State League One Round 8 Preview

The ?local? derby should attract a good showing of fans from both clubs, and with a win apiece in 2011, both teams will be desperate to grab another three points and kick start their incline away from the base of the ladder.
Daniel Conway has been in solid form for Balmain between the sticks, and the ?home? side will hope he is on his toes once more to ward off the Inter attack.
The Lions have welcomed back the Dimento brothers to the fold – with immediate effect following Domenic?s goal in Sunday?s maiden 2-1 win over Hurstville ZFC ? and they will add some much needed workrate to an already technically sound outfit.
Later on at CSI Sport Ground, Schofields Scorpions will be anxious to get off the bottom of the competition when they welcome the resurgent UNSW for a 7-00pm start.
With a solitary point to their name in 2011, the Scorpions know they need to pick up the ante and get cracking, and will be looking no doubt to the leadership of Tim Harrington to guide his troops around the paddock.
UNSW are fast becoming a side to be reckoned with, given their much improved performances of late. With Pat Lloyd, Michael Janov and skipper Andrew Harb providing the crux of a firm defensive line, and Sebastian Bendall consistently hitting the net, the ?students? will present a strong obstacle for the home side.
League frontrunners, Mounties Wanderers, have an opportunity to stretch their already massive lead at the top of the Division One standings when they entertain Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Cook Park, the clash kicking off at 7-00pm.
The Wanderers? sails were lowered a little last week, when they ?only? beat Fairfield Bulls by 2-1, but it was a win nevertheless, and the three points have given them a perfect 21 from 21 points after the opening seven rounds.
One of the Mounties strengths is going forward, with a goal average of just under four goals per game, and they boast no less than five players in the top ten goalscorers of the division, the veteran Greg Baldock heading the list with six goals to his credit so far.
Mt Druitt were surprised at home last week, coming unstuck to Gladesville Ryde Magic by 0-1, and will be looking to Nathan Ralph and Ryan O?Shea to win the midfield battle if they stand any chance of taking something from this match.
The remaining three matches of Round 8 are all scheduled to be played on Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 3-00pm.
Fairfield Bulls greet Stanmore Hawks at Hajduk Stadium, hoping to build on last week?s good showing against league leaders, Mounties.
The Bulls have played the least matches of any club in the Division ? just the four ? and have proven a tough nut to crack, and will do so again no doubt in this match up.
The Hawks returned to winning ways last weekend, comfortably accounting for Balmain by 2-0, with Nick Paradisis continuing his goalscoring form by notching his eighth of the campaign.
Three points to the visitors here will see them consolidate second spot on the ladder, so lookout for what will no doubt prove a tense encounter.
Hurstville Oval is the venue hosting an interesting clash between Hurstville ZFC and Camden Tigers, with two points separating the sides going into this Sunday afternoon game.
After a fantastic start to their 2011 campaign, Hurstville ZFC came a cropper last week, losing two games in the space of five days, including a 6-0 thumping by Mounties.
The Tigers, on the other hand, are back on the road following a great 3-0 win at home against the Scorpions, and will be looking to Matthew Cross to once again lead their attack as they aim to continue their favourable away record so far this season.
Fairfield City Lions will be aiming to get back on track at Norford Park on Sunday when they play guest to Gladesville Ryde Magic.
The Lions, last year?s Grand Final winners, have experienced a mixed bag of results this season, but have enough talent in their ranks to drive a positive result in front of their home fans.
John McKie?s Gladesville Ryde Magic have steadily been going about their business, and find themselves in equal second spot after seven rounds, so a positive result here will continue to convince their opposition that they are the real deal this year.
Division One Top Goalscorers Round Seven
8          : Nick PARADISIS (Stanmore Hawks)
6          : Greg BALDOCK (Mounties)
5          : Matthew CROSS (Camden Tigers), Daniel WILLOUGHBY (Mounties)
4          : Mark SYMINGTON (Mounties), Hosyar CAKAL (Mt Druitt),
               Sebastian BENDALL (UNSW), Paul GAGRO (Hurstville ZFC),
               Friday JEREMIAH (Mounties), Eli SQUILLACIOTI (Mounties)               
3          : Chris SULTAN (Fairfield City Lions), Nathan RALPH (Mt Druitt)
-By Frank Speranza