NSW Premier League Grade 20s Preliminary Final Preview
Manly United, who finished second in the regular season, have already beaten Spartans in the finals series, a Michael McGinley goal enough to down them 1-0 in the first week of the finals.
Spartans recovered though and knocked out Rockdale City Suns last weekend, thrashing them 4-0 at Belmore Sports Ground, thanks largely to a hat-trick from Reid Taylor.
Manly United?s victory over Spartans saw them progress to a Grand Final qualifier against the Premiers, Sutherland Sharks. Manly fought back from 2-0 down to score a last minute equaliser, thus sending the match to extra time.
Sutherland though were too good over the extra time period, scoring twice to run out 4-2 winners, Nick Olsen scoring twice.
All in all, it makes for a mouth watering encounter when Manly and Spartans go head to head for the chance to play Sutherland in the Grand Final next Monday.
Manly have impressed with their young squad and they play a vibrant, exciting brand of football. Key to this is the form of their leading marksman, McGinley, who has netted fourteen times in what has been a sensational season for the young forward.
Spartans own hot shot, Hoysar Cakal, won the Golden Boot for the competition, but will be missing as he is overseas on trial. In his place will be Andre Carle, a player who made an impact at first grade level this season and has given Spartans a massive boost in the finals series, winning two penalties in two matches.
The two goalkeepers will be sharply in focus under the pressure of an elimination match, particularly if it goes to extra time and possibly a penalty shootout. In the imposing figure of Jesse Shewan, Spartans have one of the form goalkeepers in the competition and he was outstanding in the match between these two sides earlier in the finals.
Likewise, Manly United keeper Tonu Liiband has been fantastic this season and made a crucial late penalty save from Carle in the match a fortnight ago to see his side advance.
Without doubt, whoever progresses to the Grand Final next weekend will be a worthy foe for Sutherland Sharks.
