State League One Round 9 Preview
Stanmore Hawks entertain Mounties Wanderers, hoping to become the first team to derail the league leaders in what has been a perfect start for the Wanderers in 2011.
The Hawks dropped to 5th on the ladder following last week?s second half demise at the hands of Fairfield Bulls, and will look to their inside knowledge of the Arlington Oval bounce to gain any advantage in front of their home fans and stay in the top half.
The Mounties are in sublime form at present, but it will be interesting to see how they back up after a midweek Waratah Cup game on Wednesday, although coaches Aidan Desmond and Glenn Lockhart may choose to exercise the depth in their squad in what will be a hectic few days for the club.
Two teams at opposite ends of the table lock horns at Ron Dine Reserve as Camden Tigers tackle Balmain SC.
Both sides are on a high after coming off victories last weekend, with the home side?s win over Hurstville ZFC catapulting them into outright second position on the ladder.
Balmain will take some heart from overcoming Inter Lions last Saturday, and will hope the effective mix up front of the speedy Uri Kaye and classy Johnny Buonavoglia will once again provide a positive outcome.
The remaining four clashes of Round Nine are all scheduled to kick off at 3-00pm on Sunday afternoon, starting with the match up at the Crest Complex between Inter Lions and Fairfield Bulls.
Inter currently seem a team out of sorts, and just cannot hit any level of consistency to produce the results their player talent is capable of.
Despite propping up the competition ladder, three points and an emphatic win can see them rise numerous spots to join their opponents, so this is a real ?six-pointer? for the proud Inner West club.
Fairfield Bulls have only played five matches this season, and know that with some positive results in their games in hand they can easily climb into the top half of the ladder and beyond.
The Bulls showed real tenacity and determination last week as they overturned a 0-2 half time deficit to account for Stanmore 3-2 in a thriller, and more of the same qualities here no doubt may present them with yet another positive conclusion.
Hurstville Oval sees two teams with contrasting fortunes come up against each other, as Hurstville ZFC meet UNSW.
The home team started the 2011 season ever so well, but have hit a snag in recent weeks and dropped to 8th spot on the competition ladder as a result.
UNSW, on the other hand, have turned their season around after a terrible start, and now sit in 4th position, largely due to a solid backline and the continuing goals of speedy flanker, Sebastian Bendall.
Schofields Scorpions are on the road this Sunday, traveling to Magdala Park to meet Gladesville Ryde Magic.
The Scorpions are another side that just cannot find their feet at the moment, their 0-1 loss to UNSW last week a setback after a midweek win over high flying Stanmore.
The Magic will be looking to their home ground advantage no doubt to grab a much needed three points which will propel them back up towards the summit of the table.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will have their work cut out at Popondetta Park as they welcome the visit of Fairfield City Lions.
The Rangers are currently a hot and cold team, and sit on nine points after seven rounds following last week?s tame effort against Mounties.
Both sides will be backing up after midweek Waratah Cup games, so it will be interesting to see which team?s depth can produce the desired result.
Division One Top Goalscorers Round Eight
9 : Nick PARADISIS (Stanmore Hawks)
6 : Greg BALDOCK (Mounties)
5 : Matthew CROSS (Camden Tigers), Daniel WILLOUGHBY (Mounties),
Sebastian BENDALL (UNSW), Eli SQUILLACIOTI (Mounties)
4 : Mark SYMINGTON (Mounties), Hosyar CAKAL (Mt Druitt),
Paul GAGRO (Hurstville ZFC), Friday JEREMIAH (Mounties),
Uri KAYE (Balmain SC)
3 : Chris SULTAN (Fairfield City Lions), Nathan RALPH (Mt Druitt),
Adam SMUTEK (Camden Tigers), Ben CRONK (Fairfield City Lions),
Neil PHILIPPOU (Stanmore Hawks)
-By Frank Speranza
