Four matches on Saturday and two on Sunday make up round 10 of the PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 competition with Bonnyrigg White Eagles and APIA Leichhardt Tigers the match of the round at Lambert Park on Saturday night, writes MARK STAVROULAKIS:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles pose a more considerable challenge than Parramatta FC did last week, and with two games in hand, Brian Brown’s side are lurking just outside the top places.
They are well placed, and with Robbie Younis bang on form after a hat trick last weekend, the White Eagles will be confident they can do the business at Lambert Park.
APIA are having a wonderful season so far, losing only once, and plundering 25 goals so far.
Of those, 13 are to the name of Blake Powell, who has scored in each of the nine matches so far and is in imperious form at the point of the APIA attack.
Their depth has been tested by injuries in the past few weeks, but they have thus far responded to the challenge.
APIA midfielder Adrian Ucchino moved from Bonnyrigg at the start of the season and has been in fine fettle in the centre of the park, and he will have a point to prove against his former club.
Marconi Stallions v Sydney United 58 FC, 7.30pm Saturday, at Marconi Stadium
What a difference a day makes.
Marconi Stallions, for so many weeks the competition’s whippings boys, bounced back under new coach Jeff Suzor, beating Sutherland Sharks last week.
Stallions’ former Blacktown City midfielder Ryan Peterson made his first grade debut and turned in a breakthrough performance, in what could be a sign of things to come both for Peterson and the Stallions.
It took two late goals to snatch the win, but they won’t care how they did it, as the ball finally gets rolling in 2015.
Their near neighbours Sydney United 58 make the short trip to Bossley Park, no doubt chastened by their loss to Manly United at home last weekend.
Conceding five is very unlike a Mark Rudan team, but they will have been hard at work to ensure it does not happen again.
The rest of the games are:
Sydney Olympic v Sutherland Sharks, 3pm Sunday, at Belmore Sports Ground;
Rockdale City Suns v Parramatta FC, 2pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre;
Manly United v South Coast Wolves, 7.30pm Saturday at Cromer Park;
Blacktown City v Blacktown Spartans, 7.30pm Saturday, at Lilys Football Centre;
