NSW Premier League Round 14 Preview

The White Eagles, who have played some exceptional football in recent weeks, though have leaked a few too many goals, will draw on home support in this local derby to get the team over the line and a share of top-spot on the League ladder.
Coach Brian Brown has a red hot Brad Boardman in the front-line. The striker coming off an impressive brace against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers last weekend, meanwhile the youthful exuberance of David Gullo has also been a mighty plus for Bonnyrigg in the attacking third.
The Stallions will enter the encounter slightly shocked following the unexpected loss at home against South Coast Wolves last weekend. Despite holding the greater share of possession, and having created notable scoring opportunities, Marconi fell to their second loss of the season. Coach Lee Sterrey will be hoping his front-men re-find their scoring touch in-front of goal for this match, which promises to be a fierce encounter between two very competitive line-ups.
On Sunday afternoon, Sydney Olympic and Bankstown City go into battle at Belmore Sports Ground with both sides sitting in the bottom-three on the League ladder. Certainly, a situation unfamiliar to both clubs, three-points will be the order of the day this weekend.
The Blues were gallant in their grinding out a 1-1 draw at Sydney United last weekend, though any ambition of still charging for a Top-Five finish will only be kept alive by a win against the Lions. Andre Gumprecht will be hoping for goals from Matthew Mayora up-front, meanwhile the midfield unit has definitely showed signs of improvement in recent weeks. The return of Nik Tsattalios down the left-flank has assisted the Blues progress, as has the arrival of Dimitri Petratos ? the youngster adding a lot of pace, and skill, to the Blues? going forward.
Bankstown City?s situation is bleak at the moment following another home loss last weekend, this time against Rockdale City Suns. Peter Tsekenis? men were unrecognisable after missing a first-half penalty against the Suns, with the players struggling to get their passing game together. Against the Blues, big performances are required from the front pairing of Hussein Salameh and Hussein Akil, meanwhile Almir Dizdaric could potentially prove to be a match-winner for the Lions after a disappointing first-half of the season with his new club.
A loss for either team on Sunday could possibly kill off any slight hope of a serious challenge for finals football.
At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City Suns will be flying high following their win at Bankstown City last weekend. The Suns, who have been a pleasant surprise this season with their well-organised structure ? due largely to the experience of coach Mile Todorovski ? enter this encounter against a Blacktown City FC side down in the dumps after consecutive losses at the hands of A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt and Manly United FC. The Suns will again turn to top performers Peter Apolevski, Marino Musumeci, Dominic Hudap, Sam Awad and goalkeeper Ben McNamara after the most recent performances, each of these players leading the way in the Suns bid to finish as high up the ladder as possible.
The situation for Blacktown City FC hasn?t hit panic stations just yet, though there is certainly some concern following the recent run of results. Aytek Genc will be banking on Tolgay Ozbey and Ante Deur to re-find their scoring boots, meanwhile youngster Joel Chianese too will carry much importance with the side?s attacking play. Another loss for Blacktown City will see Rockdale City move to within three-points of the four-placed outfit.
At Cromer Park, Manly United FC will be aiming to build on last weekend?s impressive defeat of Blacktown City FC when A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers visit. Manly?s season has been a very inconsistent one, though the signs last weekend were positive for a final push for finals football. New boss Craig Midgley has managed to instill some additional confidence amongst his chargers, though the Tigers will be a tough assignment following their seven-match unbeaten streak.
A.P.I.A.?s final 8? minutes against Blacktown City last weekend were world class ? the side coming back from two goals down to grind out a 2-2 draw, even though the Tigers very nearly cleared clinched maximum points with two late chances.
West Sydney Berries have a tough assignment against Sydney United at home on Sunday, though perhaps the Berries meet the Reds at the best moment. Sydney United has drawn their last two matches and the pressure is on as a spot amongst the top-two is now being questioned. The Berries under new coach Steve Karavatakis have shown signs of life, though the recent loss at Sutherland Sharks certainly did set the side back in-terms of confidence. Sydney United has shown their ability to play good football consistently, though a number of points have been dropped late on in matches against the so called ?smaller? teams which may certainly come back to haunt the team later on in the season.
In the final match of the Round, the South Coast Wolves sensational defeat of Marconi Stallions stand the side in good stead when Sutherland Sharks visit WIN Stadium this weekend. The Wolves have struggled to move up the League ladder, though Trevor Morgan?s side has remained well organised to-date, frustrating their more fancied opponents consistently. Jason Trifiro and Tayfun Buyukkopru have both played their part in the side?s progress, meanwhile Mark Picciolini has let his feet do the talking in the attacking third with a number of important goals to-date.
Sutherland?s run has been promising with the side holding fifth-spot on the League ladder at present. Coach Robbie Stanton has managed to re-instill the confidence displayed by last season?s champions in 2009, even though signs were ominous earlier on in the season.
-By Joseph Carlucci