SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 Round 18 Preview

The results of last weekend has thrown open the competition for all and sundry. Bankstown Berries v Northern Tigers looks the pick of the round this weekend, as both clubs work to recover from last Sunday’s respective heavy losses.
Bankstown Berries v Northern Tigers Saturday 7pm, The Crest, Bass Hill
It is doubtful that anybody would have predicted the results of these two clubs last weekend. Both were ensconced in the five and looking forward to finishing the season strongly. Their defensive records were some of the best in the league with not much more than a goal a game conceded and yet the Berries shipped five goals and Northern Tigers four, the Tigers at home, though admittedly they were also down to ten. Still, it would have to have been a long time since that scoreline came out of Mills Park. 
So there will be plenty of nerves riding on this one to see who can recover the best. With a clutch of clubs all fighting to the season’s end, everyone from Spirit FC up is in with a shout, and so there is plenty on the line at The Crest. With Parramatta FC winning on Wednesday, there is a danger that the Berries could even slip out of the five, something which would have been unthinkable just a couple of short weeks ago. Last season’s double winners Northern Tigers have had a frustrating season and it has proven difficult to defend their title. This match won’t be any easier for them, particularly with Travis Oughtred out suspended.
St George v Fraser Park Saturday, 7pm, St George Stadium
St George will be looking to return to the winner’s circle when they meet near neighbours Fraser Park on Saturday. With just their second league loss last weekend, and only their third loss all season in twenty league and cup games, the Saints have been having one of their best seasons in years and they will be wanting to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate as last weekend. The table has tightened considerably after the last round’s results and with Fraser Park on the fringes of the five, St George won’t want to take this one for granted.
Fraser Park have produced some fine results this year, none moreso than a victory at Melita Stadium, and they really do battle to the final whistle, as Bankstown City have discovered a couple of times this year. They have nothing to lose, so St George can expect a tough fight. 
Macarthur Rams v Hills Brumbies Saturday 7pm, Lynwood Park, St Helens Park
Macarthur Rams and Hills Brumbies come into this game with depleted squads. It seems both sides have just enough first teamers for a bare eleven with Under 20s currently making up at least the bench space. It has worked out OK for Hills, whose youngsters are now top of the table, and in Kuag Reec, they have a striker who has hit three goals in the past two games. They are in a purple patch of form but a midwinter trip to Lynwood Park is a test for anyone.
Hills have a good record at Macarthur though, winning on each occasion over the past two years, so they shouldn’t lack that confidence. They have only one more away game after this so if they can get something from the trip, who knows what may happen over the coming month.
The Rams have picked up one point in their past two games, but still remain just a sole point behind the leaders. They have a very hard run in with only one game against a side without finals ambitions, so it will be a tough few weeks for the Rams. Throw in a couple of midweek friendlies coming up over the next two Wednesdays, with Sydney FC next week and Western Sydney Wanderers on 4 August, their schedule will be very tight.
Mounties Wanderers v Mount Druitt Town Rangers Saturday 7pm, Cook Park, Mount Pritchard
Along with Parramatta, Mounties were the big winners last weekend, making ground on all their rivals above them and leaping to third. It had been a barren patch but the result against the Tigers really gave them a lift though that win was undone a little on Wednesday at Melita Stadium. But it is a cramped league and it doesn’t take much at the moment to make ground with just a win. Eli Squillacioti’s suspension is over and he will be a welcome addition to the match day squad.
Mount Druitt Town won only their third match of the season last Saturday night but have every intention of getting off the bottom. They will have a tough ask here though against a Mounties side in a finals dogfight.
Sydney University v Spirit FC Saturday 7pm, Hensley Field, Pagewood
 Sydney University may have forgone finals hopes a little while ago but they still have plenty to play for this season. Just two points above bottom placed Mount Druitt Town Rangers, they don’t want to finish last and they will approach this game with every intention of taking the points. The return of Peter Crevani last weekend was welcomed and his influence will play a large part in how Uni’s season finishes. Uni could be considered unfortunate not to take some points from either of their past two away games but after having dispatched of Bankstown City the last time they played at Hensley Field, a return to their Eastern Suburbs home will be an advantage.
Spirit FC were cock-a-hoop after defeating St George last Sunday and as one of only two clubs still with two washouts to play, their season has plenty of legs despite their current ninth spot. Their inferior goal difference may count against them in the washup but until such time, Spirit will live up to their name.
Bankstown City v Parramatta FC Sunday 3pm, Jensen Park, Sefton
It has been a tough season for Bankstown City who have never hit their straps this year and currently lie tenth on the table. Clearly this season is over but they should still be a tough opposition over their final six games. Pride always counts for something and the Lions will ensure that no team takes them lightly.  
Parramatta are on a roll with three consecutive wins, all against high flyers. Bankstown Berries, Macarthur Rams and Mounties Wanderers have all been beaten in the past fortnight with the result that the Eagles are now outright third, their highest position this year. They have chosen the right time to hit form and should they get a further win this Sunday, they will be set up nicely for their next upcoming match against St George.   
Parramatta 1 v Mounties Wanderers 0
Rescheduled Round 15
Wednesday 24 July 2013
A goal by Daniel Rezo midway through the first half gave Parramatta all the points against Mounties Wanderers in their rescheduled clash, the win moving the Eagles to third spot on the ladder and just two points off first. 
Danny Choi set up the goal, cutting in to cross for Rezo who volleyed home nicely from inside the area. While the Eagles were under some heavy pressure late on, they hung on for an all important victory, moving above the Mounties as a result.
Parramatta 1 (Daniel Rezo) v Mounties Wanderers 0
-By Peter Rowney