NSW Premier League Round 21 Preview

The White Eagles were only seconds away from their first piece of silverware since returning to the Premier League though were denied by Adem Kir?s 95? minute free-kick for Rockdale City Suns. Brian Brown?s men have been in exceptional touch in recent weeks, with Brad Boardman?s goalscoring form complimenting the fine performances of new recent Chris Tadrosse.
Sydney Olympic?s season has been extremely disappointing, illustrated by the side?s eleventh-spot standing on the League ladder ? two weeks out from the conclusion of the regular season. The Blues were outclassed by the Wolves last weekend, though will be eager to sign-off at Belmore for 2010 on a high for their supporters.
At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City Suns need three-points against Marconi Stallions to keep their slim chances of reaching the finals series alive. The Suns have recorded twelve draws in 2010, a record for the club in its first season back in the Premier League. Mathematically, the Suns do stand a chance of finishing in the Top-Five, though other results will need to go their way to reach the play-offs.
The Stallions on the other hand will be almost certainly figuring in the finals series this season, even though their run of results over the past six weeks have been worrying. The side slumped to a 2-0 loss at home against Manly United FC in Round 20, the side now win-less in the League since Round 15. Against a very well organised Suns unit, the Stallions will have a fight on their hands on Sunday.
Manly United FC will be aiming to keep their high-flying end of season run in-order in their final home match of 2010 against Sutherland Sharks. The Cromer Park side has managed to overturn the indifferent run of the first-half the season with a good run of results in recent weeks. Captain Joey Schirippa has been in good touch for the side, along with the return to form of experienced striker Robbie Cattanach, assisting new boss Craig Midgley with the task at hand. The side has moved up to ninth-spot on the ladder, a much more promising sight than the bottom-place the side occupied earlier on in the season.
The Sharks situation does look grim, considering the defending Premier League champions? finals push is out of their own hands. Sutherland will require six-points from their remaining two match ? starting with the trip to Dee Why this weekend ? and then need to hope other results go their way.
At Leichhardt Oval, the impressive A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers can secure their presence in the finals-series with a win against Bankstown City. The Tigers struggled to ?kill off? the Berries in the second-half last weekend, though captain courageous Franco Parisi scored the match-winner to ensure the side maximum points in the tricky trip to Homebush.
Bankstown City?s final rush for finals football has been unsuccessful, with the side mathematically no chance of reaching the Top-Five. Peter Tsekenis? side will certainly give a good account of themselves on Sunday with pride certainly on the line at Leichhardt Oval.
Blacktown City FC and Sydney United meet at Lily Homes Stadium in the battle between second and third on the League ladder. The home-side will already know whether their brave bid to reach Bonnyrigg White Eagles for the Premiership crown will remain alive, seeing the White Eagles face Sydney Olympic one day earlier. Aytek Genc?s objective though will be to secure a win, and kill off any hope Sydney United & Co. have of closing in on the second-spot.
The Reds enter the encounter following one-week off from Premier League duties, though their last outing was less than impressive. A 2-0 home loss against Bankstown City has raised concern the side has well and truly slipped off the pace, though this relatively experienced side will certainly approach the end of season as hungry as ever, in a bid to make right of the finals series after bowing out last season in a heartbreaking season finale.
In Wollongong, South Coast Wolves will be eager to hand out another shellacking ? this time to West Sydney Berries ? following the 4-0 victory over Sydney Olympic last weekend. The Wolves welcomed back Saymet Kaynak last weekend following a long lay-off due to injury, and the speedy striker was in exceptional touch.
The Berries have already clinched the wooden spoon for 2010, and will be playing for pride on Sunday against the Wolves. Steve Karavatakis? men have proven capable of creating chances, though their finishing has been their downfall through the current campaign.    

– Joe Carlucci