Premier League Analysis – Round 9

A long weekend with lovely weather and seven Premier League football matches, wonderful! There were five good games on Saturday, including Chatswood Rangers playing Willoughby Dalleys for the Jim McBreen Trophy on Chatswood Oval. And then two more catch-up games on Monday.

Berowra played Old Barker and beat them 2:0 at home. That gives them three more points, moving them to 15 points, but they are still behind Lindfield on goal difference. Lindfield are also a game in hand.

Old Barker remain unchanged on three points. Once again, if Old Barker can jag a  win, they will move above Maccabi Northside because they have a much lower goal difference. Old Barker currently sit on 9 goals for and 26 against (-17) whereas Maccabi Northside are 9 goals for but 33 against (-24).

Chatswood Rangers played Willoughby Dalleys on Chatswood Oval. The match report is here. This win sees Chatswood Rangers move up one spot, leap-fogging Lane Cove.

Willoughby Dalleys loss sees them unchanged on the table; they still need two wins to move up one spot on the table.

North Sydney drew one-all with West Pymble at home, which is unsurprising. Two quality teams battling it out to a draw. Both teams played two games over the weekend, drawing this match and winning their other matches.

Maccabi Northside lost to Kissing Point 6:2. Kissing Point have now played nine matches and only let a dozen goals go against them, so Maccabi Northside taking two goals off Kissing Point is a good effort. However, they let six goals slide by and that is their Achilles heel; their goal difference is -24 which could count against them at the end of the season.

Kissing Point lost their first round match and then have either won or drawn everything else, which makes them a serious title contender this year.

Lindfield played Lane Cove under lights on Charles Bean Oval. Lindfield won 3:0. Chatting with a player from another Premier League side about the match he said “that’s to be expected” about the win. Lindfield’s abilities are gathering pace, having won five of their last six matches.

Lane Cove’s loss sees them drop a place to seventh as Rangers leap over them. They are six points clear of Dalleys but have Kissing Point, North Sydney and West Pymble as their next three matches which is going to be tough.

Monday saw West Pymble beat Chatswood Rangers away from home. Their win moves West Pymble two points clear of Kissing Point, however they have 15 goals for and seven against (+8) whereas Kissing Point have 34 for and 11 against (+23) so they cannot rest on their laurels.

Berowra lost to North Sydney 1:0 at home. The match report is here. Berowra are sitting mid-table and remain unchanged.

North Sydney’s win, plus their draw with West Pymble sees them take four points from the weekend, but remain in third spot. They were trailing Kissing Point by four points, which they have shortened to three points. However, Kissing Points formidable goal difference will mean North Sydney must move ahead on points, not just draw level if they want second spot on the ladder.

Next week there are five good matches;

Maccabi Northside host West Pymble. This is going to be tough for Maccabi Northside as they play the league leaders. They played each other way back in round one, with West Pymble winning 1:0. This time I think the scores will be a little higher, but West Pymble should win this one.

North Sydney play Willoughby Dalleys. This should be a good match. Dalleys have been doing it tough, but will not lie down. They play good, solid football and are the only team this year to have beaten North Sydney. North Sydney are in contention for the title this year and play quality, tactical football. Should be an excellent game, with North Sydney taking the honours.

Berowra play Lane Cove. Both sides are tough, fit and fast sides. Another good match well worth watching. Last time they met, Lane Cove won 2:1. If Lane Cove win, they will draw level with Berowra on points, but would lag on goal difference. However, I think Berowra will win this one.

Chatswood Rangers play Old Barker. Last time they met, Chatswood thumped Barker 6:0. I think Barker have grown and developed since round one. Chatswood have only won one of their last four matches, but I still think Rangers will win, but the score line will be a lot narrower this time.

Lindfield host Kissing Point. This should be the match of the round with two quality sides on a great ground. Lindfield are the quiet achievers this season with a good recent record winning the last three in a row, but Kissing Point have won or drawn every match they have played after round one. I think Kissing Point will take the honours, but it could easily go either way.