NSW Premier League Round 10 Preview

The Reds, who have trailed Blacktown City FC on the League ladder for much of the current campaign, took full advantage of Blacktown?s slip-up at home against Sutherland Sharks last weekend to surpass the side on the ladder. Sydney United have been in sizzling form since their defeat against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in Round 5, the side collecting four consecutive wins, with the latest a 3-0 drubbing of Bankstown City at Jensen Park.

Player/Coach David Zdrilic has dealt with the long list of injuries the squad has encountered, assisted greatly by the fine depth possessed by the Reds in 2010. Elsid Barkhousir has been in tremendous form with his goalscoring achievements thus far, as has new kid on the block Ante Tomic, already catching the attention of all on-lookers with his youthful exuberance, and fine footballing ability at even such a young age.
Blacktown City FC on the other hand will need to put aside last weekend?s shock first loss of the season at home against the Sharks. Aytek Genc?s side has been brilliant today with some very dominating performances handing the side the ?favourites tag? for the title. Away, against the Reds, Tolgay Ozbey and Ante Deur will need to be on song, as will Luke Roodenburg out of midfield with the impressive Joel Chianese too a threat for any side in the competition. In what may be a potential ?grand-final? decider ? as current form certainly does suggest ? neither side will be backing down when kick-off time arrives this Sunday.
On Saturday evening, Bonnyrigg White Eagles open the round against a ?new? Sydney Olympic outfit. The Blues have been woeful in the early part of the season, though two wins from their last two matches certainly have Pat Marando?s side on the up, as confidence appears to be returning to the team.
Sydney Olympic will have a big task ahead of them as Bonnyrigg – along with Sydney United, Blacktown City FC and Marconi Stallions ? have been setting the pace this season. The White Eagles will be keen to avenge the points dropped at home against Manly United in Round 8, an important sign for Brian Brown?s team arrived in the dominant display against Rockdale City Suns, where the side showed their true worth.
Sutherland Sharks will be buzzing following their win at Blacktown City when manly United FC visits Seymour Shaw this Saturday. Striker Ben Vidaic scored a double for the Sharks, and with the fine form of midfielders Jim Bakis and Pani Nikas in recent weeks, the Sharks will back themselves against an ?out of luck Manly United? on Saturday.
Phil Moss? side were great value against the Stallions last weekend, though an awful run of luck in-front of the goal, along with a sucker-punch conceded in the closing stages, the Cromer Park side failed to pick up a point from the home clash. Moss will again look to his experienced players to guide the younger group at his disposal, as the side desperately seeks to return into the top-half of the League ladder.
Equal first-placed Marconi Stallions host Rockdale City Suns in the final Saturday evening fixture for the weekend. The Stallions have gone about their business quietly, grinding out some very important wins with a disrupted season to-date. The Stallions are still awaiting clearance for three imports to the club, though have kept up the pace at the top of the ladder with some fine showings by their young group of players. Jason Naidovski was the hero against Manly United last weekend, combining well with Mitchell Malia to secure the Stallions win, meanwhile goalkeeper James Chronopoulos continues to lead the way from the back with some exceptional performances in goal.
The Suns on the other hand were brought back down to earth by Bonnyrigg in what was their first home loss of the season. Mile Todorovski?s men have been a real ?nuisance? to their more fancied rivals this season, and a polished performance by the team could well frustrate the Stallions this weekend.
On Sunday afternoon at Jensen Park, Bankstown City will need to bounce back against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers if there is to be a second-half of the season revival for one of the regular title contenders. The Lions have lacked consistency in this first part of the season, demonstrated by the 10? minute annihilation by Sydney United last weekend ? where the Reds scored three-goals and took complete control of proceedings. Question marks surround the fitness of player/coach Peter Tsekenis who is carrying a rib injury sustained against Sydney United, meanwhile on a positive note, in midfield George Nohra continues to gain the game time required after time on the sidelines with a groin injury.
The Tigers picked up their second win of the season last weekend, against the Berries, adding confidence to the side?s ambition to work its way up the League ladder. New signing Hirofumi Moriyasu has brought about a new lease of life at the Tigers, something the side will be hoping to maintain this weekend against a not so confident Bankstown City.
In the final match of the round, West Sydney Berries will be out to halt their woeful run of results when South Coast Wolves visit Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre on Sunday. The Berries were unrecognisable against the Tigers last weekend, and need points urgently to ensure their pre-season goal of challenging for finals football is met.
The Wolves on the other hand fell short against Sydney Olympic, despite challenging until the end against the Blues at Belmore. Striker Mark Picciolini has been in exceptional form for South Coast. His goals, along with the fine performances of Jason Trifiro out of midfield and Alex Mansueto in defence, have been a breath of fresh air for the side as the Wolves attempt to keep clear of the bottom places on the ladder.
 -By Joseph Carlucci