NSW Premier League Round 2 Preview

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Marconi Stallions, Friday 6^th, 3pm Lambert Park
Last Week:
Sutherland Sharks 1 APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0
Marconi Stallions 4 Blacktown Spartans 1
On Friday, APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Marconi Stallions meet in the traditional ?Italian Derby? ? a match that never fails to produce passion and good football. The Tigers play their first match at home of the season, and much will be expected of John Turner?s men following a rather disappointing 2011 campaign for the club.
The Tigers failed to capitalise against the ten-men of Sutherland Sharks last weekend, falling 1-0 at Seymour Shaw, though some of the signs were very positive ? none more so than the contribution of Brad Bartels.
The Tigers will have a big task ahead of them, especially against a Marconi Stallions side that started the season with a fabulous home win over Blacktown Spartans. Coach Luke Casserly has grouped together a sensational front-third, led by Daniel Severino, Nathan Elasi and Jamie McMaster, with the Stallions bagging four goals in their opening match.
The high-flying Stallions will have a stern test at Lambert Park however, with the Tigers rearguard already proving to be a difficult unit to break down.
Blacktown Spartans v Parramatta FC, Saturday 7^th, 7pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
Marconi Stallions 4 Blacktown Spartans 1
Parramatta FC 0 Sydney United 1
On Saturday evening, new boys Blacktown Spartans play their first match at home as Parramatta FC visit Blacktown Football Park.
The Spartans took a heavy beating at the hands of the Stallions last weekend, though the energy surrounding their home debut will certainly lift the plays for this encounter.
The Spartans do feature players with Premier League experience, and it will be the likes of Sean Mitchell, Tim McGowan and Chris Bedzo that will be expected to lead the side?s charge.
Parramatta FC proved they can remain compact in the defensive third last weekend, and will look to hit their opponent on the counter-attack. Coach Lee Sterrey will be hoping for some better finishing though after his chargers scuffed two positive chances in the 1-0 loss against Sydney United in the opening round.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Sutherland Sharks, Saturday 7^th, 7pm Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
Last Week:
South Coast Wolves 2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3
Sutherland Sharks 1 APIA Leichhardt Tigers 0  
Also on Saturday evening, Bonnyrigg White Eagles meet Sutherland Sharks with both sides coming off first-up victories. The White Eagles off-season acquisition of Robbie Younis paid immediate dividends with the striker netting a hat-trick in his first official match for the club. Brian Brown?s teams have always displayed good organisation and fine ball movement, and more of the same will be expected when his side faces the Sharks ? ?Bomber?s? previous NSW Premier League side.
The Sharks have a good mix of youth and experience in their playing ranks, and the side did well to grind out the home win against APIA-Leichhardt in Round 1. As has been the case in recent seasons, the play-making prowess of Panni Nikas will again prove key, along with the experience of George Souris in defence and Nick Stavroulakis in midfield. The Sharks seemed to come undone last season with a rather poor record away from home. The trip to Bonnyrigg is always a daunting one for visiting sides, and the Sharks will need to be at their best to leave with the points this weekend.
South Coast Wolves v Manly United, Saturday 7^th, 7pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
South Coast Wolves 2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3
Blacktown City FC 2 Manly United 2
On the South Coast, the Wolves play host to Manly United FC with both sides searching for their first win of the season.
The Wolves managed to twice come back from a goal down against Bonnyrigg in their opening fixture ? Mark Picciolini again looking the goods up front this season ? though the killer blow arrived 1? minute after drawing level for a second time as the Wolves defence seemed to switch off.
Manly United FC too knows a little about switching off as they conceded an injury-time goal at Blacktown City to draw the contest 2-2. Craig Midgley?s men made a promising start to the campaign with a very good performance, something the Northern-beaches side will be looking to further improve on this weekend.
Manly United however will be without Roberto Hamad after he was given his marching orders last weekend, though the side certainly has a large array of talent across the park to travel down South in search of a win.
Rockdale City Suns v Blacktown City FC, Monday 9^th, 3pm Seymour Shaw Park
Last Week:
Sydney Olympic 1 Rockdale City Suns 0
Blacktown City FC 2 Manly United 2
Two matches will be played on Easter Monday with Rockdale City Suns kick-starting proceedings with a home clash against Blacktown City FC, to be played at the unusual surroundings of Seymour Shaw.
The Suns showed much promise in the narrow 1-0 defeat at Sydney Olympic in the opening round, with Wally Savor assembling a very well organised, close knit squad. The Suns appear to be well covered in defence with Josh Lawson, Ricky Perinich and Askin Oygur offering a lot of cover in front of talented goalkeeper Ryan Norval. In the middle of the park, the Suns have a number of outlets to send the strikers into goalscoring positions, the side however will need to be a whole lot more clinical in the front third of the field.
Blacktown City FC escaped with a point against Manly United with a late equaliser, as the side unleashed the fine talent of Japanese import Ryuji Miyazawa. The striker scored two sensational goals for his new club, and more of the same will be expected by his club this season. The former champions have a number of outlets in the front third, with Luke Roodenburg and James Monie both very capable of scoring goals.
In what should be an open game on a perfect playing surface, some good football is expected in the Shire on Monday afternoon.
Sydney United v Sydney Olympic, Monday 9^th, 4pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Parramatta FC 0 Sydney United 1
Sydney Olympic 1 Rockdale City Suns 0
In the closing match of the Round, we have a repeat of last season?s NSW Premier League grand-final.
Runner-up Sydney United play host to Sydney Olympic in Edensor Park, with the Reds eager to get one over the Blues following the grand-final heartache.
Jean-Paul De Marigny?s men dominated their opening match of the season at Parramatta FC, though did find the going tough to break down the stubborn Eagles defence. Steve Hayes will be pulling the strings between the midfield and the men up front, as the Reds can expect another tough defensive line to break with the likes of Ibrahim Haydar and Brett Studman already looking comfortable in the Blues backline.
Sydney Olympic did look dangerous in their opening clash when going forward, though coach Peter Tsekenis will need to make do without the services of Peter Triantis who will sit this match out due to suspension.
With attacking flair on both sides, goals are expected at Sydney United Sports Centre on Monday. As has been the case in recent seasons, the side that best settles in the middle of the park will most likely fine the win. It will be a massive match for the likes of Phil Makrys and Chris Triantis to control proceedings in midfield, as will it be for Reds? midfielders Hayes, Jared Lum and Petar Markovic.
Without a doubt, this is the most eagerly anticipated fixture of Round 2 with a huge crowd expected to be on hand this Easter Monday.
-By Joseph Carlucci