All Round 19 NSW Premier League fixtures will be played on Sunday afternoon this weekend with the pick of the action happening at Lily Homes Stadium in Seven Hills.
Third meets fourth as Marconi Stallions travel to face Blacktown City FC in a must win match for both sides. Both these teams have been protagonists in 2010, though a recent drop of results has seen both sides lose ground on front-runner, Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
The Stallions were forced to come from behind in Round 18 action at home against Bankstown City, with the Stallions finishing the match strongly. Blacktown City's run has been indifferent with the side bowing out of the McDonald's Cup at the hands of Spirit FC, meanwhile copping a 2-0 defeat against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend. With four matches remaining in the regular season, both clubs will be keen to secure maximum points and make a real claim for a top-two finish.
The League leaders travel to Cromer Park to face a desperate Manly United FC side, aiming to move as far away from the bottom of the League ladder as possible. Manly United FC recorded an impressive 5-2 win against South Coast Wolves in Wollongong, some much needed confidence for Craig Midgley's side.
Despite the win, the Cromer Park side faces a mammoth task against Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Brian Brown's men have been in sensational form over the past two-months - the team thoroughly deserving the top-spot four matches from the end of the season.
Second-placed Sydney United too face a complicated trip to Leichhardt Oval to face a red-hot A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers. The Leichhardt-based side has recorded some very impressive results following a sluggish start to the season, and now sits in equal fifth-spot on the ladder - sixth only on goal difference. A very promising sign for the Tigers has been Robbie Younis' return amongst the goals following a slight lean spell - the former Adelaide United FC target man will play a big role in the side's finals series ambitions.
The visiting Reds have a hold on second-spot - ahead of the Stallions only on goal difference - though perhaps enter this match as the underdogs, so impressive has the Tigers form been in recent weeks. Player/coach David Zdrilic, who will sit this match out through suspension, will again be hoping his goal-poacher Elsid Barkhousir finds the back of the net, meanwhile the defensive line will need to be on its toes with Younis and Franco Parisi to carry the Tigers' front-line.
At Bicentennial Park South, Rockdale City Suns will be backing up following the Round 15 catch-up match against Manly United FC (played on Tuesday evening, 29th of June, 2010). Following the disappointment of conceding a late goal against West Sydney Berries last weekend, coach Mile Todorovski will be expecting a more stringent showing across the backline. Going forward, Sam Awad will again be the target man, meanwhile new signing Pece Cvetanovski has already shown his class with some strong showings out of midfield alongside Steven Bozinovski and Dominic Hudap.
The visiting South Coast Wolves will be confident in their ability - the side's showings away from home this season have been exceptional. Last weekend's heavy loss against Manly United FC at home - albeit with the side playing over half the game with ten-men - will certainly provide Trevor Morgan's men with the extra motivation required to finish the season on a high.
Bankstown City will continue their charge towards a spot in the finals series when they host Sutherland Sharks at Jensen Park. The Lions conceded a late goal away at Marconi last weekend, bringing their run of wins to an end, though the signs are positive for Peter Tsekenis' men. Robbie Mileski has shown signs of his best form in recent weeks - capped off with a fine goal against the Stallions in Round 18, meanwhile the overall play of Hussein Akil and Hussein Salamah in the attacking third has been impressive.
The Sharks have lost their way over the past two weekends with a loss against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers and a draw at home against Sydney United allowing the Tigers to draw level on points on the League ladder. Robbie Stanton will be hopeful to get the ball rolling again, especially out of midfield, with the likes of Nick Stavroulakis and Jim Bakis carrying much importance for the side's chances of success this season.
In the final match of the Round, West Sydney Berries and Sydney Olympic meet at Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre in an eagerly anticipated derby encounter. The Berries have the wood over Sydney Olympic at this venue, though the Blues did defeat West Sydney at Belmore earlier this season. The two sides are going through a not so positive 2010 with both teams occupying the bottom the spots on the League ladder.
The Berries showed a lot of heart to snatch a draw against Rockdale City last weekend - the side very nearly took maximum points with a late showing; meanwhile Sydney Olympic's recent fortnight has provided some positive signs with new coach Steve O'Connor already receiving a good response from his players.
More than bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday as both sides aim to move as far away from the foot of the table as possible.
Round 19 (Note: all matches Sunday, 4 July, 3pm)
Rockdale City Suns v South Coast Wolves - Bicentenial Park South
Manly United FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles - Cromer Park
Bankstown City v Sutherland Sharks - Jensen Park
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney United - Leichhardt Oval
Blacktown City FC v Marconi Stallions - Lily Homes
West Sydney Berries v Sydney Olympic - Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre
Related Articles

We're good to go! Victoria A-League clubs cleared to go to NSW

A-League on! NSW grants Vic A-League teams exemption
