IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 7 Preview
Some mouth-watering encounters to come this weekend with Sutherland Sharks and Sydney United 58 FC the pick of the bunch on Saturday evening.
Bonnyrigg’s match against Blacktown City FC should be another blockbuster, meanwhile the battle between APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Blacktown Spartans could provide both sides with the ‘kick-start’ they need this season; even though the Spartans will be still riding high after the fabulous win against Sydney Olympic.
Central Coast Mariners Academy v Marconi Stallions, Saturday 27th of April, 6:30 pm Pluim Park
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners Academy – Sydney United 58 FC (Washed out)
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0 Marconi Stallions 1
The Young Mariners will be looking for its first win in the state’s top-flight competition this weekend when it takes to the field for the second time this season in-front of its home supporters. The Mariners enter this match, against Marconi Stallions, well-rested after the Round 6 clash against Sydney United 58 FC was washed out due to the rain.
Mark Jones will have his players primed for a big performance, and the side will need to be at its best as the reigning champions visit Pluim Park.
The Stallions started the campaign very slowly, though coach Jean-Paul De Marigny’s hand has certainly started to show. The former Marconi player, once more at the helm of the Stallions, has instilled his well-recognised attacking football philosophy that has become more and more obvious with each passing week. Despite the difficult conditions against the Tigers last Saturday, the side showed it is growing in confidence as it recorded a 1-0 win.
The most impressive of the Stallions’ group thus far has been Milorad Simonovic, and the attacking midfielder was again in good nick last weekend. The Stallions will, however, be without match-winner Damien Travis who received two yellow cards, meanwhile Anthony Proia will again carry the weight of expectation in the front-third in what has been a good three weeks for the striker.
South Coast Wolves – Rockdale City Suns, Saturday 27th of April, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
Manly United 58 FC 4 South Coast Wolves 2
Rockdale City Suns 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
At John Crehan Park, the Wolves have a tough match-up against a fast-improving Rockdale City Suns. The Wolves have had a difficult start to the campaign this season, not helped by the sixteen goals Richard Lloyd’s men have conceded from the opening six matches.
The task at hand will be far from easy with Branko Culina’s men starting to find their feet with some very good showings over the past three-weeks. Richard Cardozo has continued to grow in confidence, as has Alec Urosevski who returned from suspension.
A win for the Wolves will see the side cut the Suns lead on the ladder to only one-point, meanwhile should the Suns return from the ‘gong’ with maximum points, the team from Rockdale could find itself in the top-five.
Sutherland Sharks v Sydney United 58 FC, Saturday 27th of April, 7:00 pm Seymour Shaw Park
Last Week:
Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks (Washed out)
Central Coast Mariners Academy v Sydney United 58 FC (Washed out)
Sutherland Sharks will be out to end Sydney United 58 FC’s 100% start to the season, and consequently close the gap on the top-two sides on the ladder, when it faces the Reds at Seymour Shaw on Saturday evening.
The Sharks started the season like a house on fire, though a draw away to APIA-Leichhardt in Round 3 appeared to slow down the side’s impressive start.
Coach Robbie Stanton has an impressive array of talent at his disposal, and the side will be hoping to be ‘full of beans’ against the Reds. The Round 6 encounter against Blacktown City FC was washed out last weekend, though the match-up has been re-scheduled for this Wednesday evening, making the next five days a very busy period for the Seymour Shaw side.
The Reds on the other hand have grown from strength-to-strength, confirming the good work of coach Mark Rudan.
The Reds hold a 100% record this season, and the fine form of captain Luka Glavas stands the side in good stead to keep that record in place. The weekend off will ensure a fresh playing group for the Seymour Shaw encounter, and action aplenty is expected in arguably the pick of the Round 7 fixtures this weekend.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown City FC, Saturday 27th of April, 7:00 pm Bonnyrigg Sports Ground
Last Week:
Rockdale City Suns 0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks (Washed out)
Another intriguing battle awaits us at Bonnyrigg Sports Ground when the White Eagles play host to Blacktown City FC.
Two of the most consistent sides in recent seasons, both teams will be eager to score maximum points. Bonnyrigg’s 100% start to the season came to an end last weekend as the side was held to a draw at Rockdale City, meaning Brian Brown’s men will be out for blood this weekend. The side will still be without Robbie Younis who may well make a return next weekend, with Aleksander Canak and Tynan Diaz to play an important role up-front.
The visitors will have a tough home match against Sutherland Sharks on Wednesday, making the coming days a very busy affair. Coach Mark Crittenden’s men have played some great football thus far, though some indifferent results – due largely to a few disciplinary problems – sees the side occupy fifth-spot. A good few days, with two wins, could well see the side sky-rocket into the top-three, with the likes of Travis Major, Matthew Mayora and Harris Gaitatzis more than capable of turning it on for the 2010 champions.
Sydney Olympic v Manly United FC, Sunday 28th of April, 3:00 pm Belmore Sports Ground
Last Week:
Blacktown Spartans 4 Sydney Olympic 2
Manly United FC 4 South Coast Wolves 2
It certainly isn’t panic stations for Sydney Olympic at the moment, though there are some raised eyebrows following the unexpected ‘stop-start’ opening to the season. The Pre-Season Cup winners looked the goods in the early part of the season, though a recent drop in form sees the side sitting in eighth-spot on the ladder. The visit of Manly United FC provides the Blues with a massive challenge at Belmore this weekend, however should Peter Tsekenis’ men score a win, the side will be back on track for the top-five.
There is no questioning the talent at the disposal of Tsekenis, and the 2011 champions remain one of the serious contenders for silverware this season.
The visitors will still need to perform on Sunday to stand a chance against the Blues, though the recent victories – including last weekend’s 4-2 defeat of South Coast Wolves – will provide the side with a mountain of confidence.
Matthew Sim continues to provide supporters with delight following his goals, and performances, meanwhile new signing Brendan Cholakian continues to grow from strength-to-strength, further confirming Craig Midgley’s decision to bring the player to the Northern Beaches.
With a lot at stake on Sunday, both teams will be desperate to secure points and venture north on the League ladder.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Blacktown Spartans, Sunday 28th of April, 3:00 pm Lambert Park
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0 Marconi Stallions 1
Blacktown Spartans 4 Sydney Olympic 2
At Lambert Park, APIA-Leichhardt Tigers are still in search of their first win of the campaign when Blacktown Spartans visit the Inner West.
The Tigers have been affected with a coaching change, though the ‘youthful exuberance’ of young coach, and experienced player, Nicola Rizzo stand the side in with a very good chance of turning its fortunes around this season.
The Tigers have played all six of the first six rounds at home, making for a number of difficult away matches to come; making this weekend’s encounter all the more important for the side to notch up its first three-pointer.
Rizzo will be hoping playmaker Franco Parisi continues to improve from the hamstring injury he has been suffering with over the past month, meanwhile youngster Nikola Taneski speed and good finishing ability in-front of goal remain fundamental to the side’s chances of a turnaround.
The visiting Spartans will be buzzing after the remarkable 4-2 defeat of Sydney Olympic last weekend, and so the team should be following the fine performance of Ben De Haan’s men. Luke Austin and Andre Carle were exceptional in the win, and more of the same will be expected of the duo at Lambert Park.
With points vital to both sides’ respective campaigns – the Spartans could move as high up as fifth in case of a win, meanwhile a win for the Tigers could signal the starting point for the club this season.
-By Joseph Carlucci
