NSW Premier League Round 9 Preview
17.05.11 08:25
Jamie McMaster shown in battle for Bonnyrigg against the South Coast Wolves during their round 8 clash
Rockdale City Suns and Sutherland Sharks lock horns on Saturday evening in what promises to be a very tight affair at Ilinden Sports Centre.
The Suns return home following an exceptional showing at Blacktown City FC last weekend, the side knocking off their more fancied opponent with a strong all round showing across the park. Lee Sterrey’s men, now chasing their fourth win of the campaign, have built a strong rearguard with Askin Oygur and Mirko Jurilj comfortably marshalling the backline this season, however the side’s problems surround a poor run of finishing in the attacking third of the field. The Suns squandered numerous chances at Lily Homes on Sunday and could well be made to pay for such misses as the season unfolds.
The Suns will prove a handful for the second-placed Sutherland Sharks, the visitors enter this encounter still undefeated in 2011, though a tough test awaits them on Saturday. The Sharks were dominant against Marconi Stallions last weekend though the side made tough work of the match after squandering a number of chances too. Sam Awad has been in scintillating form, as has left sided defender Nick Tsattalios with his attacking skills on the flank a real addition to the Sharks setup this season.
With the Suns seeking a win to confirm the good work of the past fortnight, a real battle is expected on Saturday evening.
Bankstown City has been flying under the radar somewhat this season, though the side tipped to struggle due to the wholesale changes made at the conclusion of last season sits in a very impressive equal fourth spot on the ladder – sixth on goal difference.
The Lions host A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers this weekend, and the side will need to consolidate its recent away form to make some noise amongst the Top-Five sides in the competition. Blagoja Kuleski has been able to transmit his positive influence on the group, with the additions of Aman Hadid and Frederick Graham up front paying huge dividends in recent weeks. ‘Veterans’ Zlatko Joseski and Steve Liavas have been instrumental also with their presence assisting the new arrivals at the club this season, as the Lions prepare to consolidate the good work put together thus far.
Standing in the Lions way this Saturday evening will be A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt, the Tigers have had an indifferent run of results in 2011. With only two wins and three draws to show, the Tigers will need their experienced heads to click at Jensen Park on Saturday. Franco Parisi returned to the scorer’s list last weekend and the goals of Robbie Younis will be needed if the Tigers are to make a finals push like that of last season. Sam Messam and Nick Rizzo too carry some real weight on their shoulders to help the Leichhardt side turn their fortunes as we approach the midway point of the season.
On Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park, Manly United FC host South Coast Wolves in an all important fixture for both sides. A win for Manly United will certainly catapult the side further up the League ladder meanwhile a win for the Wolves will edge the side past Manly United, and further more boost the side’s confidence after the recent loss to Bonnyrigg.
Craig Midgley appears to have instilled the confidence across his young side and the results have started to arrive for the Cromer Park outfit. Adam Foti will again be key for Manly United this weekend as he continues his great run of form.
The Wolves showed they can compete against the ‘big guns’ on numerous occasions, and perhaps if not for some slack defending, the side could have taken something from Bonnyrigg last weekend. John Martinoski, Lawrence Drake and Andres Gomez have been strong out of midfield, meanwhile Sasho Petrovski and Mark Picciolini have certainly proven their abilities in front of goal. A real test is expected for both sides this weekend with the victor more than capable of growing further over the coming weeks of the competition.
In arguably the match of the round, last season’s grand final replay takes place at Lily Homes Stadium between Blacktown City FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Both sides have failed to recapture the consistent results which saw them reach the grand final in 2010, though with the competition very close this season, a win for either side on Sunday could send the sides towards the top end of the ladder.
Blacktown City have suffered in the attacking third, failing to find goals consistently to-date, meanwhile some defensive blunders have resulted in some soft goals conceded in matches where the reigning champions have dominated.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles situation is a little similar, though coach Brian Brown will be more than happy that his side managed to find three goals to defeat South Coast Wolves last weekend. Playmaker Daniel Severino has shown he is close to returning to his best form, meanwhile the additions of Blake Powell and Jared Lum have already been very positive for the White Eagles. Bonnyrigg however will be without Phil Zabaks as he recovers from his head injury after being bundled to the ground whilst claiming a cross last weekend. Bonnyrigg will have a more than capable replacement for Zabaks, with Andrew Bazi returning to the NSW Premier League following a brief stint in Europe.
At Marconi Stadium, the Stallions and Sydney Olympic lock horns in a battle between two former NSL giants. The Stallions are still struggling to find consistency in their results, and some concern surrounds the fitness of in form defender Adel El Jamel after he was forced to leave the field against Sutherland Sharks last weekend. The clash with Sydney Olympic marks a huge opportunity for Stallions’ striker Matthew Mayora to get one over his former team. The Marconi striker too has struggled somewhat to find consistency up front, though he will be hoping to add a few more braces to his name as he did at home against Manly United FC in Round 3.
Sydney Olympic has gone from strength to strength since the season commenced in March. The Blues lead the NSW Premier League with a one-point advantage over Sutherland following their impressive defeat of Sydney United away from home last weekend. Coach Peter Tsekenis has successfully integrated the large number of new players he brought to the club, along with the few that remained from last season. Alex Smith has been a stand out, though the performances of Robbie Mileski, Richard Luksic and Chris Triantis too have certainly raised Sydney Olympic’s stakes for a serious tilt at the title this season. In a match that promises fireworks, the Stallions will have a tough task against a very settled Sydney Olympic, though this certainly could be the match that sets the Stallions up for a strong run in this season’s competition.
In the final match of the round, Sydney United host Parramatta FC in a must win match for both sides. The Reds enter the encounter as overwhelming favourites, though the side will be reeling after the loss against Sydney Olympic last weekend. Jean Paul DeMarigny’s men will be out to bounce back quickly, and with the current strong form of Luka Glavas, only a brave person would bet against Sydney United this weekend.
Parramatta FC has struggled to find results in this season’s competition – the side is still win-less following eight matches to-date. Coach Brian Dene will need more from his attacking players Fabien Iacovelli, Brody Mooy and Almir Dizdaric, meanwhile defensively, there are a few leaks that need to be fixed.
In what will be an extremely difficult match for the bottom-placed side in the competition, it is also a great opportunity to turn their run of luck around in case of a win on Sunday.
-By Joseph Carlucci
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