Men’s State League 1 Round 13 Preview
The top three has opened up a six point gap on the rest as Men’s State League 1 season rolls on.
Balmain host the chastened Western NSW Mariners in this weekend’s Match of the Round.
Hawkesbury City SC vs Rydalmere Lions, Saturday 20th June, 4pm, David Bertenshaw Field – WASHED OUT
Hawkesbury City fresh from a giant killing last weekend look to add Rydalmere FC to their scalps.
David Bertenshaw masterminded a 5-1 win over Western NSW while Rydalmere were on the reverse of the same score-line against North Shore.
Evan Daglis is the form striker of the competition after his four goals last weekend and will spearhead the Hawks attack.
Rydalmere FC coach Tony Basha will expect a response after their defeat last week against a team they have beaten soundly already this season.
Nepean FC vs Granville Rage, Saturday 20th June, 7:30pm, Cook Park (St Marys) – WASHED OUT
It is getting close to the point of no return if Granville and Nepean were thinking of finals football.
Nepean sit bottom on five points after their loss to Dully while the Rage copped a late goal against Inter to dwell in tenth.
Coach Jason Breton hopes his experienced players including defender Kyle Romero to marshal the backline can prevent a repeat of their 7-1 thrashing at Garside Park.
Stanmore Hawks vs Dulwich Hill FC, Saturday 20th June, 7:30pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill take on local rivals Stanmore Sunday afternoon in the second derby of the season.
The arrival of Sam Messam has signalled a revival for Dully, who sit fourth with 18 points, by virtue of their +5 goal difference.
Stanmore raced out to a 3-0 lead after half an hour in their first game before needing a late Ekwerike goal to rescue a point.
The striker will be missing this weekend as Stanmore attempt to halt Dully’s momentum in a mouth-watering fixture.
North Shore Mariners vs Hills Brumbies, Sunday 21st June, 3pm, Northbridge Oval
Undefeated Mariners move onto their latest test – taking on the free scoring Brumbies Sunday afternoon.
Both teams secured victories last weekend with the Mariners impressively dispatching Rydalmere.
Brumbies will remember their narrow 1-nil loss to North Shore in April with their strike-force of Daniel Morsillo and Chris Bedzo.
The ever-present Michael Cole scored the winner back in round two, and hopes to add to his seven league goals.
Balmain Tigers FC vs Western NSW Mariners, Sunday 21st June, 3pm, Wentworth Park (Match of the Round) – WASHED OUT
Sixth and seventh come together in the race for the top five.
Balmain was held by a well-drilled Gladesville while Western NSW were shocked by Hawkesbury City.
Andrew Fearnley will be keen to break their hoodoo against Balmain this season. They have lost 7-nil on aggregate in two clashes including their Westfield FFA Cup defeat.
Joe Di Giulio welcomes back Jonathan Gowdy to finish those missed chances from last weekend.
Two straight losses has threatened to derail the good start of the Mariners while looking to chip away at their -7 goal difference.
Sunday promises to be an open and attacking game with plenty of goals.
Inter Lions vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, Sunday 21st June, 7pm, Fraser Park
Gladesville travel to Sydney’s south-west to build on two positive results against a lively Inter Lions.
Inter won for the first time in two months last weekend while Gladesville played out a scoreless draw.
Gustavo Maya Valiente has sparked the Lions with two goals in his four appearances hoping to continue his link with Lachlan Wright who provided the assist last weekend.
George Ganiatsas wants his team to attack an Inter team that has shipped 29 goals thus far to improve their modest zero goal difference.
Again, the Magic will look towards their fearless leader and captain Kiriakos Tohorouglou for inspiration.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 Reporter
