Men’s State League 1 Round 8 Preview
Round eight promises more exciting action as the ladder starts to take shape with Hills Brumbies and North Shore Mariners currently occupying the top of the ladder.
Hawkesbury City vs Inter Lions is our MATCH OF THE ROUND in an exciting week previewed below.
Hawkesbury City SC v Inter Lions Saturday 16th April, 4pm, David Bertenshaw Field (Match of the Round)
Two struggling sides come together on Saturday afternoon in Richmond.
Hawkesbury were fed to the Tigers while Inter fell to the rampant Mariners so expect some fire from the two teams in this game.
Rosario Occhipinti will be a danger for the leaky City defense that has the worst goal difference (-11) in a tense game that represents the home sides best chance to get their first win of the season with catch ups.
Rydalmere Lions vs Western NSW Mariners FC, Saturday 16th April, 7:30pm, Rydalmere Park
Rydalmere remain the only undefeated team thus far in the Men’s State League 1, taking down Gladesville while Western NSW vaulted to third place after defeating Dully.
Andrew Fearnley will have to pick up his troops after their 3-0 Westfield FFA Cup exit to face a spirited Rydalmere side that Tony Basha has firing with the stoutest defence in the league.
They face a stern test with the Mariner’s attacking style for an intriguing contest.
Hills Brumbies vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, Saturday 16th April, 7:30pm, Valentine Sports Park
The competition leaders face another examination after their fortunate victory over Granville facing a chastened Gladesville after a mixed last week with a win on Wednesday and loss to Rydalmere Saturday.
Hills will be fired up after their second half effort last weekend saved by Daniel Morsillo, adding to his top goal-scorer tally late on meaning Gladesville face a tough task breaking the five game run. This game shapes up to be a tough contest Saturday night.
Stanmore Hawks vs Granville Rage, Sunday 17th April, 3pm, Arlington Oval
After a slow start to the season Stanmore has come into form with back-to-back wins over Inter and Nepean looking to make it three straight over the Rage.
Granville will pull double duty this week with a catch up fixture that will stretch their squad.
Stanmore will want to feed Costa Bakoulis to add to his tally of six goals, as they have shipped 16 goals thus far and will need a bag-full in a prime goal-fest on Sunday afternoon.
North Shore Mariners vs Nepean FC, Sunday 17th April, 3pm, Northbridge Oval
The Mariners flexed their championship muscle last weekend hitting Inter for six to keep pace with the Brumbies up top. Nepean meanwhile are struggling in the last month with injures and washouts not helping their form.
Nepean will hope for some troops to come back against a free scoring North Shore that coach Joe Haywood has playing some nice football, in the perceived one sided contests of the weekend.
Balmain Tigers FC vs Dulwich Hill FC, Sunday 17th April, 3pm, Wentworth Park
Fresh from qualifying for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32, Balmain want to build on the dominant performance against Hawkesbury that pleased Coach Di Giulo.
Ahmed Chandab was the hero scoring a brace as Dully will need to be at their very best to defeat a buoyant Tigers outfit.
Dully coach Norman Tome will hope his chargers will be up for what will be a very important match for the club as they hope to shock the home side in what should be an open affair at Wentworth Park.
Mid-week fixture: Granville Rage vs Nepean FC, Wednesday 13th May
-by Justin Davies, Men’s State League 1 Reporter
