IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 8 Preview
Round 8 rolls on this weekend with some big encounters to whet the appetites of football enthusiasts across the state.
Sydney Olympic v Rockdale City Suns, Saturday 4th of May, 7:00 pm Belmore Sports Ground
Last Week:
Sydney Olympic 5 Manly United FC 1
South Coast Wolves 1 Rockdale City Suns 1
A ‘red hot’ Sydney Olympic welcome Rockdale City Suns to Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday evening in the round’s pick of the matches this weekend. The Blues returned to their ruthless selves last time out, handing Manly United FC a 5-1 hiding after somewhat of a lean run over the first month-and-a-half of the competition.
Coach Peter Tsekenis has benefited from the return to full fitness of captain Phil Makrys, meanwhile the Blues’ leader has been ably assisted by Kingsley Williams in the middle of the park, forming what is constantly becoming a force in the competition.
The task at hand for the Blues will by no means be an easy one with a Rockdale City Suns outfit that is fast becoming a true contender for finals football.
Branko Culina’s influence is more and more evident with each passing weekend, and the side certainly does possess the weapons to turn some heads this season.
Two passionate sides with great ambition for this campaign, fireworks are expected on Saturday evening as Richard Cardozo lines up against Ibrahim Haydar and Brett Studman, meanwhile Askin Oygur will have his hands full with Elsid Barkhousir looking the goods since joining the Blues at the start of the season.
Blacktown Spartans v Central Coast Mariners Academy, Saturday 27th of April, 7:00 pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0 Blacktown Spartans 2
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 Marconi Stallions 2
At Blacktown Football Park, the Spartans will be looking to keep its impressive run of form on track when the new boys to the competition visit on Saturday evening.
The Spartans started the season with a bang following the opening round defeat of Marconi Stallions, though a ‘lull’ of sorts followed. To the credit of coach Ben De Haan and his players, the side has sprung back to life with successive victories against Sydney Olympic and APIA-Leichhardt Tigers over the past fortnight, giving the side the chance, this weekend, of moving into the top-five with a win.
Midfielder Andre Carle has enjoyed a successful April, and the Blacktown talent will hoping for more of the same in May – his goals to-date have been instrumental in the side’s successes thus far.
The visiting Mariners have a tough trip this weekend, though Mark Jones has definitely drilled his troops in this early part of the season, and the side is due a win soon.
Tomislav Cirjak and James Monie may well be targeted as the greatest threats in this Mariners side, meanwhile youngster Louis Bozanic is another player to keep a close eye on for the Mariners as we reach the midway point of the competition.
An interesting fixture ahead at Blacktown Football Park with the Spartans, without a doubt, starting as the firm favourite.
South Coast Wolves v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Saturday 27th of April, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
South Coast Wolves 1 Rockdale City Suns 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 Blacktown City FC 1
The league leaders face a tough away trip in the ‘gong’ this weekend when they line up against South Coast Wolves on Saturday evening.
After a blistering start to the campaign, it is somewhat surprising that Bonnyrigg enter this fixture on the back of consecutive draws – Rockdale City Suns (away) and Blacktown City FC (home).
Brian Brown’s men welcomed back striker Robbie Younis from injury last weekend, though his presence wasn’t enough to seal maximum points against Blacktown City.
The trip to the South Coast is a dreaded one for most clubs, though the White Eagles boast a very decent record at John Crehan Park.
The Wolves’ season has failed to ignite as of yet, though there is no better chance than proving its ability than getting one over the table toppers this weekend.
Coach Richard Lloyd will need more of the same form from Mitchell Del Turco witnessed last weekend, meanwhile the constant development of John Martinoski remains a positive point amongst the squad and the supporters.
The Wolves will need to get on top in the middle of the park if there is going to be any thought, or hope, of a victory against Bonnyrigg, with the defensive line marshalled to perfection by captain Jacob Timpano.
Blacktown City FC v Sydney United 58 FC, Saturday 4th of April, 7:00 pm Lily Homes Stadium
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 Blacktown City FC 1
Sutherland Sharks 1 Sydney united 58 FC 1
Another cracker is expected at Lily Homes on Saturday when Blacktown City FC line-up against Sydney United 58 FC. The home side, still reeling from the 3-4 loss against the Sharks last time at home, where the side squandered a 3-0 lead, bounced back with a good showing against Bonnyrigg White Eagles to take a point from the league leader.
Sydney United 58 FC has been another one of the front-runners thus far, the side dropping its first points last weekend in the draw at Sutherland.
Two teams with a lot of pride, and high expectation of claiming silverware this season, gives us a mouthwatering prospect this weekend.
A win for the home side will see the side close the gap on the top-three sides, meanwhile victory for the Reds will add further pressure to the White Eagles with Mark Rudan’s men still holding a catch-up match under their sleeve.
A very difficult match to pick with two very capable sides in search of maximum points, to further strengthen their position on the ladder.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Manly United FC, Sunday 28th of April, 3:00 pm Lambert Park
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0 Blacktown Spartans 2
Sydney Olympic 5 Manly United FC 1
Both APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Manly United FC are in search of a win to get their respective campaigns on track, the Tigers the more desperate at this point with only three-points to show from the opening seven rounds this season.
The Tigers were forced to reshuffle things after Gary Ward left the club, with Nicola Rizzo now looking to implement his own style of play on the group. APIA-Leichhardt was extremely unlucky to lose against the Spartans last weekend, a match that the side dominated for large spells.
Despite the dominance of possession, the side conceded two late goals to go down to yet another defeat.
The visiting Manly United FC enter the encounter off the back of a big loss against Sydney Olympic. The Northern Beaches side have enjoyed a decent start to the season with some good results, and a win on Sunday could ultimately send the side into the top-five.
Craig Midgley’s men will need to quickly forget about the loss to the Blues, and the likes of Matthew Sim and Colin Iley will need to lead proceedings from the front. More than capable of scoring goals, the visitors will need to master the bumpy surface to have a chance of getting a result, and inflicting further pain to the Tigers.
Marconi Stallions v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 4th of May, 3:00 pm Marconi Stadium
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 Marconi Stallions 1
Sutherland Sharks 1 Sydney United 58 FC 1
Fourth host third at Marconi Stadium when the Stallions welcome Sutherland Sharks to Bossley Park on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi has been riding a very positive wave with some hard fought victories in recent weeks, lead marvellously by Milorad Simonovic and Anthony Proia.
The challenge this weekend comes in the form of Sutherland Sharks, another side riding a positive moment of form following a tremendous come-from-behind win against Blacktown City FC, and a dominant display against Sydney United 58 FC.
The Sharks have found tremendous talent Nicholas Olsen, already with his name on the lips of many as the potential goal of the year award winner. Olsen’s speed, composure on the ball and fierce shot already stand him in good stead for a very successful career.
These two sides always produce exciting encounters, and this Sunday’s clash should be no different. Both goalkeepers can be expected to be busy with attacking flair on both sides – both squads with a good eye for goal.
A win for the Sharks will keep the side on the heels of the Reds and White Eagles, meanwhile a Stallions victory will add Jean-Paul De Marigny’s men to the fight at the top of the ladder.
-By Joseph Carlucci
