NSW Premier League Round 13 Preview
Manly United FC v South Coast Wolves, Saturday 23rd of June, 7:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 0 Blacktown City FC 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v South Coast Wolves (washed out)
Manly United FC look to get their season on track with a win on Saturday evening at home against South Coast Wolves. The Northern Beaches side has a long list of home fixtures to come, something coach Craig Midgley hopes to take full advantage of.
In the side?s first match on the newly laid artificial surface at Cromer Park last weekend, a slow start saw the Manly United succumb 1-0 to Blacktown City, despite Scott Balderson & Co. finishing strongly with chances to take at least a point from the match.
The visit of the Wolves will be a big test. South Coast have been one of the form sides over the first part of the season, and the weekend off due to the wet weather in Sydney will have the side fresh and ready to inflict a second home defeat for Manly United.
The Wolves scored a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season with Trevor Morgan?s men holding a ten-point lead over his counterpart Midgley.
Two sides that do play a direct and physical game, Saturday evening?s encounter promises to provide goals.
Sutherland Sharks v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Saturday 23rd of June, 7:00 pm Seymour Shaw Park
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks (washed out)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v South Coast Wolves (washed out)
Both the Sharks and White Eagles enter this encounter their respective Round 12 matches were washed out due to Sydney?s big wet last weekend.
The Sharks have started to come good following a string of poor results ? despite some good performances ? and the side?s semi-final berth in the Waratah Cup (to be played this Wednesday evening) proves the side?s intentions of challenging for silverware this season.
The visiting White Eagles have been faultless over the first part of the season with a phenomenal run that saw the side lose only one match out of the first eleven. A key element to this run has been inspirational captain Chris Tadrosse who has led by example with his leadership qualities, meanwhile Harris Gaitatzis? arrival has been the perfect complement to leading scorer Robbie Younis in the front third.
The Sharks will be looking to use the home ground to their advantage after Bonnyrigg handed Sutherland a heavy 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in Round 2.
Despite that result, Sutherland has certainly shown in recent weeks that they have put the indifferent form behind them as they look to build on their form for a real shot at the title this season.
Marconi Stallions v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Saturday 23rd of June, 7:30 pm Marconi Stadium
Last Week:
Blacktown Spartans 2 Marconi Stallions 1
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Sutherland Sharks (washed out)
Two former NSL giants meet in the ?Italian Derby? on Saturday evening as perennial rivals Marconi Stallions and APIA-Leichhardt meet at Marconi Stadium. This encounter will actually be the third meeting between the two sides ? a 1-0 win for the Stallions in Round 2 followed by the Tigers? annihilation of the Stallions (5-0) in the Waratah Cup.
The Stallions were stunned last weekend by Blacktown Spartans on a wet Saturday evening, though Nahuel Arrarte & Co. will need to bounce back quickly if the side is going to get one over the Tigers. Daniel Severino?s set-piece delivery was the only shining note from last weekend?s clash, meanwhile Joey Gibbs and Nathan Elasi will need to get back into the groove to ensure Marconi remain in touch with the leading pack on the ladder.
APIA-Leichhardt has been one of the better performers this season, however the lackluster finishing at times, mixed with some big lapses in defence, have proven to be the side?s undoing.
Coach John Turner has brought back the winning mentality that has somewhat deserted the side over the past two seasons, however he has not been able to get his chargers to pick up wins consistently. Striker Andrew Bevin continues to lead from the front with his important goals, meanwhile experienced campaigner Franco Parisi is slowly returning to full fitness.
In a match that always offers passion between two proud clubs, good football is expected on Saturday evening.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney United 58 FC, Sunday 24th of June, 3:00 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Rockdale City Suns 2 Sydney Olympic 0
Sydney United 58 FC 0 Parramatta FC 0
In a replay of last season?s grand-final, reigning champions Sydney Olympic play host to Sydney United 58 FC at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides have failed to dominate the competition as they did last season, sitting in sixth and eighth spot on the ladder respectively (both sides on 15-points).
The Blues campaign has been hindered by injuries and suspensions, and Peter Tsekenis? men will be without Matthew Mayora after he collected his second red card of the season last weekend.
The Blues seemed to lack creativity following Peter Triantis? exit from the match against Rockdale City Suns ? the youngster picked up an awful head wound ? and the remainder of the side never really got going in the 2-0 loss to Rockdale City.
Tsekenis will need his experienced heads, Brett Studman and Phil Makrys to lead the defensive and midfield departments, with the Triantis brothers and David Gullo to make the running up front.
Sydney United?s season too has been disappointing with an indifferent run of form and results. Jean-Paul De Marigny last week stepped down as head coach of the first team, opting to concentrate on his role as Technical Director at the club. Mike Gibson has been handed the coaching gig through to the end of the season, and the former NSL great will be eager to turn his club?s fortunes around against a stern rival such as Sydney Olympic.
With both sides in need of points, an open encounter is expected on Sunday.
* This match was scheduled to be played at Belmore Sports Ground, though both clubs have agreed to switch the fixture to Sydney United Sports Centre in Edensor Park..
Blacktown City FC v Rockdale City Suns, Sunday 24th of June, 3:00 pm Lily Homes Stadium
Last Week:
Manly United FC 0 Blacktown City FC 1
Rockdale City Suns 2 Sydney Olympic 0
Blacktown City FC returns to Lily Homes on a high following a strong showing at Manly United in Round 12. Mark Crittenden?s men have cut back Bonnyrigg?s lead at the top of the League ladder to six-points ? albeit, Bonnyrigg with a match in hand ? and with the side riding high on confidence, a win will be expected on Sunday.
Yuchi Yamauchi was the hero at Cromer Park with the match winner, and the Blacktown supporters will be hoping for more from their players against the Suns.
Rockdale City have been arguably the form side of the past month with some great results under new coach Mark Rudan. Most impressively was the 2-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic last weekend, despite playing the entire second-half with only ten-men against the champions.
The Suns will look again to experienced striker Dylan Macallister in the attacking third, meanwhile the tireless running of Peter Apolevski down the right with Pece Cvetanovski in the middle should have the Blacktown City rearguard on full alert.
A win for Blacktown City will keep the side close to Bonnyrigg, meanwhile a Suns victory could see the side leapfrog into the Top-Five.
Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans, Sunday 24th of June, 3:00 pm Melita Stadium
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 0 Parramatta FC 0
Blacktown Spartans 2 Marconi Stallions 1
Ten points separate the Eagles and the Spartans heading into this Round 13 encounter at Melita Stadium; the League?s two newest promoted sides (the Eagles returning to the Premier League last season) have had contrasting fortunes in 2012.
The Eagles have struggled to get a move on in their campaign, meanwhile the ?new? boys on the block have constantly grown with some great performances en-route to claiming some big scalps.
Parramatta FC will be hoping new signings Daniel Rezo and Joel Wood will fit into the setup nicely, and make for a strong finish to the season.
Blacktown Spartans results have been tremendous, as have the performances of Greg Kondek and Peter Hubbard to single out only two.
In a must win match for the Eagles, Lee Sterrey will be hoping to unleash his pacey striker Kwabena Appiah-Kubi who missed out last weekend in search of what would be only the club?s second win of the season.
-By Joseph Carlucci
