State League One Round 22 Preview
Gladesville Ryde Magic ? UNSW
2-30pm, Sunday, August 15 @ Magdala Reserve
In a match that has no bearing on the competition ladder, Gladesville Ryde Magic welcome UNSW to Magdala Park on Sunday afternoon, at the earlier than usual time of 2-30pm.
After struggling early in the season following their promotion from Division Two, the Magic regrouped, and kept above the relegation places with some improved performances during the second round.
UNSW were never going to emulate their accomplishment of 2009, that of a preliminary semi final position, mainly due to an horrendous run of injuries to a large number of the starting line up.
But both sides will no doubt be looking to end the season on a high note, before taking stock and planning their respective assaults for next season.
Schofields Scorpions ? Stanmore Hawks
3-00pm, Sunday, August 15 @ CSI Sport Ground
Schofields Scorpions meet Stanmore Hawks at CSI Sport Ground in what shapes up as one final roll of the dice for the visitors.
Stanmore have had an incredible week of football given the attempt to compete their roster of matches for 2010.
Starting with their workmanlike 3-1 victory over Mounties last Saturday evening, they backed up 48 hours later to grab a 1-1 draw against Balmain ? Wasim Hijazi scoring his 17th goal of the campaign ? and then dusted off the boots once more on Wednesday for their third game in six days in a 0-0 draw against Fairfield.
Currently in 7th position on 31 points, the Hawks are now relying on results elsewhere to determine whether to book their end of season holidays early or not, but must first conquer the Scorpions on their own patch to have any chance at all.
Schofields are in fourth spot and have booked their place in the five, mainly as a result of their 2-0 victory over Hills Brumbies on Thursday night at CSI Sport Ground, the goals coming from Simpson and Aitken in the first half.
Balmain SC ? Inter Lions
3-00pm, Sunday, August 15 @ Lambert Park
Inter Lions travel a few kilometres to Leichhardt to tackle Balmain, knowing that anything short of a victory could spell the end of their season if teams elsewhere manage to win.
Inter had a fantastic come from behind victory last weekend against high flying Fairfield City Lions, and as a result, currently sit in fifth position on 34 points.
The youthful energy of the squad is perfectly balanced by the experience of Carle and Ucchino, the latter a hat-trick hero against Fairfield, and Nick Tarquinio seems to have the side playing themselves into form at the right end of the season.
Balmain have hit somewhat of a resurgence in recent weeks, climbing into eight position, something that will not change, irrespective of the result on Sunday.
With Nick Paradisis back from injury and firing on all cylinders, and ?Jockey? Buonavoglia adding the extras, Balmain will be looking to replicate their recent 2-1 victory over Inter in a rescheduled match last week.
Mounties Wanderers ? Hurstville ZFC
3-00pm, Sunday, August 15 @ Cook Park
Mounties entertain cellar dwellers, Hurstville ZFC, at Cook Park, with their semi final aspirations now in the hands of others.
The Wanderers blew a fantastic chance to consolidate their spot in the five with a 1-2 reverse against Blacktown Spartans on Tuesday in a rescheduled match.
Macrae and Zahra scored for the Spartans, the latter converting a penalty, following Carlos Saliadarre?s earlier save from Mounties? Paul Crisp?s spot kick.
Hurstville have had a disappointing season from start to end, and will do well to keep the score down in this clash, but unless Inter Lions drop points, any score here will prove fruitless for Mounties.
Fairfield City Lions ? Camden Tigers
3-00pm, Sunday, August 15 @ Norford Park No.2
Camden Tigers will find it tough on Sunday trying to stop the free scoring Fairfield City Lions when they travel to Norford Park for the last round of competition.
Camden will finish in ninth spot irrespective of the result, but will be hoping to tighten the backline and maybe hit the Lions on the break.
Fairfield had a loss last weekend against Inter, and were held to a scoreless draw ? that?s right, 0-0, for the league?s top scorers ? against Stanmore on Wednesday night in a rescheduled match, so will be hoping to return to the winner?s list before the semi finals commence the following week.
Hills Brumbies ? Blacktown Spartans
3-00pm, Sunday, August 15 @ Second Ponds Oval
Apart from easily being the match of the round, there is nothing too much else to play for at Second Ponds Oval as minor premiers, Hills Brumbies, welcome Blacktown Spartans in a ?one versus two? encounter.
Both sides have had enormous years, and will be looking to take home the spoils and build some confidence coming into the business end of the season.
Hills are backing up from Thursday night?s match against Schofields, a 0-2 loss, so may well look to rest any player that could be fatigued or carrying any injury.
Either way, look forward to two of the competition?s heavyweights flexing their muscles in a classic battle.
Division One Goalscorers
(Round Twenty One)
21 – Ekinci (Fairfield City)
17 – Hijazi (Stanmore Hawks)
13 – Mitrovich (Hills Brumbies)
12 – McPherson (Blacktown Spartans)
11 – Macrae (Blacktown Spartans)
10 – Squillacioti (Stanmore Hawks), Savic (Hills Brumbies)
9 – Cronk (Fairfield City)
8 – Smutek (Camden Tigers), Dimento D (Inter Lions), Pannowitz (Hills Brumbies), Boyd (Schofields)
7 – Paradisis (Balmain SC), McKie (Gladesville Ryde Magic)
6 – Issa (Fairfeild City Lions), Merlino (Balmain SC), Kabbara (Gladesville Ryde), Polistina (Inter Lions), Zahra (Blacktown Spartans)
-By Frank Speranza
