TeleChoice Premier League Round 10 Preview

Bonnyrigg will be riding high in confidence following their thrilling last-ditch effort win against Sutherland Sharks in Round 9, meanwhile the Stallions will need to improve on their performance following a last-ditch effort of their own which salvaged Lee Sterrey?s men a point against Sydney Tigers in injury-time.
White Eagles? boss Brian Brown faces another former club; a worrying sign for the Stallions following Bonnyrigg?s defeat of Sutherland Sharks. The encounter promises to be an enthralling battle in the middle of the park with the likes of Milorad Simonovic and Tayfun Devrimol in good form, meanwhile the Stallions have looked dangerous with Nahuel Arrarte and Ali Al-Hilfi calling the shots for the Stallions.
At Cromer Park, Manly United FC faces Bankstown City in a must win match for both sides. Manly United ?only just? hold second-spot on the ladder, though the side is win-less since the less than inspiring Round 7 defeat of Penrith-Nepean United. A long list of injuries have not helped Phil Moss? men as key players Craig Midgley and Robbie Cattanach have missed much of the last month of action.
Bankstown City?s injury list looks even less positive with long-term injuries to Phillip Makrys and George Nohra calling for a reconstruction of the Lions midfield. A win for the Cromer Park side is key to keep the pressure on a high flying Sydney United, meanwhile Bankstown City?s hopes of keeping pace with the Top-Five will revolve largely on the outcome of this match.
Sydney Tigers return to their spiritual home of Lambert Park to face West Sydney Berries on Saturday. Both sides have had little to cheer about thus far, though the Berries players? morale will be high following a strong showing in the 2-0 defeat of Wollongong Community FC. Sydney Tigers were only moments away from claiming a huge scalp at Marconi Stadium, though conceded a late goal that leaves the side languishing in second-last spot on the ladder. With only one-point separating these two teams, a win for either will be a launching pad for a mid-season surge up the TeleChoice Premier League ladder.
On Sunday afternoon at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic play host to Sutherland Sharks. Both sides come off heart-breaking losses in Round 9, with the Blues impressive in large spells against Sydney United, despite going down 2-1.
Sutherland Sharks stirring run of four consecutive wins was brought to an end by Bonnyrigg White Eagles, though Robbie Stanton?s side has certainly shown they are ?alive and kicking? following a slow start to the season. The Sharks have re-found a confident Brad Boardman in the attacking third, meanwhile hopes surrounding midfielder Nick Stavroulakis? return continue to rise following the midfielder?s return to the training fields last week.
At Cook Park in St. Mary?s, Ian Gillan?s men play host to League leader Sydney United. Penrith-Nepean convinced few in pre-season that a serious challenge for finals football would be made, though Gillan?s men have fashioned a belief in their group that no opponent is unbeatable. The side has already stunned Sydney Olympic, and heavily troubled the likes of Manly United FC and Bankstown City; a warning sign for Ante Milicic & Co. not to underestimate the side.
Milicic?s side has been impressive to-date with a series of consistent performances culminating in seven wins and two draws from nine matches. Most striking though, has been the side?s ability to thwart their adversaries in moments where their opponents gain the upper-hand in the possession stakes. On current form, only a brave person will bet against the Reds clinching maximum points from their trip to Cook Park.
In the final match of the round, Blacktown City Demons need points when they host bottom-placed Wollongong Community FC. The Demons were left to rue a number of missed chances against Manly United FC in Round 9 ? resulting in the team picking up only a point from the match. The Demons demonstrated their ability to ?mix it? with the best in the competition, though defensive frailties have proven to be their undoing.
Wollongong Community FC?s season has been disastrous to-date, with the side languishing in bottom-spot on the ladder. Interim coach Glenn Fontana has instilled a confidence amongst his group that was missing from the opening part of the season, though one-point from a possible six has the team well off the pace.
-By Joseph Carlucci