Round 7 Preview – PS4 NPL 3 NSW Men’s

The 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition continues this weekend with six matches spread evenly over three timeslots – two kicking off at 5-00pm on Saturday afternoon, two starting at 7-00pm on Saturday evening, and the remaining two at 3-00pm on Sunday afternoon.

Hawkesbury City are back at David Bertenshaw Field on Saturday afternoon, welcoming the visit of Gladesville Ryde Magic.

The Hawks have had a tough time of it in 2016 thus far, with the solitary point to show for their efforts after six matches. The stats will show that Hawkesbury have been defensively sound, and in fact, have conceded the least amount of goals of all the teams in the lower half of the ladder. But the goals at the other end have been hard to come by – only four to date – and it is something they will have to get right if they are to start their ascent up the ladder.

Gladesville welcomed the return of skipper, Chris Gaitatzis, last weekend, and he spearheaded the side to a 4-1 victory over the Mariners with a superb hatrick. Gaitatzis, who now has five goals for the campaign, combined well on the day with Majid Eslami, who is another Magic attacker that has hit a rich vein of form recently.

Western NSW Mariners will no doubt be hoping for a change in home fortunes in the other Saturday afternoon match when they entertain Dunbar Rovers at Proctor Park.

Lachlan Thomas grabbed goal number three for the season last week, and along with Jeremy Judge, will be key in the attacking third for the home side. But the Mariners will be under no illusions – it will take a monumental effort from the entire team if they are to grab their maiden win on Saturday.

Dunbar Rovers will travel with confidence, having bounced back from the first loss of the season a fortnight ago to produce a resounding performance against Inter Lions, even though the match was not completed. Andrew Green leads the team’s goal scoring charts with five so far in 2016, but the club’s exploits extend further than that – they have ten players, no less, who have found the net so far this season, the highest of any club in the division.

Stanmore Hawks take on Granville Rage at Arlington Oval in one of two 7-00pm matches, hoping to continue their recent climb up the ladder.

Stanmore are enjoying a solid start to the season, and with four wins from six matches, the Hawks are sitting comfortably in equal third spot on points, and within arm’s reach of second.

Despite losing last week, Granville could take plenty of positives out of their match against Hills, including scoring four goals in a match where they lead twice. Alistair McKie and Dylan Stivala were especially impressive, and another good game from the technical midfielders will be required if they are to return home with a point or three.

Undoubtedly the match of the round will be at Lily Football Stadium at 7-00pm, when second placed Hills Brumbies tackle league leaders, Rydalmere Lions.

Both teams have the equal best attacks in the league, having found the net 22 times a piece, at an average of almost four goals a game.

Peter Cejkaa has seven of his team’s goals, but is ably supported by Sean Mitchell who has three, and a host of other Brumbies on two each. A win and Hills will draw level with their opponents, but a loss will mean they will fall six points behind, a fact that Rydalmere will be all too aware of.

The Lions come in to this match on the crest of a wave, with six straight wins and subsequently, 18 points to show for it. But Rydalmere are very tight defensively, just six goals conceded being the best in the league, and this is where they could very well win what promises to be an exciting encounter.

Balmain Tigers travel to Fraser Park to take on Inter Lions, the match kicking off at 3-00pm on Sunday afternoon.

Inter Lions find themselves in the top half of the ladder – barely on goal difference – but have been hot and cold thus far. Player-coach, Lachlan Wright, has been searching for that consistency in application on match day that can help the team maintain their form, but they risk losing touch with the top sides if they don’t find it soon.

Beware the wounded tiger! Balmain are still licking their wounds after copping a hiding at the hands of Sydney University last weekend, so will be out to restore some pride on Sunday. A win here will allow them to join their match day opponents on the ladder on nine points.

Sydney University host Dulwich Hill in the remaining game in Round Six, the match due to be played at the Sydney University Football Ground at 3-00pm on Sunday afternoon.

The ‘students’ have had a brilliant fortnight of football, firstly knocking over the previously unbeaten Dunbar Rovers in a solid all round display, and then taking Balmain Tigers to the cleaners in a ruthless performance.

Seven of the ten goals that Sydney Uni scored in those two wins have come from the competition’s new top goal scorer – Scott Tonkin – including a double hatrick last weekend, taking his season tally to eight.

Their opponents, Dulwich Hill, have had some close shaves in recent weeks, without any points to show for it. Captain George Lagoudakis will no doubt rally his troops to make sure their luck changes and they take something away from this match.