NSW Premier League Grade 20s Round 7 Preview

After six weeks of competitive action, the table is starting to sort itself out, but this hasn’t stopped the unpredictability of the results, with sides from both ends of the table more than able to match each other. 
MATCH OF THE ROUND
BLACKTOWN CITY VS SYDNEY OLYMPIC, 1PM, LILY HOMES STADIUM (SUNDAY)
Blacktown City have been enormously impressive this season under Mark Strachan, his side sitting atop the table after six rounds, one point ahead of cross-town rivals Blacktown Spartans.
Although they were held to a 2-2 draw by the rejuvenated Parramatta FC last weekend, Blacktown have, by and large, been the team to beat in this season’s competition.
Their fluent attacking play has been successfully married to a watertight defence, making their an ineviable prospect for their opponents each week.
By contrast, Sydney Olympic have struggled to impose themselves on the competition this season.
Jerry Bilokapic made wholesales changes to the side after they were beaten 8-1 by Marconi Stallions and the changes have had the desired effect, with their competitive streak restored. They beat fellow strugglers APIA Leichhardt Tigers 4-2 at Lambert Park last weekend and will be looking to build upon that result this weekend.
ROUND REVIEW
FRIDAY
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS VS ROCKDALE CITY SUNS, 6.15PM, LAMBERT PARK
APIA Leichhardt are rooted to the bottom of the table, having yet to register a victory so far this season. It is perhaps not a reflection of the talent at their disposal, however, as they possess one of the competition’s most exciting players, In Jong Yang. 
They clash with Rockdale City Suns on Friday night, both sides facing a quick turnaround having last been in action on Sunday afternoon. 
Rockdale were impressive in their 2-2 draw with Manly United last week, as they showed sufficient spark in attack to suggest that they can trouble most of the teams in the competition. They will certainly test APIA Leichhardt in this fixture, though they will have to be wary of Rod Williams side.
SATURDAY
BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES VS BLACKTOWN SPARTANS, 5PM, BONNYRIGG SPORTS CLUB
Bonnyrigg White Eagles got the monkey off their back last weekend, registering their first win of the season. It was made all the more sweeter by the fact that it was against their great rivals Sydney United 58, at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Blacktown Spartans meanwhile, continued their great start to the season with a win against Sutherland Sharks. Spartans, under the leadership of coach Mark Zecchin, are to be admired for their attacking football and the form of Andre Carle in particular will strike fear into the Bonnyrigg defence. 
SOUTH COAST WOLVES VS PARRAMATTA FC, 5PM, JOHN CREHAN PARK
Parramatta FC are one of the most improved sides in the competition and they will certainly test South Coast Wolves on Saturday evening, the match taking place at John Crehan Park.
South Coast are sitting in fifth position in the league and have had a fairly consistent start to the season, whilst Parramatta are making their way up the table after a slow start.
They were outstanding against Blacktown City last weekend and deserved to win and if that performance is any indication, they should test the credential of South Coast Wolves, despite being away from home.
SUTHERLAND SHARKS VS MARCONI STALLIONS, 5PM, SEYMOUR SHAW PARK
Sutherland Sharks have been a strong force in the first six weeks of the season, but fell short last weekend against Blacktown Spartans. They sit in fourth place and have been very good going forward so far this season.
Franco Cosentino’s Marconi Stallions have been looking to play football the right way this season, and the early signs are that they are making quite a success of it. However, after smashing Sydney Olympic 8-1, they have since crashed to two defeats in a row, but they will be looking to get back on track this weekend as they travel south. 
SUNDAY
SYDNEY UNITED 58 VS MANLY UNITED, 2PM, SYDNEY UNITED SPORTS CENTRE
Sydney United 58 have had a sluggish start to the season and have struggled to close out important results, particularly two weeks ago when they were 3-0 up at half time against South Coast Wolves, only to draw 3-3. 
Manly United meanwhile have progressed steadily since the start of the season, their run of wins halted last weekend by Rockdale City Suns, who held them to a 2-2 draw, which was a fair result given that Manly had the better of the second half and Rockdale the better of the first. 
This should be a very even match at Sydney United Sports Centre, but Sydney United 58 will be looking to make home advantage count against a Manly United side that has spent the entire first six weeks on the road, due to ground redevelopment at Cromer Park. 
-By Matthew Connellan