IGA NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES NSW MENS 1 – ROUND 20 PREVIEW
Round 20 poses some more interesting questions with Sydney United 58 FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles headlining the weekend’s points of interest. The two sides meet on Sunday as both sides look to strengthen their respective bids for the top-two spots on the ladder.
Leaders, Sutherland Sharks, need to re-find that winning feeling if it is to maintain top-spot, meanwhile Blacktown City FC and Marconi Stallions look to consolidate a spot in the finals.
At the other end of the table, APIA-Leichhardt Tigers have a difficult encounter to keep away from relegation against potential top-five contenders Rockdale City Suns, as Central Coast Mariners Academy and South Coast Wolves too have important fixtures to move away from the relegation battle.
South Coast Wolves v Sydney Olympic, Saturday 3rd of August, 2013, 7:00 pm Hooka Creek Park
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 South Coast Wolves 0
Rockdale City Suns 0 Sydney Olympic 0
South Coast Wolves will be looking to strengthen its claim to remain in the top-flight next season when Sydney Olympic visits Hooka Creek Park on Saturday night.
The Wolves have started to chalk up some points in the second part of the season, and more points will be needed if the side is to confirm its presence in 2014. Richard Lloyd’s men have started to find the continuity in its performances that was missing in the first part of the season, as the addition of Steve Hayes to the squad has made for more cohesion in the front-third.
The task at hand will not be an easy one with the visiting Blues, despite its indifferent past month, still more than capable of beating any team on its day.
Coach Grant Lee has had to make-do with so many changes at the club, since taking charge, and he will be after a good performance from his troops on Saturday. Last weekend’s showing against Rockdale was hardly the side’s best, however the difficult playing surface made life difficult for both sides. Amaury Gauthier and William Angel will need to have their ‘speedy’ selves in form if the side is to trouble a Wolves defence that has proven to be a difficult nut to crack in recent weeks.
Blacktown Spartans v Sutherland Sharks, Saturday 3rd of August, 7:00 pm Blacktown Football Park
Last Week:
Central Coast Mariners 2 Blacktown Spartans 1
Sutherland Sharks 2 Marconi Stallions 3
Sutherland Sharks need a win to recover the confidence that has somewhat surprisingly left the side since the Waratah Cup Final. The Sharks are coming off successive League losses, a defeat at Sydney United 58 FC was followed up with a 3-2 home loss against the reigning champions, Marconi Stallions.
Robbie Stanton has remained adamant about his side maintaining its fluid passing game, stretching opposing defences before going in for the kill, even though the side’s knack for finding goals going missing in recent weeks.
The Spartans will prove a big test for the League leaders. Ben De Haan’s men have proven to be a difficult side to break down for many strikers, however the side’s inability to find goals regularly has seen the side go off the boil.
Last weekend’s loss against the Mariners Academy was unexpected, especially following the large number of scoring chances squandered by the Spartans.
A tense encounter is expected with the Sharks arguably the favourites to return to winning ways.
Sydney United 58 FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Sunday 4th of August, 12:00 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 4 Blacktown City FC 1
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 South Coast Wolves 0
The Match of the Round takes us to Sydney United Sports Centre with fierce rivals Sydney United 58 FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles locking horns.
These two sides bring a massive amount of passion to the playing field, and this encounter promises to be another classic.
A win for the White Eagles will give Brian Brown’s men a bit of breathing space over the Reds, as it aims to hold onto second-spot on the ladder, however a win for the highflying Reds would see Mark Rudan’s men jump into second-spot with a match in hand still to come.
Bonnyrigg returned to winning ways when Robbie Younis, once again, delivered to overcome the Wolves at home last weekend, with the side still somewhat tense in its approach to the match – a definite sign that the recent run of results have had an effect on the team.
If there is a side in the competition more than capable of turning a poor run of form, it is the White Eagles. The side will enter this contest with the confidence required to beat the Reds, even though the Sydney United crowd will have other ideas.
The Reds have found great value out of new signings Glen Trifiro, Robbie Mileski and Yuichi Yamauchi out of midfield, meanwhile striker Mirjan Pavlovic has re-found his strike partner Luka Glavas who was back to his absolute best last weekend after a long injury layoff.
There is a lot to play for on Sunday, so we can expect a highly tense 90’ minutes where League placings, pride and bragging rights are on the line.
Rockdale City Suns v APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 4th of August, 2013, 3:00 pm Ilinden Sports Centre
Last Week:
Rockdale City Suns 0 Sydney Olympic 0
Manly United FC 2 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
Another intriguing Sunday encounter takes place at Ilinden Sports Centre with finals aspirants, Rockdale City Suns playing host to an APIA-Leichhardt Tigers outfit that is desperate to move off the bottom of the ladder.
With the frightening possibility of facing relegation very possible for the Tigers, coach Billy McColl will need to rally his troops to lift in a bid to find the three-points on Sunday.
Midfielder Aaron Clapham has found a good period of form and he will need to keep that going with the likes of Stephen Kayes and Franco Parisi playing off him, behind Jason Oswell.
Defensively the Tigers have conceded way too many goals this season so keeping a clean sheet will be immensely important in the side’s bid for a win.
The Suns’ chances of playing finals football are still very realistic, though the side cannot afford to leave more points behind from its home clashes.
The side will need Richard Cardozo to re-find his scoring boots, meanwhile the return of Giorgio Speranza on the left adds a further avenue for the side to attack down the left-flank.
A loss for the Suns may well end the side’s chances of finishing in the top-five, so the side, and its supporters, will be expecting a big showing against APIA-Leichhardt.
Manly United FC v Central Coast Mariners Academy, Sunday 4th of August, 3:00 pm Cromer Park
Last Week:
Manly United FC 2 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2
Central Coast Mariners Academy 2 Blacktown Spartans 1
At Cromer Park, Manly United FC will be looking to better its second-half performance of last weekend where the side squandered a two-goal lead against APIA-Leichhardt Tigers to go on to draw the match.
Brendan Cholakian has been in great touch for the side, with both Matt Sim and Scott Balderson weighing in with some great performances to-date.
The visit of the Mariners will by no means be an easy encounter, with Mark Jones’ men already proving its ability this season. The side scored its second home win of the season last weekend, and with the momentum surely with the side, Adriano Pellegrino & Co. will rate its chances of causing another surprise, on the road, on Sunday.
The Mariners still need points to quash relegation concerns, and with only three matches remaining this season, the side will do well to start the final dash towards the end of the season positively, this weekend.
Marconi Stallions v Blacktown City FC, Sunday 4th of August, 3:00 pm Marconi Stadium
Last Week:
Sutherland Sharks 2 Marconi Stallions 3
Sydney United 58 FC 4 Blacktown City FC 1
A fabulous battle is expected on Sunday at Marconi Stadium with the Stallions playing host to Blacktown City FC. Both sides are still confident of challenging for the title this season, and following the performance of Marconi at Seymour Shaw against the Sharks last weekend, the Stallions chances of going back to back are well and truly intact.
Marconi were ruthless against the Sharks, the only disappointing stat for coach Jean-Paul De Marigny was that the side conceded two goals via two set-pieces.
Up-front, Milorad Simonovic’s involvement has been absolute class, as has the influence of Tadgh Purcell who is enjoying a wonderful season.
Blacktown City continue to prove just how good it can be with some fabulous football performances, however the side is still struggling to back matches up with successive showings. Last weekend, a bright start against Sydney United 58 FC looked promising, though the side ran into a red hot Reds outfit that took control before the break.
This encounter will be massive for the top-five as a win for the Stallions will see the side put further pressure on third-spot meanwhile a Blacktown City win would put the Stallions back into fifth-spot.
Action aplenty is expected at Marconi Stadium on Sunday.
Round 20
Sat 3/Aug 7:00 PM South Coast Wolves – Sydney Olympic – Hooka Creek Park
Sat 3/Aug 7:00 PM Blacktown Spartans – Sutherland Sharks – Blacktown Football Park
Sun 4/Aug 12:00 PM Sydney United 58 FC – Bonnyrigg White Eagles – Sydney United Sports Centre
Sun 4/Aug 3:00 PM Rockdale City Suns – APIA-Leichhardt Tigers – Ilinden Sports Centre
Sun 4/Aug 3:00 PM Manly United FC – Central Coast Mariners Academy – Cromer Park
Sun 4/Aug 3:00 PM Marconi Stallions – Blacktown City FC – Pluim Park
