IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Round 13 Preview
Ten weekends out from the conclusion of the regular season, a number of sides need to get their act together if there is to be a late push for finals football this season.
Some intriguing encounters to come this weekend in Round 13 action…
Central Coast Mariners Academy v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Saturday 8th of June, 6:30 pm Pluim Park
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 Sydney Olympic 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
The Mariners and Tigers will meet for the second time, in the space of only five days, this weekend.
With attentions purely on the League this coming weekend, both sides are in need of points if there is to be any chance of reaching the finals series this season.
The visiting Tigers have made a change in the coaching ranks with Billy McColl returning to the club to take over the head coaching role, meanwhile Nicola Rizzo returns to his assistant duties.
McColl has brought much stability, and much confidence, amongst his playing group in recent seasons where he has taken over the coaching reigns previously.
The Tigers’ performances to-date certainly do not warrant the side’s current placing on the ladder, though a lack of fortune in-front of goal sees the side languishing at the wrong end of the table.
Michael Hawrysiuk has been brought back into the squad, adding a lot of experience in midfield, meanwhile goalkeeper Andrew Bazi too has been added to the group.
The Mariners have struggled in its first season in the competition, and that is purely based on results, though the performance have been promising.
Coach Mark Jones has a youthful group at his disposal, though the recent showing against Sydney Olympic must be pleasing, with the side creating a number of chances – denied only by some excellent goalkeeping, and some poor finishing.
With the side carving out openings in-front of goal, especially at home, the Mariners will be looking to convert these chances into goals. The double encounter against the struggling Tigers over the coming week will be a huge chance for the new boys to collect some points and climb over APIA-Leichhardt to move off the foot of the ladder.
South Coast Wolves v Blacktown City FC, Saturday 8th of June, 7:00 pm John Crehan Park
Last Week:
Sutherland Sharks 3 South Coast Wolves 1
Blacktown City FC 0 Rockdale City Suns 1
At John Crehan Park, the Wolves face a tough match against Blacktown City FC with the 2010 competition winners visiting the South Coast.
The Wolves come off a loss at Sutherland Sharks last weekend, and the clash this weekend gives Richard Lloyd’s men the chance to better the 2-2 result obtained away in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
The youthful group at Lloyd’s disposal has shown some very positive signs in recent weeks, though the inexperience across the park has definitely cost the side points this season. Despite being outplayed against Sutherland in Round 12, the Wolves did keep good shape for large spells, however two set-pieces conceded in the first 45’ minutes proved the side’s undoing.
Lloyd will be hoping Ricky Zucco’s sensational run of goals continue, and with Blacktown City FC coming off a loss at home, perhaps this is the perfect moment to face Mark Crittenden’s men.
Blacktown City FC’s season continues to encounter ups-and-downs with the side playing some near perfect football, collecting some great victories along the way, though also failing to maintain the intensity in matches which has resulted in some heartbreaking losses.
Crittenden will be looking for more from his side this weekend, with a return to scoring goals after failing to do so against the Suns. There is no questioning the scoring capabilities of the side with Sean Rooney, Matthew Mayora and Harris Gaitatzis the main ‘go to’ men in-front of goal, though not forgetting the massive engine of Travis Major who covers a lot of ground getting forward on the right flank.
With the visitors wanting to keep a hold on fifth-spot, and not lose ground on the top-four teams, expect a very aggressive Blacktown City FC on Saturday evening.
Blacktown Spartans v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Saturday 8th of June, 7:00 pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
Marconi Stallions 0 Blacktown Spartans 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
The Spartans have proven a ‘giant killer’ at home this season, and the high flying White Eagles would do best to approach this encounter with caution on Saturday evening.
Ben De Haan has inflicted some real confidence amongst his playing group, and the side has enjoyed a very good season to-date.
The loss last weekend at Marconi Stallions was certainly heartbreaking, with a second-half penalty deciding the side’s fate. The Spartans will be without Corey Biczo, the youngster has been impressive this season though his red card at Marconi will see him out for this clash.
The improvements across the defensive line – assisted greatly by the phenomenal form of Carlos Saliadarre in goal – will be given an almighty test with the White Eagles visiting Blacktown Football Park.
Brian Brown’s men showed no pity for the struggling APIA-Leichhardt Tigers last weekend, netting four goals in the process. Most impressive for the White Eagles has been the form of Mitchell Long in the front-third, along with Tynan Diaz who is returning to the fine form of last season. Despite striker Robbie Younis slowing up a little in-terms of goals over the past month, the target man takes so much energy out of his markers which is benefitting the players around the Bonnyrigg number 9.
A major concern for the Spartans will be the fact that Younis is due a goal, and the home side’s defensive line will need to be prepared for 90’ minutes with the highest level of concentration.
The Spartans always offer a good showing at home and with the League leaders visiting the picturesque playing venue, an attacking 90’ minutes of football is expected this weekend.
Manly United FC v Marconi Stallions, Sunday 9th of June, 2013, 3:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 0 Manly United FC 0
Marconi Stallions 1 Blacktown Spartans 0
On Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park, Manly United FC will be hoping to secure a win when Marconi Stallions visit the Northern Beaches.
Manly United showed its ability to keep good shape, and discipline, in the 0-0 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre in Round 12, however the side’s inability to find a goal against a Reds side that played 60’ minutes with ten-men did leave coach Craig Midgley a little disappointed.
Creating chances is not a problem at all for the side, especially with Brendan Cholakian’s positive run of form, meanwhile the vision of David Cain in the middle of the park too is impressive, with the likes of Matt Sim and Colin Iley consistently picked out when moving forward.
The task for the Stallions will not be an easy one, especially with the recent run of results, though the marginal 1-0 win over Blacktown Spartans last weekend will certainly give Jean-Paul De Marigny’s men the confidence to get its title defence ambitions back on track.
New signing Elsid Barkhousir already made an impact with in his first outing for the Stallions, and with the striker’s understanding alongside new teammates Evan Berger and Milorad Simonovic to continually improve, the Stallions may well be the side to finish the regular competition strongly.
A very close encounter is expected at Cromer Park with the two sides desperate to keep its season objectives alive.
Rockdale City Suns v Sydney United 58 FC, Sunday 9th of June, 3:00 pm Ilinden Sports Centre
Last Week:
Blacktown City FC 0 Rockdale City Suns 1
Sydney United 58 FC 0 Manly United FC 0
At Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale City Suns will be eager to exact some revenge on Sydney United 58 FC after the reverse fixture earlier in the season saw the Reds come from behind, late in the match, to claim maximum points. The current run of form for both sides suggests that the moment is perfect for the Suns with Branko Culina’s men in exceptional form at present.
The coach’s football philosophy has been well received and the players are riding a high at present with some very good results obtained to further strengthen the side’s presence in the top-five.
Sydney United’s run has slowed up immensely, due largely to some bad luck and a long list of suspensions and injuries.
The positive for Mark Rudan’s team is that the side is creating chances, and not conceding many goals, however the absence of striker, and captain, Luka Glavas has seen the goals for column on the League ladder fail to increase dramatically.
This encounter will boast a lot of feeling as the two clubs field players, and both coaches, that have been involved with their opposition’s setup, something that will make victory all the extra special for the victorious side on Sunday.
A difficult match to call – on form, the Suns start as overwhelming favourites, though Sydney United 58 FC is an exceptional football side, one that is surely due a win after a somewhat lean month of May.
Sydney Olympic v Sutherland Sharks, Sunday 9th June, 3:00 pm Belmore Sports Ground
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 Sydney Olympic 1
Sutherland Sharks 3 South Coast Wolves 1
At Belmore Sports Ground, two more sides with a stern rivalry meet with Sydney Olympic and Sutherland Sharks locking horns on Sunday afternoon in the ‘Match of the Round’.
The Blues have re-found that winning feeling with the arrival of Grant Lee to the club – the new boss is currently 3-0 with his three League matches to-date, and the supporters will be eager for a fourth consecutive league match win this weekend.
With the Blues’ League campaign back on track, the side can approach this match in a better frame of mind than a few weeks back after some poor results, a confidence that has expressed only positives in recent weeks.
Sutherland’s run too has been phenomenal with Nick Stavroulakis & Co. looking all the goods to challenge Bonnyrigg White Eagles at the top of the League ladder.
The Sharks, led once more by Panni Nikas last weekend, looked ruthless, ready to step on the accelerator at any moment and up the ante. Klim Gjorseski’s performance last weekend too adds the midfielder to the list of potential starters after an indifferent start to the season. Gjorseski could certainly prove to be the ‘X Factor’ for the Sharks in the run home to finals football this season.
This fixture always brings out the best in these two sides, and nothing less is expected on Sunday.
-By Joseph Carlucci
