Before their round 16 win against Parramatta FC, Sydney United 58 had lost four games in a row – conceding 15 goals in the process – and looked to be heading for a disastrous business end of the season without finals.
Fast forward two weeks and Mark Rudan’s men are Waratah Cup champions and raring to go when they host their fierce rivals Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a round 17 clash tomorrow. MARK STAVROULAKIS reports on what to expect from the match of the round.
There certainly is no love lost between Sydney United 58 FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles, and this is a game that hardly needs an introduction.
United currently hold the bragging rights, having defeated the White Eagles 3-1 in round six.
It’s Bonnyrigg that has the higher standing on the table, though, having strung together five games without a loss.
The White Eagles have had no problem finding the back of the net in that time, scoring 11 goals, including three last time out in a highly entertaining 3-2 win over Sutherland Sharks.
United might have kept Blacktown City FC at bay in the Waratah Cup final last weekend, but it conceded 16 goals in its past five league games.
A cup final win and clean sheet to boot will have surely inspired some much needed confidence in Mark Rudan’s side and his charges won’t need any extra motivation come Sunday afternoon.
The free scoring White Eagles will be eager to put an immediate dampener on United’s cup celebrations and with nine goals to his name already, Bonnyrigg’s Robert Younis will certainly be hoping to send his tally into the double figures in one of his side’s biggest games to date.
ROUND 17 MATCHES:
Sydney United 58 FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 1.30 pm Sunday, Sydney United Sports Centre;
Sutherland Sharks FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, 7.30 pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw;
Sydney Olympic FC v Manly United FC, 3.00 pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground;
Blacktown Spartans FC v Marconi Stallions, 3.00 pm Sunday at Blacktown Football Park;
Blacktown City FC v Rockdale City Suns, 3.00 pm Sunday at Lilys Football Centre;
South Coast Wolves FC v Parramatta FC, 3.00 pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
