most recent national rounds appearance and best ever cup run saw them reach the Round of 16 in 2019 where they were beaten by eventual Semi Finalists Brisbane Strikers.
Adam Griffiths side currently sit in seventh position on the NPL New South Wales standings but are within touching distance of the top and come into Wednesday’s match off the back of a 0-0 weekend draw against Sydney Olympic.
Manly ran out 4-2 winners over against Rydalmere United to reach this stage of Australia Cup qualifying.
Northern Tigers are fourth after eleven Rounds of action on the NSW League One ladder and sit just a point shy of league leaders Central Coast Mariners.
The Tigers who defeated SD Raiders to reach Preliminary Round five suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Bonnyrigg White Eagles in their most recent league outing.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will host Willoughby Dalleys in Preliminary Round 6.
