State League One Round Twenty One Preview
Balmain SC ? Hurstville ZSC
5-00pm, Saturday, August 7 @ Lambert Park
Balmain will be hoping to put their indifferent form behind them on Saturday when they welcome Hurstville ZFC to the ?tigers? den, Lambert Park.
Balmain?s second round has been interrupted by some wet weather postponements, resulting in two games still to play, and has caused a disruption to any fluency the side had hoped to gather leading towards the back end of the season.
But Hurstville will be playing for pride, and their improved performances of late may just be the tonic needed for an interesting clash this weekend.
Blacktown Spartans ? Schofields Scorpions FC
7-00pm, Saturday, August 7 @ Francis Park No.2
A match that has had plenty of feeling in recent years will take effect at Francis Park, as Blacktown Spartans entertain Schofields Scorpions.
As if player movement between the two clubs in the off season isn?t enough to spice up proceedings, the match has an added intensity with both sides firmly entrenched in the top five, and anything other than a Scorpions victory will guarantee the Spartans a top three finish, and second bite of the cherry, come finals time.
In the first round, it was Schofields that emerged triumphant with a narrow 2-1 victory at CSI Sport Ground, and the loss was actually Blacktown?s first of a stellar season for the club, so they?ll be out to square the ledger no doubt.
Stanmore Hawks ? Mounties Wanderers
7-00pm, Saturday, August 7 @ Arlington Oval
A top five qualifier of sorts will take place at Arlington Oval on Saturday, as final aspirants, Stanmore Hawks and Mounties Wanderers, go head to head.
Both sides sit just outside the top five, with Stanmore in 7th spot on 26 points, whilst Mounties have the slight advantage, being 6th on 29 points.
Even though both clubs have two games outstanding due to recent postponements, they will not be taking any chances, and nothing short of three points in this clash will help steer them towards a successful end to 2010.
Wasim Hijazi grabbed a brace last time these two teams met, giving the Hawks a 2-0 victory at Cook Park, so expect Anthony Crea?s Mounties to come to Dulwich Hill seeking revenge!
Inter Lions ? Fairfield City Lions
3-00pm, Sunday, August 8 @ Crest Complex
The battle of the Lions will take place at the Crest on Sunday, with Inter hosting Fairfield City in a top five battle.
Inter have started to show some fluency to their football of late, with their positive results seeing them make a stance towards a top five spot.
But Fairfeld have fast become the league?s entertainers, and attack in droves when they put opposition teams to the sword, so Inter?s defence better be on standby.
An interesting head to head battle looms between four of the league?s most experienced midfielders ? Leo Carle and Anthony Ucchino of Inter, coming face to face with Robbie Issa and Yavos Ekinci of Fairfield ? a duel worth the admission price alone.
Camden Tigers ? Gladesville Ryde Magic
3-00pm, Sunday, August 8 @ Ron Dine Reserve
Camden Tigers tackle Gladesville Ryde Magic in a match between two teams that have struggled to find consistency in 2010.
Both teams have been far from pushovers for opposition clubs, but find themselves in the bottom half of the ladder, so will be out to gain nothing less than three points on Sunday.
Two goals from Martinez looked to have given Magic the points in the first round clash at Magdala Park, but Cook and Morgan scored late to allow Camden to snatch the win, hoping for more of the same this time round.
UNSW ? Hills Brumbies
3-00pm, Sunday, August 8 @ David Phillips Field
Hills Brumbies will have one eye on the minor premiership when they travel to play UNSW at David Phillips Field on Sunday afternoon.
With a five point lead and three matches yet to play, an expected three points will give Hills the title if results go their way elsewhere.
But beware the wounded student! UNSW haven?t had things go their way this season, but did give Brumbies an almighty scare in the first round, with a late Terry Pannowitz penalty being required to put them to bed after UNSW had battled back to 3-3 in a real cliff hanger at Second Ponds Oval.
Division One Goalscorers
(Round Twenty)
19 – Ekinci (Fairfield City)
14 – Hijazi (Stanmore Hawks)
13 – Mitrovich (Hills Brumbies)
11 – McPherson (Blacktown Spartans)
10 – Squillacioti (Stanmore Hawks), Savic (Hills Brumbies), Macrae(Blacktown Spartans)
-By Frank Speranza
