TeleChoice Premier League Round 4 Preview
The Saturday evening clash presents a repeat of the Johnny Warren Cup Final ? won by Sydney Olympic in the final minutes of extra-time.
Milan Blagojevic?s side has demonstrated their ability over the past two weeks with important victories, following the opening round shock-loss to West Sydney Berries.
Sutherland Sharks have been ?on fire? with impressive showings against Penrith-Nepean United and Manly United over the past fortnight.
Brad Boardman is leading the line for the Sharks with important strikes to-date securing top-spot on the ladder, meanwhile Sydney Olympic will need to make-do without their target-man Matthew Mayora after his red card against Marconi Stallions last weekend.
Mayora?s hat-trick against the Stallions capped off a brilliant opening period at Marconi Stadium for the Blues, though a rush of blood to the head took some shine away from the victory as the striker was sent-off.
Round 4 action will kick-off on Friday evening when Manly United will be hoping to bounce back after their loss to the Sharks in Round 3.
Phil Moss? side has played some great football and will not want to drop points, at home, against a struggling Marconi Stallions.
David Barrett?s men have failed to kick-start their campaign with only 1-point to show from the opening three-rounds.
Notorious ?slow-starters? Wollongong FC had an impressive finale against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers last weekend, a positive sign for a club that has constantly been hampered by slow starts to the season.
Wollongong meet Macarthur Rams at Campbelltown Sports Stadium ? the Rams in search of their first win of the campaign.
Bankstown City sit in the bottom-four on the ladder despite some promising performances to-date ? a far cry from the team that has figured in the top-two in recent times.
Bankstown will need points on Sunday against Penrith-Nepean United at CUA Stadium in Penrith, a task already acknowledged by many as a difficult ground to pick-up points.
At Lambert Park, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt and Blacktown City Demons will both be looking to turn their poor starts to the season.
Both teams are a mere shadow of the sides that performed very well last season ? a fair indication of just how competitive the TeleChoice Premier League has become.
Sydney United and West Sydney Berries will close Round 4 on Sunday evening at Sydney United Sports Centre with consolidation of a top-two spot up for grabs.
Scott Baillie?s side has made a fine start to the season, surprising many after the indifferent pre-season campaign endured by the team.
Sydney United on the other hand have played some good football over the opening rounds, with Luka Glavas brimming with confidence up-front ? and a strong defensive line led by the experienced Joe Vrkic ? Ivan Petkovic?s Reds will be a hard obstacle for the League?s ?new boys? to overcome.
A quick reminder that at the conclusion of all round 4 TeleChoice Premier League fixtures, an Easter break will take place with round 5 TeleChoice Premier League games commencing once again on the 29th of March.
Round 4 TeleChoice Fixtures
Friday 14th March
Manly United FC vs Marconi Stallions – Cromer Park ? 8.15pm
Saturday 15th March
Sydney Olympic vs Sutherland Sharks – Belmore Sports Ground ? 7.30pm
Macarthur Rams vs Wollongong FC – Campbelltown Sports Stadium ? 7.30pm
Sunday 16th March
Penrith Nepean United vs Bankstown City – CUA Stadium Penrith ? 3pm
A.P.I.A Leichhardt Tigers vs Blacktown City – Lambert Park ? 3pm
Sydney United vs West Sydney Berries – Sydney United Sports Centre ? 6pm
-By Joseph Carlucci
