NSW Premier League Round 8 Preview

Bonnyrigg have failed to find the scintillating form of season 2010, struggling to find the fluidity that saw them become the most feared opponent in the NSW Premier League. Coming off a loss at the hands of Manly United FC last weekend, Brad Boardman & Co. will be looking to quickly get their season on track in front of their home supporters, even though South Coast Wolves promise to be a very difficult opponent.
The Wolves have shown their intentions from the opening round, causing all opponents difficulty in breaking down the side and containing strike pairing Sasho Petrovski and Mark Picciolini. Further concern for Bonnyrigg will be the fact that the Wolves? away record has been quite impressive, with the side performing better ? results wise ? away from John Crehan Park. In a must win game for the White Eagles, action aplenty is expected at Bonnyrigg Sports Club on Saturday evening.
At Seymour Shaw, Sutherland Sharks face Marconi Stallions with kick-off set for 7:00 pm. The Sharks showed their resolute side in grinding out a draw with Sydney United last weekend, and the Miranda-based side will be looking to keep their undefeated run intact on Saturday.
Marconi Stallions will be grateful for no midweek matches this week after playing four matches in the past two weeks. The Stallions were sluggish against Blacktown City last weekend, though still managed to dig deep and salvage a point late on. The occasion against Sutherland will prove a real test for the Stallions, though similar to the Wolves, the Stallions have been able to pick up some big points on the road thus far.
The final match on Saturday takes places at Melita Stadium when Parramatta FC take on Bankstown City at 7pm.
Parramatta FC return to Melita Stadium still in search of their first win of the season. Brian Dene?s men made a fine start to the campaign with some good performances against more fancied opponents, though the wheels have started to fall off somewhat in recent weeks. The side was flat against the Tigers last weekend, though the team will be looking to bounce back in front of their home supporters on Sunday.
The Eagles opponents will be Bankstown City, another side coming off a loss in Round 7. Coach Blagoja Kuleski will be looking to re-instate some confidence following the 2-5 loss against Sydney Olympic, even though the side has shown their ability to defend well, and hit on the counterattack with the likes of in form striker, Aman Hadid.
A very interesting encounter is expected at Melita Stadium with both sides certainly favouring their chances of a win to get their respective seasons moving in the right direction.
Sunday afternoon action starts at Lambert Park with A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt playing host to Manly United FC. The Tigers lifted their game to defeat Parramatta FC in Round 7 and more of the same is expected this weekend. Experienced trio Franco Parisi, Robbie Younis and Nick Rizzo are expected to lead the pack with the additions of Sam Messam and Chris James already having a positive effect on the squad.
Manly United FC enter this clash full of confidence following their first win of the season. The Cromer Park side defeated none other than Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a topsy-turvy encounter, 3-2. In addition to Scott Balderson?s double and Adam Foti?s return to the scorer?s list, Manly United?s ability to grind out the result against the White Eagles, despite playing the closing 15? minutes without David Dodd, showed the true character of Craig Midgley?s team.
At Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown City FC meets Rockdale City Suns. The home side has really started to find the feet, and the performance against Marconi Stallions last weekend was of a very high quality. The problems surrounding the reigning champions has been their inability to finalise in front of goal, and another fine all round performance against the Suns without producing three-points this weekend will count for very little.
The Suns run has been very similar to that of Blacktown City, with the Rockdale outfit creating a number of chances in their most recent hitout, only to come undone in the final third with some poor finishing and decision making. The Suns have proven that defensively they can mix it with the best, though the likes of James Monie and Jason Naidovski will need to start finding the back of the net if the side is going to make a push for finals football.
Sydney Olympic and Sydney United meet in a battle between first and third at Sydney United Sports Centre, with fireworks expected between two in form sides. The Reds will be seething after being held by the Sharks at home last weekend, despite dominating the match, meanwhile the Blues were majestic in their defeat of Bankstown City. Jean Paul DeMarigny?s men will continue with their attacking philosophy, meanwhile Peter Tsekenis? Blues have shown they are equally as effective in the attacking third. The Reds have successfully integrated Mark Rudan into the defensive line, meanwhile Ufuk Talay is closing in on a starting spot as he nears full fitness.
Sydney Olympic should have Alex Smith back after the club?s top goalscorer missed the trip to Jensen Park with an injury concern last week, meanwhile the defensive line continues to grow stronger with Richard Luksic and Brett Studman rekindling their old partnership at Bankstown City.
-By Joseph Carlucci