Men’s State League 1 Round 18 Preview
Following the wet weather that washed out last weekend Round 18 of the Men’s State League 1 competition serves up a super Saturday of football.
Hills Brumbies will host Granville Rage in our Match of the Round.
Hawkesbury City SC v Balmain Tigers, Saturday 25th July, 4pm, David Bertenshaw Field
The Balmain Tigers will rack up the travel kilometres in the final five weeks with four away trips starting this Saturday afternoon.
The current Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 participants were one of the few games to go ahead last weekend, losing a nine-goal thriller against North Shore Mariners at Valentine Sports Park.
It is home sweet home for Evan Daglis, whose six goals have all come at David Bertenshaw Field and will provide a tough task for the Balmain Tigers defense.
Energetic and key midfielder Ahmed Chandab misses the trip due to his red card last weekend.
Western NSW Mariners v Dulwich Hill FC, Saturday 25th July, 6pm, Proctor Park
Western NSW Mariners face a tough task to make the finals and it starts with fifth placed Dulwich Hill.
The Western Mariners are bereft of ideas and form shipping 17 goals in their last five games with a single point to their name.
Dully meanwhile have rocketed into fifth on the back of ten points gained in the same timeframe thanks to Adam Johnston’s majestic form.
It was happier scenes last time for Western NSW Mariners prevailing 2-1 and Andrew Fearnley will welcome a repeat scoreline.
Rydalmere Lions v Gladesville Ryde Magic, Saturday 25th July, 730pm, Rydalmere Park
Second hosts sixth on Saturday night in a belter affair at Rydalmere Park.
Two one-nil defeats to Hawkesbury City and Inter Lions has Tony Basha looking to experiment before the finals.
Gladesville Ryde Magic sit a win outside the five and look to Chris Gaitatzis and captain Kiriakos Tohouroglou to blunt the Lions.
Their task will be tough facing former A-League striker Lloyd Owusu and top goalscorer Zakeriya Elrich.
Hills Brumbies v Granville Rage, Saturday 25th July, 730pm, Valentine Sports Park – Match of the Round
Hills Brumbies need to find form quick, and no better way to start than against bottom placed Granville Rage in our Match of the Round.
Mark Giovenali hopes the 2-0 victory back in round seven can serve as a good omen for his Brumbies.
Granville Rage props up the table but a victory could leap them past Nepean.
Stephen Vukovic was a handful in their last clash and will lead his side from the front.
Daniel Morsillo scored the second and ultimately winning goal back in round seven but needs a goal to restore confidence.
North Shore Mariners v Inter Lions, Saturday 25th July, 745pm, Lily’s Football Centre
Improving Inter Lions face their toughest test against undefeated ladder-leaders North Shore Mariners.
Both teams played last weekend – Inter were pipped by Stanmore while North Shore Mariners saw off a spirited Balmain.
North Shore Mariners usually brick-wall defense was broken down last weekend and Joe Haywood hopes it was a one-off coming up against Inter striker Rosario Occhipinti this weekend.
Inter Lions were hit for six last time these two met and another huge loss may cruel their finals hopes.
Stanmore Hawks v Nepean FC, Sunday 26th July, 3pm, Arlington Oval
Sunday’s solitary fixture brings together seventh and eleventh on the hallowed turf at Arlington.
Stanmore Hawks narrowly got past Inter Lions while Nepean had the weekend off.
Former PS4 NPL NSW Men’s1 midfielder Sam Awad has proven a calm presence for the Hawks in their race for the finals.
Nepean FC suffered a 3-0 defeat in round seven and led by Nikola Podzer hope to reverse the scoreline.
-By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
