Men’s State League 1 Round 21 Preview
The penultimate weekend of Men’s State League 1 promises exciting action with five teams chasing two spots.
Premiers North Shore Mariners host Gladesville Ryde Magic in our Match of the Round.
Western NSW Mariners v Stanmore Hawks, Saturday 15th August, 5pm, Glen Willow Stadium
Western NSW host red hot Stanmore Hawks Saturday night in Mudgee.
It’s been a nightmare last few weeks for Andrew Fearnley’s men which culminated in a four nil loss to Hills Brumbies.
Stanmore Hawks will look to Sam Awad in the midfield to dictate alongside Steven Liavas.
Doritis has been a rock in defense and will have his hands full with Kane Hughes this weekend.
Nepean FC v Balmain Tigers FC, Saturday 15th August, 730pm, Cook Park (St Marys)
Balmain Tigers can secure finals football if they defeat relegation threatened Nepean FC.
A first half Jonathan Gowdy goal wasn’t enough as Balmain Tigers drew 1-1 with Inter Lions.
Nepean FC lost twice within three days, 2-1 to Hawkesbury City and 3-nil to Hills Brumbies.
Joe Di Giulio will hope the Balmain Tigers can avoid a banana peel game and repeat their 2-nil win earlier this season.
Rydalmere Lions v Hills Brumbies, Saturday 15th August, 730pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Rydalmere Lions head out to the south-west to host the resurgent Hills Brumbies.
Hills Brumbies after rotten luck with injury has rebounded to sit in the last finals position with two rounds to go.
The battle between the Brumbies defense against livewire Lions winger Zakeriya Elrich will be crucial to the vital three points.
Tony Basha has to fix the Rydalmere Lion’s errant shooting before finals football in two weeks.
Dulwich Hill FC v Inter Lions, Sunday 16th August, 3pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill looks to lock up third place against the stubborn Inter Lions Sunday afternoon.
Super sub Christopher Pinto helped Dully to a 2-1 win against Rydalmere Lions while Inter drew with Balmain.
Inter Lions will lean on captain coach Lachlan Wright to marshal their defense to stop Dully’s Stephen Hrysanthos and Akwasi Agyei.
Granville Rage v Hawkesbury City SC, Sunday 16th August, 3pm, Garside Park
It’s a simple equation for Hawkesbury City to keep winning for their faint finals hopes.
They face a tough prospect in Granville Rage who ended North Shore Mariners streak 2-nil.
Hawkesbury City battled to a victory over Nepean FC thanks to Paul Cooper’s double.
Hawks coach Dean Bertenshaw hopes that his side can continue to sneak up on opponents and into the five.
North Shore Mariners v Gladesville Ryde Magic, Sunday 16th August, 3pm, Northbridge Oval, Match of the Round
North Shore Mariners host a hungry Gladesville Ryde Magic in a local derby for our Match of the Round.
Both teams suffered losses last weekend but the 2-nil defeat against Granville for the North Shore Mariners sent shockwaves through State League 1.
Gladesville Ryde Magic need their key men in Alistair Mckie and Chris Gaitatzis to perform to keep the finals dream alive.
Joe Haywood’s team chastened by defeat will welcome a fiery derby clash to reignite their season.
Magic ‘keeper Kiriakos Tohouroglou faces a tough task to stop Tadhg Purcell and the Mariners attack.
By Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 reporter
