Mens State League 1 Round 6 Preview
ROUND six brings another full weekend of football action, as the top sides continue to jostle for positions early on in the season.
There are several intriguing clashes headlined by North Shore against Balmain our MATCH OF THE ROUND.
Hawkesbury City SC vs Dulwich Hill FC, Saturday 2nd May, 3pm, Arlington Oval (Venue updated)
It has been a stalled opening to the Hawkesbury City campaign with three losses and two washouts in their five games. The weather looks brighter for this weekend but not the prospects against a Dully side coach Norm Tome expects to address their slow starts this weekend. Dean Bertenshaw will want an encouraging result even a win may lift his side off the bottom.
Hills Brumbies vs Nepean FC, Saturday 2nd May, 7:30pm, Lily’s Football Centre
Two of the early heavyweights of this season’s Men’s State League 1 season come together Saturday night under lights at Lily’s. Hills produced a stirring second half onslaught to overcome Inter thanks to Daniel Marsillo, the forward will want to add his four goal season tally against a leaky Nepean defence. Nepean had a week off to stew over their loss to Western NSW Mariners so will come out firing against the Brumbies. Nepean will have their work cut out as well backing up after their Westfield FFA Cup clash against Blacktown City.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, Saturday May 2nd, 7:30pm, Proctor Park
Home hasn’t been a happy hunting ground early on for the Mariners from the west, who welcome the undefeated Magic to Proctor Park. A late Majid Elsami goal kept their record alive and travel out full of confidence to take on Andrew Fearnley’s men, who have played some good football while lacking the results in a tasty clash.
Rydalmere Lions vs Granville Rage, Saturday May 2nd, 7:30pm, Rydalmere Oval – WASHED OUT
Unfortunately this match has been washed out – details will be announced on the fixtures website in coming days.
Stanmore Hawks vs Inter Lions, Sunday 3rd May, 3pm, Arlington Oval
An intriguing battle plays out at Arlington Oval this Sunday with two of the more inconsistent sides in Men’s State League 1 look to build some momentum. Stanmore lost a tight affair to Balmain last week after their rout of Hawkesbury while Inter started well and faded to a disappointing loss to the high flying Hills team last week.
North Shore Mariners vs Balmain Tigers FC, Sunday 3rd May, Northbridge Oval [MATCH OF THE ROUND]
The recently disposed competition leaders, albeit due to the rain, resume their campaign on home turf against an improving Balmain side. The Tigers’ Joe Di Giulio was pleased at the all-round effort against Stanmore and will need to replicate it against North Shore, who blew away Dully in their last fixture. Both teams also have to navigate a mid-week Westfield FFA cup match before their clash as well.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 Reporter
