IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 10 Preview
Two rounds out from the midway point of the season, some enthralling encounters await us in Round 10 this weekend.
South Coast Wolves v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Saturday 18th of May, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
Sydney Olympic 2 South Coast Wolves 0
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 Rockdale City Suns 3
South Coast Wolves and APIA-Leichhardt Tigers have both endured a very difficult first nine rounds of the season with neither side managing to reach any great heights – not in form nor results.
These two sides have collected only one win between them this season, the Wolves the only one of the two to register a three-pointer thus far.
Coach Richard Lloyd will be confident his chargers can add further woe to a Tigers outfit that travels away from Lambert Park for the first time this season, in what is a season that is potentially running away from the side quickly, two weeks out from the midway stage.
Nicola Rizzo’s Tigers have played some decent football, though it has been a ragged run of luck in-front of goal that has prevented the side from cashing in on some goals, and points.
In anticipation of the new synthetic surface to be laid at Lambert Park, the trip away from the bumpy surface may even serve the Tigers well, with ball players Franco Parisi, and Rizzo himself, more than capable of turning a match on its head with only a half-chance.
With desperation starting to sink in for both sides, a last dash to challenge for finals football must start this weekend if either of these sides is to figure in the top-five at the season’s end.
Blacktown Spartans v Blacktown City FC, Saturday 18th of May, 7:00 pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
Sutherland Sharks 3 Blacktown Spartans 1
Blacktown City FC 3 Marconi Stallions 0
The atmosphere promises to be electric when the two Blacktown sides meet in the first ‘Blacktown Derby’ for 2013 on Saturday night.
Following tentative starts to the campaign, both sides have kick-started their respective campaigns with a fine month of April.
The Spartans have secured nine-points from the last twelve up for grabs, losing last weekend to the red-hot Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw – in a match where Ben De Haan’s men were very good value for the entire 90’ minutes.
Blacktown City’s run too has been impressive with consecutive wins over Sydney United 58 FC and Marconi Stallions catapulting the side into fourth-spot on the ladder.
Coach Mark Crittenden has found the winning formula with Harris Gaitatzis and Sean Rooney gelling so very well with Matthew Mayora and Ryuji Miyazawa in the front-third.
The Spartans too have looked good in the front-third with midfielder Andre Carle in some exceptional form at the moment.
On a perfect playing pitch, with bragging rights on the line, 90’ minutes of passionate football is expected on Saturday night with a win for either side to keep the front-runners on high alert as we approach the midway point of the season.
Marconi Stallions v Sydney United 58 FC, Sunday 19th of May, 3:00 pm Marconi Stadium
Last Week:
Blacktown City FC 3 Marconi Stallions 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 Sydney United 58 FC 0
Traditional rivals Marconi Stallions and Sydney United 58 FC do battle this Sunday afternoon in Bossley Park with both title aspirants coming off losses in Round 9.
The Stallions three-goal loss was disappointing, following the good progress made by the side after an inconsistent start to the campaign.
Coach Jean-Paul De Marigny will be hoping to utilise the home ground advantage this weekend to get the win over the club he coached last season, with the Stallions in need of a win to remain close to the top-five.
Out of the Red corner, Mark Rudan’s men have somewhat seen their dominating form at the start of the season slowly diminish. The absence of influential striker, and captain, Luka Glavas through injury has coincided with the drop in form, something the Reds’ supporters will be hoping to see the end of as Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Sutherland Sharks continue to extend its lead at the top of the table.
This encounter between two former NSL clubs always delivers action aplenty, and with more than three-points up for grabs on Sunday afternoon, an entertaining encounter is expected.
Manly United FC v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 19th of May, 3:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2 Manly United FC 2
Sutherland Sharks 3 Blacktown Spartans 1
At Cromer Park, Manly United FC will be looking to bounce back to winning ways though the job at hand will be a tough one against a very confident Sutherland Sharks outfit.
The Sharks have been flawless in recent weeks, proving its ability with some fabulous performances to match its current second-place standing on the ladder.
Coach Robbie Stanton has found the right mix for his chargers, and the experienced campaigners have gelled very well with the likes of Nicholas Olsen who has joined the first team this season.
Traditionally, the Sharks have struggled to get points on the road, though with a heap of confidence flowing freely amongst the playing squad, the Sharks start firm favourites against the Northern Beaches side.
Manly United’s run has not been bad at all, though a series of draws, namely against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Central Coast Mariners – both on the road.
Coach Craig Midgley will need to get the best out of leaders Matt Simm and Scott Balderson, meanwhile Graeme Forbes’ experience across the backline too will be important for this clash.
Sydney Olympic v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 19th of May, 3:00 pm Belmore Sports Ground
Last Week:
Sydney Olympic 2 South Coast Wolves 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 Sydney United 58 FC 0
The pick of the bunch Sunday fixtures takes place at Belmore Sports Ground and it sees title contenders Sydney Olympic host current leaders, and title contender, Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
The Blues, still struggling to re-ignite following the awesome pre-season form, got the job done against South Coast Wolves last weekend, though further improvement will be required if there is to be a win against the League leaders.
Elsid Barkhousir has gone off the boil somewhat with his goal scoring prowess, something the Blues supporters will be hoping comes to an end this weekend.
The White Eagles have been simply tremendous thus far, even in the tricky encounter against Sydney United 58 FC. It was far from an exceptional spectacle against the Reds, though the workmanlike performance of Brian Brown’s men showed just how good this side can be.
With Robbie Younis slowly returning back to full fitness following his brief stint on the sideline due to injury, the task at hand for the Blues will be a tough one.
Nevertheless the two sides, with some of the most passionate supporters in the competition, never fail to disappoint in this fixture.
Rockdale City Suns v Central Coast Mariners Academy, Sunday 19th of May, 3:00 pm Ilinden Sports Ground
Last Week:
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 Rockdale City Suns 3
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2 Manly United FC 2
In the final match of the round, Rockdale City Suns will be out to add further angst to the Central Coast Mariners Academy’s situation on the League ladder when the two sides meet at Ilinden Sports Ground.
The Suns are riding a positive wave of form and it is no surprise that Branko Culina’s men currently sit amongst the top-five on the ladder.
With the Mariners still win-less in 2013, nothing less than a win will suffice for the home side. And with a Richard Cardozo in exceptional form, it will take a very brave person to bet against a Rockdale City win.
The Mariners can take to the field for this occasion with no added pressure on their shoulders, seeing the Suns start outright favourites.
The ‘underdog’ tag could play into the favour of the visitors as the Suns have perhaps not enjoyed the ‘favourites’ role since gaining promotion into the top-flight.
A lot to play for on Sunday, for both sides, as a win for the Suns could see the side move into third-spot, meanwhile an upset could see the team from the Central Coast move off the foot of the table.
-By Joseph Carlucci
