The Team: 2012 saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles completely dominate the regular season competition with a giant-killing run that saw the side finish first on the league ladder with seventeen wins from twenty-two matches. Brian Brown’s men netted fifty goals, and were well ahead of their rivals in a dominant campaign, only to fall short in the finals series where Marconi Stallions deservedly clinched the grand-final triumph.
The 2013 White Eagles squad remains an impressive one with only few changes made to the playing roster. Under the posts will see well known goalkeeper and former A-League shotstopper Matthew Nash return to the fold.
Once again, Robbie Younis will carry the goal scoring responsibilities with new signing Aaron Peterson expected to chip-in throughout the campaign to assist with the ‘goals for’ column on the league ladder.
Out of midfield, Tynan Diaz, Adrian Ucchino and Mitchell Long will pull the strings for the front line, meanwhile defensively, the line has been reinforced with the return of club favourite Vuko Tomasevic to the squad with Steven Hesketh; the former to add some priceless experience ahead of what promises to be a very competitive season.
Former Perth Glory National Youth League youngster Howard Fondyke is also another player that is sure to shake up the competition this year.
The Coach: Brian Brown’s men were relentless in the regular season last campaign, and the likeable White Eagles’ boss will expect nothing less than a repeat performance in 2013. Brown, along with his trusty assistant Cliff Pointer, are coherent with winning, and the two will start the season believing their side has what it takes to go that one step further and claim grand-final success this time around.
Brown’s experience in this competition is invaluable, and it is perhaps that experience that constantly sets the White Eagles as favourite at the start of each season.
Tactically astute, the Scotsman has the players at his disposal to, once again, take the league by storm this season.
Player to watch: One cannot look past last season’s Golden Boot winner, Robbie Younis. The striker was in sensational form, netting twenty goals over the course of the season. Once more, Younis will lead the attacking line and his goals will be vital for Bonnyrigg’s chances of adding more silverware.
The striker’s finesse and strength on the ball, mixed with a vicious left peg, have Younis as one of the most prolific striker’s in the history of the competition.
Younis, in his second season with the club, will again have the supply provided by the likes of Tynan Diaz and Mitchell Long, and the trio will need to be at their best against a number of hungry adversaries in the competition.
The striker is arguably the favourite to once again take out the Golden Boot award in 2013.
Rising Star: Midfielder Adrian Ucchino returned to Australia in 2012 and joined Bonnyrigg White Eagles in May of last season, playing an exceptional role in the side’s fine run towards the finals series.
The twenty-two year old returned to Australia with some fantastic experience obtained during his stint in Italy. The time spent at both Frosinone and Sangiovannese have made him a better all-round player. Ucchino last season showed his ability not only to cover the ball winning role in midfield but also his confidence and ability on the ball, playing his part in the assists department for his strikers.
Not shy to get forward either, expect to see Ucchino find the back of the net too this season – the midfielder is not shy to get forward and pull the trigger when given a sniff in the front third.
A special mention must also go to young gun Nikola Todoroski, son of one of the Premier League’s best strikers Mile, who will be one to look out for also.
2013 squad: Alex Mansueto, Adrian Ucchino, Howard Fondyke, Nikola Todoroski, Matthew Nash, Benjamin Spruce, Aaron Peterson, Vuko Tomasevic, Chris Tadrosse, Anthony Abi-Arrage, Tynan Diaz, David Gullo, Nikola Zonjic, Steven Hesketh, Bo Hyun Chun, Aleksander Canak, Robert Younis, Mitchell Long, Jordan Crighton, Nikodin Matic, Nikola Stanojevic, Vincent Veneri, Massa Tanaka
Archives for March 2013
2013 NSW Premier League Pre-Season Cup Final this Saturday
Both teams topped their groups and will look at this match as a perfect hit-out prior to the season kicking off on Saturday March 16th.
Road to the Pre-Season Cup Final
Blacktown City FC
R1 – 3-2 win v Rockdale City Suns
R2 – 3-1 win v Marconi Stallions
R3 – 2-2 draw v Manly United
R4 – 4-2 win v Blacktown Spartans
R5 – 5-1 win v Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Sydney Olympic
R1 – 2-1 win v APIA Leichhardt Tigers
R2 – 3-2 win v Sutherland Sharks
R3 – 2-1 win v Central Coast Mariners Academy
R4 – 1-0 win v South Coast Wolves
R5 – 3-1 win v Sydney United 58
Match Details:
2013 NSW Premier League Pre-Season Cup Details
Saturday 9th March @ Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills
Blacktown City FC v Sydney Olympic
Kick Off 6pm
Admission
Adults $10
Concession $5
Children Under 16 Free
NSW Premier League Pre-Season Cup Round 5 Review
Pool 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-5 Blacktown City FC @ Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown City FC battled back from goal down against Bonnyrigg White Eagles to come away from Blacktown Football Park with an impressive 5-1 win to book their place in next weekend’s Pre Season Cup Final.
The scoreline was perhaps a flattering one for Mark Crittenden’s side who were simply the more clinical in the final third while Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg started brightly and controlled possession as per usual yet could not break down their opposition in the second half.
Bonnyrigg appeared to be in the driver’s seat in the first half as the reigning Premiers forced their opposition to sit deep and duly gained the early ascendancy through Nikola Zonjic’s opening goal.
The goal appeared to spark Blacktown into life as the visitors ventured forward and found themselves on level terms when Zonjic undid his good work at the other end by turning a driven cross into his own net.
Blacktown soon forced their way into the lead through Dolor Edosomwan finish before a smart interchange of passes put Ray Miller through one-on-one with the keeper; the midfielder took full advantage with a fine finish to give his side breathing space.
Despite Bonnyrigg’s attempted to find a route back into the match Blacktown scored yet again through Japanese import Ryuji Miyazawa before Kearyan Baccus rounded off an impressive win with the final goal.
Blacktown will now look to carry their form in the final third into next week’s final against a physical Sydney Olympic side in what is sure to be a thrilling clash of the National Premier League heavyweights.
Blacktown Spartans 2-3 Marconi Stallions @ Blacktown Football Park
Marconi Stallions capped off their preseason campaign with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday evening.
The visitors hit the lead through Anthony Poyar’s well taken finish before the hosts responded almost immediately when a Pasquale Polistina’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection to wrong foot James Chronopoulos and level the scores.
Milorad Simonovic restored Marconi’s advantage soon after before Poyar grabbed his second of the match to give the visitors a two goal buffer.
The hosts managed to pull a goal back when Corey Biczo applied the finish to Simon Zahra’s freekick which was parried into his path, and while the Spartans pressed forward in search of another equaliser Marconi held off their advances to secure all three points.
Rockdale City Suns 1-2 Manly United @ Illinden Sports Centre
Manly United put on a solid display of football to come away from Illinden Sports Centre with a 2-1 victory over Rockdale City Suns.
Matthew Simm and Jordan Edwards did the damage for the visitors who are reaping the rewards of having focussed heavily on their passing game and build up play throughout the off season.
The victors felt they could have won by a broader margin which was reduced when Richie Cardozo pulled a late goal back for the hosts, however the goal proved to be little more than a consolation as Manly held on for the win to end their preseason campaign on a high note.
Pool 2
Sydney Olympic 3-1 Sydney United 58 FC @ Peter Moore Field
Sydney Olympic’s fine preseason form continued as they came out on top of the Sydney Derby with a 3-1 win over an understrength Sydney United 58 FC to top Pool 2.
Despite United resting a number of key players Peter Tsekenis’ men maintained focus and stuck to their game plan, pushing the ball around well and creating a number of chances for themselves against their traditional rivals.
Olympic got off the mark through Amaury Gauthier before Elsid Barkhousir doubled their advantage with a spectacular bicycle kick that drew the crowd to their feet.
Kingsley Williams capped off a fine individual performance to make sure of the win as he calmly sunk a second half penalty before United found a late consolation goal through first-team regular Mirjan Pavlovic.
Olympic can now look ahead to next weekend’s final against Blacktown City FC in a bid to secure silverware before the season proper kicks off in a fortnight’s time.
Sydney United 58 had the majority of their starting squad in Melbourne as they took on cross state friends Melbourne Knights in a friendly match on Sunday.
Sutherland Sharks 2-2 A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers @ Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks and A.P.I.A. Leichardt Tigers wrapped up their preseason campaigns with an entertaining 2-2 draw that saw both sides rally from behind to share the points.
It was a decent hit out for both sides who moved the ball around well and created chances at each end in what was a fair result.
Mark Byrnes broke the deadlock for the Tigers in the first half as he capped off a set piece with a looping header from the edge of the 18-yard box which floated over a maze of players and dropped under the crossbar to open the scoring.
Sharks responded to both equalise and hit the lead through Panni Nikas; the roaming midfielder can’t stop scoring at the moment as he levelled the scores via the set piece before he bagged yet another brace with a well taken finish in open play.
The hosts appeared set to hang on for the win before Jay Gerard Ouffoue grabbed a late equaliser; the Frenchman turned well to create space before lifting the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net to ensure the sides deservedly shared the spoils.
South Coast Wolves v Central Coast Mariners Academy @ Hooka Creek Park
The week’s heavy downpour saw the clash of the coasts washed out due to ground closure.
-By Michael Shoolman