Round 10 – National Premier Leagues 3 Men’s Preview

Round Ten of the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition has its usual seven matches, scheduled this time over five different timeslots on Saturday and Sunday, but this weekend is highlighted by one very special match.

Dulwich Hill face off against local and fierce Portuguese rivals, Fraser Park, at Arlington Oval, with the kick off planned for 7pm.

The history between the two clubs is long and competitive, and geographically they have been near neighbours for years.

But this day also doubles up as a charity event for the McGrath Foundation, with Dulwich Hill donning an all pink strip, from their U13s right through to 1^st Grade.

It is quite simple to donate funds for the charity – you can click HERE;  and follow the prompts to support a great cause.

Back to the football, and Dulwich Hill have been in great form of late, with four consecutive wins seeing them climb to 5^th spot on the competition ladder. Dully boast the experience of Gosue Sama – of My Kitchen Rules fame – and Ben Vidaic in the front third, big central defender Nathan Bowden-Haase, who himself has nabbed a few goals this year so far, and skipper, Michael Frost, in between the sticks, amongst others.

Fraser Park may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment, but they would love nothing more than to get one over their historical rivals in this derby clash to turn their season around. Andrew De Brito leads the team and is a free kick specialist, with three goals this year, Michael Guse provides a threat in attack, and goal keeper, Mark Villaescusa, will be doing everything to repel the Dully attack.

Get out to Arlington Oval on Saturday and enjoy the carnival atmosphere as well as some quality football across all grades.

Earlier in the day, Dunbar Rovers will entertain Granville Rage at Hensley Athletic Field, the match scheduled for a 3pm afternoon kick off.

This will no doubt be a fierce battle for supremacy, as both clubs are mid table and separated by a single point, with Rovers on 13 and Rage on 12.

Both clubs suffered away defeats last weekend, Dunbar at Camden 0-2, whilst Granville copped six at Bankstown, so pride will be on the line as they look to bounce back to winning ways.

Two sides struggling towards the base of the competition ladder meet on Saturday at 5pm, with Inter Lions taking on Sydney University at Fraser Park.

Both sides have managed just two victories from nine matches this campaign, and struggling to pull away from the base of the ladder in the process, with Inter occupying 11^th position and Sydney Uni in 12^th.

Both sides have avoided any heavy defeats, having conceded two goals per game on average, so with a huge three points at stake, expect a tight arm wrestle with maybe a solitary goal deciding the outcome in this one.

Western NSW Mariners have their work cut out for them when they entertain the visit of high flying Bankstown City Lions at Glen Willow Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 5pm.

Bankstown City have notched 27 goals in 9 games this season at 3 goals per game, with Ante Tomic leading the competition with 12. Both player and team will be confident of adding to their totals and bringing back the spoils from their travels.

Two closely fought 1-3 losses over the past fortnight suggest that the Mariners have begun to tighten up defensively – they’ll have to have all hands on deck if they are to upset the high flying Lions in Mudgee.

Expect a real ding dong battle at David Bertenshaw Field on Saturday afternoon when league leaders, Hawkesbury City, take on Camden Tigers at 5-30pm.

Both sides are well structured and don’t mind mixing it physically, but don’t kid yourselves, both sides know how to find the net as well.

The Hawks can do no wrong at the moment and are sitting perched at the top of the tree on 23 points, and still remain undefeated, despite being stretched for a fit starting eleven.

Camden sit mid table on 12 points, with 4 wins and 5 losses, and will go into this match with nothing to lose and confident of being the first to clip the Hawks’ wings.

St George City FA will be aiming for their 5^th victory in a row when they welcome the visit of Stanmore Hawks to Jubilee Oval on Saturday night for a 7pm kick off.

St George City have been going about their business methodically, without much fuss, and scoring goals at will. 9 matches played and they have the best attack in the league with 30 goals, whilst only leaking 10 at the other end, and now occupying 2^nd spot on the ladder.

Midweek they became the 4^th NSW NPL 3 club in to the last 20 of the FFA Cup with a 3-1 victory over Maroubra United, so they will be backing up with some tired legs in this game.

Stanmore Hawks have dropped to 10^th spot following four successive defeats, so they will be desperate for the three points before they drop too far behind the top half of the ladder.

There could be a real arm wrestle unravelling on Sunday afternoon at Christie Park when Gladesville Ryde Magic clash with SD Raiders at 4pm.

Both sides have made it through to the last 20 of the FFA Cup, and have managed the Cup commitments well as they hold on to a top six spot in the NPL 3 league.

Magic have managed three successive 3-1 wins, forcing their way in to 4^th spot on the ladder, including a 3-1 triumph over Bankstown City two weeks ago. Midweek Gladesville avoided an extra time battle against Dunbar Rovers when Michael Gaitatzis netted an 85^th minute winner to dump Dunbar out of the Cup, and will be hoping they have enough miles in their legs to get the points on Sunday.

SD Raiders returned to the winner’s circle last week with a 4-1 drubbing of Inter Lions, and will very well know that another win here will take them above Magic on the ladder, adding an additional incentive to their application come the weekend.