On a very pleasant Sunday afternoon at Blacktown Football Park in Sydney, I watched an entertaining battle between Blacktown Spartans FC and APIA Leichardt.
The game did not turn out the way most football commentators expected. APIA had been playing some decent football in recent weeks and the Spartans were without a win in the last month.
Blacktown Spartans are in the relegation zone. Every game they play is now a contest to stay in the top division of the NSW National Premier League.
Relegation, or the prospect of it, brings a different dimension to a football competition. It’s not just about missing the finals series at the end of the regular season. It is about fighting to stay in the competition for another season.
APIA had some concerns about relegation a few weeks earlier. During the pre-season, APIA was touted as one of the teams to watch for 2016 after a successful 2015 season where they finished third.
A run of injuries, and some unlucky results had them near the bottom of the table at the halfway mark in the season. That improved over the last few weeks. There are now three clubs below them in the table.
If APIA had won against Spartans on Sunday, they would have been only 2 points away from the top five. The first part of the match looked as if they were heading that way. APIA took a 1-0 lead into half-time and had chances to score more (including a a missed penalty). Early in the second half, Spartans were awarded a soft penalty and equalised.
Suddenly, Spartans sensed a possibility of winning. The next 15 minutes were crucial as Spartans added two more goals. APIA hit back with a quality goal. It was now 3-2 to Spartans. And both sides were after a goal.
It’s a great part of the season for football fans with the NPL providing plenty of action. The National Premier League in NSW is just four rounds from the finish of the regular season. Other states are in a similar position.
There are still some big matches that will decide those who make the finals, and who gets relegated at the end of the season. I hope you get to enjoy it.
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