State League One Round 3 Preview

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We head into an enthralling Round Three of football in the 2013 State League One competition, with the knowledge that no side has managed maximum points from its opening two matches.
It’s far too early to be predicting potential semi finalists and championship winners, but needless to say the closeness of most of the matches has shown there are no easy games in this Division.
An early 5-00pm kick off is scheduled to open the Round on Saturday afternoon, with Hawkesbury City welcoming Northbridge FC to Bensons Lane.
The Hawks had their wings clipped last week by Prospect United after their opening round win, and they will be looking to experienced marksman,Todd Macrae, to display his penalty area prowess and help the side to three points.
Northbridge FC have had a solid start with a win and a draw against formidable opposition, and with Michael Cole grabbing a goal in each game so far, will be looking for more of the same and another triumph to maintain their position at the summit with another four teams.
Nepean FC are enjoying their initiation to State League One football, and play their third consecutive match at home at Cook Park on Saturday night against Dulwich Hill SC.
With a loss and a draw in their opening two matches, coach Adam Malouf will be looking to ‘complete the set’ with a win this time around and commence their ascent up the ladder.
Wally Savor’s Dulwich Hill have scored nine goals in their opening two matches, lead by Carlos Villazon’s three strikes, so it’ll be no mean feat for Nepean in trying to keep the visitors at bay.
Saturday’s final fixture sees Western NSW Mariners host Prospect United at Bathurst, kicking off at 7-00pm. The Mariners bounced back from a big loss in Round One to record a victory on the road against Camden, but are up against an experienced and resolute Prospect side who have yet to concede a goal in 2013.
Two clubs that were separated by two divisions in 2012 will meet on Sunday afternoon at Garside Park, when Granville Rage, who have drawn their opening two matches, will welcome the visit of last year’s State League Two champions, Hakoah Sydney City East.
It’ll be an all ‘Tigers’ affair at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon when Balmain take on Camden, with both sides having had a fairly dramatic ‘changing of the guard’ in the off season given the turnover of players and coaching staff alike.
At this early stage it is Balmain who are riding high on four points, on the back of three goals to the diminutive Will Donato, whilst Camden will be hoping to break their duck after two losses in their first two matches.
Inter Lions meet Gladesville Ryde Magic on Sunday evening at 7-00pm at The Crest to finish off Round Three proceedings.
The Magic have had a solid enough start with four points from two matches, unlike Inter who have two losses to show for their efforts, but ‘beware the wounded Lion’ – the Magic won’t be silly enough to take the ladder too seriously at this early stage of the season.
P.S. All matches may be subjected to late changes, so please refer to the Football NSW website prior to the match to confirm kick off times.
The details of all scheduled matches for the full round of Round Three fixtures are as follows ;
Hawkesbury City SC – Northbridge FC
Saturday, April 20 @ 5-00pm at Bensons Lane, Richmond
Nepean FC – Dulwich Hill SC

Saturday, April 20 @ 7-00pm at Cook Park, St Marys
Western NSW Mariners FC – Prospect United

Saturday, April 20 @ 7-00pm at Proctor Park, Bathurst
Granville Rage – Hakoah Sydney City East

Sunday, April 21 @ 3-00pm at Garside Park, Granville
Balmain Tigers FC – Camden Tigers
Sunday, April 21 @ 3-00pm at Wentworth Park, Ultimo
Inter Lions – Gladesville Ryde Magic
Sunday, April 21 @ 7-00pm at The Crest Athletic Centre
State League One – Top Goalscorers Round Two
3: Will DONATO (Balmain Tigers), Carlos VILLAZON (Dulwich Hill)

3:
Ethan SIMONE (Hawkesbury City SC), Terry PANNOWITZ (Nepean FC), Neil JABLONSKI (Hakoah Sydney City East), Anthony MUSUMECI (Dulwich Hill), Michael COLE (Northbridge FC)
-By Frank Speranza