Johnny Warren Cup Round 2 Preview
Despite the early season form of players across the twelve teams, the wet weather last weekend has set teams back in terms of their preparations.
The ?Big Wet? meant all official matches – Johnny Warren Cup fixtures – were postponed, meaning supporters will have to wait until this weekend to get a first-hand look at their respective sides.
As reported by Football NSW earlier this week, Round 1 matches will not be re-scheduled to a later date due to the lack of time before the start of the NSW Premier League competition.
Football NSW consulted with clubs and came to the agreement that too many matches ? in the short space of time ? would not be in the players? best interests at this early season stage.
On Saturday evening, Pool A kicks off at John Crehan Park with Marconi Stallions and Bankstown City to do battle in the early kick-off.
Marconi Stallions, who will still be without Tolgay Ozbey through injury, have received promising news as their pre-season recruiting has gone from strength-to-strength.
Tallan Martin, who played for Bankstown City last season, has agreed terms to join the club and could possibly get a run against his former team-mates as early as this weekend.
Wollongong FC and Sydney Olympic will play the late match at John Crehan Park on Saturday evening ? John Turner?s side without the services of experienced shot-stopper Justin Pasfield.
The former Sydney FC recruit has been loaned out to Queensland Roar in their A-League final-series campaign, and will return to Wollongong once Queensland Roar has completed their season.
Sydney Olympic?s road back from a disappointing season commences this weekend, with Milan Blagojevic hoping to fine-tune his players in-time for the start of the regular season.
Last season?s surprise packet Manly United ? who exceeded all expectations ? will be venturing into the unknown against the Berries on Saturday, at Cromer Park, against new boys West Sydney Berries.
At Cromer Park on Saturday, Pool B fixture featuring Penrith-Nepean United and Sutherland Sharks will precede Manly United – West Sydney Berries.
Abbas Saad?s side has undergone a rigorous pre-season and will be aiming to ?step it up? in this early part of the season, in the side?s bid to put to rest the demons of last season?s wooden-spoon finish.
Brian Brown on the other hand will be hoping for a winning start, in his first Official match with the Sharks.
At the Sydney Athletic Centre on Sunday, Sydney United will be the first side to face Macarthur Rams in an official match this season, meanwhile A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers will be without their first-team boss ? John Romeo ? who is in Italy for the Viareggio tournament, when last season?s Johnny Warren Cup winners meet defending NSW Premier League Champions, Blacktown City Demons.
