Men’s State League 1 Round 12 Preview
This weekend represents a chance for those outside the top five to make their move for finals football.
North Shore takes on Rydalmere in the Match of the Round Sunday.
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Balmain Tigers FC, Saturday 13th June, 4pm, Magdala Park
Fifth takes on sixth at Magdala Park Saturday afternoon.
Balmain were professional in seeing off Granville while Gladesville broke their losing run against Hawkesbury.
Joe Di Giulo will be missing striker Jonathan Gowdy after his dismissal last weekend so Balmain need to find their goals from somewhere else.
Gladesville want to keep some distance between themselves in fifth and those outside the top six, so a victory this weekend can stretch that gap.
Western NSW Mariners vs Hawkesbury City SC, Saturday 13th June, 7:30pm, Glen Willow Stadium
Hawkesbury make the drive up to Mudgee to take on a wounded Western NSW.
The Mariners lost their first game since April to North Shore while Hawkesbury fell to two Gladesville first half strikes.
Andrew Fearnley hopes last weekend was a wakeup call his team needed and signal a return to their brand of football.
Hawkesbury despite losing put in a good effort and David Bertenshaw will want to replicate it in the West against a stoic Western NSW team.
Hills Brumbies vs Stanmore Hawks, Saturday 13th June, 7:30pm, Lily’s Football Centre
Hills Brumbies lost their top position the last two weeks after losses to Rydalmere and Dulwich Hill.
They fell to an opening half hour barrage from Dulwich Hill and only challenged in after halftime.
Mark Giovenali will have his striker’s doing extra shooting practice to fix their wasteful shooting from last week and keep pressure on leader’s North Shore.
Stanmore went down in an entertaining contest 2-1 to Rydalmere but will be hoping to continue the Brumbies misery Saturday night.
Dulwich Hill FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 14th June, 3pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill has transformed in the last few weeks after the signing of Sam Messam.
The striker has helped Dully take their chances and led to two thumping wins over Hills and Inter.
Nepean earned a tough point last week with a late Ben Knobel goal. That win will spur Nepean on for an upset against an in form Dully.
Inter Lions vs Granville Rage, Sunday 14th June, 3pm, Fraser Park
Ninth takes on tenth in a valuable three pointer Sunday afternoon.
Inter may have turned the corner in their 2-all draw with Nepean after a much more attacking display.
The lack of points recently has dropped Granville to ninth and they need to build results to keep themselves in the hunt for the top five.
Both teams will be desperate to spring from their lowly positions in a tough clash at Fraser Park.
North Shore Mariners vs Rydalmere Lions, Sunday 14th June, 3pm, Northbridge Oval (Match of the Round)
The two undefeated teams come together Sunday afternoon at Northbridge Oval in our Match of the Round.
Rydalmere has been the form team of the competition, winning four straight games to bounce to jump to third position.
Tony Basha has the form striker in Zakeriya Elrich and new signing Lloyd Owusu, to help unlock the Mariners defense.
North Shore has been the consistent force in the first half of the season with consistency that has pleased Joe Haywood.
Michael Cole, Ry Hardy and Tadhg Purcell provide goal threats fed by their dynamic midfield to trouble the Lions.
Two very attacking teams that has fired 25 goals each this season provides the backdrop for a exciting contest.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
