NWS Spirit FC will be looking to build on a statement first season in NPL Men’s NSW, which saw them finish in 11th place, safely away from the relegation playoff with 16 points separating them from 15th.
Spirit were one of the most exciting teams in the competition last season, playing some champagne football, and taking in part of some of the most dramatic games of the season.
In games in which NWS Spirit were involved in throughout the season, an astonishing 11 goals were scored in the 90th minute or after.
Seven of these were meaningful goals – goals that changed the result at the time and/or had an impact on the final result.
20 goals were scored in the 80th minute or beyond, with 15 of them being a meaningful goal, demonstrating the excitement of watching the Spirit last campaign.
The games that epitomised this was round nine against Wollongong Wolves, where before the 80th minute, the score was 3-2 to NWS Spirit’s opponents.
However, the match ended 5-4 to the Spirit, with NWS netting three goals in the 90th minute or later after Wollongong added a fourth in the 83rd minute.
Meanwhile, they were exceptional at their home at Christie Park; eight of the Spirit’s 11 wins last campaign came at their home ground – including a highly impressive 2-1 win against APIA, who were chasing points to secure the title, while they lost just four matches there compared to their nine away from home.
For the new season, coach David Perkovic has signed Gianni Bouzoukis, Bradley Whitworth, Titus Macharia, Brayden Burr, Ante Bakmaz and goalkeeper Jack Greenwood, while club captain Grant Cornwell will re-join the squad after picking up a knee injury to keep him out of the 2023 campaign.
Spirit will be looking to harness that excitement again this campaign and move their positive home record interstate, as they look to further secure their spot as a formidable force in the NPL Men’s competition.
By Jack George (FNSW)
