NSW Premier League Round 20 Preview
Blacktown Spartans v Rockdale City Suns, Saturday 18th of August, 7:00 pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 2 Blacktown Spartans 1
Sydney United 58 FC 3 Rockdale City Suns 1
The Spartans host the Suns at Blacktown Football Park in a must win match for both sides with two entirely different ambitions as we approach the season?s end.
The Spartans recent form has been impressive, however the results have not matched as the side has slumped down the ladder to eleventh-spot. Ben De Haan will be looking for maximum intensity from his chargers who will be aiming to finish their first season in the top-flight as far away from the bottom places on the ladder as possible.
The visiting Rockdale City will also be desperate for a win if they are going to remain in the race for a top-five finish. Arguably one of the form sides over the second part of the season, the Suns have lost consecutive matches, against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Sydney United 58 FC, and now sit in sixth-spot, two-points adrift of Marconi Stallions.
Mark Rudan?s men have shown their ability since the former A-League star took over the coaching reigns, however the departure of Dylan Macallister in the front-third has certainly hurt the side.
With so much to play for, and a perfect playing surface at Blacktown Football Park, an entertaining encounter is expected to kick-start Round 20 action this weekend.
Sydney Olympic v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 19th August, 3pm, Belmore Sports Ground
Last Week:
South Coast Wolves 0 Sydney Olympic 1
Sutherland Sharks 2 Parramatta FC 3
At Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic look to consolidate its hold on second-spot when it meets Sutherland Sharks on Saturday evening. The Blues? recent run of results has been phenomenal as Peter Tsekenis? men will also be hoping Bonnyrigg slip up to give the Blues a look-in at first-spot.
Phil Makrys was the hero last weekend with his well-taken penalty, though the Blues have looked very sound across the park. Brett Studman?s leadership at the back has been brilliant, as has the hard work of Troy Danaskos and Peter Triantis. Chris Triantis in the front-third has been exceptional, and the introduction of Matthew Mayora has most definitely added a spark that was missing at the start of the season in-front of goal.
Waratah Cup winners Sutherland Sharks have struggled to find continuity in the League this season, and the somewhat surprising loss at home against Parramatta FC last weekend all but ended the side?s chances of finals football this season.
Coach Robbie Stanton will welcome back Nick Stavroulakis following his one match suspension, meanwhile captain George Souris will be looking to bring calm to a defensive line that has conceded too many goals in recent weeks.
In a match between two proud rivals, a lot of passion is anticipated on the playing surface this weekend.
Marconi Stallions v Manly United FC, Saturday 18th of August, 7:30 pm Marconi Stadium
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 Marconi Stallions 0
Manly United FC 2 Blacktown Spartans 1
Marconi faces a delicate tie against Manly United this weekend as it aims to hold onto a top-five spot, three rounds out from the conclusion of the regular season. Consecutive losses against Sutherland Sharks and Bonnyrigg White Eagles see the Stallions barely holding onto fifth-spot, two-points clear of sixth placed Rockdale City.
Coach Luke Casserly was disappointed with the lack of urgency shown by his players against Bonnyrigg last weekend, however the team spirit in the month leading up to that was very high. Keith Shevlin and Joey Gibbs will be hoping to get more of the ball on Saturday in the front third, with Nahuel Arrarte and Daniel Severino expected to get forward out of midfield.
The travelling Manly United side have enjoyed some good results over the past three weeks, and the side can still mathematically, albeit it a tough ask, reach the top-five. Adam Foti?s rich vein of form has been impressive as have the performances of Michael Daly. Coach Craig Midgley will be encouraging his players to give this clash their all on Saturday evening to move further up the table, three matches out from the end of the season.
Blacktown City FC v South Coast Wolves, Sunday 19th of August, 3:00 pm Lily Homes Stadium
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 Blacktown City FC 0
South Coast Wolves 0 Sydney Olympic 1
Third meets fourth on Sunday afternoon as South Coast Wolves travel to Blacktown. Both sides are coming off losses that have somewhat jeopardised their current placings on the ladder, however a win on Sunday will go a massive way in spurring either side toward the finals series.
Blacktown City?s form has been worrying with the side conceding too many goals ? three against Sydney Olympic last time at Lily Homes Stadium, a number arriving via set-pieces. Coach Mark Crittenden will be looking to have things sorted across the backline, meanwhile playmakers Yuchi Yamauchi and Ryuji Miyazawa will need to get on the ball to create chances up-front. The youthful exuberance of Daniel Bragg, Matt Lewis and Travis Major will also be key if the home side is to take the upper-hand against the Wolves.
South Coast still has ambitions of finishing second, however following the loss against Sydney Olympic last weekend the side relinquished second-spot. Trevor Morgan?s men have been one of the surprises of the season and the side most definitely deserves to figure amongst the top-five.
For the Wolves, Sasho Petrovski?s experience will be vital for this tricky away trip as the first side to settle in midfield will go a long way in scoring maximum points on Sunday.
Parramatta FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 13th of August, 3:00 pm Melita Stadium
Last Week:
Sutherland Sharks 2 Parramatta FC 3
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3 Marconi Stallions 0
Parramatta FC has turned the corner in the run home at the end of the season with consecutive wins over the past fortnight, in the process sending a big warning to Round 20 opponent, Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
The Granville-based side has collected the scalps of South Coast Wolves and Sutherland Sharks over the past two weeks, with confidence sky-high amongst Lee Sterrey?s playing group before this weekend?s clash.
The Eagles will be looking at front man Aaron Peterson to carry the weight up-front, with the likes of Akiyoshi Saito and Daniel Rezo coming of age out of midfield.
The task at hand will be an extremely tough one with the White Eagles setting the bar this season with a fabulous campaign to-date. Brian Brown?s men were flawless against Marconi Stallions last weekend as the likes of Ken Chun and Adrian Ucchino stole the show with fabulous performances.
With confidence riding high amongst the squad, and the possibility of sealing top-spot with a win this weekend, Bonnyrigg will be looking to steamroll the Eagles and continue its magnificent run towards the finals series.
Sydney United 58 FC v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 19th of August, 4:00 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 3 Rockdale City Suns 1
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 Blacktown City FC 0
Sydney United 58 FC re-opened its charge towards the finals series last weekend with an exceptional second-half performance. Even though the side will need to rely on other results over the coming weeks, three wins from the remaining three matches could see last season?s grand-finalists finish in the top-five.
The Reds will meet APIA-Leichhardt Tigers at home this weekend, and the expectation is for an entertaining match between two sides desperate for points. With the Tigers languishing in the bottom part of the ladder, and with relegation concerns shadowing Lambert Park, the Tigers too need points.
The side showed determination to overcome Blacktown City however they will be without match winner Adam Casey who was given a straight red card late in the match.
The Reds will be confident with Luka Glavas returning to the scorer?s list after an injury plagued season meanwhile Mirjan Pavlovic has been in impressive form.
This fixture between two former NSL giants never fails to deliver entertainment and with three weekends of the competition remaining, the late game on Sunday promises to be a thriller.
