Round 3 Preview – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s

Two mouth-watering matches involving the top four sides highlight what promises to be yet another exciting round of football this weekend in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition.

Sir Jack Brabham Park in Orange is where Round Three kicks off, at 3-00pm on Saturday afternoon to be specific, as the Western NSW Mariners welcome the visit of Sydney University.

Andrew Fearnley’s Mariners haven’t had the best of starts in 2016, losing narrowly to Stanmore on day one when they deserved something more, and coming unstuck last week against the Rage, so no doubt will desperate to get on the board on Saturday with a positive result.

Sydney University had a memorable victory last weekend at the opening of their new home complex, and will once again look to the exploits of Rosario Occhipinti in the attacking third to get them the points. The marksman has scored a goal in each of the first two rounds, reminiscent of his efforts in previously winning the golden boot at this level.

Two hours later, kicking off at 5-00pm, is the battle between Hawkesbury City and Balmain Tigers, taking place at David Bertenshaw Field.

Hawkesbury find themselves in unfamiliar territory after two rounds, without a point, nor a goal, to show for their efforts. But the Hawks have too much strength and quality in their squad to remain like this for too long, and they’ll be looking to replicate some of their positive preseason form at the expense of Balmain.

The Tigers bounced back last week after a tough previous seven days, showing plenty of courage and determination to overcome a half time deficit and beat Gladesville Ryde Magic 4-2 in Round Two. If Balmain can plug the leaks in defence, they’ll be a chance to snatch something away from home come Saturday.

Arlington Oval will play host to an Inner West derby of sorts at 7-00pm on Saturday, when Stanmore Hawks take on Inter Lions.

The Hawks are tight and well-structured in formation, and want to keep their home record intact. Inter Lions will savour the artificial surface at Arlington given their technical prowess, and will look to speedster, Daniel Fogarty, to add to his two goal tally in 2016.

Both clubs have had a win and a loss in the opening two rounds, so what odds for a draw and a split of the points on Saturday?

‘Three’ plays ‘two ‘ at Lilys Football Centre on Saturday evening, with Hills Brumbies and Dunbar Rovers kicking off at 7-00pm.

Both sides come in to this match with a perfect two wins from two matches, and both are in mean mood to extend their streak.

Hills Brumbies have beaten both Sydney University and Inter Lions very convincingly, scoring nine goals in the process, although they had to come from 0-2 down against Inter to grab the three points. Big Peter Cejkaa proved a handful for those respective defences, his clinical finishing now seeing him leading the golden boot for the division on five goals.

Dunbar Rovers have been very well structured and disciplined in their opening two outings, scoring seven goals without reply. The Rovers have had six scorers in their opening two matches, so there is no reliance on any individual, although Michael Sealy seems to be at the centre of most of his side’s attacks.

Speaking of Sealy, the striker did score a brace a week ago when these two teams met in Round 4 of the Westfield FFA Cup. Dunbar were methodical in their performance that night, winning 4-1 in the end, but the wound is still very fresh for Hills, so expect a plan for retribution of sorts when they come face to face again on Saturday night.

Rydalmere Lions welcome Granville Rage to Rydalmere Park on Saturday night in a match that pits first against fourth on the ladder, the match kicking off at 7-00pm.

Both sides know how to score, with a mammoth eighteen goals between them in the opening two rounds, across twelve players no less, so the strike weapons in both sides are plenty.

The Lions have Lloyd Owusu and Matthew Mayora up front, two very strong and physical presences, with Zac Elrich and Chris Camilleri both very capable supports, but they also have a fierce defensive line, lead by goal keeper Harrick Sinpraseuth, and have yet to concede a goal in the league in 2016.

The Rage have had a solid start, snatching a draw at the death against Dully in Round One, and smacking five past the Mariners in Round Two, and will have to be at their absolute best if they are to take anything from the match.

Magdala Park once again hosts the only Sunday game in Round Three, with Gladesville Ryde Magic welcoming Dulwich Hill.

For Magic, it will be their third consecutive match at Magdala, given their Round Two ‘away’ game against Balmain incurred a fixture amendment, but their home turf has proved fruitful for their opponents, with Dunbar and Balmain both scoring four goals on their way to claiming the three points.

Gladesville have some key players in their line up – namely Tohouroglou between the sticks, Gaitatzis in midfield, and Tomaras in attack – and with these men on song, and some disciplined and structure from the rest of the squad, a win is imminent here for Magic.

Despite the loss against high flyers, Rydalmere Lions, Dully could’ve snatched a point on the back of a positive second half spell with the score at 0-1. The visitors will look fierce captain, George Lagoudakis, to combine his ball winning abilities with the creativity of Anthony Musumeci, and hope that Dulwich can snag their first victory of the season.