NSW Premier League Round 19 Preview
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Marconi Stallions, Saturday 11th of August, 7:00 pm Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Last Week:
Blacktown Spartans 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2
Marconi Stallions 1 Sutherland Sharks 3
The local derby between Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Marconi Stallions will be rekindled this Saturday evening as the two sides face off in an equally important encounter for both clubs.
The high-flying White Eagles could have first-place wrapped up this weekend should the side score a win against the Stallions and both Sydney Olympic and South Coast Wolves lose further ground in their brave chase of the leader.
Brian Brown?s men have been relentless this season, however it has been in the moments where the side have been cruising that some slipups have occurred ? most notably the recent home fixtures against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Rockdale City Suns.
Marconi?s run this season has been impressive, though Luke Casserly?s side has dropped some big points in recent weeks to slightly compromise the side?s current placing on the ladder. Casserly will look to Nahuel Arrarte to continue leading the troops on the field, with Daniel Severino, Jamie McMaster and Shane Webb also carrying the extra weight of expectation on their shoulders due to their experience.
In a match that always offers passion between two sides that like to get forward, an immense encounter is expected on Saturday.
Manly United FC v Blacktown Spartans, Saturday 11th of August, 7:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 2 Sydney United 58 FC 1
Blacktown Spartans 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2
The Manly United players and supporters will be looking to maintain the buzz experienced in the closing stages of the Round 18 encounter against Sydney United 58 FC last weekend where the Northern Beaches side overturned a one-goal deficit to score two late goals and claim maximum points.
Although finals football is out of the question, Manly United?s aim is to finish the season with as many points as possible ? especially on its home surface, as Blacktown Spartans visit on Saturday.
Manly possess a large pool of talent, and the side has played some great football this season, even though the results have not always confirmed this point. Adam Foti and Matt Sim have been in good touch, as has Michael Daly and experienced defender Marc Richards ? the latter clinching the win last weekend with an injury-time header.
The visiting Spartans will enter this encounter with no fear, as it has done so many times this season. Ben De Haan?s men have caused all sorts of bother for the more fancied opponents this season in what has been a great first-up campaign in the top-flight.
Apart from Chris Bedzo and Chris Gomez, the Spartans have had a lot of success due greatly to the massive engine of Greg Kondek who has impressed with some fabulous performances.
The Spartans sit two-points adrift of Manly United FC, and with the weight of expectation on the Cromer Park side, Blacktown will be eager to cause an upset and leapfrog their opponent on the League ladder this weekend.
South Coast Wolves v Sydney Olympic, Saturday 11th of August, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
Parramatta FC 4 South Coast Wolves 1
Sydney Olympic 3 Blacktown City FC 3
Second and third meet at John Crehan Park on Saturday evening as Sydney Olympic visits South Coast Wolves in a match that poses the perfect opportunity for both sides to take command of second-spot.
Both sides have been in great form this season, however both come off a win-less Round 18. The Blues dominated in its match against Blacktown City FC, however the side was forced to share the spoils.
South Coast Wolves? weekend was far more concerning as bottom-placed Parramatta FC handed the Wolves a 4-1 hiding. To make matters worse for the Trevor Morgan?s men, the Wolves will be without marksman Ricky Zucco who saw red following two yellow cards at Melita Stadium.
Some interesting battles to watch will be Sasho Petrovski and Mark Picciolini?s attacking prowess against the sturdy Blues rearguard of Brett Studman and Ibrahim Haydar. The Blues will also be hoping Chris Triantis has the 90? minutes in his legs after a busy playing schedule saw the playmaker feature only in the closing stages against Blacktown City last weekend.
With two sides that have shown a fine ability to play direct, attacking football, a big turnout is expected on Saturday evening as second-spot on the ladder in the run home to the finals series is on the line.
Sutherland Sharks v Parramatta FC, Saturday 11th of August, 7:00 pm Seymour Shaw Park
Last Week:
Marconi Stallions 1 Sutherland Sharks 3
Parramatta FC 4 South Coast Wolves 1
Sutherland Sharks still hold a mathematical chance of reaching finals football this season, though the side?s fate is not entirely in its own hands. Robbie Stanton will be looking for a brushed performance from his troops when Parramatta FC visits Seymour Shaw this weekend. Sutherland?s hopes of reaching the top-five will be determined by the outcome of other matches, however with four matches remaining the side need twelve points to stand a chance.
The showing in the closing stages at Marconi last weekend can only do well for the Sharks? morale, however the side?s inability to take control of matches on the scoreboard remains a concern.
Niko Tsattalios? tremendous double last weekend setup the win, and more of the same will be expected this weekend from the youngster if the Sharks are going to make home ground advantage count against the Eagles.
Parramatta FC?s season has been tough, however the signs have been positive recently. Last weekend?s triumph against South Coast Wolves was phenomenal, and Lee Sterrey will be sure to remind his players that they have already claimed the scalp of the Sharks in the first part of the season.
Most impressive for the Eagles recently have been Patrick Dixon and Daniel Rezo, as was Nicholas Napoli with his double against the Wolves.
A tense affair is expected between these two sides this weekend.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Blacktown City FC, Sunday 12th of August, 3:00 pm Lambert Park
Last Week:
Rockdale City Suns 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 3
Sydney Olympic 3 Blacktown City FC 3
APIA-Leichhardt scored one of the upsets of Round 18 with a fine showing in the 3-1 defeat of an in-form Rockdale City Suns. Ethan Gailbraith?s re-found confidence in front of goal will be key for the Tigers in the run home to the end of the season, one that has seen the side underachieve.
The Tigers face Blacktown City FC at Lambert Park and the match will be a mammoth obstacle for the Tigers as the former champions aim to consolidate a spot in the top-five come finals football.
Blacktown City seemed out of sorts last weekend in the 3-3 draw against Sydney Olympic, however the side still managed to scrape and salvage a point. The playing surface at Lambert Park will make life difficult for the ball players in each side, especially for the likes of Franco Parisi and Ryuji Miyazawa ? two immense talents capable of resolving a match on their own. The side to master the conditions first will have the best chance of success in the Inner West on Sunday.
Sydney United 58 FC v Rockdale City Suns, Sunday 12th of August, 4:00 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Manly United FC 2 Sydney United 58 FC 1
Rockdale City Suns 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 3
Sydney United?s ambitions of finals football are still mathematically possible, however the task at hand is a massive one. The Reds face Rockdale City Suns on Sunday at home, and a win is the only result possible to bounce back from the last ditch disappointment at Cromer Park last weekend.
Sydney United has suffered this season due to a number of players, namely Luka Glavas and Elsid Barkhousir?s lengthy spells on the bench due to injury.
The Reds opponents too will be eager for a win after the competition?s form side was handed a heavy loss by APIA-Leichhardt. The Suns have played confidently since Mark Rudan?s arrival at the club as Sash Tirovski and Alec Urosevski aim to re-find the winning feeling.
This encounter will also be a special one for Suns coach Mark Rudan who returns to Edensor Park to face his former club. With three points on the line, and both sides in need of goals, action aplenty is expected in the final match of Round 19.
-By Joseph Carlucci
