Men’s State League 1 Round 5 Preview
Round five promises more exciting action from Men’s State League One with three teams looking to keep their perfect record intact and an exciting fixture for the MATCH OF THE ROUND.
Check out our preview of the upcoming round below.
Hawkesbury City SC vs North Shore Mariners, Saturday 25th April, 5:30pm, David Bertenshaw Field – WASHED OUT
An impressive first half hat-trick from Tadgh Purcell put Dully to the sword so the ladder topping Mariners will fancy their chances on a trip to Sydney’s west. Hawkesbury remain the only side yet to register a point this season face a tough test to open their account against a swift Mariners team looking to open a larger gap at the top.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs Granville Rage, Saturday 25th April, 5:30pm, Glen Willow, Mudgee
The Mariners have been impressed since their 4-nil loss to Balmain back in round two, delighting their coach Andrew Fearnley, who has the team humming along led by midfielder James Christie, the architect of their three goals in Mudgee. For the visitors they will take solace in the aforementioned 4-nil win to get something out of the fixture with Calum Hedge in form, with his two goals last weekend.
Nepean FC vs Rydalmere Lions, Saturday 25th April, 7:30pm, Cook Park, St Mary’s – WASHED OUT
The situation looked grim for Rydalmere in the opening two weeks before picking up four points of six largely due to Zakeriya Elrich’s three goals including a wonderful solo effort against Balmain in round three. Nepean has hit a skid after their 3-2 first round win, losing their next two. Jason Breton will want his charges to get back to their style and getting three points to take them up the ladder.
Dulwich Hill FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, Sunday 26th April, 3pm, Arlington Oval
Gladesville kept their undefeated record alive with a gritty 2-all draw with the Rage. The Magic will be looking to heap further misery on Norm Tome and his Dully team, who by the coach’s own admission gave teams a head start in most of their fixtures thus far. Tome will rely on midfield anchor Steven Hrysanthos to gain control of the play and settle into their short passing style.
Inter Lions vs Hills Brumbies, Sunday 26th April, 3pm, Valentine Sports Park [MATCH OF THE ROUND]
It has been an encouraging entrance into Men’s State League One for the Brumbies sitting behind the impressive North Shore by a single point. They travel to the North West of Sydney to face the undefeated Inter Lions, led by Lachlan Wright who got the equaliser to salvage a point last week in the second of three 3pm kick-offs on Sunday afternoon.
Balmain Tigers FC vs Stanmore Hawks, Sunday 26th April, 3pm, Wentworth Park
It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Joe Di Giulo’s men who had the better of both games yet came away with no points. The task doesn’t get much easier for them back home at Wentworth, taking on an inconsistent Stanmore, who backed up a 4-1 loss with a 5-nil thumping of Hawkesbury City. The Hawks will be looking to striker Neil Philippou who has three goals in the opening month.
– by Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 Reporter
