NSW Premier League Round 15 Preview
South Coast Wolves v Sydney United 58 FC, Saturday 14th of July, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 South Coast Wolves 1 (Rescheduled Rd. 12 clash)
Sydney United 58 FC 4 Blacktown City FC 3
At John Crehan Park, South Coast Wolves will attempt to bounce back following its loss at Bonnyrigg last weekend when Sydney United 58 FC visits the South Coast.
The Wolves have been one of the form sides this season, surprising many followers of the competition with the its high placing on the ladder. Much of the credit must to go to coach Trevor Morgan for the football philosophy he has brought to the club in recent seasons, the side now reaping the rewards with a fine campaign to-date.
The Wolves will be without goalkeeper Daniel Collison for this clash following his late sending off against the White Eagles last weekend, and the side will need to be ready for a big match against a Reds outfit that scored a morale boosting win over Blacktown City FC in Round 14.
The Reds run has not been convincing this season, though the side has shown just what it is capable of with some good displays. Adding further spark to the encounter will be the fact that the visitors were ?pipped? by the Wolves back in Round 4 at Sydney United Sports Centre, so leveling the ledger for 2012 will be high on Sydney United?s priorities this weekend.
Sutherland Sharks v Rockdale City Suns, Saturday 14th of July, 7:00 pm Seymour Shaw Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 3 Sutherland Sharks 1
Rockdale City Suns 1 Parramatta FC 0 (Rescheduled Rd. 9 clash)
The newly crowned Waratah Cup champions Sutherland Sharks return to Seymour Shaw fresh from its devastating performance in the 4-1 demolition of APIA-Leichhardt Tigers in the Cup Final.
Robbie Stanton?s men will be aiming to bring the Cup winning form into the League as the side aims to make a final surge towards finals football in the League. Arguably one of the better football playing sides in the competition, the Sharks have struggled to get the results in the League.
The side will be bolstered by the return of George Souris who showed his worth with a man of the match performance in the Cup Final.
The visiting Suns will certainly provide a challenge as Mark Rudan?s men have shown their intent with a very positive run of results. The Suns left it late in the rescheduled Round 9 clash against Parramatta FC to claim the points, though the side has proven to be a real nut to crack even for the more fancied sides in the competition.
With talented players on both sides, an open attacking match will be expected as both sides have high ambition of playing finals football this season.
Manly United FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 15th of July, 3:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 0 Marconi Stallions 1 (Rescheduled Rd. 9 clash)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 South Coast Wolves 1 (Rescheduled Rd. 12 clash)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles face a tough trip to Cromer Park against Manly United FC on Sunday afternoon, knowing that a win could well and truly knock-out the stuffing of the sides chasing them for top-spot on the League ladder.
The White Eagles suffered a shock loss against APIA-Leichhardt at home in Round 14, however Brian Brown?s men showed they were over that result with a workmanlike showing in the 3-1 defeat of South Coast Wolves in the rescheduled Round 12 clash played last weekend.
Brown?s side has been in great touch across the park, with the likes of Tynan Diaz and Chris Tadrosse in particular coming into some top form in recent weeks.
Manly United FC come off a heartbreaking 0-1 loss against the Stallions last weekend as Craig Midgley?s men are still looking to find the consistency they require in the run home to the end of the season with the majority of matches to be played at home.
The Northern Beaches outfit will be without Adam Foti for this clash due to suspension, as the side aims to pull off what would be an upset against the League leaders.
Sydney Olympic v Marconi Stallions, Saturday 14th July, 7.30pm
Last Week:
Sydney Olympic 4 Blacktown Spartans 0
Manly United FC 0 Marconi Stallions 1 (Rescheduled Rd. 9 clash)
A former NSL classic awaits us this weekend as Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions lock horns in Round 15 NSW Premier League action. Both sides have collected positive results in recent weeks, with the Stallions now holding second-spot on the League ladder.
The reigning champions, Sydney Olympic, showed just how strong it can be in the ?demolition job? of Blacktown Spartans in its last outing. Peter Tsekenis? men were ruthless in the 4-0 win, and more of the same will be expected by the Blues coach.
Marconi?s run has been impressive this season, with the side somewhat flying under the radar. Captain Nahuel Arrarte has led his troops with some impressive personal displays, as the likes of Jamie McMaster and Daniel Severino have played their way into some good form.
With more than just three-points on the line, an entertaining encounter is expected as pride, and bragging rights, are played for this weekend.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers v Parramatta FC, Sunday 15th of July, 3:00 pm Lambert Park
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
Rockdale City Suns 1 Parramatta FC 0 (Rescheduled Rd. 9 clash)
At Lambert Park, both APIA-Leichhardt and Parramatta FC will be looking for points this Sunday ? both sides for different reasons. The Tigers, still in the hunt for finals football, will be eager to make a real go of the final run home to reach the top-five, meanwhile Parramatta FC need points to move off the foot of the table.
John Turner?s side was in scintillating form in the second-half showing against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in Round 14 ? the side overturning a one-goal deficit to claim maximum points at the League leader. That triumph failed to ignite further success in the Cup Final, though the Tigers can certainly turn it on as they have shown this season.
The visit of Parramatta FC will provide the side a big test ? Lee Sterrey?s men have failed to find consistency in-terms of results this season, though the side has been a big obstacle for adversaries to overcome.
Sterrey will be looking for more of the intensity shown against Rockdale City last weekend, as the side look to make good of their positive showings with a full 90? minutes of concentration on Sunday.
Blacktown City FC v Blacktown Spartans, Sunday 15th of July, 3:00 pm Lily Homes Stadium
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 4 Blacktown City FC 3
Sydney Olympic 4 Blacktown Spartans 0
The Blacktown Derby ?second act? takes place at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Blacktown City FC host Blacktown Spartans.
Ryuji Miyazawa proved the hero for the former champions when the two sides met earlier in the season, though the Spartans have made immense progress since in their debut season in the top flight.
Both sides arrive to this fixture after a weekend off for the Cup Final, full of energy and ready for derby bragging rights.
Blacktown City have lost some pace in the top-five following the loss at Sydney United in Round 14, meanwhile the Spartans 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Sydney Olympic means Ben De Haan?s men need to bounce back swiftly if an upset is to happen at Lily Homes. With both sides in contention for finals football, and a great football feel around the Blacktown area, an eagerly anticipated derby is expected on Sunday.
-By Joseph Carlucci
