SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 Round 14 Preview

There is a heavy schedule of fixtures on Sunday this weekend, unusually, with one even set down for 5pm. Northern Tigers v Parramatta FC catches the eye, with both clubs looking to set themselves up for a finals push.
 Mounties Wanderers v Fraser Park Saturday 7pm, Cook Park, Mt Pritchard
The fallout from last week’s Fraser Park game seems set to continue but on the field, it will also prove to be a tough week as Fraser travel to Mounties Wanderers this Saturday. With Pat Cappuccio and David Wilson both out suspended this week, and Paulo Oliviera still struggling to recovery from injury, it will be a somewhat depleted side which takes the field at Cook Park. After some great wins, Fraser have slumped to two losses on the trot, a sure sign of just how competitive this league is. Nothing can be taken for granted as Moun Druitt Town proved on Wednesday last week.
Mounties know that all too well, their great start to the season being halted a month ago, and they finally gained their sixth win last Sunday, after having won five of their first six games of the season. They will continue to be one of the challengers for the title, and a win here will help their cause no end.
Macarthur Rams v Sydney University Saturday 7pm, Lynwood Park, St Helens Park
Sydney University will need to be on top of their game when they travel to Lynwood Park on Saturday night. The Rams put in a sterling performance against St George last Sunday and are right in the thick of it, two points off top. They have lost only one of their past nine so they are certainly in a rich vein of form. Difficult to break down, the Rams have their eye on the premiership, and will surely go close if their current form continues.
Sydney University might consider themselves unfortunate, again, to come away empty handed last weekend. They went close to gaining at least a point but conceded a late goal against the Berries. Up front will be their main focus, as they look to find the secret to scoring. Only Spirit FC have scored less.
Hills Brumbies v Mount Druitt Town Rangers Sunday 3pm, Blacktown International Sports Park
The league’s two most western clubs meet in this local derby on Sunday when Mount Druitt Town travel the short distance to Doonside to meet Hills Brumbies. Rangers have gained some good results in the past week and the points gained have moved them to within two points of Sydney University. Mount Druitt are keen to improve their position, and are very eager not to finish bottom, so Hills can expect a tougher game than they might have originally thought.
The Brumbies had a good performance against Parramatta at Melita last Sunday, taking a half time lead, but were disappointed not to take more than a point from the match in the end. They still harbour hopes of a finals push, and with a game still in hand on most clubs, that may be possible. But three points here are almost a prerequisite if that aim is to come to fruition. 
Northern Tigers v Parramatta FC Sunday 3pm, Mills Park, Asquith
This will be a game well worth taking in as Northern Tigers and Parramatta FC go head to head. With both sides on equal points but Parramatta just shading Tigers on goal difference, this one will be crucial to both clubs upcoming prospects. One senses that the Tigers may begin to turn their season around with some regulars returning although Liam McConaghy, injured again last weekend, may be in some doubt.  
Parramatta defeated Northern Tigers back in round three, after the Tigers had won their first two, so they know what is required. After a slow start to the season overall, Parramatta are starting to find their rhythm, and it will not surprise should they continue with that form. And considering that they just could not score early in the season, the Eagles are now remarkably the third highest scorers in the league. Over half have been shared between Danny Choi and Devante Clut, Choi particularly, playing havoc with the Tigers earlier in the season. No prizes for guessing who the Tigers will be watching closely this Sunday.
Bankstown Berries v Spirit FC Sunday, 3pm The Crest, Bass Hill
Bankstown Berries have continued solidly along, collecting points each week, and still with only one loss to their name. They are the league’s second highest scorers too but they will need to do without their leading striker this Sunday, with Dimitri Zakilas unavailable. They have recently signed Shannon Burgin, last seen with Bankstown City last season, so he may get some game time, although with John Tsironis and Kodjo Ajassou regular picks as well, it most likely will be from off the bench.
After missing almost the entire season to date, playing only the first thirty minutes of round one, Tim Simpson was back on the paddock for the final quarter of an hour last Sunday. He may just be the answer to Spirit’s scoring woes, though it may take some time to get back into match mode. Spirit have little time to waste, the league’s lowest scorers needing some goals and wins if they are to play past August. 
Bankstown City v St George, Sunday 5pm, Jensen Park, Sefton
After going down fighting against Sutherland Sharks in the Waratah Cup on Wednesday, St George will now have the sole focus of the league as they head to Jensen Park for Sunday’s late kickoff. They gave it a good crack against the Premier League side, taking the lead and making a strong game of it, before eventually going down by 3-1. They will head to Bankstown City with confidence as they look to strengthen their position at the head of the table.
Despite a less than impressive season, certainly one in which they expected to perform better than they have to date, the Lions are still only two points shy of the five. But with the competition so fierce, they will need to find that consistency which has been elusive so far.  
-By Peter Rowney