IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 19 Preview

Round 19 of the competition poses a few more hard questions as we draw even closer to the end of the regular season.
Sydney United 58 FC has a tough home encounter against Blacktown City FC, though the side’s recent form stands it in good stead to maintain the pressure on Sutherland Sharks at the top of the ladder.
Elsewhere, the Sharks have a tricky encounter against Marconi Stallions meanwhile APIA-Leichhardt will be desperate for points in its trip to Manly United FC.
Rockdale City Suns and Sydney Olympic too need points if finals football is to become reality meanwhile Bonnyrigg White Eagles must return to winning ways to lift its confidence when South Coast Wolves visit Bonnyrigg.
In the final fixture of the Round, bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners Academy will be eager to exact some revenge on Blacktown Spartans after the reverse fixture earlier on in the season.
Sutherland Sharks v Marconi Stallions, Saturday 27^th of July, 2013, 7:00 pm Seymour Shaw
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 2 Sutherland Sharks 0
Marconi Stallions 4 Central Coast Mariners Academy 1
In the opening match of the weekend, the League leader, Sutherland Sharks, plays host to Marconi Stallions at Seymour Shaw.
The Sharks, who have been phenomenal this season, come into this encounter on the back of a rather disappointing performance at Sydney United 58 FC that saw the side slump to only its second loss of the season.
Coach Robbie Stanton re-iterated the point that his side will not change anything heading into the Stallions encounter, labelling the loss against the Reds as an off day for his troops against one of the form sides of the competition.
Coming out of Bossley Park, the Stallions scored a very important win against Central Coast Mariners Academy, though more wins are required if the side is to reach the finals series and defend the title.
The side was far from its best last weekend, though a fine finish to the first-half, and equally impressive start to the second-half, saw the side take complete control of proceedings.
With the Sharks feeling the pressure of Sydney United 58 FC cutting its lead at the top of the ladder, and the Stallions looking to reach the finals, this match is a pivotal one for both sides to reach their respective regular season goals.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v South Coast Wolves, Saturday 27^th of July, 7:00 pm Bonnyrigg Sports Ground
Last Week:
Blacktown City FC 4 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1
Rockdale City Suns 0 South Coast Wolves 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be looking to end its slump in results when it hosts the Wolves on Saturday evening. The White Eagles have not played poorly, though that winning feeling has definitely abandoned Brian Brown’s men over the past month.
Bonnyrigg suffered a rather heavy loss at Blacktown City last weekend, and a return home in Round 18 signals a must win situation if the side is to keep pace with the highflying Sharks and Reds in the run home.
The visiting Wolves will be oozing with confidence after securing maximum points in the trip to Rockdale City last weekend. The side took to the field with a very good game plan to frustrate the Suns, and more of the same will be needed by Richard Lloyd’s men this weekend if it is to return to the South Coast with anything to show from its trip west.
A must win match for both sides with some very different objectives in the run home to the end of the season.
Manly United FC v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Saturday 27^th of July, 7:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 3 Sydney Olympic 1
Blacktown Spartans 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1
At Cromer Park, APIA-Leichhardt Tigers need maximum points against Manly United FC if it is going to make its life any easier in the run home to the season’s end. The Tigers risk relegation on current results, with some good performances of late not converted into wins.
Coach Billy McColl has his experienced campaigners finding some good form, though it will be the newest additions to the squad, Aaron Clapham and Jason Oswell – who combined for the side’s only goal against Blacktown Spartans last weekend – to continue their good form.
Manly United are looking to make it back-to-back wins at home after the great showing to overcome Sydney Olympic last weekend. Coach Craig Midgley enjoyed, arguably, his side’s best showing of the season with captain Matt Sim leading his troops to perfection on the playing field.
Another intriguing encounter awaits us in the Northern Beaches this Saturday evening.
Sydney United 58 FC v Blacktown City FC, Sunday 28^th of July, 2013, 3:00 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 2 Sutherland Sharks 0
Blacktown City FC 4 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1
The pick of the fixtures on Sunday takes place at Sydney United Sports Centre with the in-form Reds hosting Blacktown City FC.
Mark Rudan’s men were impeccable against Sutherland Sharks last weekend, with Glen Trifiro and Robbie Mileski netting to send the League leader packing. The fine form of these two has certainly been massive for the club who has overcome its midseason slump and is arguably the form side of the past four weeks.
Blacktown City FC on the other hand, has some work still to do to consolidate its spot in the top-five, though the performances of Sean Rooney & Co. have the supporters confident that the side can really go close to winning silverware this season.
Mark Crittenden’s men have played some very attractive and direct football in 2013, though the consistency for the full 90’ minutes has been lacking. The side enters this encounter after a resounding win over Bonnyrigg and more of the same will be required if the side is to have any chance of troubling the Reds.
Action aplenty is certainly expected in the West on Sunday.
Rockdale City Suns v Sydney Olympic, Sunday 28^th of July, 3:00 pm Ilinden Sports Centre
Last Week:
Rockdale City Suns 0 South Coast Wolves 1
Manly United FC 3 Sydney Olympic 1
At Ilinden Sports Centre, both Rockdale City Suns and Sydney Olympic need points to keep their respective finals football ambitions alive. Both teams come off Round 18 losses, most surprisingly the Suns against the lowly-placed Wolves, at home.
Branko Culina will be sure to charge up his troops in training this week, leaving no stone unturned in the process, as this home fixture against the Blues becomes so very important if the side is to maintain its hopes of finishing amongst the top-five.
The Blues on the other hand have gone off the boil somewhat over the past month, and a further loss this weekend will certainly place a question mark over the side and its chances of finishing in the top-five.
Coach Grant Lee will be looking for a much better start following last weekend’s sluggish first 45’ minutes. The side certainly did put together a better showing in the second-half, with more goals from Renato Franco Ramirez required this weekend.

Central Coast Mariners Academy v Blacktown Spartans, Sunday 28^th July, 2:30 pm Pluim Park
Last Week:
Marconi Stallions 4 Blacktown Spartans 1
Blacktown Spartans 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1
In the final match of round 19, Central Coast Mariners Academy and Blacktown Spartans lock horns at Pluim Park. The Mariners once more proved, last weekend, that it is not up to playing a high tempo 90’ minutes without lapses in concentration, something that certainly did cost the side at Marconi. Mark Jones’ team was quite dominant away to Marconi, though a slack final 5’ minutes in the first-half – and first 5’ minutes of the second-half – saw the side concede three goals in a match where they perhaps had the better possession, and opportunities, up until that point.
Blacktown Spartans too were perhaps a little guilty of not scoring a winner against APIA-Leichhardt at home last weekend, though the important thing for Ben De Haan’s team is the fine opportunities the side is creating.
A bit of a concern surrounds the fitness of Phil Makrys who limped off with a thigh strain against the Tigers – the midfield maestro, no doubt, one of the best central midfielders in the competition.
With both sides more than capable of attacking, the side that maintains its focus in defence should definitely come up trumps in this encounter.
-By Joe Carlucci