State League One Round 8 Preview

We preview the clash of the titans, as well as the remaining five matches in Round Eight of the  State League One competition.
UNSW have climbed seven places over the past two rounds into 4^th spot with two consecutive victories, and will looking to build on this momentum with more success against Balmain SC at David Phillips Field on Saturday night, who on the other hand have had two consecutive losses after a solid start to the season.
Camden Tigers entertain Schofields Scorpions at Ron Dine Reserve, also on Saturday night, finding themselves in the unorthodox position of propping up the ladder after Round Seven, keen to ascend immediately, starting with the three points against the Scorpions.
The eagerly awaited clash between competition heavyweights, Gladesville Ryde Magic and
Mt Druitt Town Rangers, is finally here, with a bumper crowd expected at Magdala Reserve on Sunday afternoon to witness the action.
Much has been said of the great start the Magic have had in 2012, with seven wins from as many matches giving them a maximum 21 points. Their defensive record has been a major factor of their success thus far, conceding a mere three goals, with skipper Kyriakos Tohouroglou a force between the sticks.
Up front the pairing of Andrew McKie and Peter O?Doherty has proven an effective mix, with seven goals between them thus far this season.
McKie plays the role of the target man, laying off to his midfield runners whilst hovering in and around the penalty box for any half opportunities.
O?Doherty, on the other hand, is a pint sized menace, troubling defences all season with his speed and high workrate, and chasing anything that moves in the opposition half.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers sit six points behind the Magic, and will be keen to bridge that gap to three come 5-00pm Sunday evening.
After a couple of early season stumbles, the Rangers have hit their straps of sorts, knocking in goals at will, including 5 against Hurstville and 6 against Southern Bulls in recent weeks.
The speed of Daniel Fogarty has been influential in attack for Mt Druitt, and he has assisted many goals for his side as well as scoring five himself this season.
Glenn McPherson and Todd Macrae are experienced campaigners at this level of football, having joined in the off-season from Blacktown Spartans, with Macrae now leading the Division?s scoring charts with 7 goals in 2012.
The battle between the Division?s best attack and best defence will be worth the price of admission alone, so get out to Magdala to see how it all unravels on Sunday afternoon.
In the remaining Round 8 fixtures, all on Sunday, Northbridge FC will hope to overtake Southern Bulls on the ladder by knocking them over at Macquarie Uni, Fairfield City Lions will be eager to get back on the winning path when they welcome Hurstville ZFC to Norford Park, and an Inner West derby of sorts takes place at the Crest Complex when George Paradisis takes his Stanmore Hawks to battle his old club, the high flying Inter Lions, the match kicking off at 3-30pm.
UNSW vs Balmain SC @ David Phillips Field, 7-00pm Saturday 12^th May
Camden Tigers vs Schofields Scorpions @ Ron Dine Reserve, 7-00pm Saturday 12^th May
Northbridge FC vs Southern Bulls @ Macquarie Uni Sports Field, 3-00pm Sunday 13^th May
Fairfield City Lions vs Hurstville ZFC @ Norford Park No.2, 3-00pm Sunday 13^th May
Glades Ryde Magic vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers @ Magdala Res, 3-00pm Sunday 13^th May
Inter Lions vs Stanmore Hawks @  Crest Complex, 3-30pm Sunday 13^th May
State League One May 8, 2012  Top Scorers
7 ? Todd MACRAE (Mt Druitt Town)
5 ? Domenic DI MENTO (Inter), Daniel FOGARTY (Mt Druitt Town)
4 ? Ardahan KUMRULU (Fairfield City Lions), Shane ARDLE (Mt Druitt Town), Damien STIVALA (Schofields), Andrew MCKIE (Gladesville Ryde), Seb BENDALL (UNSW)
-By Frank Speranza