NSW Premier League Round 2 Preview

Bonnyrigg White Eagles open proceedings in their first match at home for the season against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers in what promises to be a very entertaining match between two very astute passing sides. The White Eagles will be eager to release the frustration built up following the 2-2 draw against Parramatta FC in the opening round after being denied goals by a very well organised outfit at Melita Stadium.
The Tigers too pride themselves on a strong defensive unit, and the team from Leichhardt will be out to deny the White Eagles playmakers any room on Saturday. Coming off a draw at Rockdale against the Suns last weekend, the Tigers will be hoping to add to their tally of points before debuting at home next weekend.
The first derby of the season takes place on Saturday evening at Bicentennial Park(South) in Rockdale as the Suns meet Bankstown City, with kick-off set for 7:00 PM.
Traditionally two stern rivals, the Suns will be eager to repeat the feat of last season?s fixture at home when the ?relatively unknown? Suns defeated their more fancied rivals.
Lee Sterrey has enjoyed a positive pre-season with his side, and the former Marconi boss will be hoping to see more of the positives to come out of the opening round draw with A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt.
Bankstown City?s opening day loss at home against Marconi Stallions sees the side start the season on the back foot, though the club?s ambitions for a successful 2011 remain intact. New coach Blagoja Kuleski has had to deal with a number of player changes at the team, and may need a few more weeks to get the best out of his new team. Even with the changes though, Bankstown City supporters will certainly be expecting their side to leave no stone unturned against the Suns on Saturday.
The second of the derby?s for the season takes place at Marconi Stadium on Saturday evening with the Stallions hosting their neighbours, Sydney United.
An impressive win against Bankstown City in Round 1, inspired by a Nahuel Arrarte ?screamer? has the Stallions off to a positive start, meanwhile Sydney United will be smarting after conceding an injury time penalty to be denied maximum points at home against Manly United.
In a fixture that always produces emotion, and goals, fireworks are expected out of Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.
On Sunday afternoon, Manly United FC will be buzzing following their last-ditch effort at Sydney United last weekend that salvaged Craig Midgley?s men a point. Midgley will be looking for more of the same from his players, though perhaps a little more accuracy in the final third with the side?s finishing.
Sutherland Sharks kick-started their campaign with an exceptional first-up scalp – that of reigning Champions, Blacktown City FC. The Sharks will again look at Jim Bakis and Panni Nikas to create chances in the attacking third, with Sam Awad and Tim Halloran more than capable of finding the back of the net.
Sydney Olympic are up next and they tackle Blacktown City FC at Lily Homes Stadium with kick off set for 3pm. The Blues objective will be to keep building on the performance given against South Coast Wolves in Round 1, where the side secured a comfortable 3-0 win.
Coach Peter Tsekenis has found an additional outlet for goals this season with Alex Smith claiming all three of the goals in the defeat of the Wolves. Equally as important for Tsekenis will be the settling in to the squad of his new signings Robbie Mileski, Bill Tsianidis and Ibrahim Haydar. The former Bankstown City trio certainly did play well in their first official outing, and more of the same will be required against Blacktown City FC.
Blacktown City FC?s first round travels proved unsuccessful with the defending champions collecting a loss at Sutherland. Experienced campaigners Luke Roodenburg, Matthew Pressello and Tyler Simpson will be expected to lead the way, with coach Mark Crittenden hopeful that his side will build on the positive second 45? minutes seen against Sutherland last weekend.
In the weekend?s final fixture, South Coast Wolves will be out to make amends for the opening round loss to Sydney Olympic, as Parramatta FC visit John Crehan Park. Trevor Morgan was disappointed with his side?s slackness in conceding goals against Sydney Olympic, though the chances created, especially from new signing Sasho Petrovski, certainly do create a lot of excitement around the Wolves team.
Parramatta FC made a tremendous start to the season, holding the defending Premiers Bonnyrigg White Eagles to a draw. Captain Ben Delicata and Chris Camilleri will again be vital to the side?s chances of gaining a result, meanwhile two-goal hero Fabien Iacovelli will be out to add to his Round 1 brace.
-By Joseph Carlucci