State League One Round 6 Preview
The pick of the round is arguably the clash on Saturday evening at Popondetta Park between Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Balmain SC, occupying second and third spots on the competition ladder respectively.
Mt Druitt stumbled somewhat and had a couple of early season reverses, but have since returned to the winner?s circle with back-to-back wins over Stanmore Hawks and Hurstville ZFC, catapulting them to outright second position on 9 points.
Glenn McPherson, Daniel Fogarty, and Shane Ardle ? the latter joining Ardahan Kumrulu of Fairfield City Lions at the top of the scorers charts on 4 goals ? are a potent attacking force in State League One, and will score goals, but it is the defensive shackles that the Rangers need to tighten moreso, given they have a negative goal difference (-2) and have leaked 13 goals in five matches this year.
Balmain SC have had a bright start to the season, are currently one of three teams that remain undefeated, and have a game in hand on most sides in the top half of the ladder.
Central defender, Kevin Baker, and goalkeeper and skipper, Daniel Conway, will no doubt prove influential in whether the Rangers attacking weapons make any breakthroughs on the night. Going forward, Balmain will rely on the experience of Johhny Buonavoglia and the speed of Uri Kaye to hopefully snatch a goal or two and allow them to take home the spoils.
In Saturday?s other match ups, the Division?s bottom two clubs go head to head at David Phillips Field when UNSW host Stanmore Hawks, both clubs desperate to start their ascent with a win, whilst Southern Bulls will be hoping to take something back from their away trip to Ron Dine Reserve to tackle Camden Tigers.
On Sunday afternoon at Magdala Park, it will be Hurstville?s turn to see if they stop the juggernaut known as Gladesville Ryde Magic.
The Magic have had a great start with five wins from as many matches, opening up a six point gap to second spot, and conceding just two goals along the way.
The Gladesville defence will be severely tested by Hurstville ZFC, who boast the competition?s best attack, having found the net 12 times in 2012, with Stiven Kostanic proving more than a handful for any defence.
Inter Lions will be hoping for three points against Northbridge FC at the picturesque surroundings of Leichhardt Oval, a win that will keep them in touch with the competition?s front runners, whilst Fairfield City Lions entertain Schofields Scorpions at Norford Park No.2, both sides short of a gallop to some extent, having games in hand on other clubs in the Division.
UNSW vs Stanmore Hawks @ David Phillips Field, 7-00pm Saturday 28th April
Camden Tigers vs Southern Bulls @ Ron Dine Reserve, 7-00pm Saturday 28th April
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Balmain SC @ Popondetta Park, 7-00pm Saturday 28th April
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Hurstville ZFC @ Magdala Park, 3-00pm Sunday 29th April
Inter Lions vs Northbridge FC @ Leichhardt Oval, 3-00pm Sunday 29th April
Fairfield City Lions vs Schofields Scorpions @ Norford Park No.2, 3-00pm Sunday 29th April
State League One
April 25, 2012
Top Scorers
4 ? Ardahan KUMRULU (Fairfield City Lions), Shane ARDLE (Mt Druitt Town)
3 ? Domenic DI MENTO (Inter), Kyle ROMERO (Southern Bulls), Uri KAYE (Balmain)
-By Frank Speranza
